2024 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.

The steering on is off even after they fixed the steering recall. The driving feel wobbly and my tires are wearing uneven. Since honda ‘took care’ of the recall they keep saying its fine but the steering feels loose and there is a definite wheel wobble. This is frustrating cause ive been complaining about this since 29k and it now has 38k with no fix and now i might need tires. All because honda doesn't want to take responsibility for their bad steering rack ans components.

NHTSA ID

11765168

Incident

May 5, 2026

The car was stolen. See attached

NHTSA ID

11763989

Incident

Sep 1, 2026

My 2024 was forcibly entered via breaking glass. Someone inserted an electonic device into the car, then walked away. They used anoter device in their hand, made all the lights flash- engine started and they drove off. Both keys were not in the car, or close by. Doors were locked. See detailed report attached

NHTSA ID

11762301

Incident

Sep 1, 2026

Stolen car

NHTSA ID

11761499

Incident

Sep 1, 2026

I am filing this complaint regarding an unresolved steering issue involving my vehicle and the handling of NHTSA Recall 24V-744. My vehicle was subject to Recall 24V-744, which involved a steering-related safety issue. I brought the vehicle to the dealer for the recall repair. The dealer applied grease as part of the recall service and represented that the issue had been addressed. However, the steering problem did not go away. I subsequently returned to the dealer because I was still experiencing the same steering issue. Instead of treating the continuing problem as related to the recall repair, the dealer charged me a diagnostic fee and is refusing to cover the cost of the steering rack. I am concerned because the vehicle continues to have a steering-related problem after the recall repair was performed. The fact that the dealer’s initial recall repair did not resolve the issue raises concerns about whether the recall condition was properly diagnosed or repaired, or whether a related component has failed as a result of the same underlying problem. I do not believe I should be responsible for paying a diagnostic fee or the cost of a steering rack if the problem is related to the recalled steering condition or the attempted recall repair. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether the dealer properly performed the recall repair, whether the continuing steering problem is related to Recall 24V-744, and whether additional corrective action is necessary. I am particularly concerned about the safety implications of continuing to operate a vehicle with an unresolved steering problem. I would like the manufacturer/dealer to properly diagnose and correct the underlying steering issue and address the costs I have incurred as a result of the unsuccessful recall repair. Even the mechanic said that it was a internal steering issue. Please see reported attached.

NHTSA ID

11760637

Incident

Dec 13, 2024

1. Component Failed & Inspection Availability:The Electronic Power Steering (EPS) Gearbox and Rack Assembly malfunctioned and failed. The component is currently installed on the vehicle and is fully available for inspection upon request.2. Safety Risks:The steering wheel physically binds, catches, and sticks when traveling at highway speeds (between 45–70 mph). Controlling the vehicle requires increased steering effort to break through the physical stickiness, causing the vehicle to suddenly jerk. This poses an immediate crash hazard as it makes maintaining a straight line or making minor lane corrections incredibly dangerous for myself and other drivers on the road.3. Dealer/Independent Confirmation:The vehicle was previously taken to an authorized Honda dealership for NHTSA Campaign 24V-744. The dealership performed a temporary grease/spring intervention and marked the recall as "Completed" or removed on my VIN. The mechanical failure has now returned and worsened at 76,000 miles. A secondary local dealership has verbally confirmed the steering rack requires full replacement but is refusing to formally diagnose or inspect the failed safety component without an out-of-pocket $210 diagnostic fee.4. Entity Inspection:The component was previously inspected and serviced only by an authorized Honda dealership during the initial recall rollout. It has not been inspected by police or insurance.5. Warning Lamps & Prior Symptoms:There are currently intermittent "Steering System Problem" and "Lane Keeping Assist / ADAS Failure" warning messages appearing on the dashboard. The primary symptom is a distinct "sticky" or "notchy" resistance when turning the wheel. These symptoms first appeared gradually over the last several thousand miles following the failure of the initial dealership recall remedy.

NHTSA ID

11760044

Incident

Aug 27, 2026

Failure brake suspension

NHTSA ID

11758741

Incident

Feb 3, 2026

Windshield wipers fail to clear debris

NHTSA ID

11740649

Incident

Oct 1, 2024

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.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2024-2026 Civics and HR-Vs with a customer complaint of the A/C not blowing cold air and the technician finding the A/C compressor to be seized. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2024-2026 Civics and HR-Vs with a customer complaint of the A/C not blowing cold air and the technician finding the A/C compressor to be seized. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2024-2026 Civics, CR-Vs and HR-Vs with a customer complaint of the A/C not blowing cold air and the technician finding the A/C compressor to be seized. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.