2016 Honda Civic steering problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

383 owners have reported steering problems with the 2016 Honda Civic, 55% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 45,000 mi.

Steering complaints
383
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Related recalls
0
Median mileage
45,000 mi

Specific components reported

Steering covers: Power steering, steering column and wheel, loss of steering assist.

ComponentComplaints
Steering381
Steering:electric power assist system1
Steering:rack and pinion1

Steering complaints across Honda Civic years

1200523200732200921201124172013812201538316020173051082019306520217311922023612920257
Steering complaints by model year. The 2016 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

6Under 10k1110k–30k5030k–60k1660k–100k1100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

  1. Filed Sep 27, 2026PASteering
    When driving at highway speeds/long distances, steering occasionally gets stiffer to the point where it will stick and require more force to free. This leads to overcorrections and constant adjustments for the duration of the drive, as well as difficulty staying in a lane. Issue can usually only be replicated when driving longer distances on the highway, especially when driving on a straight road.
    NHTSA complaint #11767271 · source
  2. Filed Sep 10, 2026VASteering
    When the Honda Civic has been driven long enough for the steering to get warm, at highway speeds, the steering wheel will stick in position instead of centering itself. Manual adjustment has to be done to straighten the car.
    NHTSA complaint #11763377 · source
  3. Filed Sep 8, 2026ILSteering
    Mostly during warm weather and driving over 45MPH the steering gets sticky. When attempting to use a little pressure to make a slight correction to keep the care centered in the lane the steering "jumps" and over steers requiring to re-correct to stay centered in the lane. I'm having to keep correcting the steering which causes me difficulty and concerned about the safety especially driving on the highway.
    NHTSA complaint #11762806 · source
  4. Filed Sep 2, 20261,000 miVASteering
    The contact owns a 2016 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel jerked, and the steering wheel was sticking. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall associated with the failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.
    NHTSA complaint #11761689 · source
  5. Filed Aug 31, 2026VASteering
    My 2016 Honda Civic has developed a steering problem in which the steering feels sticky or notchy while driving. The steering wheel does not move smoothly when making small corrections and can feel like it catches or resists movement before releasing. This is especially noticeable while driving at higher speeds and makes it more difficult to make normal, smooth steering corrections and maintain the vehicle’s position in the lane. I took the vehicle to a Honda dealership for…
    NHTSA complaint #11760951 · source
  6. Filed Aug 26, 2026GAElectrical SystemSteeringWheels & Tires
    Failure of my Electric Power Steering General Assembly/Steering Rack and Pinion in my 2016 Honda Civic EX sedan while driving at highway speeds. My steering wheel sticks or feels notchy at highway speeds requiring physical effort to overcome the binding. A highly reputable independent automotive shop (Gearheadz) in [XXX] has confirmed in its diagnosis that this is a dangerous defect that needs to be corrected. The odometer on my 2016 Honda Civic EX has only 70,000 mileage as…
    NHTSA complaint #11759624 · source
  7. Filed Aug 24, 2026TNSteering
    I've owned this 2016 Honda Civic since May of 2025. At first I never experienced any issue from the steering, that is when I started to notice that my steering felt like it would be sticking, like you couldn't balance yourself on highways or speeds exceeding 30+mph. I started doing my own research and discovered that other civic owners (10th and 11th gen) were experiencing similar issues. I'm hoping Honda takes notice of the reports being sent in and issues either a recall…
    NHTSA complaint #11758977 · source
  8. Filed Aug 18, 2026GASteering
    My 2016 Honda Civic EX-T intermittently experiences a sticky/notchy steering condition, particularly while driving at highway speeds. When making small steering corrections around the straight-ahead/center position, the steering wheel sometimes resists movement and feels as though it is sticking or binding. Additional steering effort is then required to overcome the resistance, after which the steering releases. This can cause a larger steering correction than intended and…
    NHTSA complaint #11757729 · source
  9. Filed Aug 9, 2026GASteering
    Steering will feel notchy or sticky while driving, especially on the highway while trying to stay in a lane. This will cause excessive force to "unstick" the steering while will then require another steering correction. This has happening with the car since purchase (used) in 2020.
    NHTSA complaint #11755754 · source
  10. Filed Aug 3, 2026VASteering
    My 2016 Honda Civic seems to have a 'sticky steering' issue. It is most noticeable when trying to stay straight in a lane, like when trying to make minor adjustments left or right, it would feel like the steering wheel will stick, causing it to jerk more in the direction I’m trying to steer, which causes slight over steering and having to correct back the other direction. It doesn’t happen all the time though. It’s random, but once it starts doing it, it stays that way till…
    NHTSA complaint #11754367 · source
  11. Filed Aug 2, 2026VASteering
    While driving at highway speeds (55–70 mph), the electronic power steering (EPS) physically binds and sticks when held in a straight line. Making minor lane corrections requires a sudden, deliberate application of extra physical force to 'break' the wheel free from the center position. This causes the vehicle to momentarily overcorrect, posing a severe crash hazard due to unexpected lane drifting. An example is my wife hates riding in my car because she feels as if she is…
    NHTSA complaint #11754293 · source
  12. Filed Jul 31, 2026CASteering
    At highway speeds (more than 40-50 mph) the steering wheel feels "stiff" when driving straight and requires effort to move to the left or right. This causes a jerky motion to either left or right which then requires effort to correct, which then may cause a jerky motion in the opposite direction. Reading forums and other complaints on this website, it seems like this is a known Honda issue and must be corrected via a safety recall.
    NHTSA complaint #11754075 · source

Other 2016 Honda Civic problem areas

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology