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.
Steering should feel predictable and safe. When electronic power steering or related systems glitch, the wheel can go heavy, the car can drift, or warning lights can suddenly appear—turning every drive into a stress test. This article explains how California’s Lemon Law can apply to faulty steering electronics, what symptoms to watch for, and the practical steps you can take to protect your rights. It’s general information for consumers, not legal advice, and reading this post does not create an attorney–client relationship.
California Lemon Law and Faulty Steering Electronics
California’s Lemon Law (the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act) helps consumers when a vehicle under the manufacturer’s warranty has a defect that the dealer can’t fix after a reasonable number of attempts. Steering electronics—like electronic power steering (EPS) motors, control modules, steering angle sensors, lane-keep assist and ADAS steering functions, wiring harnesses, and software—are critical to safety and can qualify when they substantially impair the vehicle’s use, value, or safety. Whether the car is new or used, what matters is that it’s covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
California also has a “presumption” that can make it easier to show your car is a lemon during the first 18 months or 18,000 miles (whichever comes first). In general terms, the presumption may apply if: the dealer tried to fix the same issue four or more times; or two or more times for a problem that could cause death or serious injury; or the vehicle was out of service for repairs for a total of 30 or more days. Steering failures that cause sudden loss of assist or unpredictable lane keeping can fall into the “serious safety” category, but each situation is fact-specific and needs a careful review.
Even if you’re outside the 18 months/18,000 miles window, you may still have rights under the Lemon Law if the defect was covered by the warranty and the manufacturer had a reasonable opportunity to repair it. Remedies can include a replacement or a buyback (repurchase) that accounts for things like down payment, monthly payments, taxes, and fees, minus a mileage offset. Outcomes depend on the evidence and facts of your case, so a consultation is essential—no article can determine eligibility or guarantee a result.
Symptoms, Repairs, and Your Next Steps in California
Common steering electronics symptoms include a stiff or heavy wheel (especially at low speeds), intermittent loss of assist, EPS or steering warning lights, or messages like “Steering Assist Reduced—Drive With Care.” You might notice the car pulling, darting, or wandering, especially on the highway. Advanced driver-assistance features tied to steering—lane keep/center, road edge detection, or traffic jam assist—may disengage unexpectedly or behave inconsistently, sometimes with chimes or dash alerts.
Dealers often start with diagnostics, software updates, and control module reprogramming, then move to recalibrating the steering angle sensor or camera/radar alignment. If those don’t work, they may replace the EPS rack/motor assembly, the power steering control module, wiring, grounds, or the 12V battery if voltage instability is suspected. Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) and recalls can point to known fixes. If your vehicle spends multiple days in the shop or repeats the same repair cycle, those details matter—ask for detailed repair orders and keep copies.
Your next steps: bring the car to an authorized dealer promptly when symptoms occur, and describe exactly what you feel and see (include dates, speeds, weather, and whether ADAS was on). Take photos or brief videos of warnings and behavior when safe to do so, and keep every repair order, tow receipt, and invoice. Track total days out of service. Check for open recalls and TSBs, and consider opening a case with the manufacturer’s customer care. If the problem persists, a California Lemon Law consultation can help you understand options. For informational purposes only—every case is unique, and legal advice requires a personalized review.
Need a case-specific review?
Use the case-review form to share the warranty, repair orders, dates, mileage, and supporting facts an attorney would need to evaluate, or call (844) 927-5366.
Attorney advertising. General information is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. No result is promised or guaranteed.