What 49 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Honda Crosstour

ABS Module failure causing anti-lock braking and tractional control issues due to known manufacturing defect with failed solder connections

NHTSA ODI 11752537

Complaint Summary: Steering system failure remains unresolved after Honda warranty repair. Complete loss of electric power steering. Complaint Details: I experienced a sudden and complete loss of electric power steering on my 2013 Honda Crosstour V6. The EPS warning light illuminated, steering effort increased drastically, and vehicle control at low speeds became difficult and unsafe. The vehicle was brought to a Honda dealership, which replaced the EPS control unit under Honda’s warranty extension 19-036. However, after the repair, the power steering is still completely inoperative. The same original diagnostic trouble code (DTC 32-09) returned immediately, showing that the underlying defect was never resolved. The dealership now claims the EPS steering gearbox has failed and quoted approximately $5,000, even though the failure began before the control unit replacement and the EPS system remains non-functional after the warranty repair. This appears to be an incomplete or incorrect repair of a safety-critical steering system. The vehicle continues to have zero steering assist at all times, causing significantly increased steering effort, especially at low speeds and during parking maneuvers. This creates an ongoing safety risk to the myself and others on the road. Loss of power steering after a warranty repair suggests a potential defect trend or misdiagnosis involving the EPS system. I am requesting that NHTSA review this incident for possible safety implications affecting steering reliability.

NHTSA ODI 11703384

As I was driving out of the parking garage I could not turn the wheel of my vehicle and almost hit a cement pillar. A light popped on that had a steering wheel and a exclamation mark. This message had never popped up before. I looked in my owners manual and found it was the power steering sign. I thought my vehicle needed power steering fluid but found out it was automatic. I took it to the dealership and they stated I need a steering rack.

NHTSA ODI 11608868

The car says FCW system fail as well as ABS and LDW lights came on. The car looses power as it drives and lags. I got a diagnostic done on the car at autozone says VSA solenoid valve malfunction code 123-11 and 121-11. These problem started the 100,000 mile plus range

NHTSA ODI 11604939

The FCW, LDW, ABS, and the traction control lights came on a couple of days after I had brand new factory brakes and rotors put on. I took it to the dealership and they told me this has been a known issue with the Crosstours for a while that I needed to replace the ABS modulator. Upon my research they were correct, Honda has been aware of this issue for a few years but has yet to do a recall. This is an widespread problem that puts everyone in danger.

NHTSA ODI 11587938

All warning lights came on-LDW/ABS/VSA/FCW at first around 7/25/23 . Called Honda service-told to bring it in for diagnostic check. Then on 7/27/23 power steering went out-had car towed in to dealer-they fixed/replaced EPS Control unit under extended warranty extension 19-036. They diagnosed the electrical systems -said it needed VSA Modulator ($2222.36 prepaid)-and said safe to drive. That was at 54,947 miles on the car-after a couple of weeks, the ‘BRAKE LIGHT’ warning light came on -at first intermittently-then every time-then intermittently again. Called dealership-said -yes-that’s normal, that it happened to other Honda Crosstours an Honda Accords! They said ‘ should be safe to drive’ —???? Would you feel safe to driving this vehicle? Looked online -found article on the VSA Modulator-many Honda Crosstours and Accords had this same problem-saw a picture on why this modulator needed to be replaced-the ‘DESIGN FLAW’ was at the connection where it connected to the circuit board -solder broke, because too much pressure at connection when it plugged in ( vertically plugged in) This should be fixed under extended warranty like the power steering control unt— How or why the ‘brake warning light’ is unexplained, but it’s it a safety issue not knowing? If the brakes fail and someone is injured, minor or fatally, ‘who’s responsible’ -or ‘liable’-the driver or the manufacturer??????? My crosstour still awaiting VSA Modulator after two and a half months!! Issue: 1. Safe to drive 2. Who should pay 3.Who’s responsibility? (Liability)

NHTSA ODI 11548676

ABS, brake light on dashboard. Malfunctioning ABS solenoid valve. Brakes locking up.

NHTSA ODI 11542338

ABS modulator failure warning lights: "Brakes", "ABS", "LDW", "FCW", "System Failure", "Traction Control"

NHTSA ODI 11541141

The starter system is intermittent and grinds on occasion which keeps the car from starting. If I were in a situation where the car must start, ie: on a railroad track etc., this would be deadly! I read on line where there are thousands of people having the same issue and Honda knows of this issue and has not addressed it! The starter motor housing is engineered incorrectly and after a short time, the teeth grind and destroy the flywheel. This needs to be recalled and if they do not, it needs to be a forced recall.

