Component

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

1,285 NHTSA complaints about steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion) issues across 38 makes and 281 models.

The steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion) is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 1,285 filings from 38 manufacturers and 281 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 95 crashes, 10 fires, 47 injuries, and 9 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE with 93 filings, followed by DODGE RAM and DODGE RAM 2500. 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.

1,285
Complaints
281
Models Affected
95
Crashes
10
Fires
9
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 93
2 DODGE RAM 79
3 DODGE RAM 2500 48
4 FORD F-150 45
5 FORD EXPLORER 36
6 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 30
7 JEEP CHEROKEE 29
8 DODGE RAM 1500 25
9 DODGE DAKOTA 21
10 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 20
11 FORD F-250 19
12 FORD EXPEDITION 19
13 FORD E-150 17
14 DODGE CARAVAN 16
15 CHEVROLET TAHOE 16
16 FORD WINDSTAR 15
17 FORD F-350 15
18 DODGE RAM 3500 15
19 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 14
20 DODGE DURANGO 14
21 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 14
22 SATURN SL 13
23 JEEP WRANGLER 13
24 GMC YUKON 13
25 DODGE INTREPID 13
26 CHEVROLET CAVALIER 13
27 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS 12
28 GMC SIERRA 12
29 CHEVROLET MALIBU 12
30 FORD RANGER 11

Recent Complaints

2012 FORD FUSION

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering significantly. The vehicle was taken to a tire shop where the tires were rotated; ho

2023 HONDA CR-V

The contact owns a 2023 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45-70 MPH, the steering wheel was shaking abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was

2010 FORD FUSION

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the power steering failed to function as designed; however, the power steering functionality was available while the

2011 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The driver was able to safely pull over and

2014 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while her husband was driving 55 MPH, the steering wheel seized and could not be turned. The contact stated that the "Steering Loss Stop Safel

2010 FORD FUSION

While driving vehicle in normal weather conditions, power steering suddenly went out unexpectedly while driving myself, mother, and grandmother to the store. There was no warning and car was driving j

2012 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while the vehicle pulling into a parking spot and adjusting the wheels on the vehicle the contact heard a loud grinding scraping noise while t

2013 FORD FLEX

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and she was attempting to start the vehicle, a message for the steering motor sensor fault was displayed on the instr

2011 FORD FUSION

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while reversing, the steering wheel locked up and failed to move. The vehicle was restarted and functioned as designed. The power assist w

2013 HONDA ACCORD

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Accord. The contact stated while slowing down to making a left turn, the steering wheel independently turned completely to the left. The contact stated no warning light w

2013 FORD ESCAPE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING FUNCTIONALITY.

2017 FORD FOCUS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE AND RANDOMLY DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER

2020 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES ON MY NEW 2020 CASCADIA. THE POWER STEERING BOX HAD AN EXTERNAL LEAK WHICH RESULTED IN A STEERING WHINE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING BOX WITH ONLY 24,000 MILES ON THE T

2011 FORD FUSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FUSION. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTRA STRENGTH WAS NE

2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL HAD A LOT OF PLAY AND TURNED SPONTANEOUSLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WA

2017 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA

I WORKED FOR A TRANSPORT FLEET THAT HAD NUMEROUS POWER STEERING GEARBOX ISSUES ON 2017 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA'S. DURING MY TENURE THERE I OVERSAW 8 TRUCKS THAT HAD STEERING BOX REPLACEMENTS DUE TO EIT

1999 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE BOLTS THAT HELD THE GEAR BOX TO T

2015 FORD EXPLORER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FREEWAY MOTORS OF ROGERS (14080 MAIN ST, ROGERS

2004 DODGE RAM 2500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING GEAR BOX SIDE BOLT SHEARED IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. TH

2016 FORD EXPLORER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JPS FORD (224 GAP FARMS RD, ARCADIA, LA 71001, (318)

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion) issues?
The NHTSA has received 1,285 complaints about steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion) problems across 281 vehicle models from 38 manufacturers.
How dangerous are steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion) defects?
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) issues have been linked to 95 crashes, 10 fires, 47 injuries, and 9 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion) problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion) issues is the JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE with 93 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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