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Why do Honda steering racks keep failing on Civics and Pilots?
Nearly every Honda steering recall here traces back to the electric power steering gearbox or rack. Manufacturing errors dominate: a loose ball bearing in 2023-2024 Pilot racks, an inner ball joint housing that can detach on 2023 Passport and Ridgeline, a dislodged torque sensor magnet on 2017-2018 Civic and CR-V that can push assist the wrong way during a full-lock turn, gearboxes left untightened on 2023-2024 Odyssey and 2024 Acura RDX so water corrodes and binds the gears, and a worm gear spring problem spanning 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, CR-V, CR-V Hybrid and Acura Integra. Civic, CR-V and the Pilot/Passport/Ridgeline family repeat most. Two separate recalls cover CMX300, CMX500, CL500 and SCL500 handlebar lock screws that can loosen and fall out.
Warning signs to watch for
- Steering that feels loose, sloppy or vague
- Clunking or unusual noises coming from the steering
- Steering that feels stiff, binding or unusual as you turn
- Assist pushing the opposite way during a full-lock turn, such as parking
- Sudden lock-up or loss of steering, which the Pilot notice says can happen with no warning at all
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of these eight recalls carries a stop-driving or park-outside order from NHTSA or Honda, so owners are expected to keep driving until the dealer appointment. Several notices still describe the failure as sudden: the 2023-2024 Pilot gearbox can lock up with no warning, and the Passport and Ridgeline ball joint can detach. Treat them as urgent, and stop driving and call a dealer immediately if the steering goes loose, stiff, clunky or fights you. The 2026 CMX handlebar recall has no final remedy yet; riders get interim letters only.
What the free repair involves
Most of these end in a new electric power steering rack or gearbox, installed free. On the 2023 Passport, Ridgeline and 2022-2024 Civic service-rack recalls, dealers inspect first and replace only if needed. The 2023-2025 worm gear recall replaces the worm gear spring and redistributes or adds grease; the motorcycle recalls fit a new handlebar lock screw with thread lock. No software or over-the-air fixes here.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 2 |
| high | 6 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-30 | Honda CMX500 and CMX300 motorcycles: handlebar screw can detach | high |
| 2026-03-12 | Honda Rebel motorcycle handlebar screw can fall out | high |
| 2024-10-03 | Honda and Acura steering gearbox may make steering difficult | high |
| 2024-03-07 | Honda Passport and Ridgeline may lose steering control | critical |
| 2024-02-15 | Honda Odyssey and Acura RDX steering can rust, bind | high |
| 2023-11-02 | Honda Pilot steering may lock up or fail | critical |
| 2023-10-19 | Honda Civic replacement steering rack may damage a tire | high |
| 2018-09-27 | Honda Civic and CR-V power steering can turn wrong way | high |
Common questions
My Civic already had its steering rack replaced — am I covered?
One recall specifically targets 2022-2024 Civic 4-door and 5-door cars that received a replacement power steering rack during a service repair. The rack may be assembled incorrectly and let the tire chafe. Dealers inspect and replace the rack as necessary, free.
Are Acura models included in these Honda steering recalls?
Yes. The 2024 Acura RDX shares the corroding, binding gearbox recall with the 2023-2024 Odyssey, and Acura Integra plus Integra Type S are covered by the worm gear spring recall alongside the Civic and CR-V models.
Can I keep riding my Rebel while waiting for the handlebar fix?
Honda has not told riders to stop riding, but the handlebar lock screw can loosen and detach and interfere with steering. One recall has parts available; the newer one sent interim letters only, with final letters once the remedy is ready.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.