Certain Toyota Camry, Highlander, and RAV4 vehicles equipped with an electric power steering (EPS) System could experience loss of steering assist due to a manufacturing error. According to reports, a resistor on the EPS electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, resistance may become high enough for the ECU to detect an abnormal current in the circuit. The problem may result in an illumining instrument panel warning light and the vehicle entering fail safe mode, suspending power steering assist. Loss of power steering assist results in increased steering effort during low speeds, increasing the risk of an accident. Continue reading
Tag Archives: power steering defect
GM Loss Of Electric Power Steering Assist
General Motors will be notifying owners of certain 2015 Buick Encore and 2015 Chevrolet Trax crossover vehicles about an electrical defect affecting the steering system. According to reports, these vehicles may have been manufactured with a steering column assembly housing that could contact the power steering printed circuit board. The circuit board could wear resulting in a sudden loss of electric power steering assist. Continue reading
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Loss Of Steering At Low Speeds
Daimler AG will be asking owners of some 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 and C400 sedans to return their vehicles to a Mercedes approved repair facility to have the steering system inspected for a manufacturing error that could result in loss of steering control. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, an improper assembly procedure could result in the steering coupling interlock mechanism not being locked in place. The sliding shaft could become disengaged from the coupling as the result of vibrations, steering thrust, or load feedback from the road surface. If the shaft becomes disengaged the driver may experience noises, steering backlash, and/or loss of steering control. Continue reading
2014 Ford C-Max and Focus Steering Defect
A safety defect in the steering system of certain 2014 Ford C-Max and Focus vehicles will have customers returning their cars for repairs. According to reports on the NHTSA website, on August 12, 2014, Ford was notified by their steering gear supplier that some gears were produced with less than the intended number of ball bearings. Steering gears with this condition could experience deformation and degradation of the ball bearings which could result in loss of steering control. Continue reading
2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Power Steering Problem
According to reports filed on the NHTSA website, certain 2007-2013 Mitsubishi Outlander vehicles equipped with 6 speed automatic transmission may have been manufactured with insufficient clearance between the power steering pressure tube and the converter housing of the automatic trans-axle. Contact between the two components could cause the steering pressure tube to rust and develop a hole in which power steering fluid could leak. Loss of power steering fluid could result in loss of steering assist, making the vehicle harder to control and increasing the risk of an accident. Continue reading
Mitsubishi Evolution And Ralliart Power Steering Leaks
Insufficient clearance between the power steering pressure tube and the cross member brace in some 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Lancer Ralliart cars will have owners returning to their nearest dealership for repairs. Contact between the two parts could cause the power steering pressure tube to rust and develop leaks, resulting in increased steering effort and the possibility of a fire. Continue reading
2008-2011 Mazda Tribute Electric Steering Problem
Certain 2008-2011 Mazda Tribute vehicles built at the Kansas City Assembly Plant between October 2006 to September 2010 could be affected by a problem that could lead to loss of power steering assist. Mazda will be sending notices sometime in July, but are encouraging drivers experiencing issue with their steering to return their vehicle to a manufacturer approved dealer to have repairs done as soon as possible. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, approximately 33,000 vehicles in the United States and its territories are potentially affected. Continue reading
2013 Ford Explorer Loss Of Power Steering Assist
After a preliminary evaluation (PE12-017) concerning allegations of loss of power steering assist on some 2011 Explorer SUV’s, Ford has submitted a defect and noncompliance report recalling approximately one hundred and eighty thousand 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles. Continue reading
