Component
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
1,020 NHTSA complaints about steering:electric power assist system issues across 36 makes and 159 models.
The steering:electric power assist system is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 1,020 filings from 36 manufacturers and 159 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 50 crashes, 6 fires, 30 injuries, and 6 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the CHEVROLET MALIBU with 181 filings, followed by CHEVROLET COBALT and PONTIAC G6. 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 | 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The contactâs 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 wa
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
See attached document for complaint
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
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
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
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
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
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
The contact owns a 2022 Honda Civic SI. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized in the 12 oâ clock position. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was
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
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
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
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.