Honda has announced a massive recall affecting approximately 1.7 million Honda and Acura vehicles in the U.S. due to a potentially defective steering gearbox component. This defect, found in multiple 2022–2025 models, could lead to increased steering effort and difficulty, raising the risk of a crash or injury.
For Honda and Acura owners, this recall is a serious safety concern that should not be ignored. If you own one of the affected vehicles, it’s important to understand how this defect could impact your driving experience, what steps Honda is taking to fix the issue, and what legal rights you may have if your vehicle has experienced repeated steering-related problems.
At The Barry Law Firm, we specialize in helping California consumers navigate vehicle defects and pursue Lemon Law claims when manufacturers fail to deliver safe, reliable vehicles. If your Honda or Acura has experienced ongoing steering issues—even after repairs—you may be entitled to compensation or a replacement vehicle. Read on to learn more about the recall and your legal options.
What’s Wrong with the Steering Gearbox?
Honda’s recall affects approximately 1.7 million Honda and Acura vehicles due to a potentially defective steering gearbox component. The issue originates from an improperly produced steering gearbox worm wheel, a crucial part of the vehicle’s steering system. This defect can cause increased friction in the steering mechanism, making the vehicle harder to turn and potentially leading to a loss of control, increasing the risk of accidents.
How Does the Steering Gearbox Work?
The steering gearbox is responsible for translating driver input from the steering wheel into movement of the wheels. Within this system, the worm wheel and worm gear work together to control steering precision and responsiveness.
In the recalled vehicles, the worm wheel was improperly manufactured, leading to two major issues:
- Swelling of the Worm Wheel Due to Excessive Friction
- Over time, the worm wheel swells during use, which reduces the grease film thickness between the worm wheel and worm gear.
- This lack of lubrication increases metal-on-metal contact, which can make steering more difficult, particularly at lower speeds or in tight turns.
- Drivers may notice the steering wheel becoming harder to turn, requiring extra effort that could become dangerous in emergency situations.
- Excessive Spring Preload in the Worm Gear
- The worm gear spring preload in affected vehicles may be too high, adding additional pressure on the steering components.
- Increased friction between the worm wheel and worm gear can lead to stiff steering, reducing maneuverability and response time.
- Over time, the steering system could become progressively worse, making the vehicle difficult to control.
Why Is This a Safety Concern?
While some steering stiffness might seem like a minor inconvenience, this defect poses a serious safety risk. Increased steering effort can lead to:
- Delayed driver reaction times, particularly in emergencies where quick maneuvering is necessary.
- Greater difficulty in turning the vehicle, especially at low speeds, such as when parking or making sharp turns.
- A loss of vehicle control, increasing the chances of collisions, accidents, or dangerous driving conditions.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has acknowledged the potential dangers of this defect, though no injuries or fatalities have been reported so far. However, Honda has already received over 10,300 warranty claims related to this issue, suggesting that many owners have already experienced problems with their vehicle’s steering system.
Which Honda and Acura Models Are Affected?
The defective steering gearbox affects several models from 2022–2025, including:
- Honda Civic (Sedan, Hatchback, Hybrid, and Type R) – 2022–2025
- Honda CR-V (Standard, Hybrid, and Fuel Cell) – 2023–2025
- Honda HR-V – 2023–2025
- Acura Integra and Integra Type S – 2023–2025
If you own one of these models, it is crucial to take action immediately by checking your vehicle’s recall status and scheduling a free repair with an authorized Honda or Acura dealership. If you have already experienced steering difficulties, unusual stiffness, or loss of control, this defect may be affecting your vehicle.
What Should You Do If Your Honda or Acura Is Recalled? 
1. Watch for Your Recall Notice
Honda has stated that official recall notification letters will be mailed to affected vehicle owners in November 2024. However, you don’t need to wait for a letter to take action.
