Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2023 Honda Civic SI owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2023 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the power steering failed, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. Additionally, while turning the steering wheel, the steering over corrected making it difficult to control the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering box was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 6,500.
The vehicles steering wheel began making a slight, motorized, clicking noise several weeks ago. I had taken it into the Honda Dealership it was purchased at and they said they could not locate the issue. The steering wheel is now having a sticky steering wheel while the vehicle is running and in motion. This creates a serious safety concern because I have to over correct steering to push the steering wheel past the point it is stuck at. It usually happens when driving between speeds of 30-60 MPH. This has caused me to overcorrect steering in several instances and the dealership has said they cannot fix the issue. It is a serious issue that puts myself and other drivers at risk due to the fact it is an issue with one of the most basic components of a working vehicle. …
During drives recently, I have noticed that the steering wheel likes to "stick". What happens is that I will be driving in any conditions at any time and when the car starts drifting out of its lane and I go to correct myself, I notice that the steering wheel likes to have a tendency to be very hard to move for a quick moment then return to normal. This usually happens frequently during the drives where it is affected by this issue but some drives aren't affected by this issue at all. Even during a turn on a curvy road it was "sticking", and I decided to let go of the wheel to test it, and during the turn the wheel stuck in position during the turn for at least 10 seconds until it returned to normal. I feel that the steering wheel could get worse through wear and get stuck into position at any moment and not let me use it again without force which could endanger other drivers. …
When driving in a straight line or in turns where the steering wheel stays in the same fixed position for more than several seconds, the steering wheel sticks. It occurs when no corrections to steering are made for a while. It's a light stick, but it's very noticeable. When it happens, more than a normal/reasonable amount of pressure is needed to unstick the steering wheel when trying to change lanes or stay in lane. This has led to making over corrections. This problem seems to happen at various speeds, but I've found it most noticeable between 35-70 MPH. I believe this is a problem with the electric power steering system. The safety of other motorists and myself are put at risk because this problem occurs at a high rate of speed and leads to over-corrected steering. I am taking the car in for service on 01/25/2024 to see if they can replicate the issue. It has not been inspected yet. …
This issue occurs shortly after 5000 miles on my 2023 Honda Civic Si. The steering of the vehicle will become inconsistently firm, especially when making minor corrections at highway speeds. It almost feels as if the steering gets stuck, and only after applying more pressure in your steering direction does the stickiness give way, and normal steering feel resume. (until the next minor correction) The issue is intermittent and seems it most often presents itself after prolonged driving at highway speeds, but it has happened on short drives and lower speeds. The issue is present regardless of the auto LKAS and sport mode settings (which will stiffen the steering for a better feel) Both auto LKAS and Sport mode function normally otherwise. On drives, when the issues occur, I will feel the stiff or sticky steering every time the steering wheel changes direction.
I am writing to bring to your attention a safety recall on my vehicle. On several occasions, I have visited the Lancaster Honda Dealership, located at 43244 Drivers Way, Lancaster, CA 93534, to request an appointment for the necessary repair. However, I was informed that, as I am not a customer of their dealership-meaning I did not purchase my vehicle there and have not had it serviced recently-they are unable to assist me. I was told that they only receive two repair kits per week, and these are prioritized for their customers. The last Honda dealership where I had my vehicle serviced is located in Long Beach, CA, approximately 90 miles away. Since I now reside in Lancaster, CA, I believe it is unreasonable to expect me to travel that distance to address this safety recall. I kindly request that this matter be investigated further to ensure proper resolution.
While driving I'm having difficulting staying in the center of my lane because my steering wheel is not allowing minor steering adjustments without sticking in place temporarily. I need to apply more pressure than expected to turn the wheel before it unsticks. My local Honda dealer recently replicated this behavior on a test drive and is recommending I replace my EPS gearbox, outlined in a service bulletin issued by Honda related to this symptom (Service Bulletin/Manufacturer communication: 23-037). Honda has agreed to pay 50% of the repair since I am out of warranty - my mileage on my vehicle is a little over 41K. I am asking Honda to pay for the full repair given the related EPS saftey recall they have issued, but they have not agreed to do this yet. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to experiencing these steering problems.
I bought my car brand new from Honda in 2023. When the car had about 20,000 miles on it I took it in to my dealer for a steering issue "sticky steering" they said they could not reproduce the issue. Fast forward about a year they finally came out with a recall for the issue. I took the car in for the recall the repaired it and it was fixed for about a year and now the issues with the steering have come back. The dealership told me they performed the recall again and it did not fix the issue this time and they said I need a new steering rack. Honda is not wanting to replace the steering rack they want me to pay part of the cost. How am I responsible for paying for repairs on something they have a recall on and they admitted that should not have to. But yet they are still wanting me to pay for 30% of the repair bill which is over $1,000.
My steering wheel started to twitch on November 2, 2023. My car has a little over 9,000 miles on it. The LKAS system is not activated when the twitch occurs. I toggled between the different driving modes (Individual, Sport, Normal). I experience the twitch in every mode. I have found it difficult to move the steering wheel from the center position. I have to fight resistance to make steering corrections to keep the car centered in my lane. I am concerned the car will steer itself and cause an accident. I made an appointment with the dealer on November 9, 2023 to troubleshoot the situation. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. No faulty indications have been observed on the vehicle's instrument cluster.
At around 15K miles I started having an issue where my steering wheel would stick at an angle. Almost like it was stopped and shut off. As I would attempt to turn the wheel from left to right it would get semi stuck and you'd have to force it to break it free. This had happened numerous times and is an issue with the 11th gen si. The power steering rack and pinion were replaced under warranty after taking the car in multiple times and them claiming they never could replicate the issue. However, they replaced it with the same part so the issue will come back. During the time before replacement it got stuck and I had to pull hard to avoid hitting a car, barriers on freeway 99, flying off a cliff, and avoid driving off the road.
NHTSA investigations
Momentary Increased Steering Effort
On March 17, 2023, The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE23-005) to access the alleged defect of momentary increase in steering effort in model years (MY) 2022 and 2023 Honda Civic vehicles. The complaints report that the momentary increase in steering effort (described as "sticky steering") occurs mostly at highway speeds after driving for a certain amount of time.
Momentary Increased Steering Effort
On November 29, 2023, the O ce of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Engineering Analysis (EA23003) to assess allegations of momentary increase in steering e ort in model years (MY) 2022-2023 Honda Civic, 2023MY Honda CR-V, and 2023MY Acura Integra vehicles (subject vehicles).
Steering complaints in other Civic SI years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2023 Honda Civic SI?
NHTSA has 60 complaints about the steering of the 2023 Honda Civic SI, 92% of the model year's 65 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2023 Honda Civic SI steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2023 Honda Civic SI. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2023 Honda Civic SI steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 7,000 miles, and 100% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.