AI DamageC0051 code: Steering Wheel Position Sensor
Code C0051 is named in 13 US owner complaints, 1 of them (8%) after a crash. Models: 13, model years 2014–2025.
What the code means
Steering Wheel Position Sensor. Generic meaning per SAE J2012 (the same for all makes).
How to read C0051: the letter C means chassis (brakes, ABS, steering, suspension); the second digit 0 marks a generic SAE code shared by all makes; the last three characters 051 identify the specific fault.
Electric power steering, steering angle sensor and steering column codes. After a front wheel impact the steering angle sensor often needs calibration, and a bent rack or tie rod produces errors scanners describe as invalid data.
Key figures
- Complaints with this code
- 13
- after a crash
- 1 (8%)
- Models
- 13
- Model years
- 2014–2025
Which models and years
Models whose owners name this code (13). Years link to the model year problems page.
Components named together with the code
Component as the owner filed it (one complaint can list several).
Complaints by model year
What to do if an auction car has this code
- Compare steering wheel and wheel positions in photos: an off-center wheel with straight tires points to a bent tie rod or rack.
- After front suspension repair, budget steering angle sensor calibration and an alignment.
What owners report
Excerpts of owner complaints in the original wording. Owner statements not verified by the regulator; personal data removed.
I ended up running off the road, spinning 3 times and finally stopping backwards in the trees separating 95 north and south. Due to my vehicle being too far to tow, I had to drive it 200 miles back and when I took it to get fixed with my insurance adjuster, they pulled my black box which showed the codes C0051-28,…
[XXX] 520 PM Brought the truck to Fairway Ford in Placentia, CA (Advisor: [XXX], RO #[XXX]). FDRS diagnostic scan revealed DTC C0051 (Steering Wheel Position Sensor) along with network communication faults (U0415 / U0418). [XXX]Text message from dealership offering to sale me another vehicle.
The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle but was unable to open the hood due to a fractured hood latch. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone, where DTC: P0299, P00B7, C0051-86, U1702-86, and C0076-68 were retrieved. The failure mileage was 110,351.
Related codes
Sources: public official US data (owner complaints) and the SAE J2012 standard. Complaints are owner statements not verified by the regulator. A code from a complaint does not replace a scan tool diagnosis. Data updated 2026-11-10.