Recall 12V548 affects 157 2012 Honda Civic vehicles with an incorrect steering column assembly. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.
Honda is recalling 157 2012 Civic passenger vehicles because they were built with the wrong steering column assembly. The wrong column can reduce the intended energy absorption in a crash and raise injury risk; the Honda dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The steering column on the 2012 Civic is the assembly between the steering wheel and the steering gear. It holds the wheel in position and transfers the driver's steering input down to the rest of the steering system. The car depends on that assembly being the correct part for its design.
On the affected Civics, Honda says the vehicle was assembled with the incorrect steering column assembly. That means the part installed in the vehicle does not match the intended steering column for that Civic. The defect is the mismatch itself, because the steering system was not built to the configuration Honda specified.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should not rely on a noise, warning light, or change in steering feel to decide whether the vehicle is included.
Who's affected?
| 2012 Honda Civic | steering column |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 157 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
An affected steering column does not absorb crash energy as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the steering-column inspection soon and ask whether replacement is needed. Repair will be free at any franchised Honda dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Honda Civic is included in this recall.
- Watch for Honda's owner notice if your VIN is included and you have not received one.
- Contact a franchised Honda dealer and ask whether the steering-column inspection and replacement that corrects the incorrect steering column assembly is open for your vehicle.
- Bring the recall notice if Honda sent one. If not, reference recall number 12V548 when you call.
- Drive normally unless the dealer gives different instructions, and keep the appointment once the repair is scheduled.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Honda technician inspects the steering column assembly installed in the affected 2012 Civic and replaces the steering column if the wrong assembly is present. Honda's recall notice says the safety recall began on December 10, 2012, and the inspection and replacement are free of charge. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. The service desk can confirm the repair order tied to the included VIN.
Timeline
| November 21, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 10, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V548?
Recall 12V548 covers 157 2012 Honda Civic passenger vehicles assembled with the incorrect steering column assembly. The official safety concern is reduced steering-column energy absorption in a crash, increasing injury risk. Honda dealers will inspect and replace the steering column as needed for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Honda Civic is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Civic is included in recall 12V548. If it is, contact a franchised Honda dealer and ask for the steering column inspection. Reference recall number 12V548 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Honda's remedy says dealers will inspect and replace the steering column as needed free of charge. The safety recall began on December 10, 2012.
What is the safety risk in this Honda Civic recall?
The risk is higher injury exposure during a crash. These Civics were built with the wrong steering column assembly, and the official concern is that the column does not provide the intended energy absorption in a crash. Confirm your VIN before assuming your vehicle is included.
What if I bought my 2012 Honda Civic used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to see whether your specific Civic is included, then call a franchised Honda dealer with recall number 12V548 and ask for the steering column inspection.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V548000 |
|---|---|
| Honda customer service | 1-800-999-1009 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V548 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V548000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →