Component

STEERING

113,465 NHTSA complaints about steering issues across 66 makes and 1512 models.

The steering is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 113,465 filings from 66 manufacturers and 1512 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.

Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 5,849 crashes, 653 fires, 3,959 injuries, and 285 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD FUSION with 5,582 filings, followed by CHEVROLET MALIBU and FORD ESCAPE. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.

Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.

113,465
Complaints
1512
Models Affected
5,849
Crashes
653
Fires
285
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 FORD FUSION 5,582
2 CHEVROLET MALIBU 5,155
3 FORD ESCAPE 3,769
4 CHEVROLET COBALT 3,690
5 FORD EXPLORER 3,601
6 JEEP WRANGLER 3,344
7 PONTIAC G6 2,964
8 FORD F-250 2,636
9 RAM 1500 2,393
10 HYUNDAI SONATA 2,310
11 HONDA CIVIC 2,255
12 FORD FOCUS 1,843
13 FORD F-150 1,741
14 SATURN ION 1,627
15 DODGE RAM 2500 1,577
16 CHEVROLET HHR 1,540
17 HONDA ACCORD 1,440
18 HONDA CR-V 1,422
19 NISSAN ALTIMA 1,312
20 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 1,280
21 FORD F-350 1,198
22 TOYOTA COROLLA 1,115
23 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 1,096
24 CHEVROLET IMPALA 993
25 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 976
26 BMW Z4 947
27 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE 931
28 CHEVROLET COLORADO 898
29 TOYOTA RAV4 883
30 DODGE RAM 3500 840

Recent Complaints

2021 JEEP WRANGLER

The vehicle manufacturer is aware of the problem with my Jeep, yet they have not taken meaningful action to resolve it. At this point, the local dealer continues to charge diagnostic and repair fees o

2025 FORD BRONCO Crash

on Jan 15, 2025. A cold start for the Bronco, putting in reverse, the vehicle lurched back and to the hard right, uncommanded acceleration at a high rate of speed, steering locked up, brakes locked u

2018 RAM 2500

ABS system doesnt work. no update on recall c4b. have had this issue since 2023

2011 FORD FUSION

Complete loss of power steering while driving, Service Power Steering Now warning light came on right after, service advance trac warning right after that. After doing some research this is a known is

2022 NISSAN SENTRA

The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering independently steered the vehicle over into the next lane. The failure was a persiste

2022 JEEP GRAND WAGONEER

Travelling with my young daughter on the Freeway at Freeway speeds at 9pm (nighttime). The entire vehicle just shut down. EVERYTHING - completely dark. Steering went out. Brakes went out. I had

2023 GMC ACADIA

Temperature gauge dropped to zero or no reading, message displayed on screen "Steering Assist Reduced, Drive with Care", continued to drive speed limit, when parked fan runs after car is shut off, in

2016 GMC YUKON XL

I was test driving the vehicle after some and as I was test, driving it, the steering lot up on me. Luckily, I was entering a residential area when it occurred down the street from my residency; in wh

2023 CHEVROLET TAHOE

Since 15,394 miles vehicle has experience multiple system failures upon vehicle startup. 2/24, 2/25, 12/25, 1/26. In all of these 4 instances the brakes become spongy/hard, steering wheel locks, and I

2022 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS CROSS SPORT

Vehicle shimmies/shakes when braking of speeds over 50 mph. It is currently at the VW service center and was informed the Electro-Mechanical Steering gear needs to be replaced. The repair tech also

2022 HYUNDAI VENUE

The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Venue. The contact stated that while reversing into the driveway and parking the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound and vibration in the steering wheel. The

2024 MAZDA CX-90

My vehicle was subject to a 2024 recall for what has been described as "sticky steering." The recall repair was completed by Mazda in April, 2024, however the problem persists. The repair was comple

2016 GMC CANYON

1. The power steering failed when I was driving my 2016 GMC Truck. 2. The failure caused the steering of the truck to be very difficult putting myself and any passengers at risk. 3. This issue occur

2021 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT

The alternator on my vehicle (DC to DC convertor) went while driving home with only one sensor prompting me to turn back around and head home to be safe. The car essentially died and power steering wa

2026 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

A brand new Santa Fe Hybrid AWD SEL(less than 2500 miles) makes squeaky noises when rotating the steering wheel to the counter clock wise. It is very annoying and frustrating. Due to the noise I can

2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA

The steering rack internal seal inside the steering rack failed/ "blew" per mechanic and is leaking. I could lose my ability to steer at any time while driving my vehicle and wreck. It is currently

2020 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500

In several situations, I have lost partial or complete power steering ability. Once, while driving, I recieved a SERVICE ESC message and steering became quite difficult. Another time, power steering w

2021 TESLA MODEL Y

Both torn bushing and broken links at 29k miles.

2019 HONDA CR-V

There is a Catch / tight spot in my steering. I see that I is a common problem on these Vehicles but no recall.

2020 JEEP WRANGLER

My jeep steering wheel and entire vehicle shake violently at high speeds and after a bump.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve steering issues?
The NHTSA has received 113,465 complaints about steering problems across 1512 vehicle models from 66 manufacturers.
How dangerous are steering defects?
STEERING issues have been linked to 5,849 crashes, 653 fires, 3,959 injuries, and 285 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most steering problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for steering issues is the FORD FUSION with 5,582 complaints.
Where does PlainCars get its safety data?
All vehicle safety data comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database, which collects reports from vehicle owners about safety-related defects.

Data Sources

Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.

Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.

Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.

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