NHTSA ODI 11529158

I was arriving home and when I turned onto my road the steering got impossible to turn. The steering trouble light come on. I stopped the car. We walked home. Next day I went to car and started it. The light was off and steering was back to normal. I live off of a curvey road will this happen again? I am afraid to drive it. Has Honda got a recall out?

NHTSA ODI 11505057

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Crosstour. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle made grinding noises and hesitated to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to a faulty starter. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA ODI 11474922

When driving around 30 miles per hour the vehicle would still drive but it was extremely difficult to turn. I noticed the steering warning failure indicator was flashing on the dash, I could barely pull over to left to avoid cars from hitting me from the sides and came to a complete stop. (The car was still running, no steering) . I cycled the key and waited for a couple of minutes, the power steering light was off and the steering worked but only for about 100 meters, this happened about five times before I was able to drive it home. The issue has not reoccurred yet, I'm going to the dealer tomorrow for general maintenance but I was already told that it will be hard to diagnose if the issue is not present. I don't feel safe on this car, specially for long trips or highway speeds.

NHTSA ODI 11462027

Grinding noise of starter when starting engine.

NHTSA ODI 11457093

In August 2021, the Crosstour was traveling at approximately 60mph over a bridge, the steering wheel locked and became nearly impossible to turn. Control of vehicle was lost. Vehicle was brought to a Honda service center and evaluated. A code was generated, and the vehicle was under warranty, and the problem was supposedly fixed. February 2022, Crosstour was traveling at approximately 30mph when the steering began to feel unsteady and tight. The steering wheel locked again. Control of vehicle was lost. Vehicle was brought to the same Honda service center. The workers said no code was generated this time.

NHTSA ODI 11452161

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Crosstour. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle remotely, there was a grinding sound coming from the vehicle. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated and flashing on and off. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact researched the failure and noted that the failure was found in similar vehicles. The vehicle had been taken to an independent mechanic and an unknown dealer, who were unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000

NHTSA ODI 11443062

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CROSSTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, AN ABNORMAL SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START-UP. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED DAILY. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,930.

NHTSA ODI 11389945

DRIVING ON I85N AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE EPS (ELEC. POWER STEERING) LIGHT CAME ON AND STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT WITHOUT ANY PREVIOUS WARNING. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND VEER OFF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY INCIDENT THANKFULLY DUE TO MINIMAL TURNING REQUIRED. A WEEK LATER, THE ISSUE REOCCURRED AFTER A FEW DAYS OF BEING PARKED. AT LEAST THIS TIME I WAS NOT ON A HIGHWAY... WHY DID THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION ONLY RESULT IN THE EPS ISSUE BEING COVERED FOR THE ACCORD (2 DIFFERENT TSBS) OF THE SAME YEAR BUT NOT FOR THE CROSSTOUR IF THE CROSSTOUR IS BASED ON THE ACCORD?

NHTSA ODI 11353257

WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AT ABOUT 25MPH ON HARTFORD (CT) CITY STREET AFTER SEVERAL MILES OUT OF I-91, MY STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY WENT STIFF AND THEN AN ICON WITH THE STEERING WHEEL AND AND EXCLAMATION MARK APPEARED. I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, I HAD TO USE ALL MY STRENGTH TO SLOWLY ROLL OFF THE STREET TO GO STRAIGHT INTO CURBSIDE AND WAITED FOR AAA TOW TRUCK TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE AND DELIVER IT TO MY HOME FOR REPAIRING AND I WAS REQUIRED TO FIND OUT A WAY TO TRANSPORT MY FAMILY SEPARATELY TO HOME DUE TO LOCAL COVID-19 RULE. I NEED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. GLAD TO BE ALIVE AND DRIVING AT LOW SPEED. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. I RESTARTED MY CAR SEVERAL TIMES, THE EPS LIGHT COULD NOT GONE.

