Steering and Suspension Defects Under Massachusetts Lemon Law

Steering and suspension defects often qualify under § 7N½’s substantial-impairment test. Steering defects in particular almost always qualify as safety issues.

Common qualifying steering defects

Loss of power steering assist — categorical safety issue.
Steering binding / sticking — safety issue.
Steering wander at highway speed — safety issue.
Electric power steering (EPS) module failure — safety issue.
Steering rack leaks — substantial impairment.
Lane-keep-assist over-correction — safety issue.

Common qualifying suspension defects

Persistent knocking / clunking — substantial impairment.
Air suspension failures — substantial impairment.
Adaptive damper failures — substantial impairment.
Strut / shock leaks — substantial impairment.
Ride height issues — substantial impairment.
Premature ball-joint or control-arm wear.

TSB / recall overlay

Steering defects are heavily recall-driven:

Power steering module recalls (numerous OEMs).
EPS firmware reflashes.
Lane-keep-assist calibration service bulletins.
Suspension component TSBs.

Massachusetts factors

Massachusetts’s road surfaces are notoriously variable:

Boston-area pothole stress on suspension.
Frequent freeze-thaw cycles damaging suspension components.
Salt-corrosion damage to steering and suspension components.
Wet-road steering response criticality.

How thresholds apply

Same § 7N½ thresholds.

What strengthens a steering / suspension claim

Symptom consistent across visits.
Recall / TSB pattern — supports c. 93A willfulness.
Alignment specifications out of OEM range.
Independent steering specialist inspection.

What weakens a steering / suspension claim

Pothole damage (driver-induced) — though aggressive Massachusetts road conditions are noted by some panels.
Aftermarket alignment / lowering modifications.
Tire-pressure issues masquerading as suspension problems.
Independent-mechanic visits (don’t count).

Bottom line

Steering and suspension defects are strong Massachusetts cases. Steering defects categorically qualify as safety issues, and recall-pattern evidence supports c. 93A willfulness pleading. Document each visit and pursue OCABR arbitration or court action upon meeting thresholds.

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