Steering is sticky and jerky Dangerous at high speeds bc it’s difficult to keep the car in the lane because of significant jerking
2017 Honda Civic steering problems
moderate 162 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Owners have filed 162 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.
Steering accounts for 28% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
When driving straight on a highway, probably 40+ mph, the steering wheel does not respond to small left or right adjustments to maintain a straight line. It feels like the steering wheel is sticky, and takes extra effort to break through the "stickiness." This results in an overcorrection when the steering system finally does respond. This can cause the vehicle to veer slightly into another lane…
The steering on my vehicle has spots where it sticks and I have to use more force to continue. I took it to my local dealer and was told the rack and pinion assembly needed to be replaced. I was also told the part I needed was out of stock and they did not know when it would be back in stock. They said they would order the part when it became available and I have heard nothing from them. My…
Steering wheel gets sticky with slight turns; car drifts while driving highway speeds and the sticky steering causes over correction which causes vehicle to move all over the road. Research done on this shows that this is a known issue with Honda Civics and the fix is to replace the steering rack. Local dealership confirmed this.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2017 Honda Civic?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 162 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 29 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 27,500 and 86,000 miles, with the median around 47,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,500; a quarter make it past 86,000. 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.