NHTSA ODI 11342851

AT 92,886 MILES, CRANKED MY PARKED CAR UP TO BACK OUT OF THE GARAGE AND NOTICED THE EPS WARNING LIGHT WAS ON AND REMAINED ON. AS I ATTEMPTED TO BACK OUT, I WAS COMPLETELY UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. I'VE HAD OLDER CARS WHERE YOU COULD AT LEAST MUSCLE THE STEERING WHEN LOW ON POWER STEERING FLUID... NOT SO IN THIS CASE. VERY THANKFUL I WAS NOT ALREADY ON THE HIGHWAY AS THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING OF ANY PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER MISSED A SERVICE, HAS HIGH QUALITY SYNTHETIC BLEND OIL, GARAGE KEPT AND ALWAYS HAD THE RECOMMENDED SERVICE. THE CAR IS A BEAUTIFUL COMPLETELY UNUSABLE VEHICLE RIGHT NOW. I CALLED A LOCAL AUTO SERVICE CENTER AND THEY SAID ONLY HONDA CAN ADDRESS THIS SITUATION AND THE REPAIR STARTS AT $3000. I READ MANY COMPLAINTS FROM HONDA OWNERS OF 2013 CROSSTOURS/ACCORDS AND UNDERSTAND THERE ARE MANY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF OWNERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE OUT OF THE BLUE, SOME OF WHOM EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11322979

WHILE DRIVING AT 60MPH ON I95 MY STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY WENT STIFF AND THEN AN ICON WITH THE STEERING WHEEL AND AND EXCLAMATION MARK APPEARED. I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, I HAD TO USE ALL MY STRENGTH TO SLOWLY ROLL OFF THE HIGHWAY TO GO STRAIGHT INTO A PARKING LOT OF A GROCERY STORE AND WAITED FOR A TOW TRUCK TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY WAITING FOR AN APPOINTMENT WITH A DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. GLAD TO BE ALIVE, THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA ODI 11322460

AFTER TAKING MY VEHICLE TO HOLMAN HONDA SUNRISE FOR AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL A VIBRATION STARTED HAPPENING. TOOK BACK IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD AIR RECALL FIXING WOULDN'T CAUSED IT THEN THEY DID AN INSPECTION PROVIDED THREE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REPAIR FRONT PASSENGER AXLE, BRAKES AND ROTATOR, AND ALL NEW FOUR WHEELS. COMPLETED ALL RECOMMENDATIONS GIVEN BY THE DEALERSHIP VIBRATIONS STILL NOT FIXED. HAD A SECOND INSPECTION ON THE VEHICLE BY PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO SEEN THAT THE AXLE PART IS BAD. WENT BACK TO HOLMAN HONDA SUNRISE MADE THEM AWARE AND ASKED THEM TO INSPECT THEIR AXLE PART TO SEE IF IT WAS FAILING; THEY REFUSED TO CHECK THE AXLE PART AND JUST WANTED TO ISSUE A REFUND TO NOT DEAL WITH THE SAFETY OF MY SON AND ME. CONTACTED HONDA MANUFACTURER ABOUT THIS SAFETY CONCERN ON A MANUFACTURER DEFECTED PART THEY REFUSED ASSISTANCE AND RECOMMENDED TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP WHO REFUSED TO TAKE LIABILITY ON A PARTY THEY SOLD TO ME. ALSO HONDA MANUFACTURER REFERRED ME TO GO DEAL WITH ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND PAY MORE MONEY OUT OF POCKET AFTER ALREADY WORKING WITH A DEALERSHIP ASSOCIATED WITH THEM THAT HAS BEEN NEGLIGENT ABOUT MY SAFETY. DUE TO AXLE VIBRATION HAS CAUSED THE AXLE SEALS TO LINK. THIS HAS BEEN A FRUSTRATION AS THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURE HAS NOT SHOWED ANY SAFETY CONCERNS ON A VEHICLE THAT COULD CAUSE INJURIES. THIS HAS BEEN A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE TO SEE HOW THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURE TREAT PEOPLE FAMILIES AND LIFE OF OTHER BECAUSE OF THEIR BAD MALPRACTICE AND REFUSES TO ASSIST CONSUMERS FURTHER THEY AVOID THE LIABILITY AND PUSH IT ON THE CONSUMER AFTER THEIR SERVICE. HONDA ONCE WERE TRUSTED VEHICLES NOW I PUT NO TRUST IN THEM AS THEY HAVE LITTLE CONCERNS OR NO REMORSE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF CONSUMERS DRIVING THEY VEHICLE. ITS LIKE MONEY OVER SAFETY. ITS SAD WHEN A CONSUMER HAS PAID OUT OF POCKET SPENT SO MUCH TIME TRUSTING HONDA STILL NO FIX.

