HONDA: WHEN VEHICLE IS NOT MOVING, ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FEELS HEAVIER AND HARD TO TURN AND AN EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR SOME TO 10 YEARS FROM ORIGINAL DATE OF PURCHASE OR 150,000. MODEL 2006-09 CIVIC SI.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Honda Civic steering problems
severe 44 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
44
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
5crashes
1fire
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 44 steering complaints filed for the 2006 Honda Civic, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 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 44 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 6 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.
HONDA: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. WARRANTY EXTENSION DUE TO ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WITH CODE DTC 32-09 OR 61-04. MODEL 2007-08 FIT.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service bulletin - American Honda is extending the warranty on the EPS (electric power steering) to 10 years from the original date of purchase or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. This warranty covers vehicles where the steering feels heavier than normal, or is hard to turn, particularly when the vehicle is not moving, and the EPS indicator comes on with DTC 61-04 (open/short in the EPS motor harness [steering diagnosis]) or DTC 32-09 (current sensor [initial diagnosis]) stored.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗HONDA: THE STEERING FEELS HEAVY AND THERE IS A STORED TROUBLE CODE. THERE IS A MALFUNCTION OF THE POWER STEERING. UPDATE 03/03/15
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FLUID LEAK AT POWER STEERING PUMP.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Power steering failures top the complaint list. Owners describe complete loss of steering power at speeds from 25 to 70 mph—dangerous situations where the wheel went hard or locked solid. Some failed permanently; others came and went, with the warning light flickering. Dealers often couldn't replicate the fault or find trouble codes, leaving owners with unresolved issues or needing to replace an $800 power steering module. The electronic system also failed to activate on cold starts, requiring multiple restarts to engage.
Power steering fluid leaks plagued many vehicles, sometimes within the first 8,000 miles. Owners report leaking pumps, hoses, and racks, with dealers attempting repairs as many as four times on the same car. One owner at 30,000 miles had an O-ring replaced, only to see it leak again at 120,000 miles.
The drive belt tensioner pivot bolt fractured on several vehicles, shearing off the engine block and causing power steering loss while driving—one shattered engine block required costly repairs. This issue recurred even after a TSB (09-007) repair, leaving owners questioning whether the fix was adequate.
Rear control arms with a negative camber design caused uneven and rapid tire wear, cupping, and noise. Owners replaced tires annually yet Honda refused warranty coverage, citing a service bulletin rather than issuing a recall. Some dealers were unwilling to perform even court-ordered inspections.
One owner hit a parked car when a tie rod broke at 25 mph; Honda disputed the failure as manufacturing defect. Steering wheel lock-ups at highway speeds terrified owners. A few reported grinding noises preceding the failures.
Same Honda Civic steering reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Power Steering Fluid Leaks
Power steering pump, hoses, seals, and rack/pinion develop fluid leaks, sometimes leading to low fluid levels and system degradation.
When: Early ownership (8,275 miles reported in one case); recurring issue at higher mileage (61,000, 120,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Whining or grinding noise when steering; Low power steering fluid level; Fluid visible on engine or hoses; Difficulty turning steering wheel
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of power steering pump ($470 reported); rack and pinion replacement; O-ring replacement; clamp and joint inlet replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some repairs covered under warranty; Honda initially denied defect and refused to pay; dealers attempted multiple repair attempts (up to 4 attempts noted)
Power Steering Loss or Failure
Complete or intermittent loss of power steering function, making the steering wheel hard to turn or completely unresponsive while driving.
When: Throughout vehicle ownership; incidents at 60 mph, 35 mph, 30 mph, 25 mph, 34 mph, and highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes very hard to turn or completely locked; Power steering warning light illuminates; Loss of steering control at various speeds; Steering failure occurs intermittently, sometimes resolves after restart; Abnormal clunking noise before loss of control
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering module replacement ($800); electronic power steering system reprogramming; multiple restart cycles sometimes restore function
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unable to replicate problem or find fault codes; referred owners to manual instruction to turn off and restart; no solution found in some cases
Belt Tensioner Pivot Bolt Failure
The drive belt tensioner pivot bolt shears or fractures off the engine block, causing loss of power steering and potential engine damage.
