2022 Honda Civic

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.

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. The reports have been received over the past 2 years with most occurring with low vehicle mileage. The steering gear contains a unit that includes a worm gear and a worm wheel. Honda stated this condition of momentary increase in steering effort occurs due to two factors within this unit. During manufacturing, the worm wheel goes through annealing and component conditioning processes. These processes caused internal stress and strain within the worm wheel. This strain was slowly released over the first few months of the vehicle life. Over time, the released strain caused the deformation of the teeth on the worm wheel, causing the worm gear to catch on the worm wheel. This results in the consumer’s momentary increased in steering effort. Also, the manufacturing process did not guarantee consistent grease application and therefore, some vehicles within the scope received too little grease which contributes to the momentary increase in steering effort. Analysis of all relevant data indicates that the subject condition occurs early in the vehicle’s life primarily in winter months. Additionally, the subject vehicles need to be driven in a straight line for a period of time, possibly until the vehicle is warmed up, to recreate the condition. The condition does not illuminate a malfunction indicator light (MIL). Some complaints allege Honda dealerships are unable to recreate the condition or state this is a normal vehicle operation. However, Honda released Service Bulletin 23-037 in July of 2023 which accurately describes the condition. To address this issue, Honda directs dealerships to remove the electronic power steering (EPS) gearbox and replace with a new gearbox.  Further, Honda stated that the worst case steering effort from all warranty returned parts tested was 2.4 pounds. ODI complaint traffic remains steady. ODI has received 13 crashes to date, 11 of which allege roadway departure due to not being able to overcome the momentary increased steering effort prior to their vehicle leaving the roadway. The remaining 2 incidents claim overcorrection of the steering wheel. PE23-005 has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA23-003) to further assess the scope, frequency and potential safety related consequences of the momentary increase of steering effort.  Further the scope has been expanded to include assessment of the Acura Integra and Honda CR-V models. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2022 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V704000 (Steering); however, the failure occurred a year after the recall repair. While driving at approximately 45-70 MPH, the steering wheel was sticking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by email. The failure mileage was approximately 84,300.

NHTSA ID

11773965

Incident

Oct 24, 2026

Mileage

84,300 mi

My 2022 Honda Civic Sport is affected by NHTSA Safety Recall 24V-744 (Honda Campaign SJS) for the steering gear. On SXXX, an authorized dealership (Honda City Chicago) officially diagnosed my vehicle with an "INTERNAL FAILURE CAUSING A KNOCKING TYPE OF SOUND" within the steering rack assembly, indicating it requires a complete replacement estimated at $4,680.27. Despite having an open recall for this exact steering gear defect, Honda Corporate (Case Manager [XXX], Case #XXX) formally denied covering the repair, falsely claiming that the problem is not covered and that the vehicle is out of warranty. The vehicle experiences a permanent knocking noise when turning the steering wheel from a stop. This defect has caused severe, uneven, and premature wear on all 4 tires (Walmart purchase less than a year old), completely destroying them and making the vehicle lose alignment immediately after service. Honda is refusing to perform the mandatory safety recall repair. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11771245

Incident

Sep 20, 2026

Sticky steering has returned after the safety recall repair. The steering intermittently sticks and requires extra effort to turn, mostly at highway speeds after driving for a while. No warning lights or messages come on. This is the same defect covered by safety recall 24V744 (Honda bulletin 24-119), and the recall repair (worm gear spring kit and grease) was performed at a Honda dealer in July 2025. The symptom has since come back. The vehicle was taken back to the same Honda dealer. The technician test drove it and could not duplicate the condition, found no codes, and found the wiring to the EPS motor OK. The dealer still recommended replacing the complete EPS steering gearbox under Honda Service Bulletin 23-037, which describes this exact condition (steering effort complaint at moderate/highway speeds with no warning light or stored code). The dealer says there is no warranty coverage and quoted about $2,275 plus tax. A goodwill request has been sent to American Honda and a case was opened with Honda customer service; no decision yet. Safety risk: the car is driven daily by a young driver, and a sudden increase in steering effort at highway speed could cause a lane departure or overcorrection. The recall remedy does not appear to have fixed the defect on this vehicle. The steering gearbox is still installed and available for inspection.

NHTSA ID

11771164

Incident

Sep 23, 2026

While stopped at a stoplight, the rear windshield shattered for no apparent reason.

NHTSA ID

11768118

Incident

Sep 30, 2026

2 Issues. 1) Only a few weeks after purchase there were defective stabilizer link bushings. They removed them and gave the car back to me while they waited for the part to come in. This part did not come in for several months maybe even a year so I was driving with defective suspension that entire time. The part came in and the vehicle was fixed. That was the first safety issue. 2) A brake light came on stating performance issues and I needed to take it to the dealer. I found out there is a bulletin about this problem and Honda is investigating. This problem effects the brakes so that's a very serious safety issue. The vehicle isn't even 4 years old and the problem started about 3 months after purchase so this is another safety issue I have been driving with. It started as intermittent and the dealer said it did not store a code. Until recently. They repaired the part and the light came back on so it seems like this problem needs further investigation and without resolution makes me concerned for my safety.

NHTSA ID

11767798

Incident

Sep 28, 2026

There is a recall on the power steering box, Honda attempted repairing, but the issue was not resolved. Honda is now requesting I purchase a new power steering rack and will not replace the faulty one on recall.

NHTSA ID

11758188

Incident

Aug 19, 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at higher speeds and turning the steering wheel, the steering wheel was sticky and failed to return to the center. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (Steering), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was inspected and determined that no repair was needed despite the failure. The contact stated that the failure progressively worsened and occurred while driving at various speeds. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair was not covered under the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

NHTSA ID

11757744

Incident

Oct 3, 2024

Mileage

30,000 mi

The mechanical backup keys on my "key fobs" do not work. When the key fob battery failed on 8/12/26 due to a dead key fob 2032 battery or a loose connection in the fob, I was locked out of my car with no ability to unlock the car. This happened in a garage, however it could happen again on the road or a highway and I would be left stranded with no way to get into my vehicle. When I was able to get the fob working again with new battery, I went to the dealer -San Francisco Honda -and two service representatives confirmed that the vehicle's manual mechanical emergency override fails to unlock the driver's door despite giving an internal "click." They refuse to fix it because the car is out of its general 36 month warranty. They stated I need to pay approximately $300 for the issue to be diagnosed, and then I would have to pay an unknown amount for the repair. I believe this issue has existed since I purchased the car and it should be handled as a safety defect under warranty.

NHTSA ID

11757489

Incident

Aug 12, 2026

Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, and/or misfire. In some cases, DTCs P0300 through P0304 may also be stored (DTCs are not required for repair).

Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, and/or misfire. In some cases, DTCs P0300 through P0304 may also be stored (DTCs are not required for repair).

Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, misfire and/or DTCs P0300 thru P0304 stored.

Dealer Message - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, misfire, and/or DTCs P0300 through P0304 stored.

Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, misfire and/or DTCs P0300 thru P0304 stored.

Service Bulletin - There is a dull creaking, rubbing, popping, or clicking noise coming from the front of the vehicle while turning at low speeds potentially due to the bump stop contacting the top of the front damper body.