04 HCH CVT Steering problem- 21k miles
 

Hi,
Lately the steering on my baby has been behaving badly. Car is pulling to the right so I make the correction to the left, then instead of centering after the correction it continues thru the center point and keeps going to the left until I make the correction to the right and then it continues thru the center point and keeps going to the right..So I am continually correcting in a back and forth movement to center the car. Not a pleasant drive to say the least.
I replaced the tires and had the front end aligned which didn't help. The tire man suggested this was a "rack and pinion" problem and recommended a steering expert in town. The steering guy inspected struts,
tie-rods, chassis and suspension and stated that "the problem lies in the electronic steering gear unit" and to go to Honda Service.
So, I have appt. on Monday and have a few questions before I go. My 3 year warranty ended in June and the car has 21K miles on it. Has anyone had or heard of this problem? Is this problem repairable?
What should I expect from Honda? If the service persons response is unacceptable, who should I speak to next?
Any feedback on this would be most welcome, thank you, laz ross

Re: 04 HCH CVT Steering problem- 21k miles
 

Depending on many months beyond 36 you are, with only 21k on it, you could make a pretty strong argument for warranty service.

I have no clue how Honda's electric steering box works, whether it's plausible it could cause this wandering or not, though it seems possible enough.

good luck
--doug

Re: 04 HCH CVT Steering problem- 21k miles
 

This is the first I've heard of any steering problems on the civic. I'm sure the dealer will figure it out. Just be nice to them and see if they can fix it under warranty even though it just expired. I think they will need approval from higher up, but it happens a lot that people get stuff fixed just out of warranty.

Re: 04 HCH CVT Steering problem- 21k miles
 

i have the same problem with my 03. it is terrible. was there any solid conclusion?

Re: 04 HCH CVT Steering problem- 21k miles
 

Add me to the list of sufferers. I've eliminated all components save the rack assembly for the tightness. The only serviceable component of the rack seems to be the guide lube and preload. It appears that the rack needs to come out to perform this service, and AllData indicates 3.5 hours of shop time: A BIG BILL job. And if the rack needs to be replaced add another $1,000.00 or so in parts!

I'm the second owner, and the car now has just over 30k, so I'm doubtful about warranty coverage, but I haven't asked yet either.

When the steering wheel fails to return to center as it should, it's a safety issue. Constantly making steering corrections to stay centered in your lane also contributes to driver fatigue and makes for an unpleasant experience on longer trips. My wife hadn't pinpointed the tight steering as the problem, but commented that a 5 hr trip had left her exhausted, and that she would stick with her Accord in the future.

Does anyone know if there has been a "quiet recall" or service bulletin on this issue?

Re: 04 HCH CVT Steering problem- 21k miles
 

we drove to florida last month. it was like fourteen hours or so. it was ridiculously difficult. i'm going to call honda care today.

Steering problem- It WAS the rack
 

I've been working for weeks with the dealer as well as Honda's customer relations agent (dispute resolution specialist) to resolve a problem in my '05 HCH steering. It has not been easy. Multiple test drives with service managers, second opinions, multiple days without my car: and that was just to get to the point for Honda to acknowledge that the steering "might not be normal".

The next step was a service appointment to "perform some tests", determine the problem parts, and then order them in. Another 6 days without my car. In fairness, they did offer a loaner at that point. The part (new steering rack assembly) is due in on Monday, so if all goes well I'll have it by the end of the day. Finally.

So, in the end Honda will do right by the customer and repair under warranty, but only after making me run a gauntlet of denial that there was anything wrong (we didn't notice anything when we test drove it), casual dismissal (it is normal behavior for EPS), finally admitting unusual behavior (but it might be normal for THIS particular model), to finally admitting that a repair was needed. Kind of infuriating.

And had I not been somewhat knowledgeable about mechanics and polite but extremely persistent, I don't believe the need for repair would have ever been acknowledged.

I look forward to having my steering as it should be!:D

Re: 04 HCH CVT Steering problem- 21k miles
 

Doug, the electric steering came out in 2006, I think. H

Re: 04 HCH CVT Steering problem- 21k miles
 

Nope, it was completely redesigned in 2006, but it's still electric on the Civic Hybrid (as well as Fit and S2000). The 2003-2005 version had tie rods mounted outboard of the center of the rack, on the newer design they are mounted at the ends of the rack. There are likely other differences in the newer ones. In any case, whatever it was that made for occasional problems in the earlier racks has hopefully been designed out of the newer ones.

Re: 04 HCH CVT Steering problem- 21k miles
 

The 2003-5 did not have electric steering? H