What causes power steering fluid leak?

Worn power steering pump seals; Cracked or loose high-pressure hose; Leaking steering rack (rack and pinion) seals; Loose or corroded fittings and clamps; Low-pressure return hose deterioration; Electric power steering fault (no fluid).

Caution

Power Steering Fluid Leak

Share:@au7o.io

A power steering fluid leak usually shows up as a reddish, amber, or brownish oily puddle near the front of the car, often paired with a whining or groaning noise and heavy, stiff steering. On hydraulic systems the leak typically comes from the pump, the high-pressure hose, or the steering rack seals. Many newer cars use electric power steering (EPS) with no fluid at all, so if your vehicle is EPS, any 'leak' is coming from another system and the heavy steering is electrical or mechanical.

Trouble codes you may see

If you scan the car, these are the OBD-II codes most often behind this symptom:

C0545C0900U0131C1511

Common causes

1
Worn power steering pump seals
Pump shaft and housing seals dry out and crack with age, weeping fluid at the front of the engine. Often accompanied by a whine that rises with steering effort.
2
Cracked or loose high-pressure hose
The pressure hose runs up to ~1,300 psi and gets brittle with heat and age. Leaks are common where a rubber hose meets a hard line or threads into the pump or rack.
3
Leaking steering rack (rack and pinion) seals
Internal rack seals fail and leak, often dripping toward the center-front of the car. This is usually the most expensive of the common causes.
4
Loose or corroded fittings and clamps
Junctions where hose meets hard line, and the return-line clamps, can loosen or corrode and seep low-pressure fluid. Sometimes a simple tighten or clamp fix.
5
Low-pressure return hose deterioration
The return hose runs at low pressure but still cracks with age, causing slow drips and a gradually dropping reservoir level.
6
Electric power steering fault (no fluid)
On EPS-equipped cars there is no fluid to leak. Heavy or intermittent steering instead points to the assist motor, torque sensor, wiring, or a charging/voltage problem.

What to do

A slow seep is generally safe to drive on short-term if you keep the reservoir topped with the correct fluid, but losing assist entirely makes the steering very heavy and unsafe, especially in parking and emergency maneuvers. Check the reservoir level and look for the source near the pump, hoses, and rack. Have a mechanic confirm the leak point soon, since running a hydraulic pump low on fluid can damage the pump and a failing hose can rupture suddenly.

Not sure it's your car?

Snap a photo or describe what you're seeing and let Au7o confirm the likely cause for your exact year, make, and model — free.

Diagnose my car free

← Browse all car symptoms·Look up a trouble code

Common causes

Worn power steering pump seals

Pump shaft and housing seals dry out and crack with age, weeping fluid at the front of the engine. Often accompanied by a whine that rises with steering effort.

Cracked or loose high-pressure hose

The pressure hose runs up to ~1,300 psi and gets brittle with heat and age. Leaks are common where a rubber hose meets a hard line or threads into the pump or rack.

Leaking steering rack (rack and pinion) seals

Internal rack seals fail and leak, often dripping toward the center-front of the car. This is usually the most expensive of the common causes.

Loose or corroded fittings and clamps

Junctions where hose meets hard line, and the return-line clamps, can loosen or corrode and seep low-pressure fluid. Sometimes a simple tighten or clamp fix.

Low-pressure return hose deterioration

The return hose runs at low pressure but still cracks with age, causing slow drips and a gradually dropping reservoir level.

Electric power steering fault (no fluid)

On EPS-equipped cars there is no fluid to leak. Heavy or intermittent steering instead points to the assist motor, torque sensor, wiring, or a charging/voltage problem.

What to do