NHTSA complaint #11726581

Owner complaint summary

What component or system failed? Is it available for inspection? The component is the Steering Gearbox Assembly / Rack and Pinion. The vehicle is currently in my possession and available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? While driving at highway speeds (40–70 mph), the steering wheel "sticks" or "catches" in the center position. To change lanes or follow a curve, I must apply sudden, extra force to "break it loose," which results in a jerking motion and significant overcorrection. This creates a high risk of losing control of the vehicle or unintentionally departing the lane into other traffic. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer? I have presented the vehicle to an authorized Honda dealership on two separate occasions for this specific issue. Both times, the dealership stated they were "unable to duplicate" the problem and claimed the steering was "normal," despite the symptoms matching a known national defect. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or others? No, it has only been inspected by the authorized Honda dealer technicians. No police or insurance reports have been filed as no crash has occurred yet. Were there any warning lamps or messages? When did they first appear? There are no warning lamps or dashboard messages. This is a mechanical friction failure within the gearbox, not an electronic one. The symptoms first appeared roughly 2023 and have progressively worsened with time and heat.