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 ↗2007 Honda Civic steering problems
severe 26 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
1injury
What stands out
Owners have filed 26 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.
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2007 Honda Civics describe persistent steering system failures centered on leaking power steering racks, loss of power steering assist while driving, and front-end noises during turns. The power steering rack leaks from both ends or connection points, draining fluid and causing whining pump noise or complete loss of assist. Several owners report their steering wheel locking up—sometimes briefly, once dramatically causing a vehicle to rollover on an on-ramp. A few Hybrid models experienced power steering loss tied to battery or electronic module failures.
Suspension issues dominate the complaint set: upper and rear control arms wear prematurely or have defective welds, triggering severe uneven tire wear by 14,000–37,000 miles. Owners report buying new tires every two years, vibration at highway speeds, and unsafe handling in crosswinds. One case involved strut bolts loosening one week after routine service, bending the tire inward.
Front-end knocking on turns is a consistent complaint, felt through the steering wheel and present from early mileage. Owners report it feels like something will break, though dealer inspections often find no visible cause.
An A/C compressor failure scenario appears once but stands out for severity: the compressor locks the drive belt, shutting down the entire engine and accessories—including power steering and brakes—randomly mid-drive. Repair costs exceed $1,400.
Same Honda Civic steering reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Power Steering System Leaks and Failures
Power steering racks leak from both ends or at connection points, draining fluid and causing complete loss of power steering assist while driving. In some cases the pump whines from low/no fluid, and in others the steering wheel locks up intermittently. Electronic power steering modules also fail, resulting in abnormally firm steering wheel or total power steering loss.
When: Occurs after 1,500 to 99,000 miles; some reported within first year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks up while driving, sometimes briefly; Complete loss of power steering assist at highway speeds (40–65 mph); Whining noise from power steering pump due to low fluid; Steering wheel becomes abnormally firm; Power steering fluid leaks visible underneath vehicle
Codes mentioned: Gauge control lost communication (mentioned in one case; other codes not specified)
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering rack replacement; electronic power steering module replacement; refill or complete system overhaul. Owners report $3,000+ for rack and related components.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer inspections found racks leaking from both ends; some dealers performed repairs. No recalls mentioned for steering system failures specifically.
Front-End Knocking Noise on Turns
Loud knocking or popping sound emanates from the front end when turning left, right, or making U-turns. Sound can be felt through the steering wheel, raising owner concerns about imminent mechanical failure.
When: Reported from 27,000 to 51,000+ miles; present since early ownership in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: Loud knocking or popping sound from front when turning; Sound felt through steering wheel; Sound accompanies tight turns or U-turns
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer visual inspection found no apparent cause in at least one case; repair outcomes not specified in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mentioned as a service bulletin issue in one narrative; Honda dealer initially denied the knocking noise existed in another case.
Upper Control Arm Wear and Premature Tire Wear
Upper and rear control arms wear prematurely or are defectively welded, causing severe uneven tire wear, wheel imbalance, and excessive vibration. Tires fail at 14,000 to 37,000 miles instead of normal intervals. Alignment corrections and tire replacement do not permanently solve the problem.
When: Tire failures reported at 14,000 and 37,000 miles; control arm issues emerge within a few years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Uneven and premature tire wear; Tire failure/blowout; Steering wheel vibration at highway speeds (50+ mph); Rough ride and excessive road noise; Loss of traction in wet conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Control arm replacement ($75–$400 depending on warranty coverage); repeated tire replacements (every 2 years in one case); dealer noted defective welds in control arms in one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: American Honda offered partial warranty coverage ($75 for control arms, $375 for wiring harness) but with 60-day time limit on repairs. Denials noted when owners used aftermarket/snow tires or exceeded warranty period.
Steering System Vibration and Shake
Steering wheel shakes, vibrates, or becomes unstable during normal driving and especially on highways or in crosswind conditions. Vibration persists after tire rotation, rebalancing, and strut/alignment work, suggesting a steering alignment or suspension geometry defect.
When: Occurs at 25,000 to 70,000 miles; some owners report persistent issues across the car's ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel shakes or vibrates at various speeds, especially 50+ mph on highways; Excessive vibration during straight-line driving; Instability in crosswind conditions requiring constant steering corrections; Vibration makes braking feel unsafe
Repairs/costs cited: Tire rotation, rebalancing, and strut replacement attempted without resolution; rear upper suspension arms replaced with aftermarket components; issue unresolved in reported cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific recalls or TSBs cited; dealer service attempted but failed to resolve in multiple cases.
Strut Bolt Loosening
Strut bolts on the front suspension become loose, causing the tire to bend inward and steering to go out of alignment. Issue occurred one week after routine service including oil change and tire rotation.
When: Occurred after recent service at 1,500–3,000 miles or during routine maintenance
Symptoms owners cite: Loud bump as if a rock hit the underside; Steering suddenly misaligned (30 degrees off); Loud rubbing sound from front suspension; Right front tire bent inward, abutting wheel well; Unable to back up vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Strut bolts found loose after dealer inspection; likely tightened by technician. Root cause of loosening not clearly stated.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; issue found during dealer diagnostic.
Loss of Power Steering Due to Failed Battery or Electronic Module
Power steering assist cuts out intermittently or completely while driving. Dealer diagnoses battery failure or failed electronic modules affecting the power steering computer, not a mechanical steering system defect.
When: Reported in 2010 and at approximately 40–70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering goes out at random times and different speeds; Steering wheel becomes difficult to turn without power assist; Loss of power steering on freeway and in town driving
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced recalled voltage converter (Hybrid model); unplugged modules as a troubleshooting step, declined to replace modules until empirical test of unplugging.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 07V399000 (voltage converter) mentioned for 2007 Civic Hybrid; one owner had converter replaced but steering problem persisted.
A/C Compressor Failure Causing Engine Stall and Power Steering Loss
A/C compressor locks up, binding the drive belt and stopping the crankshaft pulley rotation. This kills the engine and all accessories—including power steering and power brakes—randomly while driving, creating a serious safety hazard.
When: Occurs after engine has been running for a few minutes or at idle
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off randomly while driving; Power steering stops functioning mid-drive; Power brakes become inoperative; A/C compressor lock-up causes complete drivetrain shutdown
Codes mentioned: No ECU fault codes generated
Repairs/costs cited: A/C compressor replacement ($1,400 in one case); complete system overhaul likely necessary.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or warranty assistance mentioned in narratives.
Steering Wheel Lock-Up and Loss of Control
Steering wheel abruptly locks up or becomes non-responsive while driving at various speeds, forcing the driver to pull over or losing complete vehicle control. One incident led to vehicle rollover on an on-ramp after steering wheel shook.
When: Reported from 1,500 miles to 99,000+ miles; multiple occurrences in some vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks up briefly or completely; Steering wheel shakes before losing control; Driver loses ability to steer the vehicle; Vehicle spins out of control after loss of steering
Codes mentioned: 7 codes pulled in one case (specifics not detailed); dealer attributed to old codes from prior repairs
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealer visits; adjustments to seal at firewall, rubber stoppers, and insulation performed; root cause not definitively identified in narratives; one vehicle destroyed in rollover.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No effective repairs documented; dealers attempted adjustments without identifying or fixing underlying cause.
Synthesized from 26 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2007 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 2007 Honda Civic?
It's a meaningful issue. 26 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 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 25,000 and 79,000 miles, with the median around 48,791. A quarter of owners report trouble before 25,000; a quarter make it past 79,000. 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/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.