Although my particular VIN number is showing no recall, the steering is sticking at any speed the car is traveling, whether traveling straight or making a turn. When trying to turn the wheel it is causing resistance and requiring me to jerk the steering wheel to free it temporarily to make the turn. Once the turn is made the steering wheel locks back up again.
Honda Civic steering lock-up problems
129 of the 16,054 owner complaints about the Honda Civic describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2022 model year.
- owner complaints
- 129
- worst model year
- 2022
- typical repair cost reported
- $4,000
- typical mileage
- 45,000
By model year
Often reported together
Engine failure 28Jerking 10Power steering loss 8Stalling 6Steering noise 5Pulling 4Brake failure 4Warning lights 3
Trouble codes mentioned
P3004 1P0299 1
What owners say
I was driving and out of nowhere steering wheel locked on me it feels really heavy basically my car suffered a complete loss of power steering due to internal mechanical gear binding matching Campaign 24V‑744 [7b0d] but Honda is refusing to fix it because your VIN was left off the initial recall list
On 9/9/2026 and one other occasion within the past few months, the vehicle was started normally using the keyless ignition. The driver then disengaged the parking brake and shifted into Reverse. The vehicle began backing out a driveway when it was discovered that the steering remained locked despite the vehicle being in motion. The steering wheel could not be turned, indicating that the steering column lock mechanism failed to release after startup. It is believed that one or more dashboard indicators may have illuminated but no details are available. The driver immediately stopped the vehicle, shifted to Park, and powered the vehicle OFF. After restarting, the steering lock disengaged normally and the vehicle operated as expected.
While driving my 2025 Honda Civic Touring, the electric steering system suddenly malfunctioned without warning. While entering/navigating a roundabout, the wheels forcibly straightened out on their own, overriding steering input and causing the vehicle to crash directly into the roundabout curb/barrier. Prior to this sudden steering lockout/binding event, there were no known performance or handling issues with the car. Following the impact, the steering remains unsafe to operate, experiencing binding, severe misalignment, and persistent inability to steer smoothly. Mechanics have replaced the passengers lower control arm, ball joint, sway bar link, the passenger side strut tower, and two front tires because of the camber caused damage to the tires, but the vehicle's camber remains out of spec and the underlying steering binding/stiffness remains unresolved. I believe an internal defect or electronic lockup in the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system caused the vehicle to lose steering control prior to the impact.
Steering locks up at highway speeds. This vehicle has only 36,526 miles on the odometer. This is a serious safety issue and could easily cause a high speed crash. The dealer has road tested and confirms the problem. The dealer states the electric steering box is at fault. We are having the electric steering box replaced by the dealer.
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.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine, steering. Purchased the car from a certified dealership in January 2026. After 3 months of driving, the car began exhibiting performance issues. During a normal acceleration pattern, the car would go into a ‘limp mode’ where all dashboard lights would turn on and the car’s performance became severely limited. Acceleration is barely possible when this happens and the car must be turned off and restarted in order to get the car out of ‘limp mode,’ which is a MAJOR safety concern communicated to Honda. It is also of major concern that every time there is a performance issue, every light illuminates, not allowing the driver to diagnose and safely operate the vehicle without Honda assistance with diagnosis. Honda scans revealed P3004 engines misfire code- recommendations included replacing a spark plug. I replaced all four spark plugs and performance returned to normal. Steering recall (Recall Campaign SJS- 2022-25 Civic EPS Grbx Safe ) was also repaired on 6/24/2026- the car was exhibiting steering tightness and locking behaviors which were resolved after this repair. On 7/9, the car was traveling at 70mph when all dashboard lights came on once again. The car did not exhibit performance degradation at this time and was immediately taken for additional engine scan, which provided new code P0299 Turbocharger Underboost problem. Honda reported this code was not present during the scans on 6/24/2026. Dashboard warning lights disappeared on 6/25/2026. On 7/16/2026, the car began exhibiting major steering wheel locking and tightness, much worse than before the steering recall was fixed. I am unsure if it is related to the Turboboost issue. The car also began exhibiting engine performance issues again, rendering the car unsafe to operate until taken back to Honda for further diagnostics.
The contact ownED a 2017 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at 30 MPH, there was an abnormal clicking sound, and the steering wheel locked up, causing her to lose control and crash into an electrical pole. No warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V663000 (Steering). The yearly inspection was completed two weeks prior with no indication of an issue. The driver sustained a scratch on her leg, and medical attention was provided at the emergency room. All the air bags deployed. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an auto repair center. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 69,600.
the federal safety agency SAFETY COMPLAINT – VEHICLE DEFECT Vehicle Information Year: 2023 Make: Honda Model: Civic Component: Steering System Recall Received: Yes – January 2024 Description of the Problem In January 2024 I received a manufacturer recall notice regarding a steering defect on my 2023 Honda Civic. Prior to and after the recall notice, I experienced repeated steering failures including the steering wheel becoming loose, binding, locking during turns, and causing the vehicle to move in the opposite direction of steering input. I reported these issues numerous times to Anderson Honda. Despite being placed on a waiting list for over one year, no effective repair was completed until April 2025. After the recall repair was performed in April 2025, the steering defect continued. The steering wheel still becomes loose, binds during turns, and intermittently locks, causing unpredictable directional control. Incident Resulting From Defect On August 10, 2025, the unresolved steering defect caused a motor vehicle accident when the steering wheel locked and pulled the vehicle in the wrong direction during a turn. I sustained injuries to my neck, head, and back. My insurance carrier (GEICO) paid approximately $11,000 for vehicle body damage repairs related to this crash. Current Status / Ongoing Safety Risk As of January 2026, the steering defect has not been resolved and continues to occur. On January 14, 2026, the steering wheel again abruptly bound and shifted left while turning, this time with my son present in the vehicle, placing us in immediate danger. Honda Corporate has been notified and a case is currently open; however, no permanent repair has been completed and the vehicle remains unsafe to operate. Why This Is a Safety Concern This defect causes sudden loss of steering control and unpredictable vehicle direction. This presents a serious and ongoing risk of collision, injury, or death to myself, my passengers, and other motorists.
The contact owns a 2023 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was stiff and unexpectedly swerved from left to right. The contact previously received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V704000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the worm gear spring had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, and grease was added to the worm gear replacement. The dealer informed the contact that the power steering rack had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.
Related recalls
Steering
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles. The steering gearbox assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause excessive internal friction and lead to difficulty steering the vehicle.
- Risk
- Difficulty steering can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the worm gear spring and redistribute or add grease as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2024. Owners may contact Honda Customer Service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are SJS, MJU, QJT and VJV.
Recall number 24V744000 · Recall details
Steering: rack and pinion
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Civic 4-door and Civic 5-door vehicles that received a replacement power steering rack as part of a service repair. 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.
- Risk
- A damaged tire can fail and increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the electric power steering rack, as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 16, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is YFW.
Recall number 23V704000 · Recall details
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- 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
- 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.
Recall number 18V663000 · Recall details
Steering: column
- What is wrong
- Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Civic passenger vehicles, manufactured from October 26, 2012, through October 30, 2012. These vehicles were assembled with the incorrect steering column assembly.
- Risk
- The steering column may not have proper energy absorbing characteristics, which could increase the risk of injury during a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on December 10, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 12V548000 · Recall details
Questions about the Honda Civic steering lock-up
Which Honda Civic years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2022 (23 complaints), 2016 (13 complaints) and 2006 (8 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix steering wheel locks up on the Honda Civic?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $4,000 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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