What 1,061 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Honda Civic Type R

Steering wheel becomes stuck in a certain position at highway speeds after 20+ minutes of driving and it requires an unnatural amount of force to free it, thus resulting in a sudden jerking motion that makes driving highly unsafe. Honda dealerships are quoting Civic owners $4K for an issue that is WELL known (200+ complaints on NHTSA and an active investigation on the 11th gen Civics with the same issue (https://www.autoblog.com/2023/03/21/nhtsa-honda-civic-sticky-power-steering-investigation/#:~:text=The%20National%20Highway%20Traffic%20Safety,reports%20of%20the%20issue%2C%20too.))

NHTSA ODI 11531399

Paint peeling around rear window

NHTSA ODI 11531490

Each time I drove my car the tire pressure light would flash before the ABS, brake system, power steering and traction lights would come on and the dealership could not find the problem although my car would not accelerate and the speed sensor has already been changed because only one went bad prior. 3 times to the dealership and no codes could be found and they couldn’t never duplicate the problem once the vehicle was turned off. This time the car jerked at take off and would not accelerate. They stated that it was the VBS Module that had to replaced this final time.

NHTSA ODI 11531152

The air conditioning system is a failure. First my condenser went out and they replaced it with the extended warranty they provided. Now my evaporator is leaking and they do not have an extended warranty on it. Cost to replace is $2,100.00. This is a safety concern in California because of the smog. I could no longer keep my windows up when driving because of the heat and a/c not working.

NHTSA ODI 11530950

Steering wheel is quite hard to turn. Gets kind of stuck at certain points when I’m driving. Fluids all good. Don’t understand why this is happening.

NHTSA ODI 11530989

Steering sticks making it difficult to change direction. It has a significant resistance when changing direction, this is troublesome especially at higher speeds. The consumer stated that the steering issue happens frequently and is not limited to just one occurrence.

NHTSA ODI 11530774

My car's steering has been sticky and catching. This often causes me to apply unnecessary pressure to correct the steering and could cause an accident. I had it verified at Honda of Murfreesboro that I need a new steering rack.

NHTSA ODI 11530547

When I’m driving the steering wheel gets stuck and the only way to get it unstuck is to pull hard enough to break the jam. It always gets stuck pulling to the left because every time I have to get it unstuck I have to pull to the right to break the jam.It happens every day and it’s really frustrating. Every time this happens is after 15-20 minutes driving. This is a serious safety hazard specially in a long drive because you are literally fighting the car to keep it in the center of the lane! 2016 Honda civic touring 62,000 miles It started doing this after 3 years with the car and approximately 37,000 miles. I remember because I took the car to the dealership and they told me that my basic warranty had expired at 36,000 miles or 3 years and the diagnosis and fixtures were going to be out of my pocket.

NHTSA ODI 11530323

Air conditioner leaking Freon at 40k miles and it’s a known problem $2000 repair. Known problem with Honda civics

NHTSA ODI 11530143

When I am driving on the highway, my car steering will get "stuck" and I can't make adjustments to the wheel without jerking on it to get it unstuck. I am bringing the car in to get serviced again this week. The sticking results in unsafe travel on the road because it is difficult to maintain my lane. It usually starts to happen 15-20 minutes into a drive and then will not go away until after the car has been off for a significant period of time, but will recur the next time I drive on the highway. The vehicle has been serviced by a dealer and the problem went away for a while, but has recurred. It has not been inspected by any parties other than the dealer. I do not know if they were able to reproduce the problem. There are no warnings, messages, or other symptoms before the wheel sticks.

NHTSA ODI 11529351

After driving for over :30 minutes steering wheel sticks and is jerky to turn. It has a dead spot that requires a higher breakout force to get the wheel to turn , once wheel is turning there are normal steering forces required to continue the turn.

NHTSA ODI 11528893

When a phone is placed in the designated spot on the center console under the radio, it will fly backward upon acceleration. It has caused my phone to fly backward and unstrap my seatbelt while pulling onto a busy highway. I am not the only person this has happened to. This is a design flaw. The area beneath the radio where you are supposed to place your phone is not secure enough to hold an average size phone and poses a serious risk as the center console is taller than the driver's seat. It has undone my seatbelt on more than one occasion. I would likely have been ejected from the car if someone would havce hit me while this this occurred. Please recall these vehicles to fix this design flaw. It is extremely dangerous.

