NHTSA Complaint #11682348 — 2023 HONDA ACCORD HYBRID

Subject: Complaint Regarding Steering Noise Issue on 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Dear Honda Customer Service, I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding the steering issue on my 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid, purchased in June 2023. •In July 2024, when my vehicle had around 29,540 miles, I first reported a steering noise issue to the dealership. At that time, the dealer only applied lubrication, which did not resolve the root cause. •In July 2025, when the mileage was around 60,440 miles, the same steering noise reappeared. The dealership replaced the right inner tie rod and performed an alignment, but the noise persisted. Later, they concluded that the steering rack would eventually need replacement. •I also noticed that this issue only occurs in extremely hot weather (high summer temperatures around 90°F). Once the temperature drops to around 70–80°F, the noise disappears completely. Because of this seasonal nature, the problem is very hard to reproduce during normal conditions, and it was not fully diagnosed while the car was still under warranty. Now, Honda has denied goodwill repair, stating that the vehicle has exceeded 60,000 miles. However, I strongly believe this problem started during the warranty period (July 2024) and was not properly resolved by the dealer, despite multiple visits. The issue is clearly related to a defect that only appears in extreme temperatures, which is beyond my control as a customer. This is extremely disappointing, as I have always trusted Honda’s reputation for quality and reliability. A steering problem is a serious safety concern, and denying repair based solely on mileage—when the defect clearly originated under warranty—feels unfair and unprofessional. I am requesting that Honda reconsider this case and provide goodwill repair coverage for the steering rack replacement. If this matter is not addressed, I will have no choice but to escalate my complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),