Start with the records. Repair orders, warranty documents, mileage, and days out of service are more useful than general assumptions about whether a vehicle qualifies.
Electric power steering (EPS) is supposed to make your car easier and safer to control. When it glitches—steering suddenly gets heavy, the wheel jerks, or a warning light flashes—it can be scary and dangerous. If your vehicle is under warranty and the problem keeps coming back, California’s Lemon Law may offer remedies. Below, we explain how the law can apply to EPS defects and what practical steps you can take to protect your rights and safety.
How California Lemon Law Applies to Electric Power Steering
California’s Lemon Law (part of the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act) can apply to repeated or substantial defects with EPS, as long as the vehicle is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty and the defect isn’t caused by misuse or an aftermarket modification. EPS problems can include intermittent loss of power assist, sudden stiffness or binding in the wheel, steering that pulls or wanders, warning messages like “Power Steering Fault,” and recurring software or sensor errors. Because steering relates directly to control of the vehicle, EPS issues are often treated as safety-related concerns.
To qualify, the manufacturer must have had a reasonable number of chances to fix the defect. There isn’t a single magic number, but California recognizes that safety defects may require fewer repair attempts, and a vehicle that’s out of service for a total of 30 or more days for warranty repairs may also meet Lemon Law criteria. The exact threshold depends on the circumstances, including how severe the EPS problem is and whether the dealership documented and attempted repairs under warranty.
If your vehicle qualifies, the law may entitle you to a repurchase (buyback) or replacement, with a mileage-related usage offset applied. Sometimes software updates resolve EPS issues; other times, parts like the steering rack, torque sensor, control module, wiring harness, or even battery/charging components are involved. The presence of technical service bulletins (TSBs) or recalls can be relevant, but having a TSB or recall doesn’t automatically make a car a “lemon.” The key is whether the defect substantially impairs use, value, or safety and hasn’t been fixed within a reasonable opportunity.
What to Do if Your Electric Power Steering Keeps Failing
Prioritize safety first. If the steering becomes difficult to control, pull over safely and consider towing rather than driving the vehicle. Take note of what happened—speed, road conditions, dashboard lights, sounds, and whether the steering got heavy, jerky, or unresponsive. If it’s safe, take photos or short videos of warning messages. These details can help the dealership reproduce the issue and create accurate service records.
Document everything. Each time you visit a dealership, ask that your concern be described in your own words on the repair order (for example, “EPS warning light on, steering suddenly heavy at low speeds”). Request itemized invoices showing warranty coverage, parts replaced, software updates performed, diagnostic codes, and dates the car was in the shop. Keep a simple timeline of symptoms and visits. If the problem is intermittent, ask the dealer to road test or keep the car long enough to replicate it and request that a case be opened with the manufacturer if the issue persists.
Be proactive with warranty and next steps. Check your warranty booklet for coverage details and any steps regarding dispute resolution or arbitration programs. If EPS is affecting safety and repairs aren’t resolving it, you can ask for escalation, such as a field engineer review. You don’t have to navigate this alone—gather your records and consult with a professional to understand your options under California law. For informational purposes only: a consultation with a lemon law attorney can help evaluate whether your situation may meet the law’s criteria and what remedies could be available in your case.
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Attorney advertising. General information is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. No result is promised or guaranteed.