2024 Honda Civic

I am filing this complaint regarding an unresolved steering issue involving my vehicle and the handling of NHTSA Recall 24V-744. My vehicle was subject to Recall 24V-744, which involved a steering-related safety issue. I brought the vehicle to the dealer for the recall repair. The dealer applied grease as part of the recall service and represented that the issue had been addressed. However, the steering problem did not go away. I subsequently returned to the dealer because I was still experiencing the same steering issue. Instead of treating the continuing problem as related to the recall repair, the dealer charged me a diagnostic fee and is refusing to cover the cost of the steering rack. I am concerned because the vehicle continues to have a steering-related problem after the recall repair was performed. The fact that the dealer’s initial recall repair did not resolve the issue raises concerns about whether the recall condition was properly diagnosed or repaired, or whether a related component has failed as a result of the same underlying problem. I do not believe I should be responsible for paying a diagnostic fee or the cost of a steering rack if the problem is related to the recalled steering condition or the attempted recall repair. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether the dealer properly performed the recall repair, whether the continuing steering problem is related to Recall 24V-744, and whether additional corrective action is necessary. I am particularly concerned about the safety implications of continuing to operate a vehicle with an unresolved steering problem. I would like the manufacturer/dealer to properly diagnose and correct the underlying steering issue and address the costs I have incurred as a result of the unsuccessful recall repair. Even the mechanic said that it was a internal steering issue. Please see reported attached.

1. Component Failed & Inspection Availability:The Electronic Power Steering (EPS) Gearbox and Rack Assembly malfunctioned and failed. The component is currently installed on the vehicle and is fully available for inspection upon request.2. Safety Risks:The steering wheel physically binds, catches, and sticks when traveling at highway speeds (between 45–70 mph). Controlling the vehicle requires increased steering effort to break through the physical stickiness, causing the vehicle to suddenly jerk. This poses an immediate crash hazard as it makes maintaining a straight line or making minor lane corrections incredibly dangerous for myself and other drivers on the road.3. Dealer/Independent Confirmation:The vehicle was previously taken to an authorized Honda dealership for NHTSA Campaign 24V-744. The dealership performed a temporary grease/spring intervention and marked the recall as "Completed" or removed on my VIN. The mechanical failure has now returned and worsened at 76,000 miles. A secondary local dealership has verbally confirmed the steering rack requires full replacement but is refusing to formally diagnose or inspect the failed safety component without an out-of-pocket $210 diagnostic fee.4. Entity Inspection:The component was previously inspected and serviced only by an authorized Honda dealership during the initial recall rollout. It has not been inspected by police or insurance.5. Warning Lamps & Prior Symptoms:There are currently intermittent "Steering System Problem" and "Lane Keeping Assist / ADAS Failure" warning messages appearing on the dashboard. The primary symptom is a distinct "sticky" or "notchy" resistance when turning the wheel. These symptoms first appeared gradually over the last several thousand miles following the failure of the initial dealership recall remedy.

I originally notified my dealer of concerns with my vehicles behavior while using cruise control and they verified that the systems were 'calibrated and working properly'. On a regular basis, my car will automatically and erroneously engage the vehicles brakes while driving, especially while using the automatic cruise control function. This behavior is far worse at night but has happened to me during the day as well and under all weather conditions. Typically, the gauge cluster will show a motorcycle or car being 'detected' on the screen before or at the same time this happens even though there typically is nothing there. Additionally, this may or may not be related. The entire driver assist system and cruise control are constantly failing to function and often show as 'unavailable' - the cruise control, lane keep, and auto stop features will stop working at random while in use constantly; seemingly heavily influenced by even that slightest adverse conditions - driving in the cold? 'System unavailable'. A rain drop hit the windshield? 'System unavailable'. Road is wet? System unavailable'. While I am able to stay alert and correct these issues as they are constantly arising, they should not be available for use on public roads as they at random cause the vehicle to operate in an unpredictable manner and create a significant hazard for other drivers on the road who may not be paying attention - it's not if someone will collide with the back of the vehicle but rather when and how severe - this vehicle should not be hitting the brakes when there is nothing to stop for and a system like cruise control should not constantly and randomly stop working while in use.

I took my 2024 Honda Civic Sport to my local Honda dealership due to concerning issues with the steering. After diagnosing the problem, the dealership determined that the car needed a full steering rack replacement. They contacted Honda, who agreed to cover part of the repair, but I was told I would have to pay $600 out-of-pocket. Given the newness of the vehicle, I believe this is a safety defect that should be fully covered under a recall, as I should not have to pay for such a major issue on a nearly brand-new car.