Component
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
3,848 NHTSA complaints about steering: steering wheel/handle bar issues across 42 makes and 452 models.
The steering: steering wheel/handle bar is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 3,848 filings from 42 manufacturers and 452 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 323 crashes, 106 fires, 256 injuries, and 25 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the CHEVROLET CORVETTE with 238 filings, followed by DODGE RAM and DODGE CARAVAN. 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 CORVETTE | 238 |
| 2 | DODGE RAM | 121 |
| 3 | DODGE CARAVAN | 94 |
| 4 | FORD TAURUS | 92 |
| 5 | DODGE NEON | 81 |
| 6 | TOYOTA CAMRY | 77 |
| 7 | PONTIAC GRAND AM | 77 |
| 8 | FORD F-150 | 71 |
| 9 | FORD EXPLORER | 67 |
| 10 | DODGE DAKOTA | 67 |
| 11 | PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 54 |
| 12 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 50 |
| 13 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 46 |
| 14 | PONTIAC GRAND PRIX | 44 |
| 15 | PLYMOUTH NEON | 42 |
| 16 | JEEP CHEROKEE | 42 |
| 17 | CHEVROLET CAVALIER | 38 |
| 18 | FORD ESCORT | 37 |
| 19 | MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS | 36 |
| 20 | CHEVROLET BLAZER | 36 |
| 21 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 35 |
| 22 | FORD CROWN VICTORIA | 34 |
| 23 | CHEVROLET CORSICA | 34 |
| 24 | MERCURY SABLE | 33 |
| 25 | FORD MUSTANG | 32 |
| 26 | FORD AEROSTAR | 32 |
| 27 | CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | 32 |
| 28 | CHEVROLET LUMINA | 32 |
| 29 | HONDA ACCORD | 31 |
| 30 | FORD F-250 | 31 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2025 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that the vehicle was vibrating while driving at 60 MPH, and the vibration was going to the contact's head. There were no warning lights illumi
The contact owns a 2021 Honda GL1800 Motorcycle. The contact stated that while operating the motorcycle, the handlebars had become loose and were wobbly. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that t
Was driving up [XXX] when simultaneously my dash board lit up with errors and malfunctions, my interior lights started flickering and my steering wheel and brakes locked. Unable to control the vehicle
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 75 MPH, the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering and trac
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the power train warning light illuminated randomly but disappeared. Additionally, the
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware that the steering wheel was not functioning properly and had become extremely loose
See attached document from complainant
2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 20V-396.
2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO LOOSE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN.
2021 NISSAN SENTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHSTA SAFETY RECALL 21V-461. THE CONSUMER STATED HER GRANDDAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, STEERING WENT OUT CAUSING AN A
The steering wheel leather on my car has started cracking.
2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO STEERING PROBLEM.
2015 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO STEERING DEFECT.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the steering wheel started to shake significantly from side to side. The contact depressed the brake peda
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became loose while making left and right turns. As a result, th
2011 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. WHEN
The Dashboard has cracked and broken in several places and I believe this to be directly as a result of the steering wheel column and moving the steering wheel tilt positions. You could hear a crackin
A LOT OF LOOSE MOTION AND CLICKING IN STERRING WHEEL MECHANIC SAID SAFETY HAZARD NEEDS FIXING I NOTICED A LOT OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS INCIDENT BUT NOTHING DONE ABOUT IT PLEASE HELP NOW
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while going over a speed bump, there was a loud noise coming from the steering wheel. In addition, the contact stated that the steering
The contact owns a 2014 Ram 1500. While driving approximately at 70 MPH, the contact stated that following a highway turn to the right the steering wheel felt loose. The contact used the steering whee
Related Vehicle Components
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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.