The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating 2022-2023 Honda Civic models over claims they have ‘sticky’ steering.
A notice issued by the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) reveals that it has received 145 complaints and several Early Warning Reporting field reports stating that certain 2022 and 2023 Honda Civic models have a condition that can lead to a momentary increase in steering effort. The complaints described the issue as ‘sticky steering’ that occurs mostly at highway speeds in low-mileage vehicles when driven a certain amount of time. An estimated 238,271 vehicles could be affected.
The ODI notes that a momentary increase in steering effort may result in an overcorrection or inability to avoid a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. As such, the ODI has opened a preliminary evaluation into the issue, aiming to determine the scope and severity of the potential problem “and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues.”
Read: Honda Issues ‘Do Not Drive’ Warning For 20-Year-Old Cars With Lethal Takata Airbags
During preliminary evaluations, the NHTSA will request information from Honda as well as any data it may have on complaints, injuries, and warranty claims. Honda can also present its thoughts on the issue and if it decides, could issue a recall. If engineers at the NHTSA discover a safety-related defect, they may send a recall request letter to the manufacturer, Auto News notes.
This isn’t the only new investigation launched by the NHTSA. On Tuesday, the ODI revealed that it was expanding its safety probe into high-pressure fuel pumps from Robert Bosch that could fail. These fuel pumps are found in select Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy-duty trucks, Ram 1500 models, Jeep Gladiator, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, BMW 328d, BMW 535d, and certain BMW X3 vehicles. As many as 490,000 vehicles could be affected.
