Tag Archives: steering assist loss

2025 Acura RDX Power Steering Software Issue May Cause Loss of Assist

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Certain 2025 Acura RDX vehicles may have a problem with the electric power steering (EPS) system software. The software may not be properly calibrated, which can cause the EPS system to enter fail-safe mode and result in a sudden loss of power steering assist.

This issue can make steering more difficult, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash. 

What Causes the Power Steering Problem

During the development of the 2025 Acura RDX EPS software to meet California Idle Stop OBD requirements, Honda’s Tier 2 supplier mistakenly set the EPS target returnability Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) gain to an incorrect value.

This mis-calibration can trigger the problem under specific conditions:

  • When the driver makes a sharp steering input during a turn
  • When IDS is in Comfort mode
  • When the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) is active

In these scenarios, the EPS target returnability output may exceed the system’s safety threshold, causing the system to falsely detect a fault and enter fail-safe mode—cutting off power steering assist.

Timeline of Discovery

  • October 2024: Honda received the first complaint and began investigating.
  • March 2025: Investigation efforts continued with further analysis.
  • May 29, 2025: A dealership review revealed that the customer’s driving mode could be a factor.
  • July 2025: Honda and its supplier continued in-depth testing and analysis.
  • August 19, 2025: Honda determined the issue could present a safety risk.
  • August 28, 2025: Honda confirmed a safety defect and announced a recall.

Between August 2024 and August 2025, Honda received 84 warranty claims related to the issue but reported no injuries or deaths.

The Fix

Honda dealers will reprogram the EPS software on affected Acura RDX vehicles.

  • Owner notification letters will be mailed starting October 20, 2025.
  • Honda Recall Number: GMS
  • NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V-582

2021 Cadillac, Chevrolet And GMC Trucks Steering Warning Indicator

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General Motors has decided that a problem affecting vehicle steering exists in certain 2021 Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC trucks. GM opened an investigation into the condition after receiving a field report of loss of power steering assist in a 2021 GMC Yukon.

According to the defect report, diagnostic trouble code (DTC) data obtained from the vehicle indicated that the power steering system may contain a software error that causes loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving. Vehicle testing demonstrated that manual steering remained available without power assist, but increased steering effort was required, particularly at lower speeds. In most cases, the malfunction indicator light will display on the instrument panel and a warning chime will sound. The condition is typically self-corrected at the next ignition cycle.

Vehicles Affected Include
2021 Cadillac Escalade
2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2021 Chevrolet Suburban
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
2021 GMC Yukon
2021 GMC Yukon XL

GM will update the software in the vehicles’ power steering module. Owners will have the opportunity to accept these software changes using wireless over-the-air (OTA) technology without having to bring their vehicle to a dealership. Alternatively, owners may schedule to have the updates performed at a GM dealer. A certain number of vehicles that were part of GM’s captured test fleet will require replacement of the steering gear motor kit in order to receive the updated software.

GM’s number for this recall is N212333900 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-455.

2017 Audi Q7 Loss Of Power Steering Assist

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Volkswagen will be asking a small number of 2017 Audi Q7 owners to return to their dealerships to repair a problem affecting the power steering. According to the defect report, the silicone gel used to protect the ECU’s circuit board may not have hardened sufficiently and could allow particles to enter the area. The board could short circuit and result in loss of power steering assist. Drivers may experience an illuminated power steering warning light and a loss of power steering assist.

Dealers will correct the defect by replacing the steering rack. For more information about the problem, owners are asked to contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 48M5 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-648.

2013-2015 Jaguar XF Loss Of Steering Assist

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Jaguar Land Rover will be asking the owners of certain 2013-2015 Jaguar XF sports cars to return to their dealership to repair a problem that could affect the steering system. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, a bolt on the Front End Auxiliary Drive (FEAD) could fail leading to the loss of the FEAD. As a result, the driver may experience a battery charge warning lamp illumination, air conditioning failure, engine overheat warnings and a Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) followed by a reduction in steering assist. A sudden increase in steering effort could increase the risk of a vehicle accident. Continue reading →

2016 Buick Regal Power Steering Assist Failure

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General Motors have notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about a safety problem affecting certain 2016 Buick Regal cars. Effective immediately, GM has put a stop delivery on new and used vehicle inventory and will be sending owners notices to return to their dealers for repairs. According to the defect report, the power-steering assist system could fail, increasing the risk to an accident. Continue reading →

2015 Chevy Colorado & GMC Canyon Steering Defect

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A defect affecting steering safety will have the owners of certain 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and 2015 GMC Canyon trucks returning to their dealerships for repairs. The vehicles involved may have a torque sensor harness connector that was damaged during testing and could result in loss of electrical connection to the steering gear connector. If loss of connection occurs, power steering assist will be lost, a malfunction indicator light displays on the instrument panel and a chime sounds to inform the driver. Continue reading →

2014-2015 Audi SQ5 Steering Motor Sensor Fault

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Volkswagen will be asking the owners of certain 2014-2015 Audi SQ5 vehicles to return to their dealerships for a problem affecting the steering motor sensor. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the affected cars have an electric power steering assist system that could experience a steering motor sensor fault as the result of cold ambient temperatures. If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, drivers will be alerted with a power steering warning light and extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds. The problem could increase the risk of a vehicle crash. Continue reading →

Toyota Electric Power Steering Failure

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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 →