I noticed a crackling, popping noise in the steering wheel when the A/C is off when turning the steering wheel left and right.

I also noticed it in my Honda and a loaner RDX I got when my car was undergoing maintenance.

Given that, I have to assume it’s normal but can anyone explain what’s causing the noise?

Thanks

 

Could be the brake pads shifting in the calipers. See if it's louder with the window down. This is common/normal with the design of Honda/Acura brakes.