Civic - Current generation and previous.
City - GM6
Accord Gen 9

https://www.autoblog.com/2023/03/21/nhtsa-h...-investigation/

I can tell you from a perspective of "engineer". We take calculated risks, and sometimes we do not convey this risk in terms of RPN properly to management. In the name of cost, time and performance, a lot of design aspects related to reliability is short cutted. Often times we think the risk is 1 per million and it is well justified ie safe to ship. But we underestimate things and in reality the occurence is much much higher example 1000 per million. Then comes to the owh crap part.
Then, as management they also instruct the engineering teams to take more risks in the name of profit. You know where this goes.

Next, these subsystems are "reused" by other teams and projects and they are deemed extra safe to use because its been used for a long time "without issue". The problems goes unfixed for generations until another top engineer redesigns everything and thinks he is the smartest man alive, only to repeat the lessons not learned.

So, no, there are far too many examples of shit hitting the fan. Takata airbags come to mind.

Yes, it is a safety issue for steering to be sticky. If you ask me, there should be people being put into jail for these issues then perhaps someone will care. Look at recent Toyota side impact issue. Until now perodua pretends there is no problem, Daihatsu say there is no problem but Toyota chairman flying here and there and apologising up and down.

That article is only the tip of the iceberg when comes to Civic.

If you ask me, a permanent failure of the EPS is just as dangerous as a temporary one and sometimes less of a headache to fix - just replace it.

FWIW, my Grand Livina with EPS, mfg year 2010 is still flawless driving until today with no issues, 140,000km (yes, low mileage).

I've also driven gen 1 myvi with hydraulic PS for decade+ without issue.

One thing for sure, is that an engineer with sufficient data (so many years have passed, they surely have it) and motivation can absolutely design a more reliable EPS than a hydraulic PS, simply because he can (the tools have flourished since then). But life is never straightforward in the real world. Again I speak from personal engineering experience, not related to automotive but close enough.

First of all, need to understand why it become stiff? Usually electronic power steering after certain speed like 60km/h it will cut off power to the EPS to provide better road feel and control at high speed. If suddenly become stiff, mostly is due to the motor controlling the rack already fail/off and with big & heavy sport rims you will feel even more worse.

BTW, most of the time is not the steering rack motor issue but the ECU that controlling it, from my mechanic experience a lot of modern EPS failure are not from the rack itself but related to the ECU control box & wiring issue. He recently encountered a Mazda EPS issue due to poor earth connection, the owner go do painting outside and the paint thickness (too thick) until unable to get good earth grounding and cause the EPS fail, spend few thousands fixing it still fail and finally drag to my mechanic place use voltage meter test gg fail earth reading.  Solution: sand the wiring ground area..

If a good mechanic, they will do test using meter and also try feeding power to the steering rack motor to test if it is the EPS rack or ECU control box issue.

My last vehicle with EPS was Nissan Sylphy 2.0 year 2008. I sold it just after 5 years with mileage 51,000km to a 2nd hand dealer, surprisingly with a good price. No issues whatsoever but then again it's fairly new with low mileage.

My older cars were Proton Preve Turbo and going back older Waja, both cars on hydraulic steering I believe and driven more than 10 years without any issues other than the Preve Turbo needing a gearbox replacement.

This Ford Focus mk3 is the first car I own after more than 30 years driving experience that has the steering rack failed while I'm still driving on the road. Imagine while still driving on the road and suddenly the steering wheel cannot be turned at all. Well, that's a bit of exaggeration as strong muscular guys will still be able to turn the steering wheel albeit needing them to use some of their brute strength. With ladies and older seniors, chances are they won't have the strength to steer the vehicle to the emergency lane thus forcing them to stop the vehicle in the middle of the road if the unfortunate happens. In this situation, it's really dangerous especially when it's on clear highways where other vehicles are moving at high speed.

Can understand that all decisions are mostly if not entirely commercial driven as engineering just follow behind.

Thanks for all responses.

From the responses here so far, it's only with VW vehicles that show issues with the steering rack, and those issues are minor since it's knocking or clicking sound from the steering when going over uneven road.

Are there any severe cases of steering rack failures with other cars other than the Ford Focus mk3 whereby the steering wheel suddenly became very stiff without warning when the car is in motion on the road? To me, this is a serious safety flaw where the failure of the steering rack happens when the driver is still driving the vehicle on the road, and the driver is unable to control the vehicle anymore as the steering wheel is locked. Women or senior citizens will likely not be able to steer the vehicle to the emergency lane if this happens and it's a dangerous situation especially when the vehicle is on the highway with other vehicles traveling at high speed.

