Power Steering Problems: Loss of Assist, Recalls and Which Cars

Power steering problems range from a whining pump to a sudden loss of assist that leaves the steering wheel heavy and hard to turn. In cars with electric power steering the cause is often an electrical fault, and many of the worst cases have been recalled. This guide explains the causes, uses NHTSA’s complaint file to show which models and years draw the most steering complaints, lists the loss-of-assist recalls, and covers what to do if it happens to you.

What a loss of power steering feels like

The steering doesn’t stop working: the mechanical link from the wheel to the front wheels remains. What disappears is the assist, so turning the wheel suddenly takes far more effort. NHTSA’s recall records describe the risk the same way every time:

“If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.”NHTSA recall record for GM campaign 14V153, nhtsa.gov

At highway speeds you may barely notice, but in a parking lot, at a junction or in a sharp turn the extra effort can catch drivers off guard. Many cars with electric steering also show a steering warning light when the system shuts down.

What causes it: hydraulic vs electric

• Hydraulic power steering, common on older cars and some trucks, uses an engine-driven pump and fluid. Leaks, a failing pump or a slipping or broken drive belt are the classic causes, often with a whine when turning.
• Electric power steering (EPS) uses an electric motor, a torque sensor and a control module. Faults in the motor, sensor, wiring, connectors or software can make the system shut off assist, sometimes without warning. The recalls below are mostly EPS faults: a torque sensor that can’t read the driver’s input, a motor that fails, a ground connection that loosens, or a circuit board that overheats.
• Mechanical faults in the steering gear, rack, tie rods or shafts cause stiffness, play or, in the worst cases, separation. These are rarer, but they are among the steering recalls too.

How common are steering complaints?

One complaint can name several components. Recent model years are still collecting reports. Source: NHTSA owner complaints file, retrieved Oct 6, 2026; computed by PlainVIN.

Steering’s share of complaints was highest for 2010–2017 models, the same years as many of the loss-of-assist recalls below. For how steering compares with other problem areas, see the most common car problems.

Cars with the most steering complaints

Counts of owner reports, not verified defects or rates; models that sold in larger numbers draw more complaints. The share compares with all complaints for that model over the same model years. Source: NHTSA owner complaints file, retrieved Oct 6, 2026; computed by PlainVIN.

Source: NHTSA owner complaints file, retrieved Oct 6, 2026; computed by PlainVIN.

Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified defects, and big sellers draw more of every kind of complaint. The share column shows how dominant steering is among each model’s problems: for the Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G6 it is about half of all complaints, against about one in eleven across the whole file. Each model’s best and worst years page shows the problem areas year by year.

Power steering recalls

Unlike many transmission problems, a sudden loss of steering assist is treated as a safety defect, so most of the big complaint clusters above were recalled:

• Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5, 2005–2010: GM recalled about 1.05 million cars in 2010 because the driver “may experience a sudden loss of power steering assist”; dealers replaced the steering motor (campaign 10V073).
• Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6, Saturn Ion and Aura, Chevrolet HHR and others, 2004–2010: GM recalled about 1.37 million vehicles in 2014 for a sudden loss of electric power steering assist (14V153).
• Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner, 2008–2011: a steering torque sensor might not detect driver input, so the system could remove assist; about 741,000 vehicles were recalled in 2014 for a software update (14V284). Ford also recalled the Explorer (14V286) and the 2011–2012 Fusion (15V340) for loss of power steering assist.
• Hyundai Sonata, 2011: recalled in 2016 for loss of electric power steering assist (16V190).
• Honda Civic, 2022–2025, and other Hondas: in 2024 Honda recalled about 1.69 million Civic, CR-V, HR-V and Acura Integra vehicles because the steering gearbox could have excessive internal friction and make steering difficult (24V744).
• Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, 2023: about 376,000 recalled in 2025 for loss of power steering assist; the fix was an over-the-air software update (25V092).

Vehicle descriptions are NHTSA’s own summary wording; “repaired” is the share the manufacturer reports as fixed, and new campaigns start near zero. Source: NHTSA recalls file and US DOT completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

One gap stands out: the 2010 Ford Fusion has more steering complaints than any other model year in the file, but we found no steering recall covering it; Ford’s 15V340 recall covers the 2011 and 2012 Fusion. Check any specific car by VIN.

What to do if your steering goes heavy

1. Grip the wheel firmly with both hands and slow down gradually. The car will still steer, but with more effort.
2. Pull over when it’s safe and have the steering checked before relying on it again.
3. Check for a recall. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; recall repairs are free. Our guide shows where to find the VIN.
4. Ask about service bulletins and warranties if no recall applies; see our guide to TSBs vs recalls.
5. Report it to NHTSA, especially if it happened while driving. Complaint patterns are what lead to investigations and recalls; see how to file a complaint with NHTSA.

Buying used? Look up the model year’s steering complaints and recalls first, confirm any steering recall was completed, and include low-speed turns and parking in your test drive. Our used car inspection checklist covers the rest.

Complaint and recall figures are PlainVIN’s analysis of NHTSA’s files and update when we refresh the data; complaints are owner reports, not verified defects. This guide is general safety information, not mechanical advice.