2018 Honda CR-V: clunking or noise when steering

Filed Oct 20, 2026 · Steering · PA

My CRV has been having issues with the steering wheel "sticking" and making a clicking noise when turning. I have had it looked at multiple times and Honda dealerships claim they aren't "feeling" or "hearing" what I am. It's concerning when driving at high speeds on the highway with a steering wheel that is sticking during turns.

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Steering · CA

The Electric Power Steering (EPS) rack failed internally, causing heavy, sticky, and stiff steering accompanied by noise during turns, particularly when making small corrections at freeway speeds. The defect directly put safety at risk by impairing steering control, leading the inspecting authorized Honda dealership technician (Tech #3129) to officially document that the vehicle is "not safe to drive". Both the vehicle and the failing EPS assembly remain unrepaired. The issue was apparent after 4 wheel alignment performed by the dealership on 9/28/2026. ​The steering issue was fully reproduced and confirmed during a test drive and diagnostic procedure by the Honda dealership service department. No dashboard warning lights or error messages appeared prior to or during the failure; the symptoms were entirely physical.

Filed Sep 23, 2026 · Steering · WI

Vehicle •Year: 2018 •Make: Honda •Model: CR-V Touring AWD •VIN: [XXX] •Mileage when failure occurred: 125,934 miles •Date repaired: XXX Component: Steering / power steering / steering rack I own a 2018 Honda CR-V Touring AWD with 125,934 miles. The vehicle developed a sticky, jerky, popping steering condition when turning, and the steering rack/gearbox required replacement. On September 10, 2026, the steering rack was replaced. The repair invoice identifies the part as Honda Rack Assembly, Power Steering (EPS), part number 53620-TLA-A13. The steering rack alone cost $3,895.99, and the total repair cost was $5,046.20 including labor, tie rods, hazardous materials and tax. I contacted Honda regarding the steering problem because Honda previously recalled certain 2017–2018 CR-V vehicles for a steering gearbox problem under the federal safety agency recall 18V‑663. Honda refused my recall claim and subsequently refused my request for goodwill assistance. I am submitting this complaint because I believe a complete electronic power-steering rack/gearbox failure at 125,934 miles is a significant safety concern and should be documented. I am also concerned about whether other 2017–2018 CR-V vehicles may experience similar steering-rack failures. The vehicle was repaired and is currently operating with the replacement steering rack. The invoice attached is in our son’s name because we are in the process of giving him the vehicle and if there is an issue with the repair he could take the car back to the repair vendor. We do have the replaced part if that is of any help to you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 22, 2026 · Driver assistance, Steering · FL

There is an ongoing problem with the electric power steering on my 2018 Honda CR-V that has begun malfunctioning. The steering sticks near the center position and requires additional force before it releases. When it releases, the steering changes from tight to loose, making it easy to overcorrect. It sometimes feels as though gears are catching inside the steering system. There is also a clicking or cracking sound when the steering wheel is turned, along with occasional creaking during slow turns, such as when leaving a driveway. The condition makes it difficult to make small steering corrections and could cause the vehicle to leave its lane or become difficult to control. The symptoms have become more noticeable and create a safety concern during normal driving. An independent mechanic scanned the vehicle with a diagnostic scanner and reported a fault involving the electric power-steering system. The exact diagnostic code is unavailable. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Honda, and the failed component has not yet been replaced. The vehicle and steering components remain available for inspection upon request. No power-steering warning lamp was observed before the symptoms began. Honda previously issued the federal safety agency Campaign 18V‑663 and Service Bulletin 18-103 involving steering-gearbox failure in certain 2017–2018 CR-V vehicles. My vehicle is not included in that recall despite exhibiting similar steering symptoms. Other 2018 CR-V owners outside the recall population have reported sticking, clicking, and confirmed steering-rack or steering-gearbox failures. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether the recall population should be expanded.

Filed Jul 6, 2026 · Steering · MD

Here’s the revised version with that important detail added naturally: For the past two years, my vehicle has experienced the same recurring steering problem during long highway trips. The issue consistently begins after approximately 1–2.5 hours of highway driving and always occurs during very hot or humid weather. The steering wheel starts to stick when making small corrections while driving straight, feeling as though it moves in notches instead of smoothly. Once the problem starts, it continues for the remainder of the trip, even after leaving the highway and driving at lower speeds. This has happened on multiple long trips over the last two years, typically toward the end of extended drives in hot or humid conditions. During some incidents, the steering wheel also produced a clicking noise each time it moved into a notched position. The sticking and clicking make it difficult to make small steering adjustments and create a jerky, clunky steering feel, especially on narrow or curvy roads, making the vehicle feel unsafe to drive. To rule out other causes, we replaced all four tires, but the problem continued exactly as before. There have never been any warning lights or dashboard messages associated with this issue. After researching the problem, we found information about EPS gearbox recalls affecting newer CR-V models. We discussed our symptoms with our mechanic, who agreed that the problem sounds consistent with an Electric Power Steering (EPS) issue and recommended reporting it to the federal safety agency. Because the problem only develops after extended highway driving in hot or humid conditions, it is difficult to reproduce during a typical short test drive. This wording makes it clear that the weather connection isn’t just a possibility—it has been a consistent pattern every time the issue occurs.

