Diagsheet

2017 Honda Civic · symptom sheet

Power steering cuts out or goes heavy

  • 38owner reports
  • 47,574median miles
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Aug 24, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

170 of the 591 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 38 of those describe power steering loss.

Tick what matches of 38 reports

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23

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering rack (9 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the steering system covers the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

18V-663Sep 27, 2018
Steering:Electric Power Assist System

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Honda Civic and CR-V vehicles. The magnet that controls the torque sensor output signal for the electronic power steering system may not be properly secured, allowing the magnet to become dislodged. During a full lock turn, the dislodged magnet may cause steering assist to be applied in the opposite direction.

Risk and remedy
Risk: The unintended steering input reduces vehicle maneuverability and increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gearbox assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C2N, P2O.

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 2017 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 36,700 and 85,000 miles, from the 16 reports that gave a mileage.

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What owners wrote

“My vehicle electronic power steering system failed at 35,000. When driving, it becomes extremely difficult to turn the vehicle. I was told this issue is common among 2017 Honda vehicles, though there are recalls for only 2017-2018 Honda Civic and CR-V vehicles, this model Honda Civic.”

Filed Oct 10, 2024

“The steering starts to stick in place after driving for about 10-15 minutes. I was advised by my Honda dealership that the entire electronic power steering rack needs to be replaced at the cost of $3400.00”

Filed Aug 11, 2024

“The power steering “sticks” and “requires slight, but manual force” to free it while driving causing the car to unexpectedly lose maneuverability. It has not been inspected yet, but it is easy to confirm as it happens almost all the time.”

Filed Mar 28, 2024

“Steering of car becomes stuck intermittently causing difficulty with adjusting of steering and over corrections when I have to force the steering wheel past the stuck area. Honda tech told me it is an issue with the electronic power steering unit of the vehicle”

Filed Oct 3, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 38 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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