Like I said if someone goes to jail, then it will be taken seriously. Until then it gets swept under the carpet. Takata airbags, VW dieselgate, Kobe steel, bearings, Boeing 737, dc-10. Not one engineer or QA or even executive goes to jail, lives have been lost!

Happened to my colleague's Honda CRV before, it was quite new, he said feel the steering suddenly lockup or stiff, claimed warranty to replace steering rack and drive shaft, that was before covid-19 pandemic.

Terrible that this problem is also prevalent in Honda vehicles such as Accord, Civic, CRV and City. I wonder if Toyota Corolla Altis also show this steering rack malfunction which will cause the steering wheel to lock up? Any cases that you might be aware of? As you have known, the Toyota Corolla Altis is already at the top in my shortlist..

Thanks.

Terrible that this problem is also prevalent in Honda vehicles such as Accord, Civic, CRV and City. I wonder if Toyota Corolla Altis also show this steering rack malfunction which will cause the steering wheel to lock up? Any cases that you might be aware of? As you have known, the Toyota Corolla Altis is already at the top in my shortlist..

Thanks.

Randomly search through, previous 2 generations got member encounter steering rack noisy issue, kluk kluk noise on uneven surface, so far never seen anyone complain steering lockup or steering stiffness issue. Current gen got 1 complain steering feel light on highway drive, ended up found root cause was tyre very uneven wear due to prolonged alignment issue...

Haven't heard much issues with the Corolla..
Good car, very capable in handling and comfortable at the same time.. it was on top of my list as well, but I got another Toyota instead..
I wanted a Civic FC back then, and glad I didn't get one..

Randomly search through, previous 2 generations got member encounter steering rack noisy issue, kluk kluk noise on uneven surface, so far never seen anyone complain steering lockup or steering stiffness issue. Current gen got 1 complain steering feel light on highway drive, ended up found root cause was tyre very uneven wear due to prolonged alignment issue...

Do you mind to share your mechanic contact?

My swift eps has failed since 2 or 3 years ago. When driving long distance or above certain threshold (140kmh), i will get alarm that eps is off. It will only recover after i off and cool down the car.

But its not life threatening. Just stiff steering and annoying.

I have always regarded Honda vehicles assembled here in Malaysia as being low quality mainly due to rattling noises in the cabin having sat in the older Honda Civic and Accords of my colleagues and business associates throughout the years, hence they are always scratched off the list. Somehow, the Accord 2.4 which I sat in show more rattling noises than the Proton Preve Turbo which I owned which is surprising. In fact, every Honda cars I have sat in will exhibit a higher than normal rattling sound inside the cabin. The design of the vehicle is good but I suspect the local factory churning out the CKD is not up to standard which is surprising since CBU from Thailand or Philippines can produce good quality vehicles but over here with Honda it's down. 

Now that I know the steering wheel lockup is also affecting Honda vehicles, it's surely a no from me.

Honda is good in making engines, but making car wise.. herm... As ppl say "Buy Honda Engine, and the car is for Free"

I guess when there are accidents or at a more serious level where lives are claimed due to the inability of controlling the steering wheel caused by malfunction of steering rack or EPS electronics, then only there "might" be action. I'm surprised that there are no incident of serious accidents caused by steering wheel lockup yet although there are already vehicles that are affected by this problem, not only Ford but Honda or maybe other cat manufacturers as well, or perhaps there are incidents that I'm not aware of.

Yeah agreed

Not just engine though, general "specs" and offerings, like their interior and luggage space is best in class and to my knowledge, all segments and classes within Malaysia.

Basically an engineering company, but the rest leaves a lot to be desired (like Proton before Geely, but obviously much better overall)

For car enthusiasts, now Civic turbo got no competition since Hyundai stop selling Elantra Sport, Ford stop selling Ecoboost Focus, and VW stop selling 1.8 TSI Passat (some jump on price, but still sub-200k).

Until Toyota decide to put a detune 1.6 turbo 3-pots about 200hp to regular Altis, it is still no competition for Civic turbo.

What do we have if want to upgrade from Civic turbo, without horsepower deficit? Golf GTi? 320i? 2023 BRZ? All are 200k+ car.

stray bullet - 208GTi/308GTi, are they still selling or even if yes how many dare to buy?

For car enthusiasts, now Civic turbo got no competition since Hyundai stop selling Elantra Sport, Ford stop selling Ecoboost Focus, and VW stop selling 1.8 TSI Passat (some jump on price, but still sub-200k).

Until Toyota decide to put a detune 1.6 turbo 3-pots about 200hp to regular Altis, it is still no competition for Civic turbo.

What do we have if want to upgrade from Civic turbo, without horsepower deficit? Golf GTi? 320i? 2023 BRZ? All are 200k+ car.

stray bullet - 208GTi/308GTi, are they still selling or even if yes how many dare to buy?