NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation: Momentary Increased Steering Effort in Honda Civic (PE23-005)
Opened March 17, 2023 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation (PE23-005) on March 17, 2023 into momentary increased steering effort in 2022-2023 Honda Civic, 2022-2023 Honda Civic SI. The investigation is closed on November 30, 2023.
PE23-005 at a glance
| NHTSA action number | PE23-005 |
|---|---|
| Type | Preliminary Evaluation |
| Opened | March 17, 2023 |
| Status | Closed November 30, 2023 |
| Vehicles | 2022-2023 Honda Civic, 2022-2023 Honda Civic SI |
| Component | Steering |
| Manufacturer | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) |
| Resulting recall | None listed |
What is NHTSA investigating in the Honda Civic?
From NHTSA’s investigation summary:
On March 17, 2023, The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE23-005) to access the alleged defect of momentary increase in steering effort in model years (MY) 2022 and 2023 Honda Civic vehicles.
The complaints report that the momentary increase in steering effort (described as "sticky steering") occurs mostly at highway speeds after driving for a certain amount of time.
The reports have been received over the past 2 years with most occurring with low vehicle mileage.
The steering gear contains a unit that includes a worm gear and a worm wheel.
Honda stated this condition of momentary increase in steering effort occurs due to two factors within this unit.
During manufacturing, the worm wheel goes through annealing and component conditioning processes.
These processes caused internal stress and strain within the worm wheel.
This strain was slowly released over the first few months of the vehicle life.
Over time, the released strain caused the deformation of the teeth on the worm wheel, causing the worm gear to catch on the worm wheel.
This results in the consumer's momentary increased in steering effort.
Also, the manufacturing process did not guarantee consistent grease application and therefore, some vehicles within the scope received too little grease which contributes to the momentary increase in steering effort.
Analysis of all relevant data indicates that the subject condition occurs early in the vehicle's life primarily in winter months.
Additionally, the subject vehicles need to be driven in a straight line for a period of time, possibly until the vehicle is warmed up, to recreate the condition.
The condition does not illuminate a malfunction indicator light (MIL).
Some complaints allege Honda dealerships are unable to recreate the condition or state this is a normal vehicle operation.
However, Honda released Service Bulletin 23-037 in July of 2023 which accurately describes the condition.
To address this issue, Honda directs dealerships to remove the electronic power steering (EPS) gearbox and replace with a new gearbox.
Further, Honda stated that the worst case steering effort from all warranty returned parts tested was 2.4 pounds.
ODI complaint traffic remains steady.
ODI has received 13 crashes to date, 11 of which allege roadway departure due to not being able to overcome the momentary increased steering effort prior to their vehicle leaving the roadway.
The remaining 2 incidents claim overcorrection of the steering wheel.
PE23-005 has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA23-003) to further assess the scope, frequency and potential safety related consequences of the momentary increase of steering effort.
Further the scope has been expanded to include assessment of the Acura Integra and Honda CR-V models.
To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
What is a preliminary evaluation?
Preliminary Evaluation is the first stage of a federal defect investigation. NHTSA reviews complaints, crash reports and manufacturer data to decide whether a safety defect may exist. It can close with no action, be upgraded to an engineering analysis, or end with a recall.
Did this investigation lead to a recall?
NHTSA closed this investigation on November 30, 2023 without listing a recall. That can mean NHTSA did not find a safety defect it could prove, or that the manufacturer addressed the issue another way. A closed investigation does not mean owners have no lemon law claim if the problem keeps happening.
Which vehicles are part of this investigation?
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | Honda | Civic |
| 2022-2023 | Honda | Civic SI |
What are Honda Civic owners reporting to NHTSA?
NHTSA’s public database lists 1,274 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this investigation (all components). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
What should owners do?
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for any open recall on your vehicle.
- If you have the problem NHTSA is investigating, take the vehicle to a dealer now and get a repair order, even if the dealer cannot find anything.
- Keep a log of every time the problem happens: date, mileage and what happened. Photos and videos help.
- File your own complaint at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. Owner complaints are what start and expand investigations.
- If the problem keeps coming back, talk to a lemon law attorney.
Recalls on the same vehicles
- 2021, 2023 Acura TLX Passenger Air Bag Recall (26V332)
- 2023-2024 Honda Accord Seat Fastener Recall (24V859)
- 2023-2024 Honda Accord Fuel Pump Recall (24V763)
- 2023-2025 Acura Integra Steering Recall (24V744)
- 2021-2022 Honda Pilot Passenger Air Bag Recall (24V064)
- 2021-2023 Honda Accord Fuel Pump Recall (23V858)
- 2022-2024 Honda Civic Rack and Pinion Recall (23V704)
- 2021 Honda Civic Master Cylinder Recall (23V458)
- 2023 Honda Civic Antilock Brake Control Module Recall (23V430)
Can a recall or defect investigation make my car a lemon in California?
Not by itself. What matters is whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps your vehicle at the dealer, and a federal investigation or recall is strong evidence that the problem is real.
Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a manufacturer that cannot fix a warranty defect that substantially impairs a vehicle’s use, value or safety within a reasonable number of attempts may have to repurchase or replace it (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)). Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, the law presumes a reasonable number of attempts after two repairs of a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four repairs of the same defect, or more than 30 days out of service (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)).
An owner who prevails can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA investigation, recall and complaint data, accessed October 7, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.22
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq., Founder and Managing Attorney of America’s Lemon Lawyer (Wynn Law Group, APC). Licensed by the State Bar of California, No. 362320. His practice focuses on California lemon law under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
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Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page reports public NHTSA data and is general information, not legal advice. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.