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Honda Accord steering lock-up problems

98 of the 24,251 owner complaints about the Honda Accord describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2013 model year.

owner complaints
98
worst model year
2013
typical repair cost reported
$750
typical mileage
66,760
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2025
    1
  • 2024
    3
  • 2022
    1
  • 2019
    3
  • 2018
    2
  • 2017
    4
  • 2016
    4
  • 2015
    6
  • 2014
    15
  • 2013
    34
  • 2012
    1
  • 2009
    4
  • 2007
    3
  • 2005
    2
  • 2004
    2
  • 2003
    4
  • 2002
    1
  • 2001
    2
  • 1999
    4
  • 1998
    1
  • 1991
    1

What owners say

Filed Sep 13, 2026 · Steering · MD

Safety Complaint: Total Electric Power Steering Failure – 2014 Honda Accord Touring V6 I own a 2014 Honda Accord Touring V6 with approximately 130,000 miles. The vehicle is currently out of warranty. On XXX, while driving at highway speed, the vehicle suddenly experienced a total loss of power steering. The steering became locked, and we barely had enough time to safely move the vehicle to the shoulder of the highway. This was an extremely dangerous situation and could have resulted in a serious accident, injury, or death. The vehicle is currently unsafe to drive because of the steering failure. A Honda dealer has quoted thousands of dollars to repair the vehicle. The Electric Power Steering (EPS) Module/Computer, part number 39980-T2G-305, alone was quoted at approximately $743, in addition to approximately $238 in dealer diagnostic fees and labor, which could itself exceed $1,000. I am concerned that Honda has not issued a safety recall for this potentially dangerous steering failure, despite this issue reportedly occurring in multiple Honda vehicles, including vehicles other than the Accord. Honda has issued a technical service bulletin regarding the issue, but a bulletin does not provide the same remedy or consumer protection as a safety recall. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency investigate this potentially serious safety defect and intervene to help ensure that affected vehicles are properly repaired. A sudden and complete loss of steering assistance, particularly at highway speeds, presents an extremely serious safety hazard to the occupants of the vehicle and other motorists. NOTE : I also humbly request the federal safety agency to intervene and help us getting the car fixed which is currently unsafe to drive with steering locked. Attached is the quote from local Honda Dealer in [XXX]. They want us to tow the car to their location but I currently cannot afford these repairs. --- INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 4, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 72,281 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2019 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle lost motive power and went into LIMP Mode, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the failure was initially misdiagnosed. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer a second time, and the dealer discovered that the battery and fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was later diagnosed, and it was determined that a gasket had failed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 72,281.

Filed Jul 30, 2026 · Steering · 79,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2024 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the electronic power steering seized, and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The contact depressed the brake pedal and stopped the vehicle. The vehicle failed to return to normal operation. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic power steering module had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Steering · 10,500 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2025 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH on a highway, the steering wheel seized, resulting in a loss of steering control. The contact was able to pull the vehicle onto the shoulder and then drove off the highway to a gas station, where the vehicle was towed. The contact stated that the power steering warning light, the brake warning light, and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering rack had failed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no response was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 10,500.

Filed Jun 23, 2026 · Driver assistance, Steering · NY · crash

My husband was driving our 2022 Honda Accord home eastbound on [XXX] on Friday, [XXX] from Oswego to Saratoga Springs from a funeral. It was extremely hot that day. It started to rain and he was going the speed limit and the steering locked up. He ended up doing at least one 360 possible two and then hit the guardrail. We never had a recall on our steering but a lot of issues while driving on the lane controls. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 19, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · CA

Dashboard displayed multiple messages and icons/warnings. Steering wheel locked, acceleration was low, barely any power to drive. Engine running rough condition. OBD2 scanner P0302 and P0303 detected. Engine misfire. Honda Dealership diagnosis car. Main concerns include a head gasket blown or crack. Coolant leaking into cylinder 2 and 3. Tie rod cracked. Pressure test low. The vehicle has no prior history of cylinder head removal or head gasket replacement. Vehicle has been properly maintained through consistent oil changes.

