Feds Probe Honda, Acura on ‘Sticky Steering’ Concerns

Federal traffic safety regulators are looking into concerns about steering wheels in a wide range of Honda and Acura vehicles. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it has received a slew of complaints about steering difficulties. The “sticky steering” investigation now covers more than 500,000 Honda Civic and CR-Vs, as well as Acura Integras, from model years 2022 and 2023.

The gist of the complaints is that “vehicle steering can stick and cause a momentary increase in steering effort that could potentially cause overcorrection and an increased risk of a crash,” NHTSA said in a November public document. 

The risk is not hypothetical. NHTSA said it has already received reports of traffic accidents stemming from the problem.

The agency has received reports of “13 crashes to date, 11 of which allege roadway departure due to not being able to overcome the momentary increased steering effort prior to their vehicle leaving the roadway,”  NHTSA said. “The remaining 2 incidents claim overcorrection of the steering wheel.”

NHTSA initially began looking into complaints covering a smaller number of Honda Civics in March 2023. It has now received more than 1,200 complaints, the agency said, the flow of which “remains steady.”

Honda, which also owns the Acura brand, told NHTSA that the problem stems from steering gear manufacturing process issues. The company told auto news publication The Drive that it is working on the problem.

“Honda has been in communication with the agency on this topic and will continue to cooperate with NHTSA through the investigation process while continuing our own internal review of the available information,” the automaker said.

Other Honda, Acura Safety Concerns

This is not the only safety issue facing Honda, Acura and anyone who drives their cars.

The companies recently announced that they are recalling some 250,000 vehicles whose engines may not start or could stall on the road. Honda and Acura blamed “a manufacturing defect of the engine crankshaft” for that problem.

Fortunately, car owners and lessors in California do not need to wait around for recalls to get defective vehicles fixed. You have some valuable rights and protections under the state’s lemon law.

The lemon law generally requires auto manufacturers to perform repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces carmakers to buy back vehicles that they are unable or simply refuse to fix. That means compensating the owner for the vehicle’s purchase price, along with financing charges, rental car costs and other related expenses.

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must occur before the buyback requirement kicks in. An experienced California lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and take action.

Talk with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.