When: 29,000 miles; 60,500 miles; 110,000 miles; recurrence after TSB 09-007 repair at 20,000 miles post-service
Symptoms owners cite: Metallic noise from engine compartment; Loss of power steering; Steering wheel becomes stiff and difficult to maneuver; Engine smoking; Vehicle engine shutdown while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Tensioner pivot bolt replacement (TSB 09-007); drive belt replacement; bolt flew into engine block requiring costly engine repairs in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 09-007 issued with expiration date of January 30, 2012; limited to specific VIN numbers; owners report TSB did not resolve the issue with recurrence after repair
Rear Control Arm Defect – Negative Camber
Rear upper control arm design flaw causes negative camber, resulting in uneven and premature tire wear, cupping, and alignment issues.
When: Continuous throughout ownership; identified via service bulletin 08-001; tire wear noted at various mileages (46,000 to higher)
Symptoms owners cite: Uneven tire wear on inner edge of rear tires; Cupping and bald spots on tire tread; Excessive roaring or grinding noise from rear wheels; Loss of vehicle control due to tire failure; Reduced ability to steer effectively due to tire bumpiness
Repairs/costs cited: Rear control arm replacement recommended; tire replacement required (owners report replacing tires annually); Honda refused to cover under warranty; acknowledged in Service Bulletin 08-001 but not issued as recall
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Bulletin 08-001 acknowledged the control arm issue; Honda refused warranty coverage, claiming it was customer responsibility; owners directed to Court notice for inspection/replacement but some dealers refused to perform work, claiming records were purged
Tie Rod Breakage
Tie rod breaks during normal driving, causing sudden loss of steering control and vehicle collision.
When: At 25 mph during normal city driving
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden steering failure; Vehicle veers uncontrollably into parked vehicles
Repairs/costs cited: Tie rod replacement needed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda disputed the failure as manufacturing defect; investigator claimed tie rod was bent rather than broken despite physical evidence to the contrary; denied warranty claim
Steering Wheel Lock-Up
Steering wheel becomes locked or completely immobilized while driving, preventing any steering input.
When: At 35 mph; at highway speed; intermittently with 12-month intervals noted
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes immobile for 2-3 seconds; No movement of steering wheel possible during lock-up; Engine continues running during lock-up; Intermittent occurrence with no warning
Repairs/costs cited: Electrical system for steering wheel replaced in one case; repairs needed but not clearly resolved in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unable to find fault codes or replicate the problem; no solution offered in some cases
Electronic Power Steering System Malfunction
Electronic power steering system fails to activate upon startup or intermittently loses power during operation.
When: Upon vehicle startup; 1-3 times per month reported; one case required 12 restart attempts
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering does not activate when car is started; EPS (Electronic Power Steering) warning light illuminates; Power steering engages only after shutting off and restarting car multiple times; Occasionally occurs during normal driving
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering module replacement ($800); DC-DC converter replacement mentioned in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manual suggests restarting vehicle to resolve; dealers report no fault codes present when vehicle is tested
Steering Wheel Stiffness and Difficult Return to Center
Steering wheel becomes stiff and difficult to turn, particularly when returning to center position after turning.
When: During lane changes and turns
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel difficult to straighten after turning; Requires excessive effort to return wheel to center; Steering wheel feels normal again after correction
Repairs/costs cited: No repair found to resolve issue in reported case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer inspection found nothing wrong with vehicle
Steering Wheel Sharp Edges on Spoke Covers
Leather-wrapped steering wheel has sharp plastic edge on spoke covers that protrude and cut fingers during normal driving.
When: Within first week of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Sharp edges on plastic spoke covers protrude during steering; Cuts to finger tips when wheel is turned approximately 180 degrees; Sharp plastic edge comes into contact with fingers upon return to center
Repairs/costs cited: No solution available; bad fitment of steering wheel back
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No solution planned by Honda; poor response from Honda regarding resolution
Synthesized from 44 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Honda civic. While driving approximately 25-30 MPH, the power steering failed without warning. The contact also heard an abnormal sound in the engine compartment. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the auto tensioner pivot bolt had fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. Findlay Honda henderson (933 auto show dr, henderson, nv 89014, (702) 381-4926) and…
Had steering trouble with your 2006 Honda Civic?
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 2006 Honda Civic?
It's a meaningful issue. 44 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 33 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 24,000 and 83,000 miles, with the median around 51,300. A quarter of owners report trouble before 24,000; a quarter make it past 83,000. 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/2006/Honda/Civic.
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.