Filed Feb 20, 2026 · Airbags, Wheels · MD

On February 15 Sunday night my 2024 Accord was broken in by thieves. Honda’s door lock system was so easy that robbers were able to hack it and open the driver door easily. After which steering wheel airbag was stolen. There was another Honda Accord 2025 model also parked which belong to my family member, was also hit by same thieves and was a victim of door brake in and steering wheel airbag stolen. I would like to file complaint against Honda’s week security system which allowed the thieves to easily brake into our Vehicles. Upon checking the internet I came across videos of how easy it is to steel the airbags since it only requires 2 small flathead screw drivers to unlatch the steering wheel air bag. During my conversation with police who files my report mentioned that “ honda is being hit with these cases a-lot and honda vehicles can easily be started with wifi system”. I spoke to the service advisor at Honda who is fixing my car about this issue, he responded saying “ there is nothing we can do. The best thing you can do is put steering wheel lock bar on it”. At this point I don’t feel safe having Honda vehicle at all. What can prevent them from not breaking to my car again after being fixed? At this point it is a high risk for me for constantly paying insurance deductibles and chances of insurance premiums increments and worst of all a constant stress every night of being hit again.

Filed Sep 8, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · CA

System charging error prompts on the dash board continuously. Check my battery and it’s not my battery. Steering wheel light turned on and car began to lock and the whole dashboard started to flicker while I was driving . I was driving and my steering wheel locked on me always causing an accident. I tried getting a jump and my battery is fine. Then when I try to move the vehicle the steering wheel starts to lock up. My radio even started to reset and glitch and my system was shutting back on and off while I was driving.

Filed Aug 25, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · 31,000 miles · SC · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2019 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the computer system failed. The contact stated that the traction control, tire pressure warning system, and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the power steering seized, and the tires slipped. In addition, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact attempted to steer the vehicle onto the shoulder of the road. The contact’s vehicle crashed into a metal wall several times. The contact sustained injuries to the left shoulder and his neck. In addition, the contact sustained multiple bruises and bumps. The contact received medical treatment from the contact’s primary care physician. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. An independent mechanic connected a scanner to the black box, and the vehicle's computer displayed a warning. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the vehicle was condemned total loss. A police report was filed. The contact obtained the black box and was seeking assistance with collecting the stored data. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.

Filed Jul 28, 2025 · Fuel system, Steering · 79,000 miles · HI

The contact owns a 2014 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the vehicle jerked and unexpectedly downshifted. The steering wheel warning light, check engine warning light, ABS, and TPS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact then took the vehicle to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several years ago, and the steering wheel seized. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

Related recalls

Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connectionsReported May 17, 2012 · 625,762 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL and model year 2003-2007 Accord V6 vehicles. In May 2012, Honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL vehicles. In September 2012, Honda informed the agency that it was including an additional 573,147 vehicles including certain model year 2003 through 2007 Accord V6 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 625,762. Prolonged under-hood and power steering fluid temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely, resulting in cracks and power steering fluid leakage.
Risk
If this occurs, power steering fluid can leak onto a hot catalytic converter, leading to smoke and possibly an under-hood fire.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a new heat resistant power steering hose, free of charge. The original recall began in June 2012, and owners of those vehicles may obtain the free remedy. Sufficient parts are not yet available for owners of the vehicles covered by the September 2012 expansion, but are expected to be available in early 2013. Honda will notify owners of these vehicles beginning on October 26, 2012, and will notify these owners again when parts are available so those vehicles can be brought to dealers for applications of the free remedy. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑800‑999‑1009.

Recall number 12V222000 · Recall details

Questions about the Honda Accord steering lock-up

Which Honda Accord years have steering wheel locks up problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2013 (34 complaints), 2014 (15 complaints) and 2015 (6 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix steering wheel locks up on the Honda Accord?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $750 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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