NHTSA ODI 11528691

The rearview camera image may not appear. This does not happen constantly, but it will happen from time to time when reversing. Sometimes the problem will not correct itself until the vehicle is restarted. I did not know that a safety recall might be needed until I just saw the recall for the same issue in the Honda Pilots

NHTSA ODI 11528692

Similar to the Honda recall issued today for the reverse camera failures, I have found a recurring problem with the 2016 Honda Civics. The dashboard screen should show the back-up camera when in reverse, as well as the backward-facing camera mounted on the right side mirror when the right turn signal is on. More often than not, the cameras will show on the screen, but will then go back to the home/default screen before the maneuver is complete. It happens more often with the right mirror mounted camera, that it turns off prior to the turn signal being turned off, which has caused us numerous close calls when someone is actually in the blind spot. We count on that right side camera and when it malfunctions and the screen goes back to default when you are in the middle of changing lanes, it is very scary. I have searched for a fix from Honda and have noted that there are many Honda Civic owners who have been told by dealers that it is a known issue but there is no fix. For the owners who have gotten a new screen installed, they continue to report the same issues. Additional screen issues (although not related to safety) include the fact that the screens change modes/functions without being touched. I believe the camera issue is a malfunctioning screen issue as a whole and causes a major safety concern. The current recall for Honda Odyssey, Passport, and Pilot cameras should be expanded to include other Honda models and other years and should look at malfunctioning screens (not just cameras), especially since this is allegedly a 'known issue' to Honda.

NHTSA ODI 11528585

My 2016 Honda Civic started blowing warm air and within 24 hours I took it to my local Honda Dealership and had it inspected. I was told that there were two TRBs which may be related to the A/C system. After dealer inspection I was told that the mechanics noted leaks in both the Condenser and the Compressor shaft seal. The result of the leaks was that the these components would need to be replaced along with the A/C compressor. Unfortunately I was told that the extended warranties on both of these components (10 yr unlimited mileage) would not cover the compressor replacement despite the dealership telling me that the leaks likely caused the A/C Compressor failure. Honda is acutely aware that these types of leaks will cause in AC component failures (Condenser, Compressor and evaporator) because the A/C systems are closed systems and complaints about the A/C system leaks, and their effects, are pervasive on online media forums and the auto community at large. In my case the leaks due to the failure of the condenser and compressor shaft seal resulted in the failure of A/C Compressor. I have had the A/C system inspected by other Honda Certified mechanic shops and all have expressed the causality between the failed components and the compressor catastrophic failure. The fact that Honda has issued "unlimited mileage" extended warranties on these 10th Gen Civic compressor shaft seals and condensers expresses Honda's awareness that these components should not fail in the way they are doing so. Like any mechanical system perfection should not be the goal but when a manufacture is aware of a failure in its product it has the responsibility to make whole those harmed by its failures. Unfortunately customers, like me, who purchased Hondas because the brand's reliability and strong customer service appeal will have to look elsewhere unless Honda chooses to correct this clear and present issue across multiple vehicles in its lineup.

NHTSA ODI 11528369

Sticki steering wheel on the freeway

NHTSA ODI 11528051

The A/C hasn't fully worked since car was purchased in 2016. Driver side blows hot air and passenger side cool (not cold) air in summer and in winter/cold months it stays warm on driver side and cool (doesn't get warm enough) on passenger side. Car has been taken to dealership and issue has still not been fixed. No recall by Honda regarding this issue, but lots of forums and complaints online about the same issue. Car was not used for more than 3 months of summer heat last year after being "fixed" and once the hot weather started this year it is back to 100+ degrees inside the car with no A/C cooling the car. Even set to Lo, fan at full speed, parked inside garage for a day, and started in the morning, the air blows hot. Having to drive in a hot car is a heat stroke/exhaustion waiting to happen and a hazard to be on the road.

NHTSA ODI 11527712

The vehicle steering is sticky. When the vehicle is started, the steering is fine. However, after about 15 minutes of driving, the problem is most noticeable when trying to keep the car straight at around 40 mph and higher. When making fine adjustments to keep the car straight on the freeway, the steering gets stuck then suddenly releases when making fine adjustments. This causes the vehicle to jerk from side to side when trying to keep my vehicle in my lane...I have taken my vehicle in to 2 independent service centers but the problem seems to temporarily go away if the vehicle is turned off for a little while. Only to return when I leave the service center around 15 minutes later...There are no codes or warning lights that appear...My Civic is a 2016 but only has 12,400 miles. The steering problem started at around 9,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11527784

My car has had a sticky steering wheel problem for over a year now. I’m at 75k miles, the problem started at least around 60k miles. The wheel feels heavy and I have to over correct due to that stickiness. I can’t drive straight when I am on the highway. I continuously have to correct to keep the wheel straight. It does not feel safe. Last year my battery died and changing the battery helped the sticky steering a little but only for a short time. I think the problem has something to do with the power steering.

