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 ↗2016 Honda CR-V steering problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Honda CR-V have filed 17 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
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 CR-V | 35 |
| 2013 CR-V | 15 |
| 2014 CR-V | 15 |
| 2015 CR-V | 45 |
| 2016 CR-V (this page) | 17 |
| 2017 CR-V | 57 |
| 2018 CR-V | 315 |
| 2019 CR-V | 184 |
| 2020 CR-V | 32 |
2crashes
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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report two main steering issues: recurrent electronic power steering (EPS) failures that make the wheel extremely stiff and nearly impossible to turn, and persistent vibration through the steering wheel at 50–80 mph that tire balancing does not fix.
EPS failures occur with little warning and recur despite multiple dealership repair attempts. Some owners had the system fail multiple times, with dealership "repairs" lasting only months before the problem returned. In one critical case, steering and brakes both locked simultaneously at highway speed, causing the vehicle to hydroplane and roll across lanes. Another owner reports that his father owns the same 2016 CR-V with identical steering problems.
Dealerships have replaced steering control modules, racks, and sensors without permanently fixing the issue. One repair involved zip-tying and shrink-wrapping wires—a temporary bandage rather than a fix. A dealership acknowledged this is a common problem affecting 2016–2018 CR-V models but refuses to issue a recall, leaving owners to pay thousands in repairs. One owner found rodents had gnawed through soy-based wiring insulation, a vulnerability Honda apparently knew about but did not address.
Steering vibration at highway speeds has persisted from early ownership (1,200+ miles) despite repeated tire balancing and dealership visits. The underlying cause remains unidentified in the complaints.
Same Honda CR-V steering reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Power Steering (EPS) Failure / Complete Loss of Assist
Power steering system loses assist, making steering extremely stiff and nearly immovable. Occurs at both highway and surface-street speeds. Some owners report EPS light illuminating when failure occurs. Failures are intermittent and recurrent in several cases.
When: Low mileage (6K–25K miles) to high mileage (134K+ miles); failures occur suddenly while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Steering becomes extremely stiff and barely movable; EPS warning light illuminates; Difficulty turning wheel, especially at speed; Intermittent recurrence despite multiple repair attempts; Vehicle becomes unsafe to maneuver, particularly in curves or tight spaces
Codes mentioned: EPS light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships have replaced 2–3 unknown EPS-related parts with no lasting success. One owner reports steering gearbox replacement needed after dealership temporary fix (zip-tied and shrink-wrapped wires). Another case involved rodent-damaged wiring requiring wiring and rack replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicles under warranty; one owner reports Honda Case # but states Honda denied goodwill assistance. Dealership refused repair in at least one case despite warranty coverage.
Steering Wheel Vibration at Highway Speeds
Sustained vibration felt through steering wheel, primarily at 50–80 mph. Occurs across smooth and rough road conditions. Tire balancing does not resolve the issue.
When: Occurs from early ownership (reported at 1,200 miles and 11,000 miles) through higher mileage (50K–70K+ miles); continues during sustained highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration in steering wheel at 50–80 mph; Vibration most pronounced in 70–80 mph range; Does not occur below 45 mph or above 55 mph in one case; Owner experiences difficulty holding steering wheel due to vibration intensity; Vibration persists across multiple road surfaces
Repairs/costs cited: Tire balancing (performed at both dealership and independent shop) did not resolve vibration. Underlying cause not identified in complaint narratives.
Steering Lock-Up / Hard Steering Intermittent Jerk
Steering wheel locks up or jerks hard without warning, restricting or preventing turning. Occurs at low speeds and while parked. In one critical incident, steering locked simultaneously with brake pedal at highway speed, causing loss of vehicle control and rollover.
When: Intermittent; one case involved locking while attempting to exit parking space; recurred every 6 months despite dealership repair attempts; highway incident at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks up, becomes immovable; Steering jerks hard left then self-corrects; Steering control module warning lights illuminate (multiple lights including exclamation point and TPS light); Vehicle becomes dangerous to control; In one incident, steering locked while braking was also impaired, causing rollover across multiple lanes
Codes mentioned: Steering control module warning lights, TPS light, EPS systems warning
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced steering control module, steering rack, and all sensors without resolving issue in one case. Another owner reports zip-tie and shrink-wrap repair that failed; steering gearbox replacement recommended but not completed by dealership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No official recall issued as of complaint dates. Dealership advised Honda has acknowledged this as a common problem affecting 2016–2018 CR-V models but refuses to issue recall.
Rodent-Damaged Wiring (Soy-Based Insulation)
Wiring with soy-based insulation harmed by rodent gnawing, causing electrical failure and loss of steering function. This is not a manufacturing defect per se, but a design vulnerability acknowledged by Honda.
When: Early ownership; reported at 10,911 miles; one case at 6K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering indicator illuminates; Steering failure while driving at low speed (10 mph turn); Complete loss of power steering function
Codes mentioned: Power steering indicator light
Repairs/costs cited: Wiring and rack replacement required. Dealership advised customer to purchase rodent repellents (Mouse Magic, peppermint candy, mothballs) but these are not warranty repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner states Honda admitted this happens to many people but will not accept fault or issue recall.
Steering Wheel Bounce / Abnormal Movement
Steering wheel moves and bounces abnormally while driving, particularly at higher speeds. May be related to alignment or suspension, but reported under steering complaints.
When: High mileage (134,699 miles); discovered during alignment check at dealership
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel bounces and moves abnormally; Abnormality increases at higher speeds; Significant enough to prompt alignment service
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnosis indicated steering rack replacement needed.
Synthesized from 17 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 2016 Honda CR-V?
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 2016 Honda CR-V?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 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 17 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 41,581 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/2016/Honda/CR-V.
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.