Component
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
3,848 NHTSA complaints about steering: steering wheel/handle bar issues across 42 makes and 452 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: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
3,848 filings · 452 models · 42 makes · vintage August 2026
- FILINGS HEAVY 3,848 ODI rows
- MODELS 452 nameplates citing this part
- MAKES 42 manufacturers in corpus
- CRASH 8.4% 323 crash-flagged
- RANK #63 of 696 categories
- SEV FATAL 25 deaths · 256 injuries
Filing-volume peers
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR sits HEAVY on ODI intake volume (#63 of 696 standardized categories) with a FATAL severity stamp (25 reported fatalities across 452 models). Open Chevrolet Corvette (category leader) →
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR filing-volume reading
The standout signal for steering: steering wheel/handle bar is ODI intake volume: 3,848 filings (HEAVY band · #63 of 696 standardized categories) across 452 nameplates. Crash-flag share is 8.4%.
Heavy intake categories like this one often reflect a shared supplier or a stressed FMVSS test, open the affected-vehicles table to see whether filings cluster on a few platforms or spread evenly.
Next step: compare Chevrolet Corvette against ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH on filing totals before treating steering: steering wheel/handle bar volume as a purchase signal.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chevrolet Corvette | |
| 2 | Dodge RAM | |
| 3 | Dodge Caravan | |
| 4 | Ford Taurus | |
| 5 | Dodge Neon | |
| 6 | Toyota Camry | |
| 7 | Pontiac Grand AM | |
| 8 | Ford F-150 | |
| 9 | Ford Explorer | |
| 10 | Dodge Dakota | |
| 11 | Plymouth Voyager | |
| 12 | Jeep Grand Cherokee | |
| 13 | Chevrolet Silverado | |
| 14 | Pontiac Grand Prix | |
| 15 | Plymouth Neon | |
| 16 | Jeep Cherokee | |
| 17 | Chevrolet Cavalier | |
| 18 | Ford Escort | |
| 19 | Mercury Grand Marquis | |
| 20 | Chevrolet Blazer | |
| 21 | Dodge Grand Caravan | |
| 22 | Ford Crown Victoria | |
| 23 | Chevrolet Corsica | |
| 24 | Mercury Sable | |
| 25 | Ford Mustang | |
| 26 | Ford Aerostar | |
| 27 | Chevrolet Suburban | |
| 28 | Chevrolet Lumina | |
| 29 | Honda Accord | |
| 30 | Ford F-250 |
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
Verify with NHTSA · consumer-reported counts are not verified defect findings.