Honda Motor Co. is under investigation this week over a steering wheel issue. More than 1.1 million Honda Accords potentially have a fault that causes a loss of steering. The wheel suddenly breaks free and can cause a crash. There are presently more than 100 complaints from Accord drivers.

A potential Honda Accord recall in the works

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) noted that it was opening a safety probe into the issue, according to Reuters. The models impacted by the investigation are the 2013 to 2015 Honda Accords.

The NHTSA said that without warning, the steering wheel might jerk or veer off the path while under normal driving conditions. Honda noted that it was taking the concerns seriously and was also conducting an investigation internally.

There are 107 complaints against the Accord currently and two injuries related to the issue. A customer in Florida told the NHTSA that while driving at 25 miles per hour, the steering wheel took over without notice. He was unable to control the wheel and ended up totaling his vehicle in the woods.

What is next for Honda Accord owners?

The NHTSA first learned of the steering wheel issue back in October. A formal petition was filed against the Honda Accord vehicles. The petition noted that “deviation from the intended path of travel occurs without warning or driver input while operating the vehicle under normal driving condition.”

The NHTSA requested information from Honda, and engineering analysis is ongoing. Honda and the NHTSA are investigating the issue.

Similarly, Edmunds reported a similar issue in 2014. The NHTSA investigated an estimated 374,000 Accord vehicles for complaints about the electric power steering failing.

“Four complaints allege that the failures resulted in crashes, which all occurred at speeds less than 30 mph,” the NHTSA said. The vehicle was not recalled at that time.

A power train recall from 2020

An earlier recall listed on Repair Pal for the 2013-2015 Honda Accord notes a similar issue. A recall notice for a broken drive shaft related to the power train is listed from December 10, 2020.

“A broken drive shaft may cause a sudden loss of drive power. The vehicle could also roll away if the parking brake has not been applied before the vehicle has been exited. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury,” the recall noted.

This recalled certain 2013 to 2015 Accord vehicles with a four-cylinder engine and a CVT transmission. The potential number of units impacted by the recall was 220,000. This began back in February 2021.

Honda noted that a dealership would inspect the drive shafts. In conclusion, the dealership would replace both right and left shafts free of charge. You can check your VIN through the Repair Pal link to confirm if your car is impacted.