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 ↗2009 Honda Civic steering problems
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
4injuries
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.
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
Steering complaints on this 2009 Civic cluster break into distinct categories, two of which are safety-critical. Two owners reported catastrophic failure where the steering wheel locked solid during driving while the brakes simultaneously became unresponsive and the engine revved uncontrollably. Both incidents resulted in collisions and airbag deployment; insurance investigated but no root cause is documented here.
More commonly, owners report persistent creaking, clicking, and clunking from the front end when turning—starting within the first few months of ownership and continuing through high mileage. Dealerships applied service bulletins, retorqued steering rack bolts, and replaced front strut assemblies and driveshafts, yet the noise returned in multiple cases. One narrative indicates the dealer acknowledged the same problem in five other 2009 Civics, with some left unresolved.
A separate complaint documents rear suspension alignment issues specific to 2006–2009 Hondas: the rear control arm design prevents proper camber correction, forcing an out-of-spec condition that causes uneven tire wear.
One owner reported steering wheel stiffness at 115,000 miles; no repair details are provided.
The lemon-law consideration in one narrative underscores owner frustration with repeated, unresolved steering-related noise after multiple service attempts.
Same Honda Civic steering reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Steering wheel lock-up and loss of control
Steering wheel locked in a straight position during driving, preventing directional control. Occurred in conjunction with unresponsive brakes and engine over-revving, resulting in collisions.
When: During operation; narratives #1 and #2 report incidents without specific mileage markers
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locked and immovable during turn; Complete loss of steering control; Unresponsive brakes simultaneously; Engine over-revving to high RPM; Vehicle uncontrollable even with brake and steering input
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired in either incident; vehicles were totaled or involved in accidents. Narratives indicate insurance investigation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #2 states owner contacted American Honda requesting investigation; no resolution mentioned.
Creaking and clunking noise when turning
Persistent creaking, clicking, popping, or clunking sounds from the front end and steering column when turning the steering wheel, particularly at low speeds or during backing. Multiple repair attempts required.
When: Began early in vehicle ownership (narratives #3, #7 within first months of purchase); continues at high mileage (162,000 miles in narrative #9)
Symptoms owners cite: Creaking noise from steering column when turning; Clicking and clacking from front of vehicle; Clunking noise when turning left or right at any speed; Popping noise when cornering at low speeds; Noise increases after driving over bumps
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #3: steering bolts retorqued, front driveshafts replaced. Narrative #6: loose steering rack bolts torqued. Narrative #7: front strut assemblies replaced twice. Narrative #5: lower control arm replacement diagnosed but not completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #3 mentions service bulletin applied; unsuccessful. Narrative #6 references forum posts where dealers blamed aftermarket parts.
Stiff steering wheel
Steering wheel becomes difficult to turn, with increased resistance to manual steering input during operation.
When: At 115,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel stiffness; Difficulty turning steering wheel; Increased steering effort
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified but no repair action documented in narrative.
Rear suspension alignment defect
Rear camber adjustment cannot achieve factory specification, leaving rear wheels out of alignment. Mechanic attributed the problem to rear control arm design defect present across 2006–2009 Honda Civic model years.
When: Identified during alignment service
Symptoms owners cite: Uneven tire wear; Inability to achieve correct rear camber alignment; Right rear wheel stuck at -1.7 degrees, 0.02 inches out of tolerance
Repairs/costs cited: Firestone mechanic noted that rear control arm design prevents proper camber correction; repair incomplete due to design limitation.
Synthesized from 13 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 2009 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 2009 Honda Civic?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 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 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 29,000 and 115,000 miles, with the median around 58,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 29,000; a quarter make it past 115,000. 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/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.