NHTSA ODI 11526459

Steering, same as other complaints. Intermittent sticking of the steering wheel. Constantly have to force steering wheel in order to maintain lane. Steering wheel seems to lock, have to force it to stay straight. Problem started couple years ago, at about 35K miles, and at 70K it is getting worse. And the cost---ha-unreal!!!

NHTSA ODI 11526126

This car has given me the same repeating issues. Winter time the screen blinks blank. AC issues because of the design. Feeling the car with my foot on the break at a red light makes me want to puke. And the big one the steering. After driving on the highway for a bit, I notice the steering has a sticky kind of groove it likes to be in. I have not found a solution to the problem. Safety-camera screen blinking but you're used to using it, could potentially hit something. Nausea in traffic not good for any one. Steering-trying to maintain a lane while the steering gets stuck to the left but the road is veering to the right, it's terrifying. The car has a mind of its own and only performs when it wants...no official dealer report. I don't believe there are any official reports in regards to my vehicle. There have been NO lights or any kind of warning or messages about this. AC was about a year into having the car. The screen happened first winter and every winter since. The sticky steering wheel has been like herpes for about the past 5 years. I just want to have nice things that work. Thank you for your time.

NHTSA ODI 11525793

The steering wheel sticks constantly while driving the car. This is a major safety concern because many times it sticks hard enough to the point where you can over correct while trying to overcome the stuck position of the steering wheel. This can cause you to drive erratically trying to keep the car between the lanes. We have not taken it to the dealership since we are aware now that this is a an issue amongst a large number of Honda Civic owners and the manufacture needs to step in and rectify this problem they already know about. It's not just our 2012 model, it is an issue amongst several different year models with the Honda Civic. We are just another victim of negligence by the manufacturer. Something needs to be done to correct this issue before people are injured because of it.

NHTSA ODI 11525454

Car has an intermittent steering problem noticeable mostly at highway speeds. Its not constant, just shows up randomly. While driving straight ahead attempting to keep it going straight the steering wheel becomes sticky and jerky when you attempt to slightly adjust (turn left or right). Wile applying slight pressure to turn minimally the steering wheel sticks in place, then suddenly jerks in the direction you trying to steer it towards, causing oversteering and resulting in an attempt to oversteer it back to the other direction (to try and keep it in the lane going straight). It is not only annoying but also very unsafe as the sudden jerking and oversteering can cause a highway collision unexpectedly. My car has only 7,500 miles on it and this just started happening (May 2023).

NHTSA ODI 11525051

The incident started 2-3 years ago and has progressively gotten worse. When driving, for usually 20+ minutes, the steering wheel will become stiff. This is most noticeable when driving in straight lines or trying to keep the car in the lane on the highway. This requires more effort to straighten the car out which leads to oversteering. Given the high speeds on the highway and impact of small movements in the steering wheel, I believe this to be a serious safety concern to occupants of the Honda Civics and nearby vehicles. I am unsure if a system has failed or if there is a malfunction but upon further research this appears to not be an isolated incidence with a significant amount of forum discussions relating to this exact issue. The problem has not been reproduced a this time in front of a service center representative. There has been no warning of any kind relating to this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11524780

I have had multiple problems with the vehicles air conditioning system leaking and adding harmful HFC chemicals to the atmosphere and making driving uncomfortable on warm days. There are known issues with Honda years 2016-2018 air conditioning systems and they should be fixing these problems under warranty or recalls. My first issue of the A/C blowing warm air was 8/10/2021 and cars mileage was 49,760 miles. I brought it into a Honda dealer and they stated they found high side and low side O rings leaking . They replaced them, recharged system and charged me $425.00. The next issue with blowing warm air was May 2023 and 56,311 miles. I brought the vehicle to an independent repair garage . They found a leak in the evaporator and a defective expansion valve. They replaced the evaporator core and expansion valve. This cost me another $2008.43. These year 2016-2018, Honda's have many issues with the air conditioning system and all major components compressor, condenser, evaporator and the expensive refrigerant should be covered under warranty for these system leaks in multiple components. I understand Honda has a 10 year warranty extension on the A/C condenser. Honda needs to step up and take responsibility and fix all of the issues with the air conditioning systems and quit adding all these refrigerants to the atmosphere .

NHTSA ODI 11524886