Offered as a traditional sedan, hatchback, and coupe at various times throughout its lifespan, the Civic is a very popular model in Honda’s stable and has stood as one of the top sellers in its portfolio for more than five decades, making this recall particularly far-reaching, with many Civic owners likely clutching their chests when they first read the headline. Fortunately, for most owners, this recall won’t hinder their daily commute, as a small production window for the affected wheel option limits the number of units.
Certain wheels on 10th generation Honda Civics may become loose while driving
Owners of Honda Civics from model years 2016 to 2021 with a certain type of 18-inch alloy wheel (pictured above) will want to brake as soon as possible and get to a Honda dealer, because a manufacturing defect has caused unfinished wheels to pass by without a critical safety feature: steel lug nut inserts or seats used to secure the wheel. These inserts were mistakenly omitted during production because a fence between finished and unfinished wheels was removed, allowing the unfinished wheels to be shipped alongside finished wheels, without their steel inserts.
Without these inserts, the wheel can become loose over time, which can result in the entire wheel or wheels becoming loose from the vehicle while it is in motion. This is clearly very dangerous, although some experts also emphasize that it is uncertain whether many of the affected wheels will be remedied through customization and resale. In other words, the original owners or models may not have owned the wheels mentioned, meaning they could be sold to an unsuspecting second-hand buyer who thinks they have a reliable Civic or some sleek alloys.
Limited production and a defunct factory in Italy
According to the NHTSA’s recall notice, Honda’s investigation into the problem began in July 2024, when a routine inspection of a Japanese-market Civic revealed the steering wheel cam insert was missing. Honda conducted an investigation from August 2024 to June 2025, with a safety recall in October 2025. The investigation traced the fault to a factory in Italy, where the production blunder occurred. The affected wheel style was only produced from December 2018 to December 2019, with Honda reporting a limited number of units.
Despite the limited production time and units produced, the risk is still high, as even one accident in which the wheels come off can be fatal. The factory that produced the unfinished wheels closed its doors in 2023, and while the reason for the closure isn’t stated in the recall notice, quality control questions will likely forever be linked to its existence after this major recall. Fortunately, as of the time the recall was issued, Honda has reported zero accidents or warranty claims related to the defective wheels on any of the affected models. Notices to dealers began on October 31, 2025, and notices to owners were scheduled to begin on December 8, 2025. The resolution to this recall consists of a thorough inspection of the affected products and a replacement if deemed necessary – free of charge, of course.
Sources: NHTSAHonda
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