P0553
Power Steering Pressure Sensor/Switch Circuit High
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.
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.
Related codes
Often seen with P0553
Read & clear P0553 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.
✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX