Why does my steering wheel pull or turn by itself?
Power steering malfunctions can cause the steering wheel to automatically jerk or pull hard in one direction while the engine is running, making it nearly impossible to steer the other way. This sudden loss of control prevents safe driving and can also cause the steering wheel to shake visibly when let go before pulling to the side.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Turn off the engine to disable power steering so the wheel can be turned with force
- 2Get a tow to a repair shop
- 3Checking or adjusting vehicle alignment
- 4Checking for a shifted belt in one of the front tires
- 5getting it checked out
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“when i don't have any of my hands over the steering wheel, it starts shaking, not very violently, but shakes quite visibly and after like 5 seconds starts to steer right”source ↗
“when i don't have any of my hands over the steering, it starts shaking, not very violently, but shakes quite visibly and after like 5 seconds starts to steer right, so do i need to go check and get the alignment straight, or is this some other issue?”source ↗
“When the engine is running the car will just turn left and I cannot for love or money turn right.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 4Why is my steering stiff after a CV axle replacement?
- 4Why is my steering wheel making noise when turning?
- 4Why does my car jerk and whine when accelerating around a turn?
- 5Why does my car lurch and shake when I accelerate at low RPMs?
- 3Why does my steering feel loose and clunking?
- 2Why does my car still pull to the side after a wheel alignment?