Diagsheet

2018 Honda CR-V · symptom sheet

Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks

  • 207owner reports
  • 57,000median miles
  • $3,500median quote
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Sep 4, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

325 of the 2,132 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 207 of those describe sticky steering.

Tick what matches of 207 reports

178
55
67
24
13
41

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering rack (94 reports), the column (9 reports) and the torque sensor (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the steering system covers the 2018 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 CR-V

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

None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.

What owners paid

66 of the 207 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $2,500 to $4,800.

$2,500$3,500$4,800
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 41,000 and 82,000 miles, from the 77 reports that gave a mileage.

119
320
221
1122
1823
4424
7225
5626

What owners wrote

“Power steering issue with vehicle wanting to veer left and having to jerk the wheel back to keep from crossing the center line. There was a previous recall by Honda (18V663000) but my vehicle is not listed. This began at about 75K miles. For the year, this is a low mileage car and this is becoming dangerous to drive because of the steering issue.”

Filed Jul 1, 2026 · 75,000 miles

“honda sticky steering began at around 75,000 miles - this safety issue recall should apply to all honda vehicles - safety first !”

Filed May 21, 2026 · 75,000 miles

“Sticky Steering...steering get's slightly stuck then it takes a little more effort to turn the wheel causing the wheel to turn too much sometimes to get it back on course...same problem that has been recalled on other models but for some reason not a recall on my 2018 with only 67000 miles”

Filed Apr 30, 2026 · 67,000 miles

“Steering wheel sticks when turning, as has been reported by many others. It becomes difficult to make even small movements with the steering wheel and is a clear safety issue. When the issue first began, my car had only 30K miles on it - it now has 34K, and the problem has gotten materially worse. I see that this problem exists in recent CR-V models as well, so this appears to be a systemic issue.”

Filed Jun 4, 2024 · 30,000 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 207 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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