2018 Honda Civic Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Model data compiled from public NHTSA records; may be incomplete, inaccurate, or out of date. General information, not professional advice — see Terms.
One honest thing before you start
We're car-data nerds, not mechanics. This checklist is general information — not professional advice — built from real recall records and thousands of owner complaints to make you a sharper shopper. Think of it as triage, not a diagnosis.
Before any money moves, get an independent inspection from a qualified mechanic (typically $100–$250). Our data comes from public sources and may be incomplete, inaccurate, or out of date — no checklist catches everything.
So here's the deal: use this to decide whether a car is worth that inspection. You're evaluating and buying the car entirely at your own risk — we're not liable for anything this checklist misses, anything it gets wrong, or any loss resulting from your purchase decision. Fair?
Known issues for the 2018 Civic
5
Steering complaints Red flag
Check for looseness, pulling, or unusual noise in the steering at low and highway speeds. (224 complaints filed for this model-year.)
based on 224 NHTSA complaints
Fuel System complaints Red flag
Note any stalling, hesitation, or fuel smell on the test drive, and verify that open fuel-system recalls were completed. (89 complaints filed for this model-year.)
based on 89 NHTSA complaints
Gasoline complaints Red flag
Ask the seller about any history in this area and have a mechanic inspect it. (89 complaints filed for this model-year.)
based on 89 NHTSA complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System complaints Red flag
Note any stalling, hesitation, or fuel smell on the test drive, and verify that open fuel-system recalls were completed. (70 complaints filed for this model-year.)
based on 70 NHTSA complaints
Electrical System complaints Red flag
Test all electronics — lights, windows, infotainment, and driver aids — and confirm no warning lights stay on. (51 complaints filed for this model-year.)
based on 51 NHTSA complaints
Verify on NHTSA → · How we get our data →
72 additional complaints were filed without a specific component.
Open recalls
6
Fuel System, Gasoline Red flag
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Equipment Red flag
If the owner is not able to verify if their vehicle is involved in safety recall, it can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Steering Red flag
The unintended steering input reduces vehicle maneuverability and increases the risk of a crash.
Equipment Red flag
If the information is missing or improper, it can increase the risk of injury or a crash.
Fuel System, Gasoline Red flag
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Air Bags Red flag
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The 31-point checklist
31
0 / 31 checked · 0 red flags ·
Before you go
We may earn a commission — it keeps the checklist free.
Check the VIN history on EpicVIN
Check it on CarFax (we don't earn from this)
Get an OBD2 scanner DEMO
Paperwork & history
Exterior & wheels
Interior & electronics
Under the hood
Test drive (15+ min, city + highway)
This tells you whether the car deserves a pro inspection (typically $100–$250) — it's not the inspection.
2018 Civic–specific issues
Your verdict
Keep inspecting — you're under halfway. The red-flag items matter most.
No red flags? Nice. A pro's eyes on it before your money moves is still the play.
Two red flags just saved you the inspection fee. Plenty more cars out there.
We may earn a commission — it keeps the checklist free.
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Honda Civic have?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2018 Civic. The most serious involve Fuel System, Gasoline (20V314000) and Equipment (18V421000). Ask the seller for proof each recall was completed.
What are the most common complaints about the 2018 Civic?
The top complaint areas are Steering (224 complaints) and Unknown or Other (105 complaints), out of 598 total complaints.
What should I check before buying a used 2018 Civic?
Run through the full inspection checklist below, verify any open recalls were completed, and get an independent pre-purchase inspection. Pay special attention to Steering, which drew 224 complaints for this model-year.