NHTSA ODI 11267512

2013 HONDA CROSSTOUR ATTEMPING TO START THE VEHICLE, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE STARTER. ERROR ON DASH INDICATED STARTER SYSTEM FAILURE. ATTEMPING AGAIN, VEHICLE STARTED NORMALLYE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES.THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COST 599.54 + 50.00 DIAGNOISTIC CHARGE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH MANUFACTURER PARTS 12/11/2018 107277 MILEAGE. 9 MONTHS LAST SEPTEMBER 2019, STARTER BEGAIN SAME FAILURE. 118100 MILEAGE. DEALER TO REPLACE STARTER AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11258525

UPON DRIVING HOME I TURNED A CORNER AND IMMEDIATELY MY STEERING WENT OUT AND I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR AT ALL. THE CAR HAS ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING AND THE SYSTEM WENT OUT. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY IT COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD SITUATION. I HAD I TOWED TO HONDA WHICH SAID THIS IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WILL COST $3000. THE WORST PART IS THEY CAN'T SEEN TO FIX IT, THEY PUT IN A NEW SYSTEM BUT CAN'T SEEM TO GET THE COMPUTER TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE ACCORD/CROSSTOURS WITH THIS ISSUE FROM 2013-2015 WITH THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING GOING OUT. HONDA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. TWO WEEKS LATER I STILL HAVE NO CAR. THIS WAS A PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED CAR AND I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND IT ONLY HAS 72,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11231134

PURCHASED IN 2016. IN 2018 WITH ABOUT 80K ON THE ODOMETER I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT EPS FAILURE. THE FIRST TIME I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND FELT THE STEERING GET HEAVIER. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. CHECKED FOR DAMAGE UNDER THE HOOD AND SAW NOTHING. RESTARTING THE CAR, THE ISSUE WENT AWAY. IT OCCURRED THE NEXT DAY AND WAS INTERMITTENT FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS, BUT NOW SEEMS TO BE IN FAILURE 100% OF THE TIME. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS THE EPS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE STEERING BECOMES VERY HEAVY, AS IF THERE IS ZERO POWER ASSISTANCE FROM THE EPS SYSTEM. THE STEERING IS STILL FUNCTIONAL, SO THE ISSUE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE MECHANICAL WITH A 100% STEERING FAILURE, IT'S ONLY THE POWERED STEERING ASSISTANCE THAT IS FAILING. CAR IS STILL OPERABLE BUT VERY CUMBERSOME WHILE PARKING, HOWEVER MY WIFE CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR SAFELY BECAUSE THE STEERING IS TOO HEAVY FOR HER. THIS FAILURE HAS BEEN REPORTED IN THE 2013 ACCORD AS PE14033. THE ACCORD IS THE SISTER CAR TO THE CROSSTOUR (A PREVIOUS MODEL OF CROSSTOUR WAS CALLED THE ACCORD CROSSTOUR), SO IT SEEMS LIKELY THEY SHARE THE SAME CAUSE AND IN MY OPINION THE CROSSTOUR SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE SAME TSB 15-055 ISSUED BY HONDA FOR 2013/2014 ACCORDS.

NHTSA ODI 11221846

NO NOTABLE PREVIOUS PROBLEMS. LEAVING A RESTAURANT LATE IN THE EVENING, GOT INTO MY CAR STARTED AND IMMEDIATELY THE STEERING (EPS) INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON AND THERE WAS NO POWER IN THE STEERING AND THE BRAKES WERE HARD. I SHUT OFF ENGINE AND TRIED TO RESTART TWO TIMES TO SEE IF SYSTEM WOULD RESET. NO LUCK. NEXT DAY. WENT BACK TO PARKING LOT, STARTED CAR AND HOPING POSSIBLE RESET-NO LUCK. I WAS PARKED- WHEN THIS OCCURRED THANKFULLY. I HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO HONDA. I AM NOW LOOKING AT MORE THAN $ 3000 REPAIR BILL AND $700 RENTAL DUE TO TWO WEEKS OF DIAGNOSING AND WORK TO REPAIR. I AM NUMBER 10 IN THE 2013 CROSSTOUR STEERING COMPLAINTS THAT ARE ALL SIMILAR. AND HAVE BEEN REPORTED. ARE THERE MORE UNREPORTED OCCURRENCES? THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM THAT NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED. WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN BEFORE A RECALL IS ADMINISTERED?

NHTSA ODI 11218204