Worth reading
𝗨𝗦𝗗𝗠 𝟭𝟭𝘁𝗵 𝗚𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
By now we all know what an automotive RECALL is. Every car company recalls their cars every now and then for any issues which that need a fix. This means that at the time of production, there could be any part of the car, which could not be built up to the standards and give issues to the end users.
Sometimes recalls are associated with the electronic module which needs a software update. Some recalls are minor and do not pose any danger to the car owners immediately, but some truly need an immediate action like in case of famous Takata Airbag recall.
In Europe or North America, Federal agencies regulate vehicle safety , crash testing, and keep track of customer feedback about vehicles. In United States, NHTSA / National Highway Traffic Safety Administration who is part of Department of Transportation is responsible for new car assessment program for safety , developing and enforcing rules and regulations set by federal Motor Vehicle Safety standards also known as FMVSS.
Federal agency not only works in close connection with car companies but also with consumers. NHTSA on their website not only share official details on the crash testing for vehicle but also allow consumers to share any problems they are facing with the model. Sometimes car companies themselves generate recalls via federal agency if they find any issue while sometimes the agency can start an investigation if a certain problem is reported by majority of consumers. If investigation results in an issue , NHTSA not only enforce recall but also collect data if that specific problem resulted in any crash, injuries or fatalities.
❞ 𝟭𝟰𝟱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 ❞
11th generation was launched in North America back in April 2021. The model received 5-star crash test rating from NHTSA while Top safety Pick + Rating from an independent agency IIHS. The 11th gen model also won the prestigious North American Car of the year award for 2022.
For last several months, many 11th gen Civic owners in United States , Canada started reporting issue with the steering system on social media groups, online forums. Owners also started recording the issue to the federal agency NHTSA via online reporting system. Meanwhile owners also shared that they have been individually contacting their dealerships and, in some cases, the entire steering rack was replaced to fix the problem. As of March 17th, 145 reports were recorded with NHTSA for the similar steering issue. You can read all 145 complaints here > https://bit.ly/3TAwzVH
NHTSA after careful review of all the field reports have now opened a Federal investigation into the problem via ODI/ Office of Defects Investigation. Honda America will be supporting the investigation and will be providing all the details related to steering system replacement at their dealerships under warranty and details of all the complaints they have received from customers for the similar issue.
Keep in mind that car dealerships records & document every customer complaint on their system by law when any customer visit the dealership or even if someone makes a phone call for a problem. If NHTSA investigation results into any manufacturing defect or issue with the steering rack, Honda USA will be recalling all vehicles regardless of a certain vehicle faced any issue or not.
This means that approximately 238,271 Honda Civic in USA [ model year 22 and 23 ] under the cloud of recall for EPS. This number can increase because defective parts might still be there, and those vehicles will go in consumers hands until the recall is initiated. NHTSA has not issued a STOP SALE notice as of now and currently in the investigation stage. Read the investigation document here > https://bit.ly/3TSwU6t
❞ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝗣𝗦 ❞
As per customers, they are experiencing a “STICKY STEERING” means an abnormal behavior of electric power steering and driver feeling a certain level of resistance from steering, heavier and harder to maneuver . This means driver must put extra force to make steering correction. It is important to note that this problem is reported to be experienced at highway speeds and even with Lane Assist safety featured turned off.
Additionally, this happens randomly and without any indication of EPS light in instrument cluster. The sticky steering issue not only happens randomly but also remain momentary and experienced after driving certain time on highway. As per NHTSA, this can be a hazardous safety situation especially if driver has to avoid an abrupt road hazard and if driver makes overcorrection by apply more then required steering input at times when the steering is sticky.
❞ 𝗣𝗞 𝗗𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 ❞
Steering issue is not new for Honda Civic owners in Pakistan and many people experienced it in 10th generation Civic. Many Civic owners have replaced their steering racks under warranty and in some cases twice. Beside that many individuals replaced it at their own cost because the vehicle was out of warranty.
Now, it should be noted that many 11th generation Civic owners in Pakistan are facing the issue with steering similar to what consumers are experiencing in North America. In fact there are some owners who already replaced the steering-rack of 11th generation Civic in Pakistan under warranty. Although there are many individuals who are waiting for the steering racks because Honda Atlas don’t have parts in their inventory due to strict import restriction by the Government.
I strongly believe and think Government of Pakistan MUST clear spare parts because it is hurting current consumers of a product especially if those parts need immediate replacement due to safety hazards associated with it.
Honda Atlas must also entertain warranty coverage of this issue even if the vehicle is out of warranty timeline by duration or odometer reading as long as, there is no external impact or other damage to the steering rack . Honda Atlas must extend the warranty of steering rack because this part is defective from factory and currently being investigated already overseas and Honda has acknowledged the problem in united States. A consumer should not pay for a part which is problematic from factory .
I would also like to report that the similar issue has also been reported by many owners in Thailand and Philippines, Malaysia and the steering system has been replaced there as well. So, this problem seems to be global and Pakistan is also impacted and obviously for the reason that we import parts.
Lastly, it is highly recommended that if you are facing this issue in your vehicle , please report it to dealer and make a record of it even if you faced it only once. You must be very careful while driving on highways & stay away from making any abrupt steering maneuvers because you never know your steering is sticky at that time and any over correction might result in loss of control and cars flipping over. As of now there are no global data of any accidents due to this steering issue but don’t become part of statistics.
If you are Civic-XI owner and facing the issue, or faced this issue please share in comments. Also share if you faced issue with steering in Civic-X.
Meanwhile Civic X Evaporator issue is there
[ f-w@ PakWheels.com ]