2023 Honda Civic Type R

On November 29, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Engineering Analysis (EA23003) to assess allegations of momentary increase in steering effort in model years (MY) 2022-2023 Honda Civic, 2023MY Honda CR-V, and 2023MY Acura Integra vehicles (subject vehicles). The complaints received by ODI alleged that the subject vehicles experienced a momentary increase in required steering effort (described as “sticky steering”) occurring mostly at highway speeds after driving for an extended amount of time; these complaints could not be duplicated during dealer service technicians’ quick test drives.  The complaints had been received over the previous two years with most occurring with low vehicle mileage. The steering gear of these vehicles is aided by an electrical power assist unit. This power assist unit inputs force on the steering rack via a worm gear and worm wheel assembly. During PE23005, Honda stated this condition of momentary increase in steering effort occurs due to two factors within this power assist unit. First, during manufacturing, the steering worm wheel goes through annealing and component conditioning processes. These processes cause internal stress and strain within the steering worm  wheel. This strain is slowly released over the first few months of the vehicle life. Over time, the released strain causes deformation of the teeth on the worm wheel, causing the worm gear to catch on the worm wheel. This catching results in the driver’s momentary increased steering effort. Second, the manufacturing process did not guarantee consistent grease application and, therefore, some subject vehicles received insufficient grease which contributed to the momentary increase in steering effort. During EA23003, ODI further analyzed the potential safety related consequences of the momentary increase in steering effort. NHTSA’s Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) duplicated the allegations of increased steering effort. In addition, VRTC discovered the steering worm wheel and worm gear tended to push grease out of the meshing area, resulting in large amounts of grease resting on top of the worm wheel. Information Request responses collected and reviewed by ODI showed Honda had also discovered this additional root cause during NHTSA’s EA. In addition, Honda discovered the preload of the worm wheel gear spring was set too high, increasing the gear slide load and resulting in higher friction and increased torque fluctuation when steering. The number of consumer complaints made to ODI continued to increase with the expansion of scope from the PE to the EA. Additionally, during EA23003, ODI received ten complaints alleging a crash, in addition to the 13 complaints ODI had received as of the time it opened EA23003. In total, 23 crashes have been reported to ODI due to this alleged defect. On October 3, 2024, Honda filed NHTSA Recall No. 24V-744 to address this defect. The recall will provide consumers with a new steering worm wheel gear spring with a decreased load. Additionally, dealerships will add additional grease and relocate any grease sitting on top of the worm wheel back into the meshing area. The scope of this recall includes all Honda vehicles that were manufactured with this specific improperly produced steering worm wheel and spring. In view of the recall action being taken by Honda, ODI is closing EA23003. NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

I respectfully request that the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles investigate Rick Case Honda for a repair I believe was performed negligently and the dealership's refusal to accept responsibility. On December 2, 2025, Rick Case Honda performed a cylinder head replacement on my 2023 Honda Civic before selling it at auction. I later purchased the vehicle on March 16, 2026, from Newton Nissan South, which had acquired it through the auction. Several months later, the engine developed an oil leak. Newton Nissan South diagnosed the leak at the front crankshaft seal using UV dye and referred me to Honda of Murfreesboro for warranty repair. During disassembly, Honda of Murfreesboro discovered a broken timing chain tensioner retaining bolt inside the engine. I met with the Service Director and a Honda North America Field Technical Specialist, who showed me the failed parts, including the broken bolt, broken tensioner, wear marks on the timing cover, and grooves in the engine block consistent with prolonged movement before the bolt failed. I was advised that this bolt requires only 7-9 ft-lbs of torque and that improper installation can cause delayed failure. Honda of Murfreesboro advised that the last repair involving removal of this component was Rick Case Honda's December 2, 2025 repair. Since then, no repairs have been performed in that area of the engine, only routine maintenance and diagnosis of the oil leak. Rick Case Honda has denied responsibility based primarily on the passage of time and changes in ownership, despite being the last dealership to perform this engine repair. I respectfully request that your office investigate whether Rick Case Honda failed to perform the repair according to Honda specifications and improperly refused responsibility for the resulting engine damage. I am seeking repair of my vehicle and any other relief deemed appropriate.

NHTSA ID

11747700

Incident

Dec 2, 2025

The engine is making a knocking noise, but there’s no code or check engine light. The noise is more pronounced when the vehicle is idling and when you apply and release the brakes. Start the car, let it warm up on idle, open the oil cap, apply the brakes, and then release them. The noise becomes louder. It could be the vacuum pump, but Honda has never addressed this issue.

NHTSA ID

11701996

Incident

Nov 29, 2025

The contact owns a 2023 Honda Civic Type-R. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive and unintendedly decelerated. The contact stated that the vehicle regained normal functions shortly after the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the failure recurred approximately 2 months later while driving 70 MPH up an entrance ramp. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact who is a certified mechanic, informed the dealer of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V031000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Electrical System); however, the dealer was unable to repair the vehicle because the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,500.

NHTSA ID

11639831

Incident

Aug 30, 2024

Mileage

16,500 mi

The contact owns a 2023 Honda Civic Type-R. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, while turning right, the steering started sticking. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while turning to the left. Additionally, the contact stated while driving on an uneven road surface, the steering wheel was not responding while making corrections; and the Lane Departure sensor was inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The failure mileage was 13,132. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11622948

Incident

Aug 12, 2020

Mileage

13,132 mi

The contact's wife owns a 2023 Honda Civic Type-R. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized in the direction that the steering wheel was turned. The contact stated that because of the failure, the steering wheel failed to return to center. The contact was forced to manually adjust the steering wheel to the center to resume normal driving. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a defective rack and pinion gear. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,500.

NHTSA ID

11612978

Incident

Jul 21, 2024

Mileage

45,000 mi

The contact owns a 2023 Honda Civic Type-R. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact followed the road with a slight left curve. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel to the left and then attempting to straighten the steering wheel, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact had to use force to steer the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rack and pinion gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V704000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.

NHTSA ID

11558489

Incident

Oct 5, 2023

Mileage

8,000 mi

Service Bulletin - Oil leak at the cam chain tensioner inspection cover due to and insufficient sealant adhesion on the inspection cover.

Service Bulletin - The MIL comes on with DTC P0369, Camshaft Position (CMP) EX-VTC actuator interruption due to the PCM software at start-up determining the EX-VTC actuator operation as noise of the EX-CMP sensor B, causing MIL to turn on and set DTC P0369.

Service Bulletin - During the engine warm-up, the Variable Valve Timing Control system may not be able to control within the VTC target. As a result, the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is illuminated and sets DTC P0011 (Variable Valve Timing Control (VTC) A System Malfunction).

Service Bulletin - Customers are seeing the Electric Power Steering (EPS) System Indicator on the instrument panel due to the 12-volt battery degrading. It can cause low voltage to be detected during an ignition cycle. This causes the steering angle calculation to stop, which leads to DTC U3000-49 for the EPS.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2023 Civic Type Rs with a customer complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P0011 (VTC A System Malfunction) stored. Customer may also experience an engine idling rough condition. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2023 Civic Type Rs with a customer complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P0011 (VTC A System Malfunction) stored. Customer may also experience an engine idling rough condition. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.