Component

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

1,020 NHTSA complaints about steering:electric power assist system issues across 36 makes and 159 models.

Data updated August 2026. Counts render from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation standardized component field; severity flags cross-reference NHTSA ODI complaint flags for owner-reported crash, fire, and injury markers. This page is for informational purposes and does not replace NHTSA recall notices or a vehicle-specific inspection. Methodology · Corrections.

NHTSA ODI component intake brief

ODI category STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

1,020 filings · 159 models · 36 makes · vintage August 2026

  • FILINGS MODERATE 1,020 ODI rows
  • MODELS 159 nameplates citing this part
  • MAKES 36 manufacturers in corpus
  • CRASH 4.9% 50 crash-flagged
  • RANK #154 of 696 categories
  • SEV INJURY 6 deaths · 30 injuries
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM (this)STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSI…1,020PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL1,022SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINTSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RE…1,022EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCHEXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNA…1,016
ODI filing volume neighbourhood: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM vs nearest complaint-total peers

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM sits MODERATE on ODI intake volume (#154 of 696 standardized categories) with a INJURY severity stamp (6 reported fatalities across 159 models). Open Chevrolet Malibu (category leader) →

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM filing-volume reading

The standout signal for steering:electric power assist system is ODI intake volume: 1,020 filings (MODERATE band · #154 of 696 standardized categories) across 159 nameplates. Crash-flag share is 4.9%.

Moderate-volume categories still show a fingerprint in the model table below, cross-check each nameplate's recall and investigation history before inferring a defect pattern.

Next step: compare Chevrolet Malibu against PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL on filing totals before treating steering:electric power assist system volume as a purchase signal.

1,020
Complaints
159
Models Affected
50
Crashes
6
Fires
6
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 Chevrolet Malibu
181
2 Chevrolet Cobalt
152
3 Pontiac G6
76
4 Saturn ION
55
5 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
49
6 Ford Explorer
48
7 Ford Fusion
44
8 Chevrolet HHR
31
9 BMW Z4
23
10 Ford Escape
19
11 Toyota Prius
18
12 Mazda Mazda3
13
13 MINI Cooper
12
14 MINI Cooper S
11
15 Ford Taurus
9
16 Toyota Corolla
8
17 Honda FIT
8
18 Ford Focus
8
19 RAM 1500
7
20 Hyundai Elantra
7
21 Ford F-150
7
22 Saturn VUE
6
23 Honda Civic
6
24 Chevrolet Impala
6
25 Toyota Camry
5
26 Lincoln MKS
5
27 Chevrolet Suburban
5
28 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
5
29 Chevrolet Equinox
5
30 Toyota Rav4
4

Recent Complaints

2014 Ford Fusion

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at night in the rain at approximately 40-45 MPH, the contact drove over an unavoidable puddle, and the electri

2017 Ford F-150

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the power steering became inoperable. No warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The

2016 Chevrolet Colorado

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the Stabil Track warning light illuminated. The contact mention he pulled over to the right side of the road, turne

2012 Ford Flex

Ford said the recall was fixed 10 years ago, however it went out on me last night. It's been towed to the Folsom Ford dealership in California, they quoted me $3,000 to fix my power steering assistant

2017 Tesla Model S

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that prior to the failure experienced, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the steering wheel. The contact attempted to start the

2018 Chevrolet Impala

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while attempting to straighten the wheels while in the driveway, the contact discovered that the steering wheel was inoperable. No war

2018 Cadillac ATS

The power steering will randomly stop working while driving! We have had it in the shop 3 times and they can't find anything! We have replaced alternator, battery and it still isn't fixed! I seen u ha

2013 Ford Taurus

The contact’s daughter owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that on several occasions while making left or right turns, the steering wheel became stiff. The contact stated that the vehicle was

2020 Jeep Cherokee Crash

The contact's mother owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while his mother was driving at unknown speeds, the steering wheel stiffened and was difficult to maneuver. The failure would oc

2011 Ford Fusion

See attached document for complaint

2012 Ford Fusion

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the electric power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The power st

2013 Ford Fusion

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the driver's assist warning light illuminated. The contact stated that moments later, the steering wheel

2011 Ford Explorer

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increa

2011 Mercury Milan

The contact owns a 2011 Mercury Milan. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the steering wheel locked. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated, and the message "Service Advance T

2013 Ford Explorer

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the steering wheel was locked. The contact stated that there was a message displayed that the stee

2013 Ford Taurus

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the Electric Power Steering fault message was displayed, and the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering a

2022 Honda Civic SI

The contact owns a 2022 Honda Civic SI. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized in the 12 o’ clock position. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was d

2011 Ford Fusion

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost the electric power steering assist functionality. The vehicle was restarted but the fail

2018 Jeep Wrangler

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, she became aware that the electric power steering was not functioning properly after the steering wheel locked in positi

2021 Toyota Rav4

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to make a right turn, the vehicle briefly lost electric power steering (EPS). Due to the fa

Verify with NHTSA · consumer-reported counts are not verified defect findings.