Failure category
Steering
Steering rack, gaiters, ball joints, swivel pins, wheel bearings, stub axles.
Defect codes
27
Total fails
535,485
Defect codes in this category, ranked.
Sorted by total cars affected last year. Click any row for the full defect description plus the models most at risk.
- 01 253,001
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
177 models affected
- 02 231,098
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
213 models affected
- 03 37,340
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
39 models affected
- 04 7,876
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
70 models affected
- 05 2,202
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
3 models affected
- 06 1,272
Steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy, or with excessive wear or play
81 models affected
- 07 1,153
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
45 models affected
- 08 696
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
2 models affected
- 09 647
Steering head bearings have excessive wear or play
58 models affected
- 10 78
Power steering fluid level below minimum mark
2 models affected
- 11 26
Steering ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
2 models affected
- 12 23
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
3 models affected
- 13 20
Steering box leaking oil
3 models affected
- 14 15
Steering head bearings have excessive wear or play
1 models affected
- 15 11
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
3 models affected
- 16 6
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that steering or braking is likely to be adversely affected
1 models affected
- 17 3
Excessive radial movement between the top of the steering column and the shaft indicating an excessively worn top bearing
1 models affected
- 18 3
Steering linkage retaining or locking device missing or ineffective
2 models affected
- 19 3
Steering head bearings in such a condition that steering control is adversely affected
2 models affected
- 20 3
Electrical wiring likely to touch hot or rotating parts, drag on the ground or the connectors for braking or steering disconnected
1 models affected
- 21 2
A steering linkage component with an unsafe modification
1 models affected
- 22 2
Steering linkage retaining or locking device missing or ineffective
1 models affected
- 23 1
A steering linkage component with relative movement between components which should be fixed
1 models affected
- 24 1
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
1 models affected
- 25 1
A steering linkage component fractured or deformed to the extent that steering is affected
1 models affected
- 26 1
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
1 models affected
- 27 1
Steering linkage locking device missing or ineffective
1 models affected
Brands most affected.
Total category-fails across each manufacturer's tested fleet. High-volume brands naturally lead — read alongside their model pass-rates.