2020 Honda CR-V · symptom sheet

Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks

27owner reports
29,951median miles
1involved a crash

Newest report Sep 5, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

39 of the 351 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 27 of those describe sticky steering.

Tick what matches of 27 reports

sticks or catches when I steer

feels notchy or jerky

worse at highway speed

pulls or veers on its own

locks up or is hard to turn

no warning light came on

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering rack (15 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the steering system covers the 2020 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

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 2020 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 28,000 and 60,000 miles, from the 9 reports that gave a mileage.

123

824

1025

826

What owners wrote

“After 4 4/2 years and 26,500 miles the steering became (slightly sticky ) It would take extra pressure to move the steering wheel. It also make clicking and creaking sound while turning at lower speeds 10 MPH or less. The dealer said the entire steering rack needed replacement due to some part that could not be replaced. The the was fine until the steering just started getting tight.”
Filed Sep 15, 2025 · 26,500 miles

“Sticky steering wheel issue like the recent recall on newer Hondas. This 2020 has about 50k and has recently been flashing the EPS / Steering Wheel light when it occurs. After slowing down the vehicle "behaves" normal”
Filed Aug 20, 2025

“-Sticky steering with clicking noise and a tight pull -Steering failure would cause an accident -Problem has been reproduced and confirmed by a dealer; stating rack & pinion replacement -6/2025 -Reported October 2024”
Filed Jul 7, 2025

“Sticking steering wheel.Steering wheel sticks causing me to jerk wheel when turning curve.Yes, I took to Honda dealer and they ran test confirming problem. They said I need steering gearbox replaced. No warning lights occurred. About May 2024. It has gotten so bad now that I am afraid to drive it over 10 miles.”
Filed Jun 12, 2025

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 27 reports involved a crash and 2 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.