P0553

Power Steering Pressure Sensor/Switch Circuit High

Q: Is it safe to drive with P0553?

Yes. Power steering still works — this code only affects the pressure signal the engine uses to raise idle under steering load. The worst you'll notice is an occasional idle dip when parking.

Q: Can I just clear P0553?

It will come back while the sensor or wiring reads high. Repair the circuit, then clear it.

Power steering / idle control Generic OBD-II Medium

What it means

P0553 means the ECM sees an abnormally high signal from the power-steering pressure sensor. That sensor tells the engine how hard the steering pump is working so it can raise idle to stop the engine bogging when you turn. The steering and brakes still work normally; the main effect is an occasional idle dip or surge during low-speed turns.

Medium

Can I keep driving? The car drives and stops normally; you may notice the idle dip or surge when turning the wheel at low speed. Steering itself is unaffected.

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, surges, or occasionally stalls when turning the wheel at low speed
Rough idle during parking maneuvers

Common causes

Most likely first

Faulty power-steering pressure sensor (signal stuck high)Likely
Short to voltage or open in the sensor's signal wireCommon
Corroded or loose connector at the sensorCommon
ECM fault (rare)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data to see when the high reading is logged.
Inspect the connector and wiring at the power-steering pressure sensor for damage or corrosion.
Measure the sensor's signal voltage and compare against specification while turning the wheel.
Replace the power-steering pressure sensor if it reads high with the engine idling.
If wiring and sensor are good, have the ECM circuit tested. Clear and re-test.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0553?+

Yes. Power steering still works — this code only affects the pressure signal the engine uses to raise idle under steering load. The worst you'll notice is an occasional idle dip when parking.

Can I just clear P0553?+

It will come back while the sensor or wiring reads high. Repair the circuit, then clear it.

Read & clear P0553 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