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 ↗2007 Honda Accord 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
2crashes
5fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 44 steering complaints filed for the 2007 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 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 12 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
The 2007 Accord's steering system is a money pit that often gets worse, not better, after you fix it. The most common problem is the high-pressure power steering hose rupturing and spraying fluid onto the engine—sometimes it smokes, sometimes it catches fire. This has been the subject of recall 12V222000 since 2012, but many owners discovered their VINs weren't on the recall list even though their cars failed identically. Some dealers won't honor the recall for that reason.
When the hose fails, the power steering pump usually goes next, and often the steering rack too. Owners report replacing the pump multiple times—one owner replaced it five times—with the stiffness returning immediately. After repair, leaks frequently recur. A few owners also faced steering becoming dangerously stiff while driving, or the wheel pulling hard without warning, resulting in loss of control.
The compliance bushings in the lower control arm wear out prematurely and cost hundreds in labor to replace just one, even though the part costs twenty bucks. One owner's wheel separated during highway driving shortly after having the bushings replaced.
Less common but serious: ignition keys stuck in the switch when the steering rack fails, and steering wheels that seize completely. The best-case scenario is you drop five hundred to fifteen hundred dollars on one repair and it comes back within months. The worst case is you lose steering control at highway speed or the hose ignites.
Same Honda Accord steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering fluid leaks from hose and/or pump
High-pressure power steering hose ruptures or develops leaks, often causing fluid to spill onto the engine and catalytic converter. Owners report smoke, burning smell, and in some cases fire. Multiple complaints note the hose fails despite replacement, and several vehicles were not included in recall 12V222000 despite experiencing identical symptoms to recalled units.
When: Reported across mileage range from 21,000 to 320,000 miles; recurring problem even after repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke emerging from under hood; Check engine light illumination; Burning smell or fumes from engine compartment; Fluid pooling under vehicle; Fire (in one case)
Repairs/costs cited: Hose replacement ($58–$600+ depending on labor); pump replacement; fluid flush and refill. One owner reports leak persisted after recall repair and dealership service.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 12V222000 (Steering); many owners report their VINs not included despite matching failure pattern; recall performed in 2012 but some owners unaware when vehicles sold to them later
Steering wheel becomes hard to turn or stiffens
Owners report difficulty turning the steering wheel, especially at startup or in cold conditions. After pump/hose replacement, steering remains stiff. One owner reports having replaced the pump five times and still experiences stiffness. Symptoms include grinding noise and pulling to one side.
When: From 43,000 miles onward; some cases after vehicle warm-up improves condition temporarily
Symptoms owners cite: Difficult steering wheel rotation in either direction; Loud grinding or moaning noise from steering column when turning; Steering wheel vibration during turns; Wheels do not self-center after turn; Loss of power steering assist
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering pump replacement (multiple times for some owners); steering gear/rack-and-pinion replacement; hose replacement. One owner states problem recurs immediately after repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 12V222000; Honda dealership service often identifies issue but repair does not resolve it permanently
Power steering pump failure with noise and fluid leakage
Power steering pump develops internal failure, leaks fluid, and produces loud grinding or moaning sound, particularly on startup or during turns. Bubbles appear in fluid reservoir. Multiple owners report pump replacement did not fix recurrence of symptoms.
When: Reported from 43,000 to 128,717 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud grinding noise on startup from steering system; Moaning or squealing sound when turning; Bubbles in power steering fluid reservoir; Fluid leaking from pump and hose connections; Stiff steering feel
Repairs/costs cited: Pump replacement ($300–$500+ labor); fluid drain and refill. One owner replaced pump five times; leaks continue on others after recall service.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 12V222000 identifies some pump failures; dealer repair often unsuccessful in stopping recurrence
Steering control loss or wheel pulling unexpectedly
Owners experience sudden loss of steering control—wheel pulls hard left or right, or wheels do not respond as expected. One owner reports steering wheel seized; another reports loss of control during a turn, resulting in collision.
When: At driving speeds ranging from 15 to 65 mph; one at 25 mph with jerking motion
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel pulls to left or right without driver input; Steering wheel seizes or locks; Wheel jerks opposite direction of steering input; Loss of control requiring emergency handling; Wheels do not self-center
Repairs/costs cited: One case involved tie rod loosening after mechanic service; another required full front-axle inspection; no successful repairs documented in these narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in some cases; no documented remedy offered
Steering rack and pinion failure or leakage
Steering gear (rack-and-pinion) develops internal leaks, making steering stiff or unresponsive. In some cases, replacement does not resolve symptoms. One complaint mentions rack was on back order for repair.
When: Reported from 21,000 to 128,000 miles; one replacement performed at 93,000 miles due to cost deferral
Symptoms owners cite: Difficult steering after startup; Steering wheel hard to turn in either direction; Internal leakage of fluid into rack assembly; Loud clicking noise in steering wheel during turns
Repairs/costs cited: Rack-and-pinion replacement; parts on back order in at least one case; cost cited as $2,400 when combined with pump and hose repair; one owner deferred repair from 85,000 to 93,000 miles due to expense
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific recall found; dealer service identified failure
Compliance bushing wear in lower control arm
Compliance bushings in the lower control arm wear prematurely, affecting steering feel and suspension geometry. While primarily a suspension component, owners note this affects steering control. Design flaw requires removal of entire lower control arm to replace a single bushing.
When: Identified during maintenance; one case reports failure at highway speed resulting in vehicle loss of control and totaled car
Symptoms owners cite: Worn bushings detected during inspection; Tire or wheel breaking away from axle during driving; Loss of vehicle control
Repairs/costs cited: Individual bushing cost $20; labor $500+ to replace one; full lower control arm with three bushings costs $300 per side plus installation. One owner's wheel separated at highway speed after recent bushing replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall; owners note this is common problem; Honda has not issued service bulletin for no-cost repair
Ignition key stuck in ignition switch after steering failure
When steering rack or related component fails, the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed from the ignition switch, even with the vehicle in Park. Multiple attempts required to extract key.
When: Reported at 21,000 miles and 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Ignition key jammed in switch; Unable to remove key on first attempt; Multiple attempts needed to extract key; Occurs simultaneously with steering failures
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented; issue occurs when steering rack fails
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response documented
Synthesized from 44 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
My issue relates to the power steering system. This is something that developed over time, worsened, I paid boatloads of money over time, only to have it reoccur over & over. I've actually experienced other issues but since this is a safety issue, and I've paid good money to have repaired on a few occasions, only to be back at square one today barely able to steer the car I've decided to stick to…
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Honda accord. The contact stated that the power steering was not working properly. When the vehicle was initially started, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. After the vehicle warmed up, the steering wheel operated normally. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 12v222000 (steering). The contact stated that power steering fluid was leaking onto the…
On december 4, 2017 I was traveling the posted speed limit on interstate 195 maryland when my tire broke away from the axle. I lost control of the car and skid across the highway and slammbed into a guard rail. I had just repaired/replaced both lower control arm bushings on that same wheel not two weeks prior to the accident with alignment and new brakes all around. I was fortunate that I did…
Had steering trouble with your 2007 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 2007 Honda Accord?
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 34 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 78,815 and 166,000 miles, with the median around 127,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 78,815; a quarter make it past 166,000. 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/2007/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.