Diagsheet

2016 Honda Civic · symptom sheet

Power steering cuts out or goes heavy

  • 76owner reports
  • 46,493median miles
  • $3,000median quote
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Aug 26, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

442 of the 1,078 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 76 of those describe power steering loss.

Tick what matches of 76 reports

15
35
3
4
58

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering rack (30 reports) and the EPS motor or module (4 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the steering system covers the 2016 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the steering system on the Civic

EA23-003opened Nov 29, 2023
Steering · model years 2022 to 2024

Momentary increased steering effort. Closed jan 28, 2025, led to recall 24V-744.

NHTSA summary
On November 29, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Engineering Analysis (EA23003) to assess allegations of momentary increase in steering effort in model years (MY) 2022-2023 Honda Civic, 2023MY Honda CR-V, and 2023MY Acura Integra vehicles (subject vehicles). The complaints received by ODI alleged that the subject vehicles experienced a momentary increase in required steering effort (described as “sticky steering”) occurring mostly at highway speeds after driving for an extended amount of time; these complaints could not be duplicated during dealer service technicians’ quick test drives. The complaints had been received over the previous two years with most occurring with low vehicle mileage. The steering gear of these vehicles is aided by an electrical power assist unit. This power assist unit inputs force on the steering rack via a worm gear and worm wheel assembly. During PE23005, Honda stated this condition of momentary increase in steering effort occurs due to two factors within this power assist unit. First, during manufacturing, the steering worm wheel goes through annealing and component conditioning processes. These processes cause internal stress and strain within the steering worm wheel. This strain is slowly released over the first few months of the vehicle life. Over time, the released strain causes deformation of the teeth on the worm wheel, causing the worm gear to catch on the worm wheel. This catching results in the dri
PE23-005opened Mar 17, 2023
Steering · model years 2022 to 2023

Momentary increased steering effort. Closed nov 30, 2023.

NHTSA 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 mont
PE94-055opened Jul 20, 1994
Steering · model years 1993

Alleged steering lockup. Closed dec 30, 1994.

NHTSA summary
There is no summary currently available

None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.

What owners paid

16 of the 76 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,550 to $4,000.

$1,550$3,000$4,000
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 33,000 and 60,000 miles, from the 40 reports that gave a mileage.

115
116
218
819
820
621
822
1123
1124
1225
826

What owners wrote

“Failed power steering gearbox. Rack and Pinion. Steering wheel gets stuck at center position when driving 4k+ repair quote”

Filed Jul 21, 2025

“Steering sticking while driving. Took it to the Honda dealer and was told that power steering failure is common on Civics. Cost around 4K.”

Filed Jun 27, 2025

“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.”

Filed Jul 23, 2024

“Power steering locks up a bit after driving for 20-30 mins. The steering is notchy and hard to turn the wheels. Dealership said the power steering assembly needs replacement which is cover for 2017 and later. Not 2016. Even it’s the same generation and same symptoms. This is a safety issue and 2016 year model should be recalled as well.”

Filed Feb 25, 2024

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 76 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

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