2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid

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 was driving my 2023 crv hybrid which is well maintained and has only 73200 miles i was only driving it for 10 min when the cylinder gas kit has blown out and vehicle went into limp mode and power has dropped luckily no one was behind and i pulled over.

NHTSA ID

11753541

Incident

Jul 4, 2026

My breaks stopped working! Car was in drive and my foot was on the break and the break did not function and drove forward. I was able to stop this before hitting anything and turned the car on, but this could have been catastrophic as I was driving to work at the hospital.

NHTSA ID

11746640

Incident

Jun 26, 2026

2023 Honda CR-V, purchased new in Mar 2023 from Friendly Honda, Poughkeepsie, NY. All regular service completed at Lia Honda, Brewster, NY. On [XXX], car was driven without incident and parked inside a garage. On [XXX] upon ignition, car immediately displayed a “christmas tree” of warnings for every major system, including but not limited to: Electric Power Steering, AWD, Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation, Hill Descent, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping Assistance. Behavior has continued every time the car is started. Car remains drivable, but all safety and driver assistance systems are disabled. In addition, on [XXX] and [XXX], after stopping at a stop sign, car had very limited power and could only accelerate to 30 mph on a flat road and 20 mph on an incline. Problem was resolved only by coming to a complete stop then accelerating again. This is a significant safety concern, as if this were to happen in stop-and-go traffic on a highway, the car would be unable to accelerate to highway speeds. On 6/20/26, I took the car to Lia Honda in Brewster, NY for diagnosis. They reported a failed Electric Power Steering Control Unit/Steering Rack (trouble code U0420-68). They explained that this single electrical component failure also caused all other components to report failures because they are connected in a ring. Estimated repair cost $4,595.98. I have filed a complaint with Honda to request out-of-warranty coverage. Car is ≈3 years old, 3 months out of warranty, and only lightly used at 17,484 miles. Note that this car falls under NHTSA recall 24V-744, which pertains to a manufacturing defect in the worm gear of the Electric Power Steering. We had the recall service completed on 12/26/24, but it seems possible that continued friction in the worm gear may result in overloading of the EPS control unit. Other Honda CR-V owners have reported similar issues online, so this does not appear to be an isolated incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.

NHTSA ID

11745935

Incident

Jun 19, 2026

Urgent Safety Concern – 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid Engine Defect: I am writing to report a serious safety concern involving my 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid related to a manufacturer defect that has not been properly resolved. My vehicle experienced an issue where engine oil leaked into the engine and spark plugs due to a defect. As a result, I received a critical dashboard warning instructing me to “stop vehicle immediately.” This created a dangerous situation and placed me at risk while driving. Although the issue was later identified as a manufacturer defect, it was not properly addressed when I initially reported engine shaking concerns in 2025. The problem escalated over time and ultimately led to this failure.Despite attempts to repair the vehicle, I continue to experience engine-related issues, including ongoing shaking. I have made multiple efforts to resolve this through the dealership and American Honda, but my concerns have not been adequately addressed.This vehicle is my only means of transportation, and the unresolved defect presents a continued safety risk not only to me but potentially to other drivers. I am concerned that similar issues may be affecting other 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid vehicles. I am requesting assistance in reviewing this matter as a potential safety issue and ensuring appropriate accountability and resolution.

NHTSA ID

11730901

Incident

Jan 28, 2026

Sunroof exploded while driving with glass being thrown on my wife's head

NHTSA ID

11670564

Incident

Jul 1, 2025

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. My crv is less than 2 years old and I should not be experiencing a issue like this and operating this vehicle which is not safe because Honda did not manufacture steering components correctly.

NHTSA ID

11656977

Incident

Apr 11, 2025

The contact owns a 2023 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at various speed, the horn independently activated without the steering wheel center touch pad depressed. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where an air bag error code was cleared. The contact was unsure if the air bag was replaced. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact was advised that there was no fault found with the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

NHTSA ID

11656045

Incident

Mar 15, 2025

Mileage

25,000 mi

As I'm turning at curve the steering locks up and sticks and I have to use a both hands to stay in my lane. You can easily hit a car turning the curve next to you when the steering locks up. I took it to dealer and they knew about having these issues from other CR-V and they said it's the steering rack. pinion. No lights or warning turn on when this happens. Other honda owners on reddit were having the same issues. It's where I found out I can put a complaint so this issue can be reviewed.

NHTSA ID

11654232

Incident

Apr 11, 2025

Service Bulletin - To better manage engine temperatures, a PGM-FI update has been developed to optimize electric water pump operation.

Service Bulletin - To better manage engine temperatures, a PGM-FI update has been developed to optimize electric water pump operation.

Dealer Message - To help improve engine temperatures, a software update has been developed for the electric water pump to optimize its operation.

Service Bulletin - A slight engine vibration and the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is ON with DTC P0700 (Transmission Control System MIL Request) set during start-up in below freezing temperatures.

Service Bulletin - When the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system is activated while driving, customers may experience unexpected cancellation during vehicle operation. When this condition occurs, DTC P2583-76 (Temporary Stop of Integrated Driver Support System) is stored, and the driver information display may issue a warning message instructing the driver to clean the millimeter-wave radar surface.

Service Bulletin - The LKAS warning light comes on when driving in reverse due to possible false detection logic occurred in the multipurpose camera software.