P0553: Power Steering Pressure Sensor/Switch Circuit High

Hydraulic power steering has a pressure switch or sensor on the high-pressure line; when the wheel is turned at standstill, pump pressure and engine load rise sharply, so the engine module raises idle air in advance to stop the engine stalling. That makes it an input to idle control under CARB. Switches (Saab, Mitsubishi) ground a pull-up; analogue 5 V sensors (Toyota) give about 0.45 V at zero pressure. GM's and Ford's tables do not use P0550–P0554. P0553 means the signal is above range – usually an open sensor ground or signal pulled up, a short to 5 V or battery, or a faulty sensor; high pressure alone does not reach the limit (Toyota's sensor gives 4.05 V at 7000 kPa). Toyota's 2007–08 Tundra set it from a series sensor fault.

High severity. Can I keep driving?If the steering feels stiff or uneven, drive slowly and go to a repair shop or call for roadside assistance. It is a safety system.

Symptoms

Check engine light on (Toyota)
Permanently raised idle or no load pre-control
Possible fluid leak at the sensor

Most likely causes

Sensor faulty (Tundra 2007–08 series part)
Sensor ground or signal line open
Signal shorted to voltage
Engine module

What to check, in order

Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.

Check the fluid level if the steering is hydraulic
Check the sensor's ground and make sure the signal wire is not receiving voltage from another circuit.
Check the connector and wiring
Read the steering control module's codes with a multi-system scanner
Leave the repair to a professional if the steering feel changes

Good to know

Repair difficulty: easy
It affects emissions.

What each character of P0553 means

P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
0: Generic code: same on every make
5: Speed and idle
53: Specific fault in that system

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P0553?

If the steering feels stiff or uneven, drive slowly and go to a repair shop or call for roadside assistance. It is a safety system.

What causes code P0553?

The most common causes are: sensor faulty (Tundra 2007–08 series part); sensor ground or signal line open; signal shorted to voltage.

Related codes

Sources

Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.