2022/23 Honda civic steering problems

[Frenchballdog]

Hi, well this is a tale how Honda cars, one of the largest manufacturers of cars deals with its customers. I purchased a new Honda civic hybrid in 2022, this was based on the understanding that Honda was a well known brand and made safe reliable cars. Well that view ended a few weeks ago. Driving along the m5 motorway at around 70/75 mph I found that the steering was hard to move from the 12 0 clock position, then it would go light making me over adjust the steering. This went on all the way along the motorway until I was able to turn off. It was not a very nice feeling at all. On the return journey, to start with the steering was ok, then it started playing up again. The car now as 13000 miles on it. So on my return home, I contacted both my local Honda dealer, who right off the bet, blamed me for driving on the motorway. Honda U.K., said that there was no recall, and they know nothing about steering problems. However a little investigation turned up that Honda do know about steering problems on their civics and in fact there are a number of legal actions being taken out against them in America. In fact so bad is the problem that two people have all ready been killed due to steering failure in these model year civics.
Honda U.K., knowing selling cars that have a major problem with the cars steering. Yet they are doing nothing about it. Owners of these cars now have a car that is basically unsafe at motorway speeds. So much for Honda caring about its customers, or indeed the safety of road users in general. What a nightmare of a company.

[Ste372]

Let's have it right. Couldn't of been that scary for you as you felt comfortable enough to drive it back home on the motorway. If that was me I'd of been finding the nearest honda dealer and having it recovered it there.

Book it into honda and let them have a look at it. It may well be a faulty part which hopefully should be covered under warranty

[Frenchballdog]

Let’s DO get it right. Yes I did drive it home, but dropped the speed down to 50mph and stuck behind an HGV. OK

[Whataguy]

Sad to see Honda drop so far, I'd owned a couple of 90's ones and they were great.

The worst car I've ever owned was a brand new 2020 Jazz Mk4 - so many issues with quality and software.

Ended up getting rid of it after only a year after Honda had spent thousands in warranty repairs trying to fix it without luck.

[JAMSXR]

Experienced this for the first time today in my Type R. I’ll be contacting my dealer. Not great.

I’ve done some digging and it sounds like a new steering gearbox is needed to resolve the issue.

Edited by JAMSXR on Wednesday 20th December 20:02

[BlueJ]

JAMSXR said:

I’ve done some digging and it sounds like a new steering gearbox is needed to resolve the issue.

Edited by JAMSXR on Wednesday 20th December 20:02

Thanks JAMSXR for the extra information. What are the symptoms of the issue? If this occurred in the middle of say a motorway link road, travelling round a curve at speed with an armco barrier not far away, it could be pretty hairy.

I have the same car and all feedback / information is helpful - forewarned is forearmed!

Thanks

[CrgT16]

Is this the latest civic model or the previous one? I have a 2020 one (previous gen) on 75k miles and so far so good. Following this with interest…

[Frenchballdog]

Hi, it’s the new hybrid model.

[JAMSXR]

BlueJ said:

Thanks JAMSXR for the extra information. What are the symptoms of the issue? If this occurred in the middle of say a motorway link road, travelling round a curve at speed with an armco barrier not far away, it could be pretty hairy.

I have the same car and all feedback / information is helpful - forewarned is forearmed!

Thanks

More detail here:

https://www.thedrive.com/news/new-honda-civics-cr-...

As described in the article, the steering becomes ‘sticky’ when moving off centre. I wouldn’t say it’s particularly hairy, but very frustrating. I never really considered how many micro adjustments you make on the motorway until now - you basically have to use a little more force (not much) to turn the wheel, and they you end up overcompensating and having to correct it.

Today, after 4 hours in the car I didn’t experience it once. Slightly frustrating as I’m guessing this will delay any resolution.

[BlueJ]

Thanks again, it certainly helps to be aware of this issue in advance.

[Frenchballdog]

Just an update. Honda dealer did not show a lot of interest. And tried to take me it was not a problem at all. Sort of saying it was all in my mind. After that nonsense. I sold the car back too Honda. I have a masters degree in engineering and no ball sh.t when I smell it.
So goodbye Honda.

[Bobtherallyfan]

Frenchballdog said:

Hi, it’s the new hybrid model.

I’m slightly puzzled… USA Civic’s, aren’t hybrids at all. Given they use a totally different engine, are manufactured in the USA and not Japan, would the steering components be the same as UK models?

[Frenchballdog]

In answer, if the American 11th generation civics have lane assist, with the electric power steering and windshield camera then it’s the same as the hybrid.

[MT99o]

Hi, same issue here. Most uncomfortable at times and then nothing? New civic hybrid with 5,500 mls.
Will report to franchise but expecting to be fobbed off. Seems Honda has lowered standards and customer care.
Others reporting same issue on Honda Civic UK forums.

[JAMSXR]

MT99o said:

Hi, same issue here. Most uncomfortable at times and then nothing? New civic hybrid with 5,500 mls.
Will report to franchise but expecting to be fobbed off. Seems Honda has lowered standards and customer care.
Others reporting same issue on Honda Civic UK forums.

I’ve not experienced it again, but no doubt it will happen again. My dealer and Honda have been useless.

I visited my dealer (Trident Honda Chertsey) who advised me to escalate the situation with Honda directly, I then called the Honda support number and was advised my dealer should escalate with Honda. Subsequently I’ve been back in touch with my dealer, they have stated that the aftersales manager needs to experience the problem first hand before they can escalate it with Honda. This is despite 3 cars from the dealership experiencing a similar problem - one of those cars belongs to the salesman who provided my Type R, he confirmed experiencing the same symptoms in his own Civic.

Considering the problem is intermittent, the fact my dealer is not willing to take the matter further until a specific individual experiences the problem seems like sure way to delay or avoid the problem entirely.

Please raise a case via their contact form or email [e-mail]. I’m also in touch with the motoring ombudsman, but that will take ages. I have no doubt this will get sorted but Honda are clearly dragging their heals to avoid dealing with it. Awful service.

Edited by JAMSXR on Saturday 6th January 14:37

[MT99o]

Good advice. I'll email Honda UK and get the fault registered. Don't expect any further action from Honda!

[Stardus]

I am starting to feel the same issues with my 23 Hybrid Civic, kinda sticky on center about 2-3 degrees then feels more normal after nudging it past that

Checked tyre pressures and also sports mode steering. It happens quite often

Not undrivable, but very strange

[MT99o]

Yep thats the feeling! Seems like you bounce between the white lane lines, bit like the old computer game! Certainly not smooth and makes you suddenly concentrate needlessly on the steering wheel and not the road!

[DocSteve]

Does this issue occur when the lane assist is switched off?

[Frenchballdog]

Yes it does