2016 Honda Civic: steering wheel locks up

Filed Jul 23, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · AZ

With increasing frequency, at seemingly any condition or speed, a cluster of dashboard warnings, including power steering EPS, ABS, tire pressure TPMS, and others, flash on and stay on. Shortly after, the warnings appear power steering assist fails completely. This leads to uneasy and potentially dangerous circumstances as the car becomes minimally controllable as the physical effort required to maneuver is largely increased. Making turns especially difficult and hazardous while on public roads. This happens with increasing frequency. Initially restarting the car would temporarily fix the problem but that is decreasingly the case and the lights and steering lock happen again shortly after the reset. I no longer attempt to reset the car as it rarely helps now. I am actively keeping log of the frequency of this problem including date, time, and milage.

Filed Sep 28, 2024 · Steering · PA

The steering locks and sticks when driving especially on a highway. It appears the rack and pinion sticks

Filed Aug 1, 2024 · Steering · 54,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering assembly and rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the failure was due to the steering shaft. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

Filed Feb 25, 2024 · Steering · FL

Power steering locks up a bit after driving for 20-30 mins. The steering is notchy and hard to turn the wheels. Dealership said the power steering assembly needs replacement which is cover for 2017 and later. Not 2016. Even it’s the same generation and same symptoms. This is a safety issue and 2016 year model should be recalled as well.

Filed Feb 4, 2024 · Steering · CA

When driving freeway speeds, steering is very loose and difficult to control. When driving more than 30 minutes or more, the steering locks up and have to give it a jerk to gain control of steering. Mileage on 2016 Honda Civic is 58272 as of inspection by Honda on 1/17/24. Honda verified issue is Steering Rack which thousands of 2016 Honda Civic owners are reporting same issue. Original issue began in 2019 and reported to Honda at that time. Please review complaint. Thank you.

Filed Sep 12, 2023 · Brakes, Steering · OH

Both steering and brake system warning lights came on and steering wheel locked in to place with no prior warning indications of power steering rack failure.

Filed May 26, 2023 · Steering · TX

Steering wheel becomes stiff when driving at highway speeds, especially after the car has been operating for at least 20 minutes. The experience is similar to turning your steering wheel with the ignition off and no power assist. I thought I was going to lose control of the vehicle as I fought the steering wheel to stay centered in my lane and had to immediately pull over to the shoulder on the highway. First time it happened was September of 2020. When it continued, I no longer drove on the highway. I also experienced the issue when driving through a roundabout at 5 mph. It felt like the steering wheel locked up and I nearly crashed into the median before regaining control. Almost three years later, it continues to happen at highway speeds so I took it to the dealership for diagnosis because I only have 24,000 miles on the vehicle and cannot take it on road trips. Dealer confirmed the electronic power steering rack needs to be replaced at a cost of $4,000.00. This is a 2016 Honda Civic purchased new with only 24,000 miles to date and is undriveable at highway speeds due to safety issues and the dealer actually diagnosed a defective electronic power steering rack. Service tech said "too bad you don't own the 2017 Civic because a recall was issued for the power steering and you'd be covered 100%." This is an extremely expensive repair for a known defect. Please issue a recall for the 2016 Honda Civic electronic power steering system. Customers should not have to pay for the repair out of pocket for a defective part.

Filed Feb 22, 2023 · Steering · TX

Every time my 2016 civic is driven for about 30 minutes straight above 60 mph the steering starts to become stiff and jerky. It feels as if the steering wheel locks into place and you must pull on the steering wheel to get it out of position while driving causing serious danger to myself and those driving near me. People who have driven behind me while the issue has happened have notified me that it looks like a drunk driver is at the wheel due to the jerking that needs to be done to get the steering wheel out of position. Driving speed limit on the expressway after 30 minutes has become a hazard and is very unfortunate due to the car only being about 6 years old. It has been going on for quite some time now and is a frequent issue that is popped up on civic forums for models 2016-2019.

Filed Oct 8, 2021 · Steering · 32,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Civic. The contact stated while reversing, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. In addition, the steering wheel was pulling to the right or left while the vehicle was driven straight. The steering wheel seized causing the contact to use extreme force while steering the vehicle. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.

Filed Aug 13, 2021 · Steering · 67,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the power steering started to fail. The steering wheel started to drift to the left or right and the steering wheel seized in that direction. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. The power steering function returned; however, the failure recurred intermittently. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer who was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.

Filed Jun 3, 2021 · Steering · FL

Steering wheel locked while driving. Has happened at different speeds including 70 MPH on Interstate 75 in Southern Florida. Took vehicle to dealer which was able to recreate the problem and stated a replacement of the steering rack system ($3800) was required. Opened a case with Honda since the vehicle (2016 model year) fell outside of the recall for 2017-2018 Civics for a similar steering problem.

Filed Apr 13, 2019 · Steering · 45,000 miles · CA · crash

Was driving the car to an interview & I was probably a block from home. I was at a stop & when I began to accelerate & turn left the steering wheel locked mid drive & caused me to crash into a curb.