ServiceNews Article - When removing and installing a cable reel, you need to keep both the cable reel and the steering angle sensor in position. If you don't , the VSA indicator may come on along with one or more VSA DTCs. And when you run the Neutral Memorization Procedure in the i-HDS, it won't complete.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Honda Civic steering problems
severe Owners of the 2014 Honda Civic have filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Civic | 19 |
| 2011 Civic | 4 |
| 2012 Civic | 74 |
| 2013 Civic | 37 |
| 2014 Civic (this page) | 15 |
| 2015 Civic | 20 |
| 2016 Civic | 431 |
| 2017 Civic | 165 |
| 2018 Civic | 224 |
5crashes
3injuries
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 - AMERICAN HONDA (AHM) IS INVESTIGATING CERTAIN 2012-2015 CIVICS WITH A CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF EPS (ELECTRIC POWER- ASSISTED STEERING) LIGHT ON WITH/WITHOUT LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST AS WELL AS HAVING THE DTC 33-01 (LOWER FET STUCK ON), 33-02 (UPPER FET STUCK ON) AND/OR 33-06(LOWER FET STUCK ON) STORED. TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE CAUSE OF THIS OCCURRENCE, AHM WOULD LIKE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO YOU ATTEMPTING A REPAIR OF ANY KIND."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"ENGINEERING REQUEST - AMERICAN HONDA (AHM) IS INVESTIGATING CERTAIN 2012-2015 CIVICS WITH A CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF EPS (ELECTRIC POWER-ASSISTED STEERING) LIGHT ON WITH/WITHOUT LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST AS WELL AS HAVING THE DTC 33-01 (LOWER FET STUCK ON), 33-02 (UPPER FET STUCK ON) AND/OR 33-06 (LOWER FET STUCK ON) STORED. TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE CAUSE OF THIS OCCURRENCE, AHM WOULD LIKE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO YOU ATTEMPTING A REPAIR OF ANY KIND."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"DEALER MESSAGE - AMERICAN HONDA (AHM) IS INVESTIGATING CERTAIN 2012-2015 CIVICS WITH A CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF EPS (ELECTRIC POWER- ASSISTED STEERING) LIGHT ON WITH/WITHOUT LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST AS WELL AS HAVING THE DTC 33-01 (LOWER FET STUCK ON), 33-02 (UPPER FET STUCK ON) AND/OR 33-06 (LOWER FET STUCK ON) STORED. TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE CAUSE OF THIS OCCURRENCE, AHM WOULD LIKE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO YOU ATTEMPTING A REPAIR OF ANY KIND."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer message - American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2014 Civics with a complaint of the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitor Sensor) light on with DTC 151-11 (Low Tire Pressure) stored. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report the steering system on 2014 Civics fails in multiple ways. The most severe involve complete loss of power steering at highway speeds—one owner's steering wheel locked solid at 65 mph and sent the car into a barrier; another lost steering while making a turn at 40 mph and hit another vehicle; a third had both steering and brakes lock up at 5–8 mph in a parking lot, hitting a building and injuring a pregnant passenger.
Several owners describe power steering warning lights followed by extremely hard steering wheels that won't respond, sometimes recurring even after restart. One owner's power steering module was filled with water and burned out after water seeped through deteriorating insulation on the right side—the dealership confirmed this with fault codes 33-01 and 33-06.
A distinct failure involves the steering column electromagnet cranking the wheel back and forth involuntarily, spinning the car into oncoming traffic. Owners say this is already recalled for some Civics but not theirs. One owner also reports a CV axle corroded and detached, making the car immobile—Honda has a recall for this on the 2013–2015 Accord but not the Civic.
Other reports cite failing ABS/VSA modules with improperly soldered circuit boards affecting braking and power steering, stiff unresponsive brakes, and a steering wheel position sensor triggering airbag warnings. Owners consistently note Honda dealers have refused repairs, offered expensive diagnostics, or confirmed issues without issuing recalls.
Same Honda Civic steering reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Electric Power Steering Module Water Ingress and Failure
Power steering system loses function due to water entering the electric power steering module, causing the component to burn out and steering wheel to become extremely hard or impossible to move. Caused by deteriorating insulation material allowing water to enter the module.
When: Less than 78,000 miles; vehicle 9 years old at time of failure
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering warning light illuminates; Steering wheel becomes extremely hard to move or locks up; Vehicle loses steering ability
Codes mentioned: 33-01, 33-06
Repairs/costs cited: Electric Power Steering module required replacement after water damage and burnout; water source traced to deteriorating insulation on right-hand side of vehicle
CV Axle Corrosion and Detachment
Right CV axle (drive shaft) corrodes and detaches, rendering vehicle immobile. Owner reports this is already a recall issue for 2013–2015 Honda Accord but not yet for 2014 Civic, despite identical failure mode. Owner had same failure on 2013 Accord that was addressed via recall.
