Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the power steering functionality was inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel had seized. The contact stated that the dealer was located directly across the street. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed steering wheel rack and pinion. The contact was informed that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the parts had been ordered and would not be available until April 2024. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the contact was advised that the vehicle could not be released, and no further assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,600.
The contact owns a 2023 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the steering wheel was inadvertently locked. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The ABS warning light was illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the brakes needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the failure was a known failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 11,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was sticking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver had to overcompensate to correct the steering of the vehicle while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be test driven. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 9,300.
I noticed periodically over the span of a few weeks that when making left hand turns the steering would stick. Making me use slight more force to "unstick" it. I turned off lane assist and all other driving assist programs to help isolate the issue. Being a brand new car I wasn't sure it this was a new normal or not with all the new bells and whistles I have now. A few weeks later it was becoming more consistent. I noticed it gradually getting worse with the slightest left turn of the steering wheel. I made an appointment with the Honda Dealership where I purchased the vehicle from. At this appointment on 2/10/24 the sticking issue was duplicated by the technician and was discovered that I needed an electric power steering rack. I was told these parts were on back order as they have other new vehicles in the shop with the same issue. They could not provide an ETA for my parts. …
Since approximately 5K to 10K miles on the car, the steering has been "sticky." I mean the steering seems to have discreet sticky points or detents when trying to turn the steering wheel, as if the steering system is fighting me from turning the wheel. It is like this both when parked and when driving. When parked, there seems to be a noticeable looseness in the steering when turning the steering wheel either direction, and also has these sticky detents when turning the wheel. Same thing when driving at all speeds. It seems to be getting worse. It is so noticeable that I (and any passengers) can hear it when trying to turn the wheel. At some point, I think the car might start getting unsafe to drive like this if it continues to get worse. …
When attempting to turn left the steering began having some resistance. Initially it felt like a minor problem but then at higher speeds, like taking left hand curves on the freeway at 45 miles an hour, the car started abruptly jerking to the right. I had to fight the steering to try to keep the car in my lane but it slightly went into the right lane momentarily. I got off the freeway at the next exit and drove slowly on surface streets to get home. The next morning I took the car in to the Honda service department to address this issue. I was told the steering unit needed to be replaced but the parts were unavailable. After several days I have yet to find out how long until parts can be delivered. There were no warning signals or messages from the car prior to this issue. The car is presently at the Honda service department. …
When turning on a curve the steering locks up/sticks for about 2 or 3 seconds and then it unlocks. When it locks up I could unlock it by using a bit of force to unlock/unstick it before it does by itself. I took to dealer and they say I need the whole steering rack. I have done research on this issue and I saw lots of 2023 crv owners are reporting the same issues. There is a recall to replace steering spring and to lubricate. But this recall issue is affecting cr-v whole rack and it should be in the recall. Honda did not make the steering properly and its causing many steering issues. There should be a recall on all steering issues. I currently have to drive my car with this issue because I don't have $4k for a new rack which is what they told me at dealer it cost. …
At speeds above 40 miles on the highway, the steering occasionally feels sticky or resistant, disrupting the smoothness of the drive. The best way I can explain it is this: Imagine you're driving on a straight road at a speed above 40 Miles, gradual turn with the steering wheel turned only slightly. Then, when you need to adjust it a bit more to stay on the road, it feels like there's a momentary increase in resistance, almost as if the steering briefly "sticks" and then returns to its usual firmness. It's as if the steering wheel gets stuck in a groove during the gentle turn, and the resistance doesn't have a smooth feel when you're trying to adjust further into or out of the turn. If I were to make an educated guess, it could be related to one of the safety systems integrated into the steering mechanism. …
Our new CRV developed "sticky" steering within months of being new. Periodically, the steering wheel will momentarily catch when making minor steering adjustments, requiring additional force to make the wheel respond. In heavy traffic, especially at highway speeds, this creates a dangerous situation, preventing subtle steering changes and often causing oversteering when exerting the extra force. The issue was diagnosed by the dealership, Honda of Cleveland, TN, in mid November and a new steering rack was ordered. However, the replacement part is currently not available until September '24. The dealership says that the vehicle is safe to drive so no other solution has been offered. The problem continues to worsen, but the vehicle is the only source of transportation for my wife to commute to work and for our entire family to travel on extended trips, so we have no option but to drive it.
The steering wheel seems "sticky" as in it feels as though it gets "stuck" in intervals typically after traveling several miles at highway speeds. It requires excess force to adjust and move the steering wheel once it "sticks" and is exceptionally noticeable while driving a straight path and having to adjust the wheel left/right in minor increments to follow the straight path. Occasionally I even overcompensate with force to "unstick" its position and have drifted over the center road line in the process which I instantly thought the first time it happened could prove dangerous if another driver were directly beside me in an adjacent lane. I will be having the vehicle assessed by the dealer in the next couple of days. No warning lamps indicate any problem with steering or steering components. This issue started somewhere around 4-5,000 miles and is progressing with continued vehicle use.
Related recalls
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.
NHTSA investigations
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 CR-V Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid?
NHTSA has 72 complaints about the steering of the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 62% of the model year's 116 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 24V-744 (steering, Oct 3, 2024). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 11,000 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.