Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 23% | — |
| 2025 | 34 | 42% | 3,000 miles |
| 2024 | 69 | 52% | 12,000 miles |
| 2023 | 196 | 75% | 17,000 miles |
| 2022 | 736 | 83% | 27,000 miles |
| 2021 | 67 | 45% | 54,000 miles |
| 2020 | 31 | 13% | 41,000 miles |
| 2019 | 112 | 25% | 57,000 miles |
| 2018 | 314 | 42% | 51,000 miles |
| 2017 | 175 | 29% | 47,000 miles |
| 2016 | 446 | 41% | 39,000 miles |
| 2015 | 21 | 6% | 12,000 miles |
| 2014 | 15 | 5% | 46,000 miles |
| 2013 | 38 | 12% | 25,000 miles |
| 2012 | 74 | 16% | 60,000 miles |
| 2011 | 4 | 2% | 130,000 miles |
| 2010 | 19 | 5% | 42,000 miles |
| 2009 | 13 | 3% | 58,000 miles |
| 2008 | 24 | 3% | 40,000 miles |
| 2007 | 26 | 2% | 49,000 miles |
| 2006 | 44 | 3% | 45,000 miles |
| 2005 | 7 | 2% | 57,000 miles |
| 2004 | 6 | 2% | 60,000 miles |
| 2003 | 15 | 3% | 100,000 miles |
| 2002 | 23 | 3% | 65,000 miles |
| 2001 | 20 | 2% | 145,000 miles |
| 2000 | 6 | 2% | 124,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% | 210,000 miles |
| 1998 | 7 | 2% | 97,000 miles |
| 1997 | 5 | 1% | 1,000 miles |
| 1996 | 6 | 2% | 74,000 miles |
| 1995 | 9 | 5% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
On 9/9/2026 and one other occasion within the past few months, the vehicle was started normally using the keyless ignition. The driver then disengaged the parking brake and shifted into Reverse. The vehicle began backing out a driveway when it was discovered that the steering remained locked despite the vehicle being in motion. The steering wheel could not be turned, indicating that the steering column lock mechanism failed to release after startup. It is believed that one or more dashboard indicators may have illuminated but no details are available. The driver immediately stopped the vehicle, shifted to Park, and powered the vehicle OFF. After restarting, the steering lock disengaged normally and the vehicle operated as expected.
The one I put down are affected items the water pump could be bad the alternator the computer I'm not a mechanic so of the thing in the car on display don't always work the cruise control is effected the front left tire wheel and axle feel bad and a times I think the steering wheel could fail and leave me going in that direction..!! The web says it may need an asymmetric rebuild I wasn't being careless . At some point if the car has faulty water pump it could burn or fire.. I could be go 70 or 25mph and it would happen
Hello, I am writing to formally request escalation and review of a potential vehicle safety concern involving my recent accident. I previously filed a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), contacted Honda, State Farm, and the investigating police department regarding this incident. I am following up because I am concerned this may represent a broader public safety issue, not limited to my individual case. Given the nature of the incident and vehicle behavior involved, I respectfully request: * Confirmation that my complaint has been received and assigned for review * Evaluation of whether this issue may indicate a potential safety defect or recurring pattern * Preservation and review of all relevant vehicle data, including Event Data Recorder (EDR), ECU/diagnostic logs, and any available telematics data * Any guidance on additional information or …
The contact owns a 2025 Honda Civic. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V763000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 24V744000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repairs was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while their son was driving approximately 20 MPH attempting to make a left turn when the steering wheel suddenly became difficult to move then immediately released. The vehicle went up on a nearby curve causing the vehicle to side-swipe a nearby object (contact was unsure of the object). There were no warning lights illuminated. There were no injuries, no medical attention was needed. The air bags did not deploy. No police report was filed. …
The contact leased a 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60-70 MPH, the two rear wheels lost traction, and the vehicle started to fishtail. The contact slowed down but while attempting to pull over, the vehicle fishtailed again and started spinning forward before the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a brick barrier on the highway. The air bags deployed upon impact with the brick barrier. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact exited the vehicle and inspected the vehicle and became aware that the axle from one of the wheels had detached. The contact was experiencing pain to the lower back, neck, right shoulder, and a finger on the left hand. The contact had not sought medical treatment for his injuries. A Police report was filed but the information was not available. …
The contact owns a 2024 Honda Civic. The contact stated that when attempting to make a left turn into a parking lot, after being idle, the steering wheel seized while still turned to the left. This caused the vehicle to continue turning to the left. The vehicle resulted in crashing into another vehicle nearby ultimately coming to a complete stop. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact's left hand was fractured. The driver in the other vehicle received injuries as well however the contact was unsure of the exact injuries sustained. Medical attention was needed for both the contact and the other driver. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to their residency. The other vehicle was damaged and needed to be towed. A police report was filed. …
The contact owned a 2023 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving on a neighborhood street at 20 MPH when the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the vehicle began to drift to the right causing the contact to crash into a mailbox. No warning lights were illuminated. There was property damage to the mailbox. The vehicle came to a stop upon crashing into the mailbox. The air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to a local junkyard. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact stated that she and her son were injured and that he was seated in the front passenger seat. Nobody outside of the vehicle was injured. The contact sustained injuries to her back, shoulders, and arms, and her son sustained injuries to the head. Medical treatment was needed for the injuries of both the contact and her son. …
The contact owns a 2023 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH and exiting the highway, the steering wheel became firm. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle struck an unknown object, causing damages to the front and rear bumpers, and the front and rear passenger's side doors. There were no injuries sustained. The contact was able to pull into a parking and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The contact was unsure if the vehicle was diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 2,700.
Related recalls (4)
Steering
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the worm gear spring and redistribute or add grease as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2024.
Steering › Rack and pinion
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Civic 4-door and Civic 5-door vehicles that received a replacement power steering rack as part of a service repair. The steering rack may have been incorrectly assembled, which can allow the tire to chafe against the lower suspension or tie rod end, possibly…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the electric power steering rack, as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 16, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Steering › Electric power assist system
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Honda Civic and CR-V vehicles. The magnet that controls the torque sensor output signal for the electronic power steering system may not be properly secured, allowing the magnet to become dislodged.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gearbox assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Steering › Column
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Civic passenger vehicles, manufactured from October 26, 2012, through October 30, 2012. These vehicles were assembled with the incorrect steering column assembly.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on December 10, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
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).
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda Civic years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2022 (736), 2016 (446), 2018 (314), 2023 (196) and 2017 (175) model years. Steering complaints make up 83% of all complaints for the 2022.
Is there a recall for Honda Civic steering problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 24V-744 (steering, Oct 3, 2024); 23V-704 (rack and pinion, Oct 19, 2023); 18V-663 (electric power assist system, Sep 27, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Honda Civic steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 46,000 miles; 59% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the steering wheel/handle bar (14 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist system (11).
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.