CriticalCommonSuspension

Honda Civic: FK2 Type R Front Knuckle Hub Bearing Premature Wear

FK2 Type R Front Knuckle Hub Bearing Premature Wear is a common suspension fault on the Honda Civic on the 2015–2016 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $500 to $1,600 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 39 documented faults on the Honda Civic.

Vehicle: Honda Civic
Only on: Type R
Years: 2015–2016
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: manual
System: Suspension

This page covers the Honda Civic as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Honda Civic faults39 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Wheel bearing yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The FK2 Civic Type R (2015–2016 Euro-market, small numbers imported to NZ/AU as grey imports) uses a front suspension geometry with significant negative camber and a wide track to achieve its handling characteristics. The front hub bearing and knuckle assembly is subjected to high lateral loads, and premature bearing wear has been widely documented, particularly on cars that have seen any track use or spirited road driving. Bearing failure produces a characteristic droning that changes pitch on cornering load. In severe cases the bearing can fail catastrophically, affecting steering and wheel retention.

What you would notice

Droning or humming noise from front that changes pitch when steering left or right
Vibration through the steering wheel at motorway speeds
Notchy or rough feeling when spinning front wheels by hand off the ground
Perceptible play in the front wheel when rocked at 12 and 6 o'clock
ABS warning light if bearing sensor fails along with hub

How to check it

Where to look. Front left and right wheel hubs / steering knuckle

Spin the wheel by hand and feel/listen for roughness or grittiness. Drive in a straight line at 80 km/h and listen for a droning noise that changes when you swerve left or right. Inspect the knuckle for any cracks or signs of previous impact. If a workshop inspection is possible: Jack each front corner and grasp the wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock, then 12 and 6 o'clock — check for any play.

Parts involved: Wheel bearing.

What it costs to put right

$500 to $1,600 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Have the front hub bearings ever been replaced, and at what mileage?”
“Has the car been used on track or in autocross events?”
“Is there any droning noise that changes when you swerve lane to lane?”

Now check the Honda Civic you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Honda Civic buyer questions

Is fk2 type r front knuckle hub bearing premature wear serious on a Honda Civic?

We rate it critical and common on the Honda Civic. The FK2 Civic Type R (2015–2016 Euro-market, small numbers imported to NZ/AU as grey imports) uses a front suspension geometry with significant negative camber and a wide track to achieve its handling characteristics. The front hub bearing and knuckle assembly is subjected to high lateral loads, and premature bearing wear has been widely documented, particularly on cars that have seen any track use or spirited road driving. Bearing failure produces a characteristic droning that changes pitch on cornering load. In severe cases the bearing can fail catastrophically, affecting steering and wheel retention.

How much does it cost to fix on a Honda Civic?

$500 to $1,600 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Honda Civic years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2015–2016 Honda Civic. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.