The Lemon IndexSteering that feels loose or wanders usually means worn parts in the steering or suspension.
Fix soon. Get it checked soon. Loose steering gets worse over time.
Worn tie rod ends. Then: worn ball joints or control arm bushings; a worn steering rack.
Owners describe this in 2,819 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Jeep Wrangler.
Cars owners report it on most
Complaints describing this symptom, by model, all years. Raw counts, not a failure rate: popular models get more complaints.
Model years that report it most
| Model year | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Jeep Wrangler | 176 | 10% |
| 2019 Jeep Wrangler | 106 | 14% |
| 2011 Hyundai Sonata | 83 | 2% |
| 2020 Jeep Wrangler | 56 | 9% |
| 2020 Jeep Gladiator | 55 | 11% |
| 2013 Hyundai Sonata | 38 | 2% |
| 2010 Toyota Corolla | 37 | 3% |
| 2009 Toyota Corolla | 27 | 2% |
| 2016 Chevrolet Silverado | 27 | 3% |
| 2013 Kia Optima | 24 | 2% |
| 2001 Ram pickup | 21 | 1% |
| 2013 Hyundai Elantra | 21 | 2% |
Each row is that model year's record in NHTSA complaints, not the history of any one car. Share = complaints describing this symptom out of every complaint we hold for that model year (shown when the year has 50+ complaints).
Where it makes up the biggest share
2019 Jeep Wrangler · 14% 2020 Jeep Gladiator · 11% 2018 Jeep Wrangler · 10% 2020 Jeep Wrangler · 9% 2021 Jeep Gladiator · 3% 2010 Toyota Corolla · 3% 2016 Chevrolet Silverado · 3% 2011 Hyundai Sonata · 2%
Model years with 150+ complaints in our data and 10+ describing this symptom, ranked by share. A high share means owners of that year who complained often mentioned it.
The details
Common causes of loose steering wheel
- Worn tie rod ends
- Worn ball joints or control arm bushings
- A worn steering rack
- Wheel alignment out of spec
- Worn wheel bearings
General causes, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause with tests before replacing parts.
Is it safe to drive with loose steering?
Fix soon. Get it checked soon. Loose steering gets worse over time.
Get help right away if the car is hard to keep in its lane; you hear clunks when steering.
Of the 2,819 complaints describing it, 3% mention a crash, 2% say the car was towed and 2% report an injury.
What the complaints show
The parts owners filed these complaints under: steering (85%), suspension (19%), electrical system (4%), power train (4%). A complaint can list more than one.
Median odometer reading when owners reported it: 37,061 miles.
Most reports by make: Jeep (499), Ford (418), Chevrolet (330), Dodge (284), Hyundai (248).
What owners say it cost to fix
Repair bills owners named in complaints that describe this symptom (steering, suspension repairs): the middle half ran $500 to $1,500, typical $1,100, from 61 bills.
Each figure is one repair bill as an owner wrote it in a complaint, not a quote for your car. Prices vary with the part, the shop and the year.
Related symptoms
Clunking noise over bumps Clicking noise when turning Car pulls to one side Car shakes at highway speed Steering wheel hard to turn Steering wheel locked up
Quick answers
What causes loose steering wheel?
Steering that feels loose or wanders usually means worn parts in the steering or suspension. Common causes: worn tie rod ends; worn ball joints or control arm bushings; a worn steering rack; wheel alignment out of spec; worn wheel bearings.
Is it safe to drive with loose steering?
Fix soon. Get it checked soon. Loose steering gets worse over time.
Which cars have this problem most?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners describe it most on the Jeep Wrangler, Hyundai Sonata and Ram pickup. These are raw counts, so popular models rank higher; complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
How much does it cost to fix?
In 61 repair bills owners named in complaints describing it, the middle half ran $500 to $1,500. The right repair depends on the cause.
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text describes this symptom (we matched owners' own wording, then read samples to check the matches). A complaint is an owner's report, not a diagnosis or proof of a defect. Causes and advice are general information in our own words, not repair advice for your car. Every symptom · Engine code lookup