You can check whether your vehicle is part of this recall by entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on:
- NHTSA Recall Lookup: www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Honda’s Recall Lookup: www.honda.com/recalls
2. Contact Your Local Honda or Acura Dealer
Honda has already notified dealerships about the issue. Owners should schedule a free repair appointment at an authorized Honda or Acura dealership as soon as possible.
3. What Repairs Will Be Performed?
The fix for this recall will involve:
- Replacing the worm gear spring with an improved version
- Redistributing or adding grease to the worm wheel to reduce friction
- Ensuring proper function of the steering gearbox before returning the vehicle
4. Reimbursement for Past Repairs
If you previously paid for steering repairs related to this issue, you may be eligible for reimbursement under Honda’s recall reimbursement plan. Contact your dealership or visit NHTSA’s recall website to learn more about your eligibility.
What If Steering Issues Persist After the Recall Repair?
While Honda claims that its repair solution—replacing the worm gear spring and redistributing grease—will resolve the steering defect, some vehicle owners may find that their steering issues continue even after the recall fix is completed. In some cases, steering problems may return over time, or new issues may arise as a result of the defective component wearing down other parts of the system.
If you continue to experience difficulty steering, unusual stiffness, grinding noises, or reduced responsiveness, it may indicate that the recall repair did not fully resolve the defect. Steering issues are not minor inconveniences—they directly affect vehicle safety, making it more difficult to navigate sharp turns, park safely, or react quickly in emergencies.
Repeated trips to the dealership for steering-related problems can be frustrating, time-consuming, and even financially burdensome if the defect affects other vehicle components. In such cases, California’s Lemon Law may provide you with a legal remedy.
If your vehicle has undergone multiple repair attempts for the same steering issue and remains unsafe or unreliable, you may be entitled to:
- A full refund or buyback from Honda
A replacement vehicle of similar value- Cash compensation for the diminished value of your car
Many consumers assume that manufacturers will always resolve safety issues through recalls, but that’s not always the case. In some instances, recall repairs are only temporary solutions that fail to fully eliminate the defect. If your Honda or Acura continues to have steering problems after multiple repair attempts, you may have a valid Lemon Law claim.
How The Barry Law Firm Can Help
At The Barry Law Firm, we specialize in helping California consumers hold automakers accountable when they sell unsafe or defective vehicles. If you own a recalled Honda or Acura and have experienced ongoing steering issues, even after repairs, we can help you determine if you have a valid Lemon Law claim.
Why Choose The Barry Law Firm?
- Lemon Law Focus: We focus exclusively on Lemon Law cases and have helped thousands of California drivers get the compensation they deserve.
- No Upfront Costs: At The Barry Law Firm, we will never charge you, no matter the outcome of your case.
- Proven Results: We have successfully secured thousands of favorable settlements for California consumers for their defective vehicles.
If your Honda or Acura has been repaired multiple times for steering problems or other safety-related defects, we can help you take legal action against the manufacturer.
Closing
A steering defect is a critical safety issue that should never be ignored. Difficulty steering can lead to loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of collisions, accidents, and serious injuries. While Honda has issued a recall to fix this problem, there is no guarantee that the repair will fully resolve the defect for all vehicles. If your Honda or Acura continues to experience steering issues even after multiple repair attempts, you may have legal options under California’s Lemon Law.
Consumers should not have to endure repeated repairs for a vehicle that remains unreliable or unsafe. California’s Lemon Law is designed to protect you, ensuring that you are not stuck with a defective car that manufacturers fail to fix properly. If your vehicle qualifies, you may be entitled to a refund, replacement vehicle, or cash compensation.
At The Barry Law Firm, we have a proven track record of helping California consumers successfully resolve Lemon Law claims. Our experienced attorneys will guide you through every step of the legal process, handling negotiations with Honda on your behalf.
Don’t wait to take action—California’s Lemon Law has strict deadlines.
Call (877) 536-6603 or visit mylemonrights.com to schedule your FAST & FREE case evaluation and learn more about your legal options.
Email
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
