The Lemon IndexSteering that suddenly gets heavy usually means the power steering assist has cut out.
Stop and get help. The car can still be steered, but it takes much more force. Drive slowly to a safe place and get it checked.
A fault in electric power steering (motor, sensor or software). Then: low power steering fluid or a leak (hydraulic systems); a failing power steering pump or belt.
Owners describe this in 42,163 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Ford Fusion.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 Ford Fusion | 1,214 | 22% |
| 2012 Ford Fusion | 994 | 38% |
| 2011 Ford Fusion | 929 | 32% |
| 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt | 823 | 35% |
| 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt | 723 | 44% |
| 2008 Ford Escape | 648 | 27% |
| 2004 Chevrolet Malibu | 549 | 32% |
| 2006 Chevrolet Malibu | 546 | 39% |
| 2009 Ford Escape | 526 | 28% |
| 2011 Ford Explorer | 505 | 42% |
| 2013 Ford Explorer | 480 | 21% |
| 2009 Chevrolet Malibu | 450 | 29% |
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
2015 GMC Canyon · 51% 2015 Chevrolet Colorado · 50% 2016 GMC Canyon · 45% 2005 Mini Cooper · 44% 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt · 44% 2016 Chevrolet Colorado · 42% 2011 Ford Explorer · 42% 2007 Chevrolet HHR · 42%
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 steering wheel hard to turn
- A fault in electric power steering (motor, sensor or software)
- Low power steering fluid or a leak (hydraulic systems)
- A failing power steering pump or belt
- Low battery voltage on electric steering
- A worn steering rack
General causes, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause with tests before replacing parts.
Is it safe to drive if the steering wheel is hard to turn?
Stop and get help. The car can still be steered, but it takes much more force. Drive slowly to a safe place and get it checked.
Get help right away if it happened while driving.
Of the 42,163 complaints describing it, 3% mention a crash, 3% say the car was towed, 0.6% mention a fire and 1% report an injury.
What the complaints show
The parts owners filed these complaints under: steering (86%), electrical system (13%), engine (6%), power train (4%). A complaint can list more than one.
Median odometer reading when owners reported it: 76,900 miles.
Most reports by make: Ford (11,229), Chevrolet (9,765), Pontiac (1,908), Dodge (1,665), Ram (1,611).
What owners say it cost to fix
Repair bills owners named in complaints that describe this symptom (steering, suspension repairs): the middle half ran $1,200 to $2,300, typical $1,800, from 1,067 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.
Engine codes that come up with it
U3000 C0545 B2278 C2217 C200D B1342 C1277 U0420
Trouble codes owners named in these complaints more often than in other symptom complaints. Look up any code →
Related symptoms
Steering wheel locked up Car shakes at highway speed Clicking noise when turning Clunking noise over bumps Car pulls to one side Loose steering wheel
Quick answers
What causes steering wheel hard to turn?
Steering that suddenly gets heavy usually means the power steering assist has cut out. Common causes: a fault in electric power steering (motor, sensor or software); low power steering fluid or a leak (hydraulic systems); a failing power steering pump or belt; low battery voltage on electric steering; a worn steering rack.
Is it safe to drive if the steering wheel is hard to turn?
Stop and get help. The car can still be steered, but it takes much more force. Drive slowly to a safe place and get it checked.
Which cars have this problem most?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners describe it most on the Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu and Chevrolet Cobalt. 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 1,067 repair bills owners named in complaints describing it, the middle half ran $1,200 to $2,300. 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