Component
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
3,798 NHTSA complaints about steering:hydraulic power assist system issues across 45 makes and 487 models.
The steering:hydraulic 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 3,798 filings from 45 manufacturers and 487 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 441 crashes, 76 fires, 396 injuries, and 35 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD TAURUS with 143 filings, followed by DODGE CARAVAN and CHEVROLET TAHOE. 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 TAURUS | 143 |
| 2 | DODGE CARAVAN | 85 |
| 3 | CHEVROLET TAHOE | 84 |
| 4 | CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | 82 |
| 5 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 79 |
| 6 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 74 |
| 7 | FORD WINDSTAR | 73 |
| 8 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 71 |
| 9 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 | 68 |
| 10 | FORD EXPLORER | 64 |
| 11 | PONTIAC GRAND PRIX | 61 |
| 12 | FORD F-350 | 60 |
| 13 | FORD CONTOUR | 54 |
| 14 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 53 |
| 15 | CHEVROLET ASTRO | 52 |
| 16 | MERCURY SABLE | 46 |
| 17 | CHEVROLET MALIBU | 46 |
| 18 | FORD F-250 | 44 |
| 19 | PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 42 |
| 20 | DODGE NEON | 42 |
| 21 | CADILLAC DEVILLE | 42 |
| 22 | FORD F-150 | 36 |
| 23 | CHEVROLET LUMINA | 35 |
| 24 | CHEVROLET CAVALIER | 35 |
| 25 | GMC SIERRA | 34 |
| 26 | FORD ESCAPE | 34 |
| 27 | GMC YUKON | 33 |
| 28 | FORD CROWN VICTORIA | 32 |
| 29 | DODGE RAM | 30 |
| 30 | CHEVROLET IMPALA | 30 |
Recent Complaints
2021 FORD E-450. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 22S08. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED ASSISTANCE LOCATING A DEALER WITHIN A REASONABLE DISTANCE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR.
Computer issues, dash sceen glitching freezing or not workimg correctly. Hard shifting and idling. Steer asist reduced msg. Gears geeting stuck
Power steering forums say there a recall my car and light is on. So is there ? Manufactured july 2013.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and attempting to drive the contact became aware that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality. While
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the steering wheel started to vibrate. The contact stated that the power steering assist and tractio
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, she made a sharp turn to the right into a parking space and the power steering was still functional. The contact state
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while she was at a complete stop at a red light, the steering wheel inadvertently locked and lost power steering assist. The warning messag
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH and attempting to make a turn, the vehicle inadvertently lost power steering. Consumer almost ran here car into a house as
2012 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A RECURRING STEERING ISSUE. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF A GARAGE THE STEERING REVERTED TO MANUAL AND A STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILL
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 5 mph, he noticed that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated before the vehicle lost power steering functional
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V705000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILA
[XXX], FORMER EMPLOYEE OF AUTOBAHN, OVERSEEING 8 DRIVER TRUCKS HAD ALL TRUCKS REQUIRE POWER STEERING BOXES DUE TO A LOSS OF ASSIST. HER TESTIMONY WILL BE ADDED AS AN ATTACHMENT SINCE IT IS LONGER THA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE STEERING LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTI
STEERING ASSIST FAILURE NOTICE APPEARED ON AND OFF FOR NEARLY A YEAR. NOTICE WOULD DISAPPEAR AFTER TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND STRAIGHTENING STEERING WHEEL. AT 77000 MILES, WARNING CAME ON AGAIN AND WOULD
POWER STEERING GOES OUT COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING , WASN'T OUT OF FLUID COMPLETELY BUT ADDED SOME AND WENT OUT AGAIN AFTER , CAR WAS INSPECTED AND NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE PUMP OR RESERVOIR AND SHOU
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND REMAINED LIT. THE STEER
TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN THROUGH STANDING RAINWATER AS HAPPENS DURING RAINFALL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEED
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE SERVICE POWER STEERING, 4 WHEEL DRIVE, AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE STEER
POWER STEERING PUMP WENT BAD.
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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.