Dealer message - On September 27, 2012, Honda notified NHTSA of a Stop Sale order and Safety Recall for some 2003-2007 Accord V6 units to address power steering feed hoses that may deteriorate due to high under-hood and fluid temperatures, potentially leading to leaks, smoke, and possibly under-hood fire.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Honda Accord steering problems
severe 42 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
42
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
7crashes
3fires
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 42 steering complaints filed for the 2005 Honda Accord, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 42 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Dealer message - On September 27, 2012, Honda notified NHTSA of a Stop Sale order and Safety Recall for some 2003-2007 Accord V6 units to address power steering feed hoses that may deteriorate due to high under-hood and fluid temperatures, potentially leading to leaks, smoke, and possibly under-hood fire.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗POWER STEERING MOANS OR WHINES -- WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Power steering problems dominate the complaint set. Hoses crack and leak fluid onto the catalytic converter, producing smoke and noxious fumes in the cabin; owners report adding fluid twice monthly over three-month periods. The high-pressure and low-pressure hoses fail at various mileages, and some leak years after dealership replacement. Smoke or loss of assist prompts dealer visits where owners discover their VINs fall outside recall 12V222000, despite identical failure modes.
Power steering pumps whine, squeal, and lose assist at low speeds, making tight parking and turning on flat ground nearly impossible even with the engine revved to neutral. Pump replacements sometimes recur within a year. A few owners report total steering loss at highway speeds (35–55 mph) with no warning light, causing uncontrollable veering and crashes into curbs, medians, and embankments.
Steering columns lock when parked with the wheel turned, trapping the key and immobilizing the vehicle. One owner's car caught fire while parked early in its ownership; another fire occurred after a power steering hose failure. Several owners report stalling and simultaneous steering lockup while driving. Steering wheel noise and persistent vibration at certain speeds led one owner through repeated tire balancing and suspension repairs before a wheel eventually disengaged during driving.
Same Honda Accord steering reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering hose leaks and failures
High-pressure and low-pressure power steering hoses develop cracks or fractures, causing internal and external leaks. Fluid leaks onto the catalytic converter, generating smoke and noxious fumes inside the cabin. Owners report adding fluid multiple times per month. Some hoses leak years after replacement.
When: Between 59,915 and 180,000 miles; some failures occur early (3 months into ownership), others after many years
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering fluid leaking underneath vehicle; Smoke coming from engine compartment; Noxious fumes entering cabin; Whining or squealing noise from steering system; Difficulty turning steering wheel
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers replace high-pressure hose ($500–$600 for labor and parts reported); some owners report subsequent low-pressure hose leaks years later. Recall 12V222000 covered hoses for some VINs, but not all affected vehicles were included on the recall list.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 12V222000 (Steering: Hydraulic Power Assist: Hose, Piping, and Connections); some vehicles not included on recall list despite same failure mode. Earlier campaign 08V091000 also addressed hoses. Dealers sometimes denied warranty coverage, citing collision damage or pre-existing condition.
Power steering pump failure
Power steering pump fails, often with whining or squealing noise. Pump has insufficient assist at low speeds, making steering wheel hard to turn, especially in parking lots and during tight maneuvers. Pump sometimes fails completely or requires replacement multiple times.
When: At low speeds (parking, driveways); failures reported between 60,000 and 100,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hard steering at low speed or when cold; Whining or squealing from steering pump; Steering wheel difficult to turn without increasing RPM or shifting to neutral; Loss of power steering assist
Repairs/costs cited: Pump replacement cost varies; some owners report pump replaced twice. Dealers sometimes replaced seals or upgraded software without lasting fix. Independent mechanics also performed repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda service bulletin SB-10-076 (referenced for 2009 Odyssey) addresses hard steering at low speeds and pump replacement, though same issue reported on 2005 Accord. Recall 12V222000 covered hoses only, not pump components.
Steering failure or loss of power steering while driving
Complete loss of power steering control while vehicle is in motion at highway speeds, with no warning. Vehicle becomes uncontrollable, veering left and right. Occurs at speeds between 25 and 55 mph during normal driving conditions.
When: During active driving at various mileages (60,000 to 230,000 miles reported)
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power steering with no warning light; Steering wheel becomes hard to turn or unresponsive; Vehicle veers uncontrollably left and right; No warning indicator illuminated prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed in most narratives; vehicles crashed or were towed after failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in most cases. Two incidents involved recalls (08V091000 and 12V222000) for hose/piping, but owners were initially told their VINs were not covered.
