The only one who can produce reliable statistics on this is actually HONDA and the EPS system vendor themselves. Not sure how you expect anyone else to do that.

Anecdotally the only other 215/55r16 user Quazacolt and myself (the only 2 E-spec Honda Civic I am aware) both have suffered steering rack failure already, so lets call it 100% in my book.

Everyone else attribute to V and RS. So all also kaput aje lah. Why bother trying to help Honda if they don't want to help themselves? They already have a mountain of failure parts in their inventory. What statistic also can come out liao.

Fool me once, fool me twice eh.
Anger is definitely one way of dealing with grief, I have moved on to acceptance - just drive it and shut up....every few months go and claim steering rack and make fuss on internet haha.

Although I cannot rule out divorce too. Its always in the options.

BTW, I stupidly asked the salesman how is the FE steering rack compared to FC before buying, have they fixed it yet he didn't even blink and told me yes confirm. Bodohnyer aku.

But only left with Corolla Altis and that is suchhh a slugggggggg.......Got my eye on a Corolla Cross do you guys know if the power steering supplier is same?

This post has been edited by lee82gx: Aug 9 2024, 09:19 AM

Amazingly this steering rack issue continue for so long.

Bought new in 2017 Civic FC 1.8s and claimed in July 2020. And sold it in 2022.

Dont bother. Similar unsolvable knocking noise issue like Civic except for the 3 series its the tie rods instead of steering rack. Continuous claims needed

Yeah I don't even have the motivation to even bother test driving the Altis lol
I don't buy into their (lackluster, mind I add) marketing lol

No idea on their power steering supplier, I assume different as never heard of CC faced issues.

But, SUV hahaha.
Maybe CC hybrid is decent? If my experience on Honda HRV EHEV is anything close to CC hybrid

From a civic to Altis.. I rather drive back my FE with sticky rack 😅

This post has been edited by squareballs: Aug 10 2024, 12:32 PM

I have test driven the hybrid CC and it is super for 0-50 and immediately stalls.
Very comfortable seats (compared to ehem the worst car seats I have ever sat on the FE E-spec) and is decent across a bump.

All in all I only regret the size a little at the back.

Dislike the footbrake but its been resolved on the mini update.

Altis is definitely also a good car, but driver must always remember dont flash high beam when they are at the back of FE, itu sahaja, hahahaa

Since you got estima and veloz, If you like the Mazda design, then can just buy Mazda 3 2.0L for your own drive. It is a car for driver to enjoy, can try 2.0 hatchback version. the cornering performance is better than civic fe, maybe because it is not sedan plus the good GVC control. More fun in driving based on my experience when I drive my cousin car go up genting with him.

So far my cousin has been driving it for 3 years, no issue heard. And my civic v also turning 3 years, no steering issue also, lol. Maybe is really depend on luck.

In terms of power, I will think civic engine is slightly better, not much difference. maybe I get more use to the 1.5T. Overall Mazda 2.0 hatchback more fun.

This post has been edited by Jingle91: Aug 11 2024, 09:21 AM

Last time when the FE come out raised this concern but many potential owner said sure ok now on FE, my buddies with current gen City already having this steering rack nightmare. 5th time steering rack within 2 years for his, pro, Honda SC kinda ok no issues we claim it under warranty. But that doesn't mean he is happy cz burn many free time, grab car fees cz that appointment need weekdays only, so drop car at SC and taking grab to office. He sold the car late last year cz even on 5th rack, problem persist back.

He and me definitely wont repeat any HM car back in the future. No stern action were thrown in by HM for problematic parts/vendor. They known to pampered the brake pad suppliers, made in Thai (but cost rm700/pair) when it will juddering at high speed, only solved via aftermarket pad.

This post has been edited by ayamxxx: Aug 11 2024, 09:25 AM

wow, did not expect bmw also having this issue..

Thanks for the feedback.. good to hear your civic has no steering issue..

so far there's no test drive car for mazda 3.. SA offer to test the cx30 instead.. will arrange time to test it..

I thought only me and my wife having issue with the seats on FE. its like no support on our ass bones. sakit buntut

I’ve driven Cx-30 for a short 30 minute drive. Engine lacked oomph, well no engine beats the l15t under myr 160k. Otherwise a normal 2.0L NA affair.
Super cramped at the back (I am used to seating at the rear for work lunch) only small kids will be ok. Leg room and hip room is poor. Mazda 3 I suppose will be similar engine wise so as long as you are ok with the space and price it’s a fine looking car. So fine.

Not sure about Mazda 3. Rear seat for CX30 is definitely better than Mazda 3.

Rear seat for tall people like 180cm above its really not comfortable even for my previous car Civic 1.8s it's the same.

I think all Japanese car rear seat are shortened that's why so uncomfortable.

I love the liftback design but cx30 have better overall utility.

Mazda cars are made for drivers only, those rear seats mostly cater for small kids. For CX5, 2, 3 & 30 series can consider as 2+2 settings.
Only Mazda 6 above the rear seats still ok for adults. If your claustrophobia gg, as i got friend with CX5 fetch parents 1 time go out 2nd time no more want to seat in the rear seat as they felt very tight/small space. Thus why i always feedback if possible go test drive with family members if want to fetch family out in the same car and hear their feedback.

