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) brings lighter steering feel, better fuel economy, and helpful driver‑assist features—but when it misbehaves, it can make a car hard or even frightening to control. If you’re in California and your vehicle keeps returning to the shop for EPS problems, you may be wondering whether the Lemon Law can help. Below, we break down how California’s Lemon Law works with 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—applies to most new vehicles and many used vehicles sold with the manufacturer’s warranty. In simple terms, if a covered defect substantially impairs the car’s use, value, or safety, and the manufacturer can’t fix it after a reasonable number of repair attempts, the law may provide remedies. Those potential remedies can include repurchase, replacement, or, in some cases, a cash settlement for diminished value, but the appropriate outcome depends on the facts and the warranty terms.
Electric power steering issues often fall squarely into the “safety” category because they affect your ability to steer predictably. Problems such as intermittent loss of power assist, a steering wheel that locks or goes stiff, or sudden pull and wander can rise to the level of substantial impairment. If those issues occur under the manufacturer’s warranty and authorized dealers have had a fair chance to repair them without success, your situation may meet the legal definition of a lemon under California law.
California also has a “legal presumption” that can make a consumer’s case easier if certain conditions occur within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles (for example, multiple repair attempts for the same problem or lengthy time out of service). EPS defects that pose safety concerns can be particularly significant under this framework. The exact standards and timelines can be nuanced, so it’s wise to review your repair history, warranty coverage, and dates carefully—and consider speaking with a lemon law attorney for guidance specific to your circumstances.
Common Electric Power Steering Issues and Next Steps
Drivers report a range of EPS symptoms, including a steering warning light followed by heavy or “manual-feel” steering, jerky or notchy steering assist at low speeds, or a steering wheel that won’t return to center after a turn. Others notice intermittent loss of assist after hitting bumps, during cold starts, or following a jump-start or low battery event. Behind the scenes, causes can include malfunctioning torque sensors, failing rack-and-pinion units with integrated motors, corrupted software in the control module, wiring or ground faults, and network (CAN bus) communication errors.
If you experience EPS trouble, start with safety. If the steering becomes hard to control, pull over when safe and consider towing rather than driving. When you visit the dealer, describe the exact conditions when the issue happens (speed, temperature, turning, braking, after a start), and ask that all symptoms be written on the repair order. Request copies of every repair invoice, diagnostic scan, and parts list; keep notes on dates, mileage in and out, and any days your vehicle is out of service. If you can safely capture short videos of the symptom, that evidence can help technicians reproduce the problem.
Also check your warranty booklet—EPS is usually covered by the bumper-to-bumper warranty, not just powertrain—and look for recalls or technical service bulletins (TSBs) for your make and model. If repairs aren’t effective after multiple visits, or your vehicle spends a significant number of days in the shop, it may be time to explore your rights under California’s Lemon Law. An early consultation can help you understand timelines, documentation, and reasonable next steps before you make any big decisions.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship, and past results are not a guarantee of future outcomes. Laws, timelines, and remedies vary based on the facts of each case. If you believe your vehicle may qualify as a lemon due to electric power steering problems, contact ZapLemon for a consultation at www.ZapLemon.com. Attorney Advertising.
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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.