Component
STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
29 NHTSA complaints about steering:linkages:drag:power assist system issues across 14 makes and 26 models.
The steering:linkages:drag: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 29 filings from 14 manufacturers and 26 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 1 crash, 1 fire, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the VOLVO WG with 2 filings, followed by MERCEDES-BENZ ML430 and HONDA CR-V. 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 | VOLVO WG | 2 |
| 2 | MERCEDES-BENZ ML430 | 2 |
| 3 | HONDA CR-V | 2 |
| 4 | VOLVO 770 | 1 |
| 5 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 1 |
| 6 | RAM 1500 | 1 |
| 7 | PONTIAC G6 | 1 |
| 8 | PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 1 |
| 9 | OLDSMOBILE 88 | 1 |
| 10 | MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 | 1 |
| 11 | KIA SEPHIA | 1 |
| 12 | JEEP WRANGLER 4-DR 4X4 | 1 |
| 13 | JEEP LIBERTY | 1 |
| 14 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 1 |
| 15 | FORD FOCUS | 1 |
| 16 | FORD F-350 SD | 1 |
| 17 | FORD F-350 | 1 |
| 18 | FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC | 1 |
| 19 | DODGE STRATUS | 1 |
| 20 | DODGE RAM 1500 | 1 |
| 21 | DODGE CARAVAN | 1 |
| 22 | DODGE B SERIES | 1 |
| 23 | CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX | 1 |
| 24 | CHEVROLET CAVALIER | 1 |
| 25 | CHEVROLET AVALANCHE | 1 |
| 26 | CADILLAC DEVILLE | 1 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 55-60 MPH with her in the front passenger's seat, the vehicle was shuddering significantly, and
Electronic power steering gear went out. Verified at Ram dealership. This did not happen while driving down the road thank God. In driveway so no injuries caused from incident. This over $3,000 Repair
I WAS MAKING A TURN A TURN THAT I HAVE DONE FOR FOUR YEARS OF MY LIFE AND THE VEHICLE STEERING FAILED. INSTEAD OF TURNING THE VEHICLE WENT STRAIGHT INTO A WALL. *TR
JUST ENTERED ONTO EXPRESSWAY AND HIT A BUMP AND JEEP VIOLENTLY SHOOK AND HAD TO COME TO ALMOST A COMLETE STOP TO REGAIN CONTROL. JEEP IS AT DEALER NOW. THEY THINK STEERING STABILIZER PROBLEM. JEEP WRA
INLET FOR TURBO WAS MIS POSITIONED AND ATE THRU POWER STEERING PUMP AND HOSE, CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND BRAKES. *TR
POWER STEERING FAILURE MULTIPLE TIMES. AGGRAVATED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TELLING ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM, EVEN AFTER BEING PROVIDED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLITIN PUT OUT BY GM. L
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER JEEP LIBERTY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL O6V288000 FOR THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE DEALER/MECHANIC REPLACED THE STEERING SE
MY 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE HAS HAD TWO ONGOING DEFECTS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN FIXED. THE PROBLEMS BEGAN DURING THE FIRST YEAR WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND AFTER MANY SERVICE VISITS FOR REPAIR HAS NOT
THERE WAS A COMPLAINT I JUST READ BY [XXX] ODI CSE NUMBER[XXX], AND I AGREE WITH HIM ABOUT THIS COMPLAINT BE HANDLED AS A TOP PRIORITY INVESTIGATION. I BOUGHT THIS AS A USED CAR, I KNEW I'D END OF HA
MERCEDES ML 320 POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING, EVENTHOUGH A RECALL REPAIR WAS CARRIED OUT. WAS NEARLY RAMMED INTO BY AN ONCOMING TRUCK BUT WAS SAFE BECAUSE OF FORCED THAT I USE TO GET OUT O
AIR BAGS DO NOT WORK. AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON. VEHICLE IS BEING TAKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR INVESTIGATION AND REPAIR.*AK THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING AND THE POWER STEERING MAD
CONSUMER WAS REFUSED SERVICE AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL LETTER FOR THE POWER STEERING LEAKAGE, NHTSA RECALL 04V386000.*AK
WHEN MAKING A LOW SPEED EVASIVE MANUEVER THAT REQUIRES TURNING SHARPLY FROM ONE DIRECTION TO ANOTHER, THE STEERING LOSES ITS POWER ASSIST TEMPORARILY. FEELS LIKE STEERING IS JAMMED. PROBLEM MANIFESTS
SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY FORD EXPLOER SPORT TRAC IN DEC, 2000, I HAVE DEALT WITH A STEERING SHUDDER. I HAVE HAD 3 DIFFERENT TYPES OF TIRES ON THE VEHICLE AND ALL EXHIBITED THIS PROBLEM. I TOOK THE VEH
WHILE DRIVING, AND TRYING TO MAKE A TURN STEERING WHEEL FROZE AND THE CAR BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER DROVE THE VEHICLE, AND AGREED THAT THE POWER STEERING UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE.
THE STEERING IN THIS 1996 JETTA IS JUST HORRIBLE, NO MECHANIC HAS BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR IT. IM TOLD THERE IS SOMETHING ON THE WHEEL BASE TORN (REAR) AND ITS GOING TO COST ME 800 TO FIX. YET, THE STEERIN
I HAVE PLYMOUTH VOYAGER SE 2000 6 CYL. HILE I WAS PULLING MY CAR OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. I HEARD SOME NOISE WHICH SOMETHINGS HITTING THE GROUND. IT SOUNDED LIKE METAL HITTING THE GROUND. AFTER I STO
MERCEDES BENZ 1999 ML 430. HARMONIC BALANCER FAILED. DRIVING 65+ ON THE MASS. PIKE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED, AND THEN THE ENGINE BEGIN TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE WRESTLED FROM THE LEFT LA
VIBRATION & NOISE IN RIGHT FRONT WHEN TURNING, DEALER CHECKED FOUND NOISE COMING FROM R/S LOWER BALL JOINT & DRAG LINK BROKEN - DELAER REPLACED DRAG LINK AND BALL JOINT KIT.*AK
I PURCHASED A KIA IN MARCH 02' I USED THE CAR FOR LONG TRIPS THE FIRST YEAR I HAD OWNED THE CAR AND I HAD NO FAULTS IN JAN.- FEB 03' THE CAR BEGAN TO SHIFT IN TO NUMEROUS GEARS AND THEN STALL. I WAS T
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve steering:linkages:drag:power assist system issues? ▼
How dangerous are steering:linkages:drag:power assist system defects? ▼
Which vehicles have the most steering:linkages:drag:power assist system problems? ▼
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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.