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.
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
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
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
ABS system doesnt work. no update on recall c4b. have had this issue since 2023
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Both torn bushing and broken links at 29k miles.
There is a Catch / tight spot in my steering. I see that I is a common problem on these Vehicles but no recall.
My jeep steering wheel and entire vehicle shake violently at high speeds and after a bump.
Related Vehicle Components
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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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.