Power steering hose failures dominate these complaints. Owners describe return hoses and pressure lines rupturing without warning between 35,000 and 180,000 miles, with cold weather a recurring trigger. The loss is total—steering becomes immovable, forcing owners onto shoulders or to manually wrestle the wheel off roadways. Dealers confirm the hoses are the problem but invoke NHTSA Campaign 16V273000, then claim some VINs aren't covered, even though owners' failures match the recall exactly. Some owners report the recall was performed but excluded their car because they lack an optional block heater.
Engine stalls strike without warning during normal driving, killing power steering and brakes simultaneously—one owner regained control only by coasting to a gas station. Another owner's stall followed a battery replacement and steering recall (T47), with the dealer unable to explain why reconnecting the battery triggered the failure; they later suggested expensive diagnostics and parts replacement at the owner's expense.
Steering seizing occurs independently of visible leaks, with fluid levels normal. The steering wheel locks solid at low speeds and during turns, sometimes intermittently, with assist cutting out then snapping the vehicle hard to one side. ABS and StabiliTrak systems cycle warnings on and off, stiffening brakes and steering unpredictably. Front-end grinding appears during turns, and one owner reports violent vibration from the front end that dealers replicate on multiple visits.
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering fluid leak / return hose failure
Return hose fails or ruptures without warning, causing power steering fluid loss and complete loss of power steering assist. Narratives describe the hose failing suddenly during normal driving or even while the vehicle is stationary warming up.
When: 35,000 miles to 180,000 miles; in cold weather conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes very difficult or impossible to turn; Power steering fluid leaking onto driveway or under vehicle; Extra effort needed to steer at low speeds; Sudden complete loss of power steering assist while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering return hose replacement needed; some owners report mechanic diagnosis of fractured rack and pinion requiring replacement; estimates cited by dealers but owner did not pay
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 16V273000 (Steering); some owners told their VIN was not included in recall; manufacturer referred some owners to NHTSA; recall allegedly excludes vehicles without optional block heater
Power steering pressure line rupture
High-pressure steering line fails in cold weather, causing pump failure and total steering loss. This appears related to the return hose failures but described as the pressure line.
When: Cold/freezing weather conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power steering assist; Pump failure
Repairs/costs cited: Pump and pressure line replacement needed
Power steering seizing / intermittent loss
Power steering suddenly becomes difficult to move or seizes completely without any warning or visible leaks, fluid level full. Occurs while turning or driving at various speeds. Some cases show intermittent behavior where assist cuts out then returns.
When: 60,000 miles to 99,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes extremely difficult to turn in either direction; Power steering assist fails intermittently—works then cuts out while turning; Violent snap to one side when assist suddenly returns; Seizing occurs during turns at low speeds
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed in narratives; dealers unable to replicate or diagnose issue in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 16V273000 (Steering); some owners informed VIN not included in recall; manufacturer advised one owner to file NHTSA complaint
Steering grinding noise during turns
Grinding or squealing noise occurs when turning, increasing in frequency and occurring at both left and right turns.
When: Ideal turning speeds of 5–15 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding noise when making turns; Noise becomes more frequent over time; Occurs at low turning speeds (5–15 mph)
Engine stall during low-speed operation / ESC system malfunction cascade
Engine shuts off without warning during normal driving (stop light, acceleration, low speeds) and does not restart until pushed or ignition cycled. One owner described this following a battery replacement and recall repair (T47 steering wiring); ESC light illuminates and vehicle loses steering control and braking response, pulling hard to one side.
When: After battery replacement and recall service; occurs while driving 35 mph and at stop lights
Symptoms owners cite: Engine suddenly shuts off while driving; No power steering or brakes when engine off; No warning lights on some occasions; Engine restarts after delay or restart attempt; ESC warning light illuminates; Brake pedal and steering wheel stiffen; Vehicle pulls hard to left, nearly into other lane; Loud rattling under front end; Vehicle slows/stalls-like behavior when ESC engages
Repairs/costs cited: One owner told dealer forgot to re-initialize ABS system after battery disconnect; dealer later suggested possible clock spring or axle/driveshaft/differential issues but wanted diagnostic fee (several hundred dollars) with owner paying for parts
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall T47 (airbags and steering wiring); some owners claim instructions for this recall would require opening steering wheel/shaft and direct contact with clock spring; dealer denied causing clock spring damage
Intermittent loss of power steering assist (unilateral)
Power steering assist works intermittently, particularly noticeable when turning one direction (often right) with little or no assist, while other direction has some assist. On highway and city streets.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Lack of power steering assist when turning right; some assist when turning left; Intermittent behavior; Occurs on highway and city streets
ABS and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning light with brake/steering stiffness
ABS and StabiliTrak warning lights illuminate; brake pedal and steering wheel stiffen; warnings cycle on and off while driving. One owner stated vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign 15V675000.
When: 140,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminates; StabiliTrak warning light illuminates; Brake pedal stiffens; Steering wheel stiffens; Warning lights turn off and on at various speeds; Stiffness persists until warnings re-illuminate
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign 15V675000 (Electronic Stability Control, Service Brakes, Hydraulic); dealer did not diagnose or repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 15V675000; owner's vehicle allegedly not included
Front-end violent vibration causing instability
Violent vibration originates from front of vehicle, making vehicle unstable. Unable to be replicated by dealer on three separate service visits.
When: 25,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Violent vibration from front of vehicle; Vehicle becomes unstable during vibration events
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to replicate failure on three occasions; not repaired
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.