I'm sort of in the same boat, looking for cars around max 170k budget. My candidates included Corolla Cross, CX30, Subaru XV, Peugeot 408, Civic (eHEV) and Model 3. And I've test drove all of them

In the end I booked CX30

Why? It just ticks all my boxes, comfortable seats and driving position (lumbar support makes a huge difference), good design, all you can ask for when it comes to spec and tech (I booked H+ P), its more practical than the Mazda 3 and spec'ed similarly with a lower price. Rear seats not a big issue for me since its gonna be unoccupied most of the time but for a 178cm guy sitting behind my driver position i find the space to be sufficient, the only main issue was the backrest is set a bit too upright, I guess this where all the complaints about uncomfortable comes from. Would've been perfect it comes with adjustable recline. And most people say the engine is underpowered. If you look at the numbers yes it does seem so IF and WHEN you compare it to turbos, but IMO many people nowadays are too spoilt with turbos that they forgot how to drive a NA. Just rev that baby up and it goes....

For the rest of the choices here are my opinions


Corolla Cross
- Actually if I'm a family man this is my choice. The suspension setting is more balanced compared to the slightly firm and sport bias tune of the CX30. Rear space no need further emphasis. Hybrid is definitely more efficient and power is enough for daily use if you are not chasing numbers. Design wise.... it's a Toyota but in a slightly good way, for a reliable A to B family car what more you could ask for? Overall this is not the car you are looking for if you want some excitement (maybe the only excitement is the fuel savings lol)

Subaru XV
- this came close to kicking CX30 off my list after test driving. AWD + double rear wishbones makes all the difference. Also with rebates this is one of the cheapest amongst the candidates, you are getting a lot of drivability and mechanical 'premium' with the money. However what stopped me is mainly the design (it's a Subaru lol, I probably wouldn't mind but my partner is making a fuss out of it), and the direction of the whole brand in this country is uncertain under TC. Also if you feel CX30 is underpowered, wait till you try the XV. The CVT and engine combo is considered OK actually, but I just can't stand it reving at a fixed rpm constantly and the car doesn't seem to go, add on the AWD and you get even more power loss. This behaviour is more obvious during uphill condition. Maybe a turbo like Civic or HRV would've helped.

Pug 408
- Was looking at the premium spec. If you are adventurous enough, just wanted to look different on the roads, by all means go for it. This have the best drivability amongst the crossovers I've tested, 1.6T + 8AT does its job. You got design both interior and exterior as well although some people are mixed about the exterior. If only the brand have a better reputation when it comes to reliability especially electrical components. I'm not mentioning the drivetrain because I believe that is fine under proper maintenance. But I've seen a few owners reported electrical faults and issues in the owner group, for a newly launched model that's not exactly confidence inspiring...

My priority choice is a crossover actually but i went ahead and test drove 2 sedans because both of them offer something special that I might consider going after

Civic eHEV
- I was tempted by the rebates (currently offering 10 - 12k) and the drivetrain. Test drove the car, yes the drivetrain is amazing, power and efficiency in one package and that's where the story ends. The seats are horrible, no offence to all the Civic owners but no way this is a better seat than Mazda or even Toyota at the same range. I was actually willing to even take a gamble with the steering rack lottery because the drivetrain is that good (CRV eHEV is out of my budget) but the seats are such a dealbreaker. The front passenger seat is even worse that my partner was complaining about it, I tried it and I agree. Honda this is a supposed to be a family car why the f is the front passenger seat set so unnecessarily low? At least give a manual height adjustment? I know its a rare thing but still...

Model 3
- Most expensive of the bunch and I really need to stretch my budget a bit for it but its still below 200k so I can stomach it probably, however in terms of value this is also very high up there, for 181k you are getting A LOT of car and more than that. Most power and tech of the bunch as well and drives unlike any other, its an EV afterall with fully independent suspension all around (double wishbones front and multilink rears iinm). However it's also the heaviest i think with the least ground clearance, and I've seen a fair share of owners complaining about not clearing certain speed bumps due to the height. Lastly since I'm staying condo and its gonna be my only car.... maybe EV can wait a few more years

This post has been edited by ZeneticX: Aug 12 2024, 10:33 AM

tq all for the feedback.. since my home already have Estima and Veloz.

i'm going to go for the mazda 3 liftback Ignite.. Tested the cx30 to get a feel of the engine, acceptable for me, coming from a 1.5T.

As for potential/future Civic owners.. Good luck on the Steering rack issue.. i dont think Honda Malaysia is gonna solve it.
I checked HRV and New CRV FB groups , some owners are also facing steering rack issues..

U did letgo the RS? Via direct owner or Carsome etc?

Direct Owner.. but at a not very good price.
New car big discount + facelift coming.

Just wanna get rid of the car, money can earn back, but my mental health more important

thank you for being honest my man. a lot of civic fe owners (especially in FB) try to deny this and hide under the carpet but in reality, the steering rack issue is widespread. on top of that, the seats are hard and uncomfortable.

i used to think what is the fuss about mazda (the current gen), but once I own one, i understood the hype. it just feels good and natural to drive, you'll forget about the power deficit. it may be a downgrade in term of power but upgrade in everything else.