Steering column lock/freeze
Steering column becomes frozen or locked when the car is parked with the wheel turned. Owner unable to turn the key to restart the vehicle; steering wheel will not move to free the column. Vehicle becomes immobilized until external pressure (tow truck) is applied to release the column.
When: When parked with steering wheel turned to one side
Symptoms owners cite: Steering column will not move; Key will not turn in ignition; Vehicle immobilized
Repairs/costs cited: No permanent repair available according to Honda service. Temporary relief achieved by tow truck applying pressure to tires during loading.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda service stated no repairs can be performed. Known issue also present in newer Honda models per owner report.
Engine fire linked to steering or fuel system
Vehicle caught fire while parked with engine off. Fire originated from engine compartment. Another incident involved smoking from front of vehicle at low speed (25 mph) after which high-power hose needed replacement. One power steering line fire reported.
When: One fire occurred within weeks of purchase (7/26/05 delivery, fire before 10/31/05); another at 65,000 miles; one fire after power steering hose failure
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke coming from engine compartment; Engine fire while parked
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled in fire incident. In another case, high-power hose replacement was diagnosed but not completed. One owner paid $149 out-of-pocket to replace leaking power steering line after it caught fire.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda disputed fault in fire case; owner later learned fires had occurred in other 2005 Accords. No recall issued for this failure mode in the narratives. Insurance company (State Farm) paid replacement value, which owner deemed insufficient.
Hard steering in cold weather
Power steering becomes stiff or hard to turn in cold weather or after driving on streets with minimal maneuvers. Issue persists even after power steering pump replacement.
When: During cold weather or after extended periods of minimal steering input
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel very difficult to turn at low speed in cold; Stiff steering response
Repairs/costs cited: Pump replacement did not resolve issue for at least one owner.
Steering wheel noise and vibration
Steering wheel produces constant noise (whistling or squeaking) and vehicle shakes or vibrates, particularly at certain speeds. Owners report replacing tires, rebalancing tires every two weeks, replacing power steering pump and hose, but issue persists. One owner linked this to eventual wheel disengagement.
When: Ongoing from early ownership; shaking at certain speeds initially dismissed as tire/alignment issue
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel noise (whistle or squeaking); Vehicle shaking or vibration; Hard steering
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple repairs attempted (tire changes, rebalancing, pump replacement, hose replacement) without resolution. Issue eventually linked to passenger-side wheel disengagement and rotor damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Complaint dismissed by dealer as tire air pressure or alignment issue. One owner linked issue to Honda Odyssey TSB SB-10-076 describing same symptoms at low speeds.
Stalling and steering lockup during driving
Vehicle stalls randomly while driving and steering locks up simultaneously. No warning lights or indicators prior to failure. Extremely dangerous situation with no steering control during engine shutdown.
When: Random occurrences during active driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls unexpectedly; Steering locks up at same time as stall; No warning indicators
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented.
Intermittent power steering system failure
Power steering system fails intermittently with extremely low fluid levels detected but no external leaks found. Technician noted prior body work and repainting on vehicle at delivery (undisclosed by dealer). Problem persists after topping off fluid.
When: Approximately 2.5 months after purchase (purchased 7/22/05, problem by 10/10/05)
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent power steering failure; Extremely low fluid levels despite no visible leaks
Repairs/costs cited: Fluid topped off by dealer; no further repair completed. Dealer refused to repair under warranty at second visit (10/31/05), citing collision damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer (Colonial Honda) refused warranty coverage based on undisclosed prior collision damage. Honda of Pasadena and American Honda declined further involvement. Extended warranty ($1,350) sold to owner but dealer claimed collision damage voids coverage.
Synthesized from 42 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Honda accord. The contact stated that the high pressure power steering hose fractured without warning and there was an internal leak failure. The contact was able to take the vehicle to a store to refill the power steering fluid. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the high pressure power steering hose. The contact stated that the failure progressed and…
Power steering pump failed on my 2005 Honda accord ex v6. Am seeing a lot of reports of issues with the power steering pumps on this model. Wanted to report my issue, and see if Honda was aware of the issue. *ln
Steering wheel very difficult to turn at low speed. This started about a month ago (november 2016) and continues today (12/22/2016).
Had steering trouble with your 2005 Honda Accord?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2005 Honda Accord?
It's a meaningful issue. 42 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 31 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 55,000 and 137,000 miles, with the median around 92,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 55,000; a quarter make it past 137,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Honda/Accord.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.