Which Honda CR-V years have the most steering problems?

The 2023 model year has the most steering complaints and the highest rate per vehicle sold. The 2018 year is next, then 2019 and 2024. The 2020 through 2022 years have fewer complaints but show the same sticky wheel. The 2025 and 2026 years have few complaints, but they are too new to judge.

Is a Honda CR-V with sticky steering safe to drive?

It carries real risk. Owners report crashes, injuries, and sudden loss of steering in several model years. Many say the wheel jerks free after sticking, which forces constant correction at highway speed. If your car does this, have a dealer inspect it promptly and avoid long highway trips until then.

Is there a recall for CR-V steering problems?

Two recalls are listed. Recall 18V663000 covers the 2018 model year and involves a torque sensor magnet in the electric power steering. Recall 24V744000 covers 2023 through 2025 and involves the steering gearbox assembly. Check your VIN, since some owners say theirs did not appear.

How much does CR-V steering repair cost?

Owners who paid out of warranty report $3,770 to $5,800 for a 2019, $5300 for a 2020, and $3,500 to $4,478 for a 2021. The usual repair is a new steering rack or gearbox. Recall repairs on covered vehicles are free. Prices vary by dealer.

Does turning off lane keeping assist fix the sticking?

Usually not. Some 2023 owners say turning it off did not stop the sticking, and one saw it pause for about a week before it returned. A few owners in other years do blame lane keeping for tugging the wheel, so a dealer should check both.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Honda CR-V Steering Problems

Sticky, notchy steering that catches and then jerks free is the main Honda CR-V steering complaint, with two federal recalls in this area.

Owner complaints: 1,159
Share of all complaints: 23%
Crash / fire / injury reports: 24 / 0 / 16
Related recalls: 2

CR-V steering complaints by model year

Model year 2023 has the most steering complaints by far, and it also has the highest rate per vehicle sold. The 2018 year comes second, followed by 2019 and 2024. Model years 2020 through 2022 have fewer complaints, though the pattern is the same sticky wheel. The 2025 and 2026 years show few complaints, but they have had little time on the road, so low counts there say little. Recall lines cover 2018 and 2023 through 2025 only.

2018
257 · 6.8/10k sold
2019
154 · 4/10k sold
2020
31 · 1/10k sold
2021
70 · 1.9/10k sold
2022
81 · 3.4/10k sold
2023
383 · 10.6/10k sold
2024
134 · 3.3/10k sold
2025
46 · 1.1/10k sold
2026
3 · 1.1/10k sold

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA under steering. Newer model years have had less time to collect complaints.

What goes wrong

A wheel that sticks, feels notchy, or holds its position, then breaks free with a sudden jerk, is the core steering problem on this CR-V. It usually shows up at highway speed, where small lane corrections take extra force and drivers overcorrect. Clicking, creaking, or clunking often comes with it. Many owners say no warning light appears, and some dealers could not reproduce the problem on a test drive.

This is a safety issue, not just an annoyance. Steering complaints make up 23% of all CR-V complaints, and the records include crash and injury reports in nearly every model year. No fire reports appear. Some owners describe the wheel locking during low-speed turns or parking. A smaller group reports a sudden total loss of steering, including one highway run off the road. Other cars have sat at dealers for months waiting on a steering rack or gearbox.

Symptoms owners report

Sticky, notchy steering wheel

The wheel catches in one position, resists small corrections, then lets go suddenly. Owners say it is worst on long highway drives and after the car warms up. It can spread to slower speeds and long ramps over time.

Clicking, creaking, or clunking

Noises from the steering often come with the sticking. Owners hear clicking or popping when turning, and one hears a clunk under the car when moving the wheel back and forth while stopped.

Wheel locks at low speed

Some drivers report the wheel stiffening or locking while parking or turning at very low speed. Several of these reports ended in crashes into poles, posts, barriers, or parked cars. Restarting the car cleared it in one 2018 report.

Sudden loss of steering

A smaller group describes losing control with little warning. Reports include a loud bang on the interstate in a 2020, a wheel that pulled right into a tree in a 2025, and a 2024 that left the highway into a guardrail.

Heavy steering and assist failure

In the newest year, owners report power steering that turns very heavy, especially above 50 mph. A steering warning light and a car that would not move at all also appear. One owner lost assist on the highway.

Lane keeping assist fighting the driver

Several owners from 2021, 2022, and 2025 say lane keeping assist tugs the wheel or overcorrects. Some 2023 owners report that turning it off did not stop the sticking, so it may not be the cause.

When the problems start

Problems often start early. Many 2023 owners report sticking between 2,500 and 13,000 miles, and individual complaints mention about 5,000, 8,000, and 10,000 miles. In 2021 reports begin as early as 9,000 miles and cluster around 47,000 to 53,000. For 2018, failures show up around 42,000 to 61,000 miles. In 2019, many cases fall between 16,000 and 37,000.

Repairs and recalls

Dealers that confirm the problem usually replace the steering rack or electric power steering gearbox. Owners quote $3,770 to $5,800 for a 2019, $5300 for a 2020, and $3,500 to $4,478 for a 2021. Recall 18V663000 covers the 2018: Honda replaces the steering gearbox assembly free. Recall 24V744000 covers 2023 through 2025: dealers replace the worm gear spring and add or redistribute grease, free. Owners report parts back-ordered for months and VINs that did not show as recalled.

Model years	Campaign	Problem
2023, 2024, 2025	24V744000	Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic…
2018	18V663000	Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Honda Civic and CR-V vehicles. The magnet that controls the torque sensor output signal for the electronic power steering system may not be properly…

Checking a used CR-V for steering problems

Run the VIN through the federal recall lookup and ask the seller for proof that any steering recall work was completed.
Drive at least 20 minutes on a highway, because owners say sticking appears once the car is warm.
Make small lane corrections near 45 to 60 mph and feel for catching, then a sudden release.
Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for clicking, creaking, or clunking.
Check the dealer's repair history for steering rack or gearbox work, and ask if any repair is waiting on parts.
On a 2018 or 2019, ask whether the steering gearbox has already been replaced, given the repair bills owners report.

2 steering recalls cover the Honda CR-V. A VIN check shows whether the car you're looking at had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.

Look Up a VIN →