P0550

Power Steering Pressure Sensor/Switch Circuit

Q: Is it safe to drive with P0550?

Generally yes. Steering itself is unaffected; the main risk is a slight idle dip or brief stall during slow, tight turns because the ECM isn't compensating for steering load.

Q: Can I just clear P0550?

It will clear, but it returns once the ECM sees the same faulty signal again. Fix the sensor or wiring to keep it away.

Idle control (power steering) Generic OBD-II Medium

What it means

P0550 means the ECM has seen an out-of-range or interrupted signal from the power steering pressure sensor. That sensor tells the engine when steering effort is loading the pump so it can nudge idle up. Steering keeps working, but with a bad signal the idle may dip or stall briefly during slow, tight turns.

Medium

Can I keep driving? Usually fine to drive — the car steers normally, but the ECM may not raise idle when you turn, so idle can dip or briefly stall during slow, tight maneuvers.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

scans in the past year

Found in

<0.1%

of scans

<0.1%

of scans that found faults

Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Common symptoms

What you'll notice

Check-engine light on
Idle dips or briefly stalls when turning at low speed (e.g. parking)
Slight idle roughness under steering load

Common causes

Most likely first

Faulty power steering pressure (PSP) sensor/switchLikely
Damaged, chafed, or corroded wiring at the PSP sensor connectorCommon
Loose or poorly seated electrical connectorCommon
ECM fault (rare — check wiring first)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and confirm the code, then locate the PSP sensor (screwed into a high-pressure power steering line).
Inspect the sensor connector and wiring for corrosion, damage, or a loose fit; clean and reseat.
Back-probe the signal and reference wires and compare readings against the ECM to isolate a sensor vs. wiring fault.
Replace the PSP sensor if its signal is out of range with good wiring.
Clear the code and re-test; only suspect the ECM if the circuit checks out.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0550?+

Generally yes. Steering itself is unaffected; the main risk is a slight idle dip or brief stall during slow, tight turns because the ECM isn't compensating for steering load.

Can I just clear P0550?+

It will clear, but it returns once the ECM sees the same faulty signal again. Fix the sensor or wiring to keep it away.

Read & clear P0550 yourself

Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.

▶ Get it on Google Play

✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX