What 1,064 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Honda Civic Cng

Steering is stiff and Jerky when making slight corrections

NHTSA ODI 11617273

The steering locks and sticks when driving especially on a highway. It appears the rack and pinion sticks

NHTSA ODI 11617009

For a while now (months), we have noticed our 2016 Honda Civic has had a "sticky" (a click or jerk) feeling when handling the steering wheel, particularly while driving on the freeway, holding long turns, or when even reversing (from an angle) into a parking stall (for the parking, a click/pop is audibly heard). Basically, the steering wheel will suddenly shift/jerk slightly left/right, which causes you to no longer be steering in the exact line you were on. Driver has to then correct by making an opposing shift in the opposite direction to return to the exact line that was being driven. It is a bit of a nuisance, and produces anxiety on the driver's part, leaving one wondering if/when the shift/jerk will cause even larger of an issue, potentially posing risk of harm to the vehicle's and neighboring vehicles' riders via a collision. Our Honda service technician recently confirmed, after our recent big maintenance service, that this issue is present and has something to do with some steering mechanism (I don't recall the correct term of the equipment/device), and that an estimated repair cost would be $3,000-$4,000. For now, we have been advised to monitor, and that basically it is up to us to decide if/when we would like to spend $3,000-$4,000 to have this repaired at our own expense. We are not aware of how this issue arose (what the exact cause is), but is potentially due manufacturing. There are no dashboard warning lights that illuminate during the shifting/jerking of the steering. We just feel it, moreso if you are the one driving. This issue is experienced daily. Our primary concern is prevention of a collision. We do not want it to get to the point of having had a collision/emergency, then reactively reporting the issue to NHTSA. And we do not have funds to purchase a new vehicle. Can we possibly have more confidence in this vehicle being able to transport our family safely without fear of steering issues? Thank you for your support.

NHTSA ODI 11617026

While driving the steering wheel is sticking and have to jerk the steering wheel to prevent going into another lane. Contact Honda dealer ships and Honda corporate office and asked if there was a recall for this, they said not on my particular vehicle, but some of the Honda civics. There is no warnings, it just happens periodically.

NHTSA ODI 11616124

Steering sticks when driving on interstate. Causes over correction and potentially can cause lead to swerving and hitting someone

NHTSA ODI 11615502

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, frequently becoming stuck in position, requiring that the steering wheel be manually returned to center. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V663000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11612338

Steering is sticky or notchy when driving higher speeds. Feels like it overcorrects when trying to maintain center.

NHTSA ODI 11610741

Steering sticks at a certain point of turning which makes it difficult to maintain a straight path and has almost caused a collision due to the fact that you end up over correcting your current path so you may vere into the other lane. The problem occurs at different times and seems to be at it's peak when it's hot outside and gives no warning lights or any other visible signs as to when it will occur. I bought the car used and it had around 20,000 miles on it, I noticed the issue soon after that. I have not had the problem looked at yet because it has been manageable but I fear that it may get worse and I know I'm not the only one with this issue. My vehicle may be inspected up on request.

NHTSA ODI 11609125

when long distance driving it has sticky steering which cause over correction left and right making it feel unsafe to drive

NHTSA ODI 11608664

The steering wheel has a tendency to “catch” or "stick" at the center line when driving. To overcome this resistance, you have to apply extra pressure, which could lead to oversteering and the car swerving out of your intended direction of steering. This is a known problem, referred to as "sticky steering" in many online searches. The only solution seems to be a complete replacement of the EPS steering rack which is on back order due to demand and I've been quoted a range of $3500 to $5000 to replace by several Honda dealers in my area. This is a serious safety issue with the vehicle and should be recalled for the replacement.

NHTSA ODI 11607696

When driving on a straight road (highway, avenue, etc.) steering wheel tends to stay “sticky” at the 12 o clock position and takes some force to get it to move to make minor adjustments in steering. This makes it overcorrect and causes me to constantly gave to be adjusting to keep the car straight

NHTSA ODI 11606279

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering assembly and rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the failure was due to the steering shaft. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

NHTSA ODI 11605927

* Having to adjust the wheel to maintain a straight path while driving * Steering resistance for minor adjustments while driving at highway speeds * The wheel sticks, causing the driver to need more force than usual to turn * When more force is applied to break the wheel free from its stick, the car may overcompensate in that direction * When turning, the wheel will maintain its position, not slide back to center, if hands are removed from the steering wheel

NHTSA ODI 11605729

power steering rack ( part # 53560-TBA-A01. Steering is sticking when on highway driving 55+ and hard to correct. Noone at dealership can duplicate issue, however my daughter and husband have also experienced sticky steering and hard to correct. No warning lights. Diagnostic tests show nothing wrong. Honda Forums helped me figure out issue.

