2023 Honda Civic · symptom sheet
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy
- 36owner reports
- 10,000median miles
- 3involved a crash
Newest report Apr 16, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
192 of the 255 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 36 of those describe power steering loss. Only sticky steering is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 36 reports
Power steering loss 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, 2021, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Power steering loss is the steering wheel suddenly going heavy, usually with a warning on the dash. Nearly six in ten complaints in this group mention a warning light or message, and almost two thirds mention driving or highway speed rather than parking.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering rack (11 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the steering system cover the 2023 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The steering gearbox assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause excessive internal friction and lead to difficulty steering the vehicle.
The steering rack may have been incorrectly assembled, which can allow the tire to chafe against the lower suspension or tie rod end, possibly resulting in tire damage.
All 4 recalls on the 2023 Honda Civic, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 8,000 and 36,616 miles, from the 13 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices for the 2023 Honda Civic that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Customers are seeing the Electric Power Steering (EPS) System Indicator on the instrument panel due to the 12-volt battery degrading. It can cause low voltage to be detected during an ignition cycle.
Today December 8, 2023, American Honda is announcing a product update for certain model year 2022-2024 Civic units which may have improperly manufactured Electronic Power Steering (EPS) service parts installed.
What owners wrote
“The steering like to jerk or stick. Itâs sometimes hard to control. It looks like Iâm drunk driving to stay in the lane. I think the component that controls the lane assist or lane keep is malfunctioning. Driving on the highway is even more terrifying. Just trying to keep the vehicle in the lane. The dealerships have found nothing wrong and have no idea what Iâm talking about. No lights or warnings came on.”
Filed Aug 1, 2024
“The electric power steering is sticking when you turn the wheel slightly. My local dealership failed to fix the recall on my vehicle and labeled it as fixed, when they simply verified the recall matched serial numbers on my car and did not fix the issue.”
Filed Feb 27, 2024
“Power steering has begun to require more effort to make fine adjustments with at highway speeds. Often sticking in one place and requiring more force than normal to make the adjustment. This can create an over correction situation which can result in an accident/loss of control of the car.”
Filed Dec 17, 2023
“Driving on freeway on 12/2/2023 and the steering became difficult to handle. It felt that I lost my power steering. I exited the freeway and the car's steering seemed ok after all. The steering was fine for the remainder of the day. The next day, the problem happened again on a freeway. I can steer the car, but it requires more effort and it seems a bit jerky.”
Filed Dec 5, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 3 of 36 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. 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 Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks 129 reports