When driving on the highway and making small adjustments to keep straight, the steering system will get stuck and suddenly jerk. This causes you to overcorrect and you have to steer back the other direction. This issue has continued getting worse and now affects the car at speeds >20 MPH. This used to only occur at >60 MPH.
2025 Honda CR-V steering problems
severe 46 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
46
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
4injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 46 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 21% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2025 CR-Vs describe a troubling range of steering failures. The most common complaint is "sticky" or "notchy" steering that develops at highway speeds or during gentle lane corrections—the steering wheel resists movement, then jerks when finally turning, making smooth driving difficult. This often happens 30–40 minutes into a drive or begins at very low mileage (under 500 miles) and worsens steadily. Honda linked this to the steering gearbox worm wheel swelling due to improper manufacturing, triggering recall 24V-744 in October 2024.
More severe reports include steering wheel lock-up while driving at 40+ mph—the wheel freezes mid-turn and owners must restart the vehicle repeatedly to regain control. Two crashes are documented: one vehicle pulled right on a highway curve, would not respond to corrective steering, ran off-road, hit a tree, and rolled three times, injuring four occupants; another was pulled into a guardrail by an overactive lane-keep assist system on a straight road.
Owners also report clicking and creaking noises from the steering wheel that dealers attribute to a loose cable reel; replacements are temporary—the noise returns within months. Some vehicles exhibit severe pulling to one side after hitting potholes, and steering becomes abnormally stiff at any highway speed above 40 mph, requiring excessive effort to keep the vehicle centered in the lane.
The critical problem: recall 24V-744 parts remain backordered nationwide as of February 2025, with dealers reporting no delivery timeline. Many owners report their VINs fall outside the recall range despite having identical symptoms.
Same Honda CR-V steering reports on nearby years: 2022 · 2023 · 2024
Failure modes owners describe
Sticky/Notchy Steering (Worm Gear)
Steering becomes resistive, notchy, or sticky—especially when making small adjustments at highway speeds or 1–2 degrees off center. Owners report difficulty steering back to center, jerking sensations, and gradual worsening. Some experience it after 30–40 minutes of driving; others report it from low mileage onward. Dealers link this to the worm wheel swell defect in recall 24V-744 due to improper production of the steering gearbox worm wheel.
When: Low mileage (400–50 miles) to 49,657 miles; develops after warm-up or short drives; worsens over time
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel resistant to movement, especially off-center; Notchy or jerky steering corrections; Difficulty maintaining lane position; Stiff steering at highway speeds (>40 mph); Steering gets worse with continued driving
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers perform replacement of steering gearbox worm wheel or entire power steering rack (part number 53620-3A0-A33). Recall 24V-744 parts remain on nationwide backorder as of Feb 2025. Some owners report issue recurs 5–7k miles after repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 24V-744 issued Oct 2024 for 'increased friction between worn gear and worn wheel can increase steering effort and difficulty.' Parts unavailable nationwide; dealers reporting no foreseeable delivery dates. Some dealer staff state Honda claims it is 'safe to drive' pending parts availability. Many owners outside recall VIN range despite exhibiting identical symptoms.
Steering Lock-Up/Loss of Power Steering
Steering wheel suddenly becomes unresponsive, locks in place, or steering power is lost while driving. Owners report the wheel freezes mid-maneuver or loses assistance without warning. Restarting the vehicle temporarily restores function. Incidents occur at highway speeds (40+ mph) and low speeds alike. One owner experienced complete loss of braking and steering simultaneously at low speeds.
When: Variable mileage from 6,000 to 50 miles; intermittent, no warning
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks or becomes unresponsive while driving; Steering wheel frozen during lane changes or turns; Loss of power steering assistance; Steering effort very high (compared to flat tire resistance); No warning lights prior to loss of steering
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to reproduce issue during test drive and report no diagnostic codes. One case resolved by water pump replacement, but issue persisted. Owners report needing to shut vehicle off and restart 5–15 times to regain steering function.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or TSBs documented for lock-up. Dealers state inability to diagnose without reproducible codes. Technician instruction: do not drive; vehicle must be towed.
Steering Rack/Component Failure Leading to Crash
Steering system fails during normal highway driving, rendering steering ineffective and locking vehicle into a turn. In one documented case, a vehicle on a right-hand curve pulled right, would not respond to corrective left steering input, ran off road, struck a tree, and rolled three times. Another case: lane-keep assist overcorrected on a straight road, pulling vehicle into guardrail. Both incidents resulted in injuries.
When: 7,500 miles and early ownership (under 1,000 miles estimated)
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel pulled hard to one side without driver input; Steering unresponsive to corrective inputs; Lane-keep assist excessive correction on straight road; Vehicle locked into unintended direction of travel; No warning lights before failure
Repairs/costs cited: First case: vehicle totaled after rollover; owner reports dealer said car 'should have failed assembly inspection and never been sold.' Second case: cosmetic damage from guardrail strike; vehicle referred for steering inspection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: First case related to 24V-744 but VIN not included in recall selection. Second case: recall 24V-744 posted during purchase period; owner not informed. No manufacturer response documented.
