Lawsuit Claims Honda Knew About Steering Defect for Years

Honda’s “sticky steering” problem may feel like old news after the 1.7-million-vehicle recall in 2024 and the investigation’s closure in January, but it’s back in focus as a consolidated class action lawsuit moves forward. Plaintiffs argue the recall didn’t go far enough and claim Honda knew about the defect long before repairs were offered. With new court deadlines now in place, the case is expected to carry well into 2026.

The Lawsuit and Models Affected

The case, titled Burgos, et al. v. American Honda Motor Company, Inc., merges three class actions filed after federal regulators opened an investigation into steering issues on 2022–2024 Honda Civics – including Si and Type R models – along with 2023-2024 Honda CR-Vs, HR-Vs, and Acura Integras. Plaintiffs claim the affected vehicles can experience momentary binding or heaviness in the steering, creating a safety risk. They also argue Honda knew about the defect before the cars were sold. While the 2024 recall covered roughly 1.7 million vehicles, owners involved in the lawsuit say the fix doesn’t fully address the underlying problem.

What the NHTSA Found

The NHTSA began investigating in March 2023 after reports of “sticky steering” on 2022 and 2023 Civics. Its October 2024 Safety Recall Report detailed the root cause, citing improperly produced worm wheel components inside the steering gearbox. According to the report, the worm wheel can swell due to heat and moisture, reducing the grease film between moving parts, while an overly high spring preload on the worm gear increases sliding force. Combined, these issues raise friction and create the sticky or disconnected sensation that drivers described. The report also notes that the first confirmed complaint appeared in September 2021. If you're a concerned owner, pay attention to early warning signs like abnormal noise and momentary hesitation when turning the wheel. These findings led Honda to initiate the recall that federal regulators considered sufficient to close the investigation in early 2025.

What Happens Next

Even with the investigation wrapped up, the lawsuit is far from over. Judge André Birotte Jr. has set new deadlines running through 2026 as both sides prepare additional filings before any hearing takes place. Honda maintains that the 2024 repair resolves the defect, but plaintiffs disagree, keeping the case active for the foreseeable future. For now, sticky steering remains a lingering issue Honda would probably prefer to leave in the past.

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