2016–2018 Honda Civic: Sticky, notchy or stiff steering (EPS rack)
Likely causes, ranked
- EPS steering rack internal fault (rack replaced)$2,000–$4,000Shop
- Alignment or worn tie rodsShop
Real-owner fix counts will appear here as reports come in.
DIY or shop: See DIY or shop section
Parts to check
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Symptom: The steering feels sticky or notchy near center and can need extra effort, then suddenly free up.
Likely causes
- The EPS rack. CivicX owners report dealers replacing the whole rack. Some were covered under warranty after Honda's tech line diagnosed it, while others paid roughly $2,000–$4,000.
- Alignment or tie rods on cars with very mild symptoms.
DIY or shop?
Shop.
Useful steps
- Document the problem with video while you're under warranty.
- Check your VIN in Honda's warranty lookup.
- Ask for goodwill.
Vehicle focus: 2016–2018 Honda Civic.
Safety / mechanic note
Unpredictable steering effort is a safety issue. Verify with a mechanic.
Recalls & service bulletins
No recalls or service bulletins are listed for this page yet.
NHTSA complaints: 361 keyword-matched complaints for Honda Civic 2016–2018 (of 2,260 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-15).
Always check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Sources
What actually fixed it?
Had this problem? Tell other owners what the real fix was. Reports are counted above; we never show made-up numbers.