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Honda Fit steering lock-up problems

26 of the 2,204 owner complaints about the Honda Fit describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2009 model year.

owner complaints
26
worst model year
2009
typical mileage
55,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

What owners say

Filed Feb 21, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

The big recall with Honda and Acura, it lists the 2018-2019 Honda fit as having issues with the fuel pump modular. I've had the same issues with my 2016 for a few years now. I've stalled while driving and the steering wheel locks up when that happens. When starting from a stop, it is worse. I once was taking a left turn and it happened. Luckily I wasn't going across during a busy time, I might have been hit. I've gotten my car looked at several times and no one could tell me what was wrong. I even put in a new fuel pump because all of the systems seemed to be related to the fuel pump. And that didn't change anything either. It has to be the modular but whatever it is, this is serious and I cannot believe the 2016 has not been included in the recall. I have to mash the gas a lot, it seems to kind of help in preventing stalling sometimes. But if you have someone right in front of you, and you're making a turn, thats very difficult to mash the gas to prevent a stall while turning. I know I am mentioning turning a lot, it doesn't matter if I am turning or going straight, but I feel like it's more dangerous when it happens while turning as the steering wheel locks up when the car stalls. Throwing it in neutral doesn't even unlock the steering wheel. You can't quickly fix the issue, you have to switch the ignition off and restart it to unlock the steering wheel, that's not something that can be done quick enough to avoid an accident that is about to happen right before your eyes. Please look into this. I feel like it is immoral of Honda to not include other Fit models in the recall. They must know it's not only the 2018-2019 models. There is no way that my car is the only 2016 this is happening to. I greatly appreciate any effort you are willing to put into investigating this matter.

Filed Apr 18, 2023 · Steering · TN

The steering wheel locks when I park the car and turn the ignition off. The steering wheel stays locked (warning light) when I turn the key in the ignition and the car does not start. Now it stays locked about 90% of the time. The solution (found online, from other drivers) is to take the key out of the ignition, gently turn the steering wheel to the right, then to the left several times; put the key in the ignition & start the car. I sometimes have to repeat the process several times before the car starts. It makes me feel unsafe when I can't start the car and leave an area quickly. I have not reported the problem to the dealer, and it has not been inspected. But I will report it because it happens so frequently.

Filed Aug 22, 2022 · Steering · TX

While driving without warning ⚠️ the car loses power steering the steering wheel locks up no control I hit the side walk back up power steering return and sometimes the car just shuts off a few put in park crank up

Filed May 30, 2021 · Steering · CA

When driving my 09 fit my radio went in and out then my steering wheel indicator light popped up next thing I knew my steering wheel locked and felt stiff when trying to turn, kept happening as I drove, it’s happened at least 20 times maybe more in ONE day!!! I almost crashed because my power steering goes in and out in this car and it feels like I loose complete control of the car!!! It almost verging off on its own it feels like for about 2-3 seconds sometimes it feels like longer that this happens, once the steering wheel light goes away I can regain control. However this is very very dangerous and I do not feel safe driving the car with this is happening randomly when I’m driving !!!! It’s happening to me at LOW and HIGH speeds and it’s very scary!!!

Filed Apr 19, 2021 · Steering, Transmission · 104,956 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 honda fit. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel locked up making it hard to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v770000 (power train). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,956. The consumer stated the dealer advised the failure was not included in the recall.

Filed Aug 7, 2019 · Driver assistance, Steering · 38,250 miles · AZ · crash

It was raining. I was on the highway, cruise control set at 65 MPH. At this point, the road curves to the right. I had just gone through a dip in the road and I think I may have been hydroplaning. The vsa light came on and the ride became very choppy. I started pumping the brakes and I tried to steer my car to stay in the lane but the steering wheel locked up and I couldn't move it. I continued on a straight path even though the road curved. I was on the left hand shoulder, heading off the road completely, still trying to steer to the right when the vsa light abruptly turned off. At this point the steering wheel suddenly unlocked and I inadvertently pulled it hard to the right; sending me across 2 lanes of traffic, across the right hand shoulder, over a small curb and into the dirt/desert. As this was happening, I was able to correct my steering back to the left but not before I was completely off the right hand side of the road and hit a small hill next to it with the right side of my car. At this point, I managed to get my vehicle back on the right shoulder of the road. I took my car to the honda dealer to have it checked. They said my tires were bald which caused me to hydroplane. Regardless of the condition of the tires, when the vsa is engaged, I should still be able to steer the car but I couldn't. The technician ran the diagnostic test(s) and said he found nothing wrong. Something is definitely wrong when your steering wheel locks up at close to 65 MPH when a safety feature is engaged.

Filed Feb 4, 2019 · Steering · 55,000 miles · NV

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 honda fit. While driving 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized and made it difficult to steer the vehicle. Also, the electronic power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.

Filed Nov 27, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · 96,605 miles · PA

The car dashboard lights/radio lost all power for 2-3 seconds and then the eps light on the dashboard lit up. The car lost power steering and was extremely hard to steer during this time. Steering wheel locked while driving and could not turn it for the 2-3 seconds that the car systems were 'offline.' the next day, the car did the same thing and I lost power steering while driving at various speeds in various weathers throughout the day on both the highway and back roads. Utterly terrifying. Towed it to the honda dealership. They were unable to replicate the issues and car was returned to me with 0 fixes done. Was advised to pick up the vehicle and drive it as normal since no complaints could be proven with diagnostic testing. Drove it with trepidation for the next 5 days and on the 5th day, the car again lost all power to vehicle, dashboard lights lit up, engine light lit up, radio turned off and turned back on, steering became very difficult and wheel locked while driving. Car continued to do this over the period of an hr 50+ times. Parked car, video recorded it losing power, eps light turning on/radio turning on/off, steering wheel locking while parking and driving. Towed it a 2nd time to the honda dealership who has driven it a total of 38 miles with nothing being able to be proven with diagnostic testing. No hard codes to be found, as anytime the car is turned off all codes are erased from the eps system. Called honda corp. And they stated since there is no recall on my VIN number that no problem exists for this vehicle and since the dealership cannot prove any issues through diagnostic testing that my claim is unfounded. Honda service bulletin 14-058 was released and the warranty extended for 2007-08 honda fits, but they are denying issues with 2009 even though there are reports all over the internet about them. Dealership unwilling to fix 'unknown issue'.

Filed Sep 27, 2018 · Steering, Tires · 106,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 honda fit. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized and the tire pressure warning indicator illuminated. The dealer was not contacted for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

Filed Apr 18, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 57,000 miles · NJ

Takata recall .question ; my vechile power steering locks up eps dash light steering wheel lights up. Yellow on dash board this goes on the car and disables it and dose it a lot . In speeds of under 25 m.p. H.car will shut down . Worried of the accident it may cause . Too safety concerned . And only have 57171 miles on vechile . While in motion. Turning also left or right turns. In local city streets

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Honda Fit steering lock-up

Which Honda Fit years have steering wheel locks up problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2009 (9 complaints), 2007 (8 complaints) and 2010 (2 complaints).

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