Component
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
368 NHTSA complaints about steering:hydraulic power assist:power steering fluid issues across 35 makes and 162 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:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
368 filings · 162 models · 35 makes · vintage August 2026
- FILINGS SPARSE 368 ODI rows
- MODELS 162 nameplates citing this part
- MAKES 35 manufacturers in corpus
- CRASH 4.9% 18 crash-flagged
- RANK #227 of 696 categories
- SEV QUIET 0 deaths · 9 injuries
Filing-volume peers
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID sits SPARSE on ODI intake volume (#227 of 696 standardized categories) with a QUIET severity stamp (0 reported fatalities across 162 models). Open Ford Taurus (category leader) →
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID severity reading
The standout signal for steering:hydraulic power assist:power steering fluid is severity: 0 reported fatalities and 9 injuries (QUIET stamp) on 368 filings (SPARSE volume).
Sparse categories can swing on a single high-volume nameplate; treat the leader row as the actionable signal, not the category headline alone.
Next step: compare Ford Taurus against SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS on filing totals before treating steering:hydraulic power assist:power steering fluid volume as a purchase signal.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford Taurus | |
| 2 | Ford Windstar | |
| 3 | Ford Fusion | |
| 4 | Chrysler Town AND Country | |
| 5 | Ford Explorer | |
| 6 | Dodge Caravan | |
| 7 | RAM 1500 | |
| 8 | Pontiac Grand Prix | |
| 9 | Dodge Grand Caravan | |
| 10 | Lincoln Continental | |
| 11 | Chrysler PT Cruiser | |
| 12 | Chevrolet Silverado | |
| 13 | Chevrolet Malibu | |
| 14 | Pontiac Grand AM | |
| 15 | Mercury Sable | |
| 16 | Honda Civic | |
| 17 | Ford F-350 | |
| 18 | Ford Escape | |
| 19 | Dodge Stratus | |
| 20 | Plymouth Voyager | |
| 21 | Mercedes-Benz Ml430 | |
| 22 | Mercedes-Benz Ml320 | |
| 23 | Honda Accord | |
| 24 | Buick Lesabre | |
| 25 | Volkswagen Passat | |
| 26 | Saturn VUE | |
| 27 | Saturn LS | |
| 28 | Hyundai Sonata | |
| 29 | GMC Envoy | |
| 30 | Ford Contour |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel failed to respond as intended. No warning light was illuminated. T
The power steering system lost it's fluid and pump is cavitating. It's available for inspection. The vehicles can be steered at the moment, but if it were to fail completely, it could cause loss of co
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban LTZ. The contact stated that while driving on a neighborhood street at 25 MPH, the steering wheel became increasingly stiff. She was able to continue driving
The contact owned a 2023 Cadillac CT5. The contact stated that while exiting the highway on the far right lane on a 2-lane exit at 45 MPH, a message appeared on the instrument panel that read "Steerin
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel becomes very difficult to maneuver as the "Steering Assist Fault, Service Required, Serv
The contact owns a 2014 Ram 1500. The contact stated that when attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel spun back to center and then locked. The failure caused the vehicle to move into oncom
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and attempting to make a left or right turn, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that th
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH and making a turn, the steering wheel seized and created a loss of the power steering functionality. The
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that on various occasions while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the contact noticed a burning odor coming inside the cabin. The vehicle was tow
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the vehicle became difficult to steer.
The contact owns a 2013 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 4 MPH, the steering wheel locked with the traction control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was slowed down an
The contact owns a 2008 Acura TSX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to complete a turn, an abnormal amount of effort was needed to turn the steering wheel.
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the contact noticed that the wheel became stiff and was unable to turn. The contact attempted to pull over but crashe
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the message "Services Power Steering Assist - Drive with Care" was displayed and the steering wheel became fi
2007 HYUNDAI ENTOURAGE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO BROKEN POWER STEERING BELT.
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the
The contact owns a 2022 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle crashed into trees. No air bags we
2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING.
2022 FORD E-350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO POWER STEERING SAFETY RECALL.
Related Vehicle Components
Verify with NHTSA · consumer-reported counts are not verified defect findings.