Honda Issues Recall for 1.7 Million Vehicles Due to Steering Gearbox Concerns

Honda has announced a recall of approximately 1.7 million vehicles in the US due to potential issues with a steering gearbox component.

The automaker reported that certain Honda and Acura models may contain an “improperly produced steering gearbox worm wheel,” which could pose a safety risk.

On Wednesday, Honda emphasized the importance of this recall, encouraging owners of the affected vehicles to visit authorized dealers for repairs once they receive notification.

The recall affects a variety of models from 2022 to 2025, including:

• Honda Civic Sedan (2022-2025)
• Honda Civic Hybrid Sedan (2025)
• Honda Civic Hatchback (2022-2025)
• Honda Civic Hybrid Hatchback (2025)
• Honda Civic Type R (2023-2025)
• Honda CR-V (2023-2025)
• Honda CR-V Hybrid (2023-2025)
• Honda CR-V Fuel Cell (2025)
• Honda HR-V (2023-2025)
• Acura Integra (2023-2025)
• Acura Integra Type S (2024-2025)

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicated that if the steering gearbox component is faulty, it may swell during operation, which can reduce the grease film thickness between the worm wheel and worm gear. Additionally, an excessive spring preload on the worm gear may lead to increased friction, making steering more difficult. This could potentially heighten the risk of a crash or injury, although the NHTSA report stated there have been no reported injuries or fatalities linked to this issue so far.

Since receiving the first complaints in September 2021, Honda has processed over 10,300 warranty claims related to this defect. In March 2023, the NHTSA initiated a preliminary investigation into the matter.

Honda plans to notify registered owners of the affected vehicles by mail, with notifications expected to be sent out in November. Affected owners will be advised to take their vehicles to authorized Honda or Acura dealers, where repairs will be provided at no charge. The remedy involves replacing the worm gear spring and redistributing or adding grease as necessary.

For those who have already paid for repairs related to this issue, reimbursement may be available under the recall reimbursement plan established with the NHTSA.

Honda’s sales figures indicate a strong performance, with over 1.3 million vehicles sold across the Honda and Acura brands in 2023 alone. The company reported nearly 1.06 million sales year-to-date, including over 105,500 vehicles sold in September.

Affected vehicle owners are encouraged to contact Honda Customer Service at 1-888-234-2138 for further information. The recall numbers associated with this issue are SJS, MJU, QJT, and VJV.

With input from FOX Business, USA Today, Axios.