NHTSA Complaint #10748998 — 2008 ACURA TSX

WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT AROUND 65 MPH WHEN THE CAR STEERING FELT A BIT ROUGH, UPON ARRIVAL AT MY JOB'S PARKING LOT I LOST COMPLETE POWER STEERING. UPON A QUICK INSPECTION LATER THAT DAY I NOTICED THE RACK AND PINION WAS LEAKING, I TRIED TO ADD MORE FLUID JUST TO MAKE IT HOME BUT THE LEAK WAS SO QUICK THAT I LOST COMPLETE POWER STEERING WHEN TRYING TO EXIT MY PARKING SPACE AFTER JUST HAVING TOP'D OFF THE FLUID. THE SAFETY CONCERN IS DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AID WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AT LOW SPEEDS AS THIS WILL MAKE TURNING DIFFICULT DUE TO THE LOW SPEED, THIS MAY BE SUDDEN AS EXPERIENCED FROM THE QUICK PS FLUID LOSS. MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THE SAME ISSUE AND ACURA'S SERVICE BULLETIN 10-025 ADDRESSES A POWER STEERING RACK SQUEAK DUE A DEFORMED SEAL IN THE STEERING RACK. HOWEVER THE BIGGER CONCERN IS DUE TO THE LOST OF VEHICLE CONTROL FROM LOSS OF FLUID. FURTHERMORE, MERELY LETTING THE CAR IDLE WHEN THERE HAS SUFFERED A NOTICEABLE POWER STEERING FLUID LOSS MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE STEERING PUMP AS THE LACK OF SUCH FLUID STARVES THE PUMP OF LUBING MEDIUM. THE QUOTE TO REPAIR SUCH DAMAGE IS ESTIMATED AT AROUND 2200+ 1000+ FOR STEERING RACK AND 1000+ FOR LABOR.