Steering Issues and Lemon Law Claims

Steering is one of the most safety‑critical systems in any vehicle. When it doesn’t behave predictably—whether the wheel feels heavy, the car drifts, or the assist cuts out—it can be frightening and dangerous. If you’re dealing with repeat steering problems, you may be wondering if California’s Lemon Law can help. Below, ZapLemon explains common steering symptoms that could indicate a “lemon,” and how California’s Lemon Law may apply to ongoing steering defects, in plain, non-legalese terms.

Steering Problems That May Signal a Lemon

Steering systems include many parts: the steering wheel and column, a rack-and-pinion or gear box, tie rods and control arms, pumps or electric motors that provide assist, and sensors and software that talk to stability control and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Warning signs often start small—a steering wheel that sits off-center, a car that pulls left or right, or a “dead zone” where you turn the wheel and nothing happens. You might also feel vibration through the wheel, hear clunks or pops when turning, or see a power steering or EPS (electric power steering) light on the dash.

Some defects show up intermittently. Electric power steering units can drop assist without warning, making the wheel suddenly heavy at low speeds; hydraulic systems can whine, leak, or lose assist as fluid escapes or the pump fails. Vehicles with ADAS may tug the wheel or “fight” your inputs if a steering angle sensor or camera calibration is off. Persistent alignment problems—where the car can’t stay aligned or quickly goes out of alignment again—may point to worn or defective steering or suspension components rather than just a tire issue.

Real-world examples consumers report include: multiple replacements of a steering rack that still knocks on tight turns; a vehicle that follows grooves in the road or wanders on the highway despite new tires and alignments; intermittent EPS failure that returns even after software updates; and recurring “Service Steering” warnings paired with loss of lane‑keeping or stability control. If these issues keep coming back after warranty repairs, they may be more than annoyances—they could be defects that substantially affect safety, use, or value.

How California’s Lemon Law Applies to Steering

California’s Lemon Law (the Song‑Beverly Consumer Warranty Act) protects consumers when a manufacturer or its authorized dealer can’t fix a warranty-covered defect after a reasonable number of attempts. The law can apply to new vehicles and, in many cases, used or certified pre-owned vehicles that are still within the manufacturer’s warranty. A defect generally must “substantially impair” the vehicle’s use, value, or safety. Steering problems often fall into that category because safe directional control is essential.

California also provides a “Tanner Presumption” to help consumers in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first. Under the presumption, a vehicle may be presumed a lemon if: (1) the dealer tried to fix the same issue at least two times for a problem likely to cause death or serious injury; (2) at least four repair attempts were made for the same defect; or (3) the vehicle was out of service for repairs for a total of 30 or more days. This presumption isn’t the only path—claims can still succeed outside these benchmarks—but it’s a useful guide.

Applied to steering, this means repeated loss of power assist, chronic pulling or wandering that affects control, or unresolved EPS faults—especially those that create a safety risk—can potentially meet the standard if the manufacturer can’t repair them under warranty. For example, if your vehicle has been in multiple times for a failing steering rack, ongoing EPS shutdowns, or uncorrectable alignment that compromises stability, and authorized dealers cannot fix it, you may have Lemon Law rights. Keep in mind that specifics matter, including timing, mileage, warranty status, and your repair documentation.