I scanned for a thread that discussed this but no success.

2009 Honda fit steering will not return to center when driving at any speed, it gets close but not center. If you turn to the right and let go, it will go almost to center but stick to the right requiring left input to drive straight. If you turn to the left and let go, it will almost return to center but will stick to the left and require right input to go straight. When parked slight pressure to the steering wheel to turn will suddenlty release and it will turn but it seems to resist movement until a certain level of force is applied (not very much, but still more than what should be normal). Anybody know whats going on with this?

 

Have you had an alignment done recently?

 

negative, perhaps too low caster is the issue, I’ll get that checked next.

 

Alignment did nothing, it was not off. I suspected this because the issue remains when you are stopped and have the wheels on the ground, as well as when the front of the car is lifted off the ground. There is a certain amount of friction or torque you must overcome for the wheels to suddenly accept your input, weather its left or right input. And it is not very much pressure needed to overcome this stiffness, but enough to keep it from returning to center (making it difficult to drive straight).

 

Found a popular mechanics article that may well cover your issue. Here's the link.
Your read will be starting about half way in.
It accounts broadly for mechanical wear that could cause the steering to wander, but there's nothing in there I recognized as covering electronic power steering (EPS).
If the issue is in the E, that'd send us to the service manual

 

I'm assuming that when you had the alignment checked, that they/you also checked for worn bushings and tie rods. If these things are in good shape, then my thoughts turn to the "E" too. Remember the KIS* (Keep It Simple) principle. Don't go overboard on exploring the electric part of the steering before you checked the mechanical side thoroughly.

* I prefer KISS but I don't want to offend.

 

The issue is in the system, remember its a problem when stationary, that results in a control issue when driving. Using my limited mechanical reasoning, I would say there is a sensor or valve somewhere that is trying to hold the steering wheel stationary and is overzealous.

 

I will venture a guess and say every car's EPS system and steering geometry engineering goals are different.

My Fit Sport does the same as you describe -- returns to maybe 10-15% off center after a turn, overly light steering, but I feel that the steering behaves normally for a nimble city car.

My BRZ returns to center precisely every single time -- heavier EPS, a lot of caster from the factory. I throw the steering wheel and I expect the front end to stabilize making it such an easy car to drift.

My 4C is the most violent with a mind of its own -- no power steering and very little caster from the factory makes it feel like the race car Alfa Romeo intended it to be.

 

If it sticks before turning I would consider the strut bearings as well. They could wear in a pit in the straight ahead position. I know about this from working on bicycles. IDK if it applies to cars.

 

Ggg, that actually could be it, I’ll check that next,

 

Hi, I have the exact same issue going on. I just purchased a 2010 Fit and the steering is terrible. It's okay driving straight, but turning left or right it won't return to center and the car will continue to drift left or right. Did you figure out the issue? Thanks

 

Based on my experience with sway bar end links, I wouldn't overlook them.

At the time I replaced my strut assemblies, I didn't replace my sway bar end links but noticed when I tried to move the joints by hand, they were very stiff until they started moving and then they moved freely as long as I was moving them. If I stopped moving them by hand, they would stiffen again. After reinstalling them, they caused a notchiness in my steering similar to when I was moving them by hand.

Not exactly your symptom, but it shows how they could affect a free moving steering action.

 

Thanks for the information I jacked up the car yesterday and was able to turn both front wheels by hand somewhat easily. It took some effort. I also started the car, put it in D and turned the wheels all the way left and all the way right. I didn't observe anything weird, but I'm also not a mechanic. I think i'll try two things first. 1 - take it in for an alignment and 2 - try the torque sensor reset.
Cheers

 

hearle - did you figure anything out with your steering issue? Mine has started acting weird, like it's wandering around a bit, more noticeable at highway speeds.

 

Something to add to this:
When attempting to diagnose steering and suspension, it can be beneficial to not only raise and inspect the front end, but then, with the front end on stands, use your jack (beneath a tire or hub/knuckle) to compress suspension through its full range and inspect linkage all throughout.

I've had faults that only presented for folks at specific street intersections or over speed bumps. Some suspension components are meant to be torqued with suspension pre-loaded (compressed under vehicle weight).

I'd have to check the manual to see which parts work that way -- but the anti-roll-bar end-links may well be one such component. I hope that's helpful!!

Oh, also: you can take suspension through its full travel at different steering positions.

So. Shake test, look for blown bushings, suspension compression, steering angles, bounce test for the struts (difficult, as modern struts have valving for different levels of compression -- your struts can be blown for minor compression, but seem pretty fine with full compression).
If you can't find your fault after all that, the gent at the alignment shop will be the one to nab it with his fancy laser contraption.