2022-2024 Honda Civic EPS Inspection Product Update

American Honda has announced a product update for certain 2022-2024 Honda Civic units that may have improperly manufactured Electronic Power Steering (EPS) service parts installed. This update, detailed in Service Bulletin 23-089, addresses a manufacturing error that could affect the vehicle's driving dynamics.

This issue specifically concerns the Honda Civic EPS steering system, where certain service part assemblies were produced with incorrect rack stroke specifications. An incorrect rack stroke can lead to noticeable changes in how the vehicle handles, potentially impacting the overall driving experience and safety.

Why This Matters

The Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system is crucial for vehicle control and responsiveness. When EPS service parts have incorrect rack stroke specifications, it can lead to unintended changes in the vehicle's driving dynamics. This could manifest as altered steering feel, reduced precision, or other handling anomalies that might surprise a driver.

Addressing this issue ensures that the Honda Civic EPS steering system operates as intended, maintaining the vehicle's designed handling characteristics and contributing to driver confidence and safety.

What's Being Addressed

The product update targets specific Electronic Power Steering (EPS) service part assemblies. These parts were manufactured with an incorrect rack stroke, a critical measurement that dictates the range of motion for the steering rack. This manufacturing error is the root cause of the potential changes in driving dynamics for the affected 2022-2024 Honda Civic models.

Symptoms You Might Notice

Owners of affected 2022-2024 Honda Civic vehicles might experience changes in the vehicle's driving dynamics. While the document does not specify exact symptoms, an incorrect rack stroke in the Honda Civic EPS steering system could lead to a different feel in steering effort, responsiveness, or stability during driving. Any unexpected changes in how your vehicle steers should prompt an inspection.

Repair Procedure Summary

To resolve this issue, dealerships will perform an inspection of the EPS gearbox part number label. This inspection is critical for identifying whether the installed EPS gearbox assembly is one of the improperly manufactured units. If the inspection confirms that an affected part is present, the technician will proceed with replacing the entire EPS gearbox assembly.

This procedure ensures that the vehicle receives a correctly manufactured part, restoring the intended Honda Civic EPS steering performance and driving dynamics. The process is designed to be straightforward for trained technicians.

Required Tools or Parts

American Honda has indicated that no special tools are required for this inspection and potential replacement procedure. Replacement parts, specifically the EPS gearbox assemblies, will be made available to dealerships through a controlled ordering process. It is important to note that only a very small number of vehicles are expected to have this affected service part.

Important Warnings for Owners

American Honda anticipates completing customer notifications regarding this product update by mid-January 2024. If you own a 2022-2024 Honda Civic, you should expect to receive a notification if your vehicle is identified as potentially affected.

However, you do not need to wait for a letter. You can proactively determine if your vehicle is part of this campaign by contacting your local Honda dealership. Dealers can perform an iN VIN status inquiry to check for any open campaigns or product updates applicable to your specific vehicle's VIN. This is the most reliable way to confirm if your Honda Civic EPS steering system requires inspection.

Source: NHTSA ID 10247628