Over a Million Honda Accords Under Investigation for Steering Problems

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into more than 1.1 million 2013 to 2015 Honda Accords because of more than 100 complaints last year over a potential steering system defect.

According to the agency’s documentation, the problem caused the steering wheel to jerk to one side without warning, which made affected vehicles veer off course suddenly.

NHTSA reported that two crashes and two injuries occurred as a result of the defect, but there were no fatalities associated with it.

It can take several years and many miles for a defect to reach the attention of regulators, who need a critical mass of complaints to initiate an investigation. Such investigations are often the precursor to a formal recall, depending on the findings. 

A Honda spokesperson said in a statement that the automaker is aware of the investigation and that the automaker will cooperate with NHTSA while it undertakes its own review of the problem.

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation had received a petition last October to initiate an engineering analysis of the steering problem, which, according to the complaints, affected 2013 Honda Accords. Vehicles from the 2014 and 2015 model years were identified later and added to the investigation.

The agency’s review of safety complaints, owner questionnaires, and information from Honda prompted a decision to begin the engineering analysis, which will further review the details of complaints and crashes to determine whether a recall is necessary.

"We’re glad NHTSA is investigating, especially given the number of safety complaints people have made," says William Wallace, CR’s manager of safety policy. "Congress and NHTSA should make sure the agency’s investigators have what they need to launch, conduct, and complete investigations in a timely manner."

Honda Accord owners who have experienced this phenomenon are encouraged to file a complaint with NHTSA to help further the investigation.