California Lemon Law and Faulty Electric Power Steering

Electric power steering (EPS) has become standard in many cars sold and leased in California, from compact hybrids to full-size SUVs. When EPS works, it makes low-speed maneuvering easier and improves fuel efficiency. But if your vehicle’s EPS is glitchy—intermittent assist, warning lights, sudden stiffness, or wandering—it can feel unsafe and deeply frustrating. This article explains, in plain language, how the California Lemon Law may apply to faulty electric power steering and what to document if you’re considering your options.

How California Lemon Law Covers Electric Power Steering

California’s Lemon Law (part of the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act) generally helps consumers when a vehicle has a substantial defect covered by the manufacturer’s warranty that the dealer or manufacturer can’t fix after a reasonable number of repair attempts. EPS problems qualify as potential “defects” when they impair the vehicle’s use, value, or safety. Because steering relates directly to control of the car, recurring EPS issues are often treated as safety-related in practice, though each situation is fact-specific.

“Reasonable number” isn’t a fixed number for every case. Factors can include how serious the problem is, how many times you brought the car in, and how long the car has been out of service. As a general guide, consumers often look to whether there have been multiple repair visits for the same EPS issue, or whether the car has been in the shop for 30 or more cumulative days for warranty repairs. California also has a “lemon law presumption” that may apply within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, but claims can exist beyond that window if the defect is under warranty. The specifics matter, which is why documentation is key.

If the law applies, potential remedies can include a buyback (repurchase) or a replacement vehicle, among others set out by statute. Outcomes vary and depend on the facts, the warranty, and the repair history. This article is for general information—only a consultation can address your situation. If you’re experiencing EPS failures and are unsure whether your vehicle might qualify, consider speaking with a professional who can evaluate your repair records and timeline.

Electric Power Steering Issues: What to Document

Start with the symptoms. Note the dates, mileage, speed, and conditions (for example, first start of the day, after long highway drives, hot or cold weather, tight turns, parking maneuvers). Common EPS complaints include sudden loss of assist, warning messages like “Power Steering Assist Reduced,” steering wheel icons lighting up, stiffness or “notchy” feel, vehicle pulling or drifting, self-centering problems, and intermittent power assist that comes and goes. Short videos of warning lights or the steering behavior (taken safely and legally) can be helpful context alongside your written notes.

Keep every repair order from the dealer. Before you leave the service drive, make sure the paperwork accurately reflects what you reported (“customer states steering intermittently loses assist at low speeds; warning light comes on”), what the dealer found (including any diagnostic trouble codes and test results), and what they did (parts replaced, software updated, firmware version numbers, torque sensor calibrations, alignment checks). Ask for printouts of diagnostic codes and any road test notes. Save tow receipts, loaner/rental records, and emails or texts with the dealer or manufacturer. If a manufacturer case number was opened, record that number and the representative’s name.

Track the timeline. Make a simple log listing each visit date, mileage-in/mileage-out, days out of service, and whether the issue improved, recurred, or worsened. If the dealer says the issue is “normal” or “cannot duplicate,” write down the conditions that make the problem more likely so you can demonstrate it on a test drive with a technician. Check your warranty booklet to confirm coverage and note any technical service bulletins (TSBs) or recalls related to EPS for your make and model—these can show that the manufacturer is aware of known conditions. Good documentation doesn’t just support potential lemon law claims; it also helps technicians diagnose intermittent EPS faults more effectively.

Faulty electric power steering can undermine confidence in your vehicle, especially when it resurfaces after multiple dealer visits. Clear, consistent records of symptoms and repairs often make the difference in understanding your rights under California’s Lemon Law and in helping a professional evaluate your options.