Steering failure

[ArcticBlue]

I heard a brief blurb on the news today that EX-35 and various Honda models have been prone to steering failure, and are the subject of a recall or at least investigation. Not much on line - anybody have better info/scoop?

[Rogue One]

2013 Honda Accord, 2008 Infiniti EX35 Investigated For Steering Problems

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched two separate investigations into reports of steering troubles on Honda and Infiniti vehicles.

By far, the larger of the probes involves the 2013 Honda Accord. According to NHTSA (PDF), there have been at least 24 complaints of power steering loss in the Accord, four of which resulted in crashes. Field data provided by Honda suggests that there may be a persistent problem, though investigators haven't yet identified a possible root cause.

Interestingly, 13 of the complaints state that the power steering warning dashboard light lit up as the steering went out. Although some owners say that the problem corrected itself after the Accord was turned off and restarted, others say that the problem persisted.

The probe covers some 374,000 Honda Accords registered in the U.S.

The Infiniti investigation includes a much smaller number of vehicles: roughly 17,000 Infiniti EX cars from the 2008 model year. Unlike the Honda investigation, NHTSA states (PDF) that the Infiniti probe is based on complaints of steering wheel shaft separation. According to one of the two incident reports:

"The driver reported that the steering became loose while driving home and completely separated after stopping in his driveway. A service invoice provided by the owner indicates that the dealer replaced the steering column and shaft assembly after finding a failed steering shaft bearing."

Both of these investigations mark the first step in NHTSA's three-step recall process. If problems are found to be persistent across makes, models, years, dates of manufacture, or some other factor, they'll be moved to phase two, the Engineering Analysis, during which the agency will attempt to recreate the problems in lab settings. Depending on the results of those tests, NHTSA may request a full recall of the vehicles.

Stay tuned.

[NJGuy]

I looked it up and I think you're right.
http://www.edmunds.com/car-news/feds-pr ... ilure.html
http://blog.caranddriver.com/nhtsa-prob ... calls-yet/

Here are two posts in this forum that about steering column failure I recall seeing.
steering-column-nearly-seperated-while- ... 93543.html
infiniti-extends-warranty-on-tilt-teles ... l#p6556993

I thought that typically when a manufacturer issues a recall, they already have a fix ready for implementation. So I hope they have the issue figured out and actually put out the recall notice; not only because my family rides in the EX, but also for the safety for everyone else sharing the road.

[AWGD8]

Mine is an 08, and if I remember correctly, was there a TSB for the steerng rack that causes vibration sound when turning slowly on on the left ? Or right? I cannot remember it, but I know my Local dealer change the rack for me. The new one they installed crap out out also after 6 months. Yeah, that was when I totally lost the power steering assist when I was parking my car in the garage. Good thing it did not happen on the highway. They fixed it the second time and never had problem since...

[inteller]

well the recall is out. Just says 'steering column' doesn't say the problem or whatever. I'm scheduled to go in Friday, will try to find out more specifics.

Already had the worm gear for the tilt steering replaced under warranty, and that extended warranty goes until end of this year I think. Better not break again!

[blfstyk]

The recall only affects the 2008 EX. I went to the dealer last week for an oil change and they already had the recall in their computer so they replaced the steering shaft at no charge. I received the recall notice from Infiniti yesterday. A component in the shaft was manufactured out of spec and could in a worse case scenario lead to loss of steering.

If you have a 2008 EX, you should definitely see a dealer and get it replaced. Other EX years are not at risk apparently.

[AWGD8]

Is this recent recall? 2015?

I just checked Infiniti recall website and typed my VIN # (2008 EX35) but did not show any recall at all in this VIN#.

[blfstyk]

Yes, February 2015. You can google "Infiniti 2008 EX recall" for more info.

Maybe you made a typo with the VIN #, but I assure you it's real and it's new and mine was replaced last week.

[AWGD8]

No wonder my VIN# did not show up. Recall says only those EX35 2008 with optional power tilt steering... I have a manual one...

[blfstyk]

It is related to the power tilt steering which might put pressure on the shaft. I thought they all had power tilt steering but maybe it's only the Journey model that does. I wish I had the manual, too many bells and whistles in the EX Journey to malfunction for my taste.

[AWGD8]

When I bought my EX35 in 2008, I was looking for base AWD, but guy could not find any. They found one with Journey upgrade( leather seat, sunroof, homelink et.) but no package, no roof rail. i was looking for lighter EX35 that is AWD.
That is why I have the manual tilt steering features. Most EX35 that time has at least one package or two. (Premium etc....)

[NJGuy]

The recall only affects the 2008 EX. I went to the dealer last week for an oil change and they already had the recall in their computer so they replaced the steering shaft at no charge. I received the recall notice from Infiniti yesterday. A component in the shaft was manufactured out of spec and could in a worse case scenario lead to loss of steering.

If you have a 2008 EX, you should definitely see a dealer and get it replaced. Other EX years are not at risk apparently.

Thanks for the heads up. I've been checking the Infiniti recall site every so often since word of it first came out, but there weren't any details posted until recently.

I just had ours fixed yesterday. The dealer told me that the replacement parts were in stock on Monday when I made the appointment. The invoice said that the work is supposed to take 1.4 hours of labor, but it took the service department day and a half to get it done. The wait wasn't too big of a deal though because they gave my wife a Q40 loaner to use in the meantime.

[NJGuy]

oh yeah, and the recall notice from Infiniti just so happened to come in the mail yesterday.

[XIS]

Just got my notice this weekend...

[XIS]

i take it in Friday morning for the recall.

I have been experiencing a shimmy/side to side shaking of the steering wheel when going over small bumps and crappy roads. I can not figure it out... shocks/struts seem fine. all bushings look good. wheels are tight. ETC. it has been going on for a few months. This is not a vibration due to out of balance wheels as there is no vibration at any speed. just the shimmy/shake of the steering wheel over bumps.

I am HOPING it is the shaft bearings and that this recall fixes it. I haven't been able to find any other EX or G posts with this issue and I have looked quite a bit. Fingers crossed!