When: Not specified; vehicle became immobile during traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Right CV axle corroded and detached; Vehicle becomes immobile; Vehicle required towing
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed and repaired; Honda recall replaced one side on 2013 Accord; remaining side on Civic needs replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda offered diagnostic inspection at owner cost of $100–$500; no recall issued for 2014 Civic despite existing Accord recall for same issue
Steering Column Electromagnet Malfunction
Electromagnetic malfunction in electric steering column causes steering wheel to crank itself back and forth involuntarily. Owner reports issue is well-documented and already recalled for some vehicles but not their VIN. Defect caused vehicle to spin and turn into oncoming traffic while braking at low speed.
When: Occurred while approaching a green light at approximately 10 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel cranks itself back and forth involuntarily; Vehicle spins and swerves into oncoming traffic; Alternator glitch suspected
Repairs/costs cited: Owner has video evidence of multiple instances; three Honda repair shops refused to address the issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall exists for this issue but not for this specific VIN; Honda aware of problem but did not remedy it
Steering Wheel Position Sensor Failure
Steering wheel position sensor fails, triggering 'Check Air Bag System' warning light intermittently during driving. No impact on steering function or rack and pinion; vehicle has no accident history.
When: Warning light appears intermittently while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Check Air Bag System warning light on dashboard; Warning light does not appear at startup but occurs during driving
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed as bad steering wheel position sensor by shop
Power Steering System Loss and Simultaneous Brake Failure
Both steering and brake systems fail simultaneously during low-speed parking-lot maneuver. Steering and brake become stuck or unresponsive, causing vehicle to hit building. Airbags deployed; passenger was severely injured.
When: During forward movement at 5–8 mph in parking lot after reverse
Symptoms owners cite: Steering becomes stuck; Brake becomes stuck; Vehicle unresponsive to steering and brake inputs; Vehicle hits building
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled; passenger was 6 months pregnant and severely injured
Power Steering System Illumination and Hardened Steering
Check power steering system light illuminates during highway driving, and steering wheel becomes difficult to steer. Issue recurs even after vehicle restart at reduced speed.
When: Occurred at approximately 41,560 miles while driving at 55 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Check power steering system light illuminates; Steering wheel becomes difficult to steer; Failure recurs after restart
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to dealer but not diagnosed or repaired
Steering Loss and Stall During Turn
Vehicle stalls and loses steering ability while making a turn at moderate speed, causing collision with another vehicle. Vehicle destroyed.
When: At 40 mph while making a right turn; failure occurred at approximately 16,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls; Loss of steering ability; Vehicle crashes into another vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed; police report filed; taken to independent mechanic
Sensor Malfunction in Steering Column with Possible Throttle Stiction
Sensor in steering column malfunctions, possibly in conjunction with stuck throttle. Vehicle lurches forward and fails to respond to brake input, hitting a building. Other owners report similar stuck-throttle issues.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle lurches forward; Brake failure or non-responsiveness; Vehicle hits building
Repairs/costs cited: Sensor in steering column implicated; stuck throttle suspected as secondary cause
ABS/VSA Module Circuit Board Defect
ABS/VSA system module fails due to manufacturing defect: circuit board does not have all wires properly soldered. Defect affects braking system, ABS/VSA module, power steering, and TPMS sensors simultaneously. Owner characterizes vehicle as unsafe for driver and other road users.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: ABS/VSA system fails; Braking system affected; Power steering affected; TPMS sensors affected
Codes mentioned: 123-11
Repairs/costs cited: Code 123-11 indicates failing ABS solenoid; repair is costly and owner has not completed it
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda performed inspection and issued code 123-11
VSA Module Failure with Stiff Brakes
VSA module fails; brakes become stiff and unresponsive on first attempt at times, requiring use of emergency brake. Honda dealer confirmed issue but repair is costly.
When: Not specified; failure intermittent
Symptoms owners cite: VSA module warning or failure; Brakes stiff and unresponsive on first try; Intermittent brake failure; Required use of emergency brake
Repairs/costs cited: VSA module still in vehicle because repair is too costly for owner
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Issue confirmed by Honda dealer
Power Steering Warning Light with Steering Lock-Up
Automatic steering (power steering) disengages and locks up, forcing driver to steer manually. Warning light illuminates on dashboard. Vehicle becomes difficult or impossible to steer safely when power steering fails.
When: Failure recurrent; occurs intermittently while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering warning light illuminates; Automatic steering disengages; Steering wheel locks or becomes extremely difficult to move; Manual steering unsafe or impossible
Steering and Wheel Lock-Up at Highway Speed
Vehicle steering and wheels lock up completely at highway speed, causing vehicle to slide uncontrollably into barrier. Vehicle total loss.
When: While driving 65 mph on highway
Symptoms owners cite: Steering locks up; Wheels lock up; Vehicle slides into barrier
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle became total loss after crash
Synthesized from 15 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 2014 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 2014 Honda Civic?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 15 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 72,760 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2014/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.