HONDA: WHEN MAKING EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURNS, WHEN DRIVING, A CLICKING OR POPPING NOISE IS HEARD, COMING FROM LOWER AREA OF STEERING COLUMN.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Honda Accord steering problems
moderate 30 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
30
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
What stands out
Owners have filed 30 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 3 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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a steering column problem that starts as a clicking or clunking noise when turning and escalates to steering lockup—wheels freezing mid-turn with no power assist response. Honda issued a service bulletin in 2009 acknowledging misinstallation of the lower steering column bearing but never issued a recall. Multiple owners report the noise coming from the steering column bearing and say the bearing progressively binds, making the steering sticky, then dangerous.
The lockup issue appears most serious: several owners describe the steering wheel suddenly locking solid while driving at normal speeds, forcing them to manually wrench the wheel or hit the brakes to regain control. One owner nearly collided head-on when lockup forced the car into the left lane. Another experienced lockup multiple times after an initial incident.
Power steering failures also appear in the narratives—unresponsive steering during slow maneuvers, temporary loss of assist, and one case of a tension bolt snapping on the serpentine belt, killing power steering entirely on the highway. One owner reports replacing the power steering pump only to have the problem return, then facing an $800+ steering column replacement.
Dealers often cannot duplicate the noise during inspection, yet when they do confirm it, they recommend full steering column replacement at significant cost. Honda has typically refused to cover repairs beyond the 3-year/36,000-mile warranty, even though the service bulletin acknowledges a manufacturing defect. Several owners found similar complaints online, suggesting this is a widespread pattern, not an isolated issue.
Same Honda Accord steering reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Steering Column Bearing/Lower Bearing Defect
Misinstalled or defective lower bearing in the steering column causes clunking, clicking, knocking, and popping noises when turning. Bearing can progressively bind, creating sticky steering feel. In severe cases, bearing failure risk causes steering lockup or column seizure.
When: 18,378 miles; 40,000 miles; 70,000 miles; 101,500 miles; 110,000 miles; present across wide mileage range
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking noise from steering column when turning left or right; Clunking or knocking noise from steering wheel area; Popping noise when turning steering wheel; Steering becomes sticky or binds progressively; Clicking noise at bottom of steering column; Noise occurs when turning and reversing
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column replacement required; costs cited include $800 for parts and labor; some owners reported Honda covered 50% of parts cost after complaint
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Bulletin issued by Honda in 2009 documenting lower bearing misinstallation defect; no recall issued despite bulletin existence; Honda admitted to problem in some cases but refused warranty coverage beyond 3 years/36,000 miles; TSB exists (referenced in multiple complaints)
Steering Wheel Seizure/Lockup
Steering wheel locks up suddenly during normal driving, removing all driver control. No warning signs in some cases; clicking noise precedes lockup in others. Occurs at varied speeds and can happen multiple times. Dangerous defect creating imminent accident risk.
When: At various mileages; one case at 120,000 miles; one at 110,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel suddenly locks up without warning; Loss of steering control requiring manual steering effort; Clicking noise preceding lockup (in some cases); Steering wheel moves back and forth uncontrollably
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column replacement in one documented case; vehicle towed in other case but not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in multiple cases; no assistance provided; no recall issued; dealers unable to duplicate problem in some instances
Power Steering Loss/Failure
Power steering assistance fails or becomes unresponsive at low speeds or during vehicle operation. In one case, tension bolt snapped causing belt to loosen, resulting in complete power steering loss while driving on highway. In other cases, loss of responsiveness during maneuvers.
When: Low speed maneuvers; highway driving (bolt snap case); varied timing
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering unresponsive during slow-speed maneuvers; Complete power steering loss while driving; Whining noise from power steering system; Tension belt loose due to bolt failure
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering pump replacement attempted in one case (remanufactured unit and fluid flush, genuine Honda fluid used); problem recurred; rack and pinion replacement suggested as alternative solution; tension bolt snap repair not detailed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda admitted to whining noise but claims no fix available and not a safety issue; no recall for belt tensioner bolt failure despite known pattern
Power Steering Rack Leak
Power steering rack develops internal or external leak, losing hydraulic fluid. Discovered during routine maintenance check.
When: 34,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering fluid leaking from rack
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering rack replacement required
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner referenced NHTSA campaign 12V5222000 (steering-related); vehicle not repaired per narrative
Steering Pull/Directional Control Issue
Vehicle steering pulls to one direction during normal driving. In wet/rainy conditions, steering gets stuck in direction of turn and does not return to center.
When: During normal operation; rain/wet conditions trigger or worsen
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel pulls to the left; In rain, steering gets stuck in direction of turn; Steering does not return to center in wet conditions
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; dealers unable to duplicate
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership aware; problem cannot be duplicated per dealers; no recall or fix offered
Steering Column Vibration/Shaking
Violent shaking or vibration emanates from steering column during braking or front wheel area during acceleration at highway speeds. In one case, violent shake when brakes applied at 50 mph; in another, violent shake from front wheels between 55–75 mph.
When: Highway speeds (50–75 mph); during braking; under acceleration
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shake from steering column when brakes applied; Violent shake from front wheels during acceleration; Shaking becomes more severe under heavy acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; inspected by multiple shops (PepBoys, independent mechanic, Honda dealer) with no root cause identified
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; dealership unable to identify cause
Steering Wheel Unresponsiveness (Power Assistance Loss)
Power steering assistance intermittently fails, leaving steering wheel unresponsive during maneuvers. Unlike complete lockup, the wheel eventually returns to normal response, but problem recurs at unpredictable intervals.
When: During slow-speed maneuvers; varied timing between incidents
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel not responsive to driver input during maneuvers; Power steering assistance temporarily lost; Steering eventually returns to normal; Problem recurs unpredictably
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering pump replacement (remanufactured Honda unit) performed; system flushed with genuine Honda fluid; no contaminants found in fluid; problem resumed after repair; rack and pinion replacement subsequently recommended
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer suggested rack and pinion replacement after pump replacement failed to resolve issue; no warranty coverage indicated
Synthesized from 30 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
A clicking noise comes from the steering column when turning the steering wheel when driving. The car has 101,500 miles. It has been making this noise for approximately 4 years. From previous searches I thought this was an immaterial issue (that is, harmless rubbing of plastic parts). However in now looking into this further I see there have numerous complaints, pointing to a serious point of…
Had steering trouble with your 2009 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 2009 Honda Accord?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 30 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 24 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 30,360 and 70,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,360; a quarter make it past 70,000. 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/2009/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.