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 ↗2008 Honda Civic steering problems
severe 23 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 23 steering complaints filed for the 2008 Honda Civic, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 17 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 ↗HONDA: CLUNKING, POPPING, OR CLICKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT WHILE TURNING EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT AT SLOW SPEEDS. THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BOLTS ARE NOT TORQUED CORRECTLY.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Eight distinct steering failures show up across 23 complaints. The most critical: steering wheels locked up mid-drive or at rest, sometimes in conjunction with simultaneous loss of brakes and throttle. One owner lost all three systems going uphill at highway speed, resulting in engine overheating and smoke; another had the steering column seize at 30 mph in rain, crashed, and the airbag didn't deploy.
Power steering leaks from the rack's seals and boots are chronic—owners report the same failure recurring within months after dealership replacement, with one shop noting a three-week backorder for the failing part. A 2009 service bulletin (262286) addresses steering gearbox bolts not torqued to spec, but even after correction, clicking and clunking during turns came back within a year.
Excessive vibration appears in multiple reports: violent shaking while parked or idling, roaring from the front end at highway speed, and rattling inside the cabin. One owner's vehicle shook badly enough to cause uneven tire wear across all four wheels.
An ignition switch failure stranded one driver; the switch seized despite being tamper-free. Steering also pulled hard to one side in at least one case. Dealers charged diagnostic fees for issues covered by service bulletins and invoked warranty limits to deny repairs on out-of-pocket steering work.
Same Honda Civic steering reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Steering wheel lock-up during operation
Steering wheel becomes immobilized while driving or at rest, sometimes accompanied by complete loss of vehicle control. In one case, the driver lost all control of throttle, brakes, and steering simultaneously while driving uphill, resulting in engine overheating and smoke.
When: Various; one case at 109,000 miles; another during normal morning operation; another while traveling at 20 mph
Symptoms owners cite: steering wheel locked and would not turn; complete loss of steering control; simultaneous brake and throttle failure; engine overheating and smoke from hood
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had ignition switch, dummy sidewinder, and lock assembly/steering replaced at cost of $1,026; Honda reimbursed $653. Dealerships typically replaced steering gear box and steering rack.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: August 2010 recall issued for engine block defect in 2006, 2008, and some 2009 Civics; Honda also issued warranty extension for 10 years on cracked engine blocks (but warranty did not transfer to second owners)
Steering rack and pinion leaking and failure
Power steering fluid leaks from seals, boots, or the rack itself. Owners report the failure recurring even after dealership replacement, sometimes multiple times on the same vehicle.
When: 3,500 miles; 7,600 miles (after pump replacement); recurring within months after repair
Symptoms owners cite: power steering fluid leaking; loss of power steering assist; squeaking or whining noise underneath hood; difficult to turn steering wheel
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced power steering pump and hydraulic rack multiple times; three-week backorder noted for the failing part. One owner replaced entire left front assembly including left drive shaft, CV joint, hub, and bearings.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Parts replaced under warranty when in warranty period; dealer noted three-week backorder for rack part
Steering column and rack mounting bolt issues causing clicking and clunking
Clicking, clunking, or snapping noises occur during turns or U-turns. Service bulletin #262286 dated July 16, 2009 addressed steering gearbox mounting bolts not torqued correctly. The issue persists even after correcting torque specs or replacing components.
When: After 3+ years of ownership; recurring one year after repair; at 30,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: clicking noise when turning left or right; clunking or snapping sound when turning or making U-turn; banging noise from steering wheel
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer corrected steering gearbox mounting bolt torque to factory specs per service bulletin. One owner's independent mechanic confirmed bolts were torqued correctly. Dealers replaced steering rack, but noise returned within one year.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service bulletin #262286 (July 16, 2009) issued to garages; Honda customer service charged $75 diagnostic fee despite the service bulletin and offered only 'possibly' reimbursement if the bulletin issue was confirmed
Excessive vibration and shake during operation
Vehicle vibrates violently while parked, idling, or driving at highway speeds. Shaking occurs in park, drive, and reverse. Loud exhaust noise and roaring sounds from front end accompany vibration. Contributes to excessive tire wear.
When: 25,000 miles; 115,000 miles; at idle and various speeds
Symptoms owners cite: violent vibration while parked and idling; loud exhaust noise; roaring noise from front end; rattling sounds inside vehicle; shaking of steering wheel and seats; excessive wear on all four tires
Repairs/costs cited: One owner faced $100 diagnostic testing charge; vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired at time of complaint. Spark plugs were replaced but vibration persisted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer would not cover vibration under powertrain warranty (5 year/60,000 miles) on out-of-warranty vehicles
Power steering loss and difficulty turning
Power steering assist fails intermittently or completely, making steering wheel very difficult to turn. Can occur suddenly while driving.
When: 5,700 miles; 3,000 miles; during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: power steering whining noise; intermittent loss of power steering; squeaking sound underneath hood; vehicle difficult to turn
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering pump and hydraulic rack replaced under warranty by dealer. One case noted power steering fluid leaking from seals and boots on the rack.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Repairs covered under warranty when vehicle was within warranty period
Steering pulls hard to one side
Steering pulls strongly to the left and is more difficult to turn right. Electronic steering system affected.
Symptoms owners cite: electronic steering pulls hard to the left; more difficult to turn right
Ignition switch and steering lock mechanism failure
Ignition switch seizes or becomes difficult to operate, sometimes locking the steering wheel as a result. Key cannot turn or requires wiggling the steering wheel to insert the key.
When: Parts replaced at mileage not specified; owner reported issue was out of warranty
Symptoms owners cite: ignition switch difficult to turn or seized; had to wiggle steering wheel to turn key; steering wheel locked as result
Repairs/costs cited: Ignition switch, dummy sidewinder, and lock assembly/steering replaced at dealership. Total repair cost $1,026; Honda reimbursed $653 after owner complaint about premature failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda initially advised car was out of warranty; later agreed to pay $653 (64%) of repair cost after owner letter stating part lacked reasonable durability
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 Honda civic. The contact stated that she owned a 2006 Honda civic and had constant issues with the rack and pinion and power steering. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they replaced the entire part of the steering system containing the rack and pinion. A month and a half later, the failure recurred and she decided to trade the 2006 in for a 2008, in hopes that…
Honda: when make tight turn, left or right would hear or feel a popping or clunking noise, after driving over bumps, coming from the front suspension. *pe *tr
Had steering trouble with your 2008 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 2008 Honda Civic?
It's a meaningful issue. 23 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 18 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 16,000 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 16,000; a quarter make it past 80,000. 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/2008/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.