2016 Honda Civic · symptom sheet
Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks
- 354owner reports
- 40,000median miles
- $4,000median quote
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Sep 27, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
445 of the 1,081 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 354 of those describe sticky steering, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2016 Civic.
Tick what matches of 354 reports
Sticky steering on other Civic years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2020, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Sticky steering is a wheel that catches or hangs for a moment before it turns, then moves in a small jerk. It's different from a wheel that's simply heavy: owners here describe a notch, and many say it's worst when making small corrections at highway speed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering rack (72 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the steering system covers the 2016 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the steering system on the Civic
Momentary increased steering effort. Closed jan 28, 2025, led to recall 24V-744.
Momentary increased steering effort. Closed nov 30, 2023.
Alleged steering lockup. Closed dec 30, 1994.
None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.
What owners paid
42 of the 354 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $3,000 to $4,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 26,000 and 59,000 miles, from the 124 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“steering is sticking causing over correction when occurs. Most noticeable at highway speeds. Has been happening last 10,000 miles or 8 months.”
Filed Apr 18, 2024 · 10,000 miles
“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!!!”
Filed Jun 8, 2023 · 35,000 miles
“My 2016 Honda Civic is having issues with the steering. When driving the car at 50 mph or above, the steering wants to pull to the left and it feels sticky and hard to turn back to keep in the lane and you have to turn hard and feel you will over correct and run off road. The car has about 50,000 miles on it. This is a safety issue because it make me over correct when driving. No warning lights are on.”
Filed May 30, 2022 · 50,000 miles
“The car steering wheel stick and is jerky when driving. There are multiple sites with forum and videos of people experiencing the same issue.”
Filed Dec 12, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 354 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 214 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 94 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 76 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 48 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 39 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 39 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 28 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 27 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 27 reports
- Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on 27 reports