Steering Noise/Clicking (Clock Spring/Cable Reel)
Faint clicks or creaking noise from steering wheel, especially when turning or driving in circles. Some owners report loud clicking or 'rocks in a can' sound. Dealers attribute to loose cable reel or clock spring in the steering wheel assembly. Multiple owners report the same issue recurs within months of replacement, and dealers indicate a recall may be forthcoming but no formal notice or fix is available.
When: Early ownership: 21,571 miles at first report; issues persist through 49,657 miles after multiple repair attempts
Symptoms owners cite: Faint or loud clicking noise when turning; Creaking from steering wheel; Noise during left-hand turns or in circles; 'Rocks in a can' sound reported
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers replace cable reel or clock spring (part number referenced in one case but not systematized). One owner reports second replacement included padding 'to please' customer; issue persisted. Multiple dealers state a recall is expected.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No formal recall issued for clock spring noise. Honda field engineer confirmed defect on one case (April 2025, Case #XXX and mediation case #XXX) but declined lemon-law resolution. Dealers uniformly state part replacement may be temporary or ineffective.
Steering Pulls to One Side (Pothole/Bump Sensitivity)
Steering pulls hard to one side when vehicle hits a pothole, bump, or road imperfection. Some owners report steering pulls right during right-hand curves; others report unpredictable pulls after impacts. One owner was warned by dealer that a pothole could cause steering to fail entirely.
When: Variable, triggered by road impacts or curves
Symptoms owners cite: Hard pull to one side after hitting pothole or bump; Unpredictable steering pull on curves; Fear of steering failure on rough or winding roads
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer inspection revealed assembly defect; power steering rack replacement performed (part 53620-3A0-A33). Undercarriage damage in one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated vehicle 'should have failed assembly inspection.' No formal TSB or extended warranty program noted.
Stiff Steering at Highway Speeds
Steering becomes abnormally stiff and difficult to turn at speeds above 40 mph. Owners report it feels heavy and makes lane corrections laborious. Condition develops early in ownership and is unrelated to power steering loss; steering remains responsive but requires excessive effort.
When: From very low mileage (400 miles) onward; persistent
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel stiff and difficult to turn at highway speeds; Heavy steering feel; Difficult lane changes and corrections; Worsening over time
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented for stiff steering separate from worm wheel replacement. Dealers attribute to recall 24V-744 defect or dismiss as normal operation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific TSB. Some dealers claim 'that's how it works' or dismiss issue.
Ratcheting/Stepped Steering Response
Steering response feels jerky or ratcheted at highway speeds. Small steering inputs (0.5 degrees) are over-amplified, causing the vehicle to move 1–2 degrees or more. At parking speeds, stepping is also noticeable at the end of steering range. This is distinct from simple stiffness—steering actively overcorrects minor inputs.
When: Highway and parking speeds; persistent
Symptoms owners cite: Steering over-responds to small inputs; Stepped or ratcheting feel; Difficulty making smooth lane corrections; Excessive steering boost
Repairs/costs cited: No documented repairs. May be linked to adaptive steering or worm gear defect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No TSB. Owners relate to recall 24V-744 but many vehicles exhibiting this are not included in recall VIN range.
Steering System Complete Failure (Electrical/Hybrid Models)
One owner of a hybrid CR-V reported simultaneous loss of engine power, brakes, and steering while driving. Vehicle was on battery power when steering wheel became inoperable. Vehicle required towing. Water pump replacement was performed but issue recurred. Diagnostic confusion between electrical, cooling, and steering systems.
When: Early ownership; recurred after repair
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of all three: engine power, braking, steering; Steering wheel inoperable; Vehicle on battery power only; Abnormal coolant odor; Multiple warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Water pump replacement performed; steering stiffness persisted at 45 mph even after restart. Dealer diagnostic unclear; multiple system failures suggest electrical or hybrid battery management issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No TSB noted. Dealer attempted computer reset and water pump replacement without resolving steering problem.
Synthesized from 46 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
The contact owns a 2025 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (STEERING); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made…
The contact owns a 2025 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was…
I was driving to the mailbox today and the car revved forward and the steering became hard to control and steer. This is the second incident. When I originally reported to the Supervisong Service agent at my Honda of Katy, Mr. John Kasimoff, he dismissed it since the "check engine light" did not turn off. He and the staff at Honda of Katy discouraged me from bringing in the car. I am afraid to…
Our CRV hybrid is experiencing the sticking steering wheel issue. It takes force to move the steering wheel at freeway speeds. It is not included in the recall but clearly has the issue. Our local Honda service dealer blew us off and is unwilling to help.
The contact owns a 2025 Honda CR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution…
I first heard of the safety recall in October 2024 regarding: "Increased friction between the worn gear and worn wheel can increase steering effort and difficulty, increasing the risk of a crash or injury." I received a safety recall notice from Honda in November 2024 for my vehicle: Manufacturer Recall Number QJT NHTSA Recall Number 24V-744 I then scheduled an appointment for the recall repair…
Had steering trouble with your 2025 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 2025 Honda CR-V?
It's a meaningful issue. 46 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 46 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 31,750 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/2025/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.