Honda recalls 1.7 million vehicles to fix defective steering wheel

Honda is recalling 1.7 million vehicles to fix a possible steering defect.

Why it matters: The recall covers some of Honda's most popular vehicles and was issued to rectify a problem that could increase the risk of crashing.

Driving the news: The recall affects certain versions of the 2022-25 Civic, 2023-25 CR-V, 2023-25 HR-V and 2023-25 Acura Integra.

• A defective gearbox and spring could lead to "increased friction" when attempting to turn the wheel, according to a document filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
• Drivers may notice an "abnormal noise and/or a momentary 'sticky' feeling when the vehicle is in operation and the steering wheel is turned."

Catch up quick: Honda received its first confirmed report of a potential problem in September 2021, according to the NHTSA document.

• The agency's Office of Defects Investigation opened a problem into the issue in March 2023.
• As of Sept. 26, 2024, Honda had received 10,328 warranty claims connected to the defect over the previous three years with no reports of injuries or deaths.

The bottom line: Affected Honda owners will be notified and dealers will fix their vehicles for free.

Editor's note: The story has been corrected to say Honda became aware of the issue in 2021 (not 2001), per NHTSA.