Why Does My Car Squeal When I Turn the Steering Wheel?

Although a squealing sound when turning the steering wheel is usually a sign of something wrong with the car’s power-steering system, it can also be due to low tire pressure, a suspension problem or other issues with the steering system.

Related: Do You Need to Change Your Car’s Power-Steering Fluid?

Note that some newer cars may have electric power steering, which works differently from the older hydraulic systems. If you don’t know which type your car has, you can do an internet search for, “Does a [year/make/model (e.g. 2012 Toyota Camry)] have electric power steering?”

Hydraulic Power-Steering Systems

• A conventional power-steering system uses an engine-driven pump to assist in turning the steering wheel.
• A squealing sound from the power-steering system can be caused by a slipping belt or a lack of power-steering fluid.

A conventional power-steering system (which has been around since the 1950s) consists of an engine-driven pump that routes hydraulic fluid under pressure to the steering gearbox via hoses. Although the pump turns whenever the engine is running, the system is really only taxed when you turn the steering wheel off-center, at which point the pressurized fluid “assists” you in turning the wheel. Note that even if the power-steering system fails, you can still steer the car; it will just be much harder to turn the steering wheel, particularly at low speeds. (The wheels are harder to steer left or right when the car’s not moving, something that’s not really noticeable when you have power steering.)

In many cases, if the hydraulic power-steering system fails, you’ll first hear the squeal either when the engine starts up — particularly when cold — or when you’re turning the steering wheel. This is usually due to one of two problems, both of which are reasonably easy to check.

First, the belt that drives the power-steering pump (which may also drive several other accessories, such as the alternator, water pump and air-conditioning compressor) might be slipping, causing the squeal. This may occur when it’s cold because the belt is slicker and less flexible. It may also happen when you’re turning as that’s when the power-steering pump needs to create the most pressure and is thus harder to spin. In the former case, the squeal may go away when the belt warms up after driving a bit; in the latter case, the squealing sound will likely continue anytime the steering wheel is turned off-center.

Another possible cause of a squeal is that the power-steering pump is being starved of fluid. This is usually because the system is low on fluid, but it can also be because a screen at the bottom of the fluid tank is clogged, preventing fluid from getting through to the pump itself. Contaminated fluid can also cause a squeal.

Whichever is the case, you should still get the system fixed, as it not only makes the steering harder, but it can also lead to damage of the pump or steering gearbox due to lack of lubrication.

Electric Power-Steering Systems

Since the electric power-steering systems found on many newer cars don’t use power-steering fluid or a drive belt (instead, an electric motor provides assistance only when you turn), any squealing you hear isn’t coming from either of those two sources. If it also doesn’t seem to be coming from anything listed below under “Other Possibilities,” it’s probably time to head to a mechanic.

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Simple Checks

• Power-steering fluid should be checked when warm and the engine is off. It should be clear with an amber, pink or red tint; if it’s foamy, dark or smells burnt, it should be replaced. A low fluid level could indicate a leak.
• You can also check the power-steering belt for signs of wear, like a glazed surface on the inside or lateral cracks. It should also feel taut between pulleys.

Many cars are so packed under the hood that viewing anything below the big cover on top can be difficult. However, the power-steering pump or its separate reservoir is often visible, usually with a cap that includes the words “power steering” or an image of a steering wheel. Sometimes the reservoir is translucent with graduated markings on the side, while other times there’s a dipstick attached to the inside of the cap.

Check the owner’s manual for the proper way to check the fluid (as well as your car’s recommended type of fluid), but it’s usually done after the car has been driven a while when the fluid is warm and the engine is turned off. The fluid should be between the minimum and maximum markings. If you have to add fluid, don’t overfill it, and take the car for a short drive and check the level again. If it’s really low, the fluid has probably leaked out somewhere, so check the ground for stains. If it’s leaking out quickly, you’ll probably want to have a mechanic take a look at it.

The power-steering fluid should be clear with an amber, pink or red tint. If it’s foamy, tan, dark or smells burnt, it should be replaced. You may have to drain the fluid to do so, but it’s worth checking to see if there’s a screen at the bottom of the pump or reservoir that needs cleaning, as well.

If your car has a separate power-steering fluid reservoir, see if you can find the power-steering pump; it will be driven by a belt and have hoses leading to the steering gearbox. With the engine off, check the underside of the belt for a glazed, shiny surface, which usually indicates it’s been slipping, as well as lateral cracks (a sign the belt is due for replacement). Then, press between two pulleys to see if the belt feels taut. (There are special gauges to do this, but lacking one, you shouldn’t be able to press the belt in very far; if you can, either the belt or the belt tensioner might be bad.)

To check further, start the engine and turn the steering wheel right or left. If you hear a squeal, listen to see if it’s coming from the belt. Remember to not get too close; it’s easy to get your clothing or fingers caught in all the rotating components.

Replacing the Power-Steering Fluid

• Replacing power-steering fluid can be done by yourself or a professional. If doing it yourself, you can use a turkey baster to remove old fluid from the reservoir and replace it with new fluid.
• Repeating this process multiple times will gradually clear the fluid mixture.

If the power-steering fluid needs replacing based on the factors described earlier, you may want to have a shop do the job. However, you can also do it yourself.

The easiest way is to get a turkey baster to suck out the fluid. (Just make sure you never again use the baster for food.) Remove as much of the fluid as you can, then fill the reservoir with fresh fluid. Drive the car around for a bit and check the fluid again. It will likely still be dark because you’re only replacing part of the fluid when you empty the reservoir; there’s still some in the steering gearbox and fluid lines, and the old and new fluid will be mixed together when you drive.

If you repeat the process a few times, the mix of fluid — with more and more of it being new — should become fairly clear. Note that this requires quite a bit of power-steering fluid (you’re throwing away some that’s new every time), so be prepared to buy more than the system would seem to hold.

Other Possibilities

• Low tire pressure or oversize tires can cause a squealing noise when turning the steering wheel.
• Other potential causes of squealing include worn steering or suspension components, which are best diagnosed by a professional.

Any tire that’s low on air can squeal when you turn corners — even if you’re not going really fast. However, this is a different type of squeal than what’s produced by the previously mentioned problems, and it likely wouldn’t occur when the steering wheel is turned while the car is stopped. Additionally, if the tires put on the car are too large, they may rub against an inner fender and cause a squeal.

All passenger vehicles starting with the 2008 model year have tire pressure monitoring systems (some had it before then) that will illuminate an instrument panel light if one or more of your tires are low on pressure; it usually looks like a horseshoe with an exclamation point in the middle. If you see that light — or your car is older and doesn’t have one — you can check tire pressures yourself and fill the tires to the proper pressure. In some ways, this is easier than the previous checks mentioned, but it’s also less likely to be the culprit.

Even less likely is a problem with something else in the steering or suspension system, such as worn tie-rod ends, ball joints, strut bearings or suspension bushings. A squeal could even be coming from the steering column rubbing on something under the dashboard. If any of these issues are the cause, they are most likely to only cause a squeal while the steering wheel is being turned — not as it’s being held in an off-center position — and tracking down the source of the noise might best be done by a shop.

Like almost any other strange noise coming from your car, a squeal while turning is not only annoying, but it likely indicates something is wrong that should be fixed. Don’t just ignore the squeal even if the steering otherwise feels normal.

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