NHTSA ODI 11604117

While driving to keep the car center the steering becomes sticky or notchy as if needing slightly extra force to microcorrect left or right to stay center. It results in slight overcorrection and some slight swaying, but feels as if control of the car is compromised, specifically at freeway speeds.

NHTSA ODI 11603598

Over the past year, the steering became increasingly stiff and difficult to ;control, particularly at higher speeds. When we took it to our local Honda dealership, we were told that this is a common (and expensive) problem with this year and model. They also said not to take it on long trips, as the steering could lock if turned hard. The needed repair parts (see attached repair bill) were on backorder for nearly 2 months and cost over $4,000 to install.

NHTSA ODI 11601800

The steering is very sticky when driving at higher speeds on the highway. It seems to start after hot days or after 15 to 30 min. of driving. The over correction when it gets stuck and having to force it back to center makes it swerve while driving. I have read many forums with the same model reporting the same issues with their EPS system and steering rack system. This is a huge safety issue and should be recalled and fixed as soon as possible.

NHTSA ODI 11601827

When driving the vehicles steering is not smooth. When making adjustments the steering is very jerky causing you to overcorrect. Searching the honda forums I'm finding lots of others reporting the same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11599827

The steering is sticky. When driving the car the steering wheel will stick and the driver has to force the wheel. This causes a very scary driving experience.

NHTSA ODI 11597835

Steering wheel is ongoing stiff and jerky when going above 45mph. It has been almost two years of dealing with it. We have tried troubleshooting but it seems to be a common issue as well as AC system keeps failing. We are repairing for 2nd time within a year and half. While AC failure isn't a safety issue the faulty steering is. It makes car hard to control and can cause an accident because minor adjustments can't be made while driving. There dozens of complaints besides mine.

NHTSA ODI 11597375

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and attempting to adjust the steering wheel, the steering wheel was sticking. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was test-driven, and the failure was replicated. The dealer determined that further diagnostic testing was required. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

NHTSA ODI 11596145

Sticky steering have to over correct and not really safe to drive. Went to the Honda dealership and they quotes me 3500 for repair but I have no warranty! It isn't safe for my kids and I to drive but it's my only transportation. I've read many complains of these cars having this issue and having to have rack replacements.

NHTSA ODI 11595946

While driving at highway speeds the steering can feel "sticky" where extra effort is required to make small adjustments to keep the car properly centered in the lane. It happens most frequently during warm weather and/or when driving for longer than 20-30 minutes. The effort required to compensate for the issue leads to a delay in the course correction and frequently over steering. Either of which can be a safety issue as the former could lead to being unable to avoid an object on the road and the latter could lead to veering into oncoming traffic.

NHTSA ODI 11595270

Steering wheel sticks noticeably above 40 miles per hour. Mostly sticks whenever the steering wheel is straight, but happens otherwise as well. Trying to make minor or major corrections results in needing to fight the steering wheel to do necessary movements. Is consistent at this point and has been reproduced by an independent service center. No warning lamps are on and no DTCs (diagnostic trouble codes) either.

NHTSA ODI 11594743

Steering becomes “sticky” intermittently. Steering wheel requires additional force beyond what is normal to change direction and turn wheels. Issue seems most prevalent at highway speeds when navigating bends in the road that require 10-20 degrees of steering deflection in either direction of center. Once the steering wheel is held at such an angle for a few seconds consecutively it takes substantially more force than normal from the driver to move the steering wheel back towards center. This results in over correction and makes it difficult to control the vehicle and keep it in one lane. Issue is also observed occasionally when making minor corrections to keep the vehicle in its lane on straight stretches of highway. Issue occurs with VSA system on and off. Turning the LKAS on or off has no effect. Issue is intermittent but seems more prevalent during warmer weather.

NHTSA ODI 11594645