Filed Jun 29, 2026 · Steering · 126,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was sticking and jerking with a clicking sound coming from the steering column. The contact stated that the issues were more noticeable while turning to the right. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the power steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed of TSB: 18-103. The contact associated the failure with the TSB; however, the vehicle was not included. The failure mileage was 126,000.

Filed Jun 9, 2026 · Steering · TX

May 15, 2026 - After driving highway speeds for 2 hours on a road trip, the steering wheel started to stick when trying to make small adjustments driving straight. It seemed like it could only move in notches, not glide smoothly. May 17, 2026 - After driving highway speeds for 1 hour, the same thing started happening again and continued for the remaining 2 hours of the trip. May 29, 2026 - After driving highway speeds for 2.5 hours, the steering wheel started to stick again but this time I could also hear a little clicking noise every time I made a small adjustment to the wheel that moved it into a "notched" position created by the stickiness. The clunky movements of the steering wheel made me nervous driving on narrow curvy roads. I drove 5 hours one way where it started doing this halfway into the trip and 5 hours back home the same day with it sticking & clicking the entire time as I made minor movements of the wheel. It was not isolated to fast speeds; it continued at slow speeds. June 2, 2026 - The rear tires had been replaced 6 months earlier, so we decided to replace the front tires now to see if that would help resolve the issue. June 4, 2026 - After driving highway speeds at 2 hours, the steering wheel started sticking and clicking again. New tires did not fix the problem. Our destination was 2.5 hours from home. We returned home later the same day with the sticking & clicking starting after about an hour and continuing the rest of the way home. There have been no warning lights or messages related to this problem. June 9, 2026 - We've seen online that there have been recalls on newer model CR-Vs for the EPS gear box. We called our mechanic and described what we're experiencing. He agreed that it sounded like an EPS issue and recommended we report it to the federal safety agency. Because the issue doesn't surface until at least an hour of driving highway speeds, it's hard to reproduce on demand.

Filed Jun 3, 2026 · Driver assistance, Steering · MD

Steering "sticky". Intermittently steering feels stuck, resistant to during turns requiring extra force on steering wheel to break free both in low speed maneuvering and at highway speeds. Sticky steering associated by a soft clicking noise. Jim Coleman Honda of Clarksville MD checked the vehicle and confirmed the sticky steering and associated clicking noise. Their remedy to the sticky steering diagnosis was replacement of the EPS steering rack and gearbox at a cost of $6,000.00 They noted that this issue was the subject of a limited 2017-2018 recall 18V663 and more recently under 2022-2025 24V744. As result of stickiness the LKA system no longer works properly.

Filed Nov 6, 2025 · Steering · 67,796 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2018 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60-70 MPH, the steering wheel was clicking while attempting to turn to the left or the right, and the vehicle became difficult to steer. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired at the owner's expense. In addition, the contact was advised that if the failure was recall-related, the vehicle would be covered; however, the repairs were denied. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V663000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,796.

Filed Oct 2, 2025 · Steering · WA

-Steering gear box is failing. The steering wheel is sticking and clunking. -Failure of steering puts safety of driver and passengers at risk -This problem was diagnosed by a Honda dealer and also verified by an independent service center -No warning lights or messages appeared prior to problem onset. The issues with steering were initially mild and sporadic, began about 4 years after new vehicle purchase when mileage was <20,000. The issues became more persistent over time. -Of note, there is a 2018 Honda safety recall for the steering gearbox for some vehicles of the same year and model

Filed Jul 24, 2025 · Steering · TX

Stick in steering while driving; slight clunking noise when steering wheel is moved and same noise heard while backing out of parking spots slightly turning the steering wheel .

Filed Jun 20, 2025 · Steering · TN

Steering is popping and sticking when making a hard turn. It has gradually become worse. We're not comfortable taking it on long trips. A claim was filed with Honda this week. It has been 5 days and we only get voice mail when we call. Its very scary to think our steering could go out and the car only has 90,000 miles. It's going to cost $5,000 to fix. A recall for this problem was issued, but dealer says my vin is not included in the recall.