Kia Forte Power steering fluid is brown or black Inspection at your home or office.

Our certified mobile mechanics come to you 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(281)

How A Diagnostic Works

Instantly book a certified mobile mechanic to come to you

Mechanic diagnoses the problem and quotes necessary repairs

Your vehicle is ready to go

Fair, upfront & transparent pricing for all services

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to you now.

Customer Ratings

(281)

Power steering fluid is brown or black Inspection Service

How much does a Power steering fluid is brown or black Inspection cost?

On average, the cost for a Kia Forte Power steering fluid is brown or black Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2021 Kia ForteL4-2.0LService typePower steering fluid is brown or black InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$124.99 - $132.49
2011 Kia ForteL4-2.0LService typePower steering fluid is brown or black InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2012 Kia ForteL4-2.4LService typePower steering fluid is brown or black InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2014 Kia ForteL4-2.0LService typePower steering fluid is brown or black InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$104.99 - $112.48
2010 Kia ForteL4-2.4LService typePower steering fluid is brown or black InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.02 - $112.55
2014 Kia ForteL4-1.8LService typePower steering fluid is brown or black InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2020 Kia ForteL4-2.0LService typePower steering fluid is brown or black InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$109.87 - $117.28
2015 Kia ForteL4-1.8LService typePower steering fluid is brown or black InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$110.24 - $117.94
Show example Kia Forte Power steering fluid is brown or black Inspection prices

Finding discolored fluid in any component of your vehicle is worrisome. Discolored fluid can be a frustrating problem because you may not know what is causing the discoloration and because it looks harmful. Indeed, brown or black power steering fluid is never a good sign and should be addressed quickly.

How this system works:

Power steering fluid is a necessary part of your vehicle’s power steering system. The fluid is pumped from the reservoir to the wheels by the power steering pump. Near the wheels the power steering fluid applies pressure to a piston inside the rack and pinion, which is connected to the wheels. This pressure gives the wheels the strength needed to turn and makes a vehicle dramatically easier to steer.

When the fluid becomes contaminated, the entire power steering system can be damaged. The dark colored power steering fluid can clog the power steering pump hoses and damage the bearings in the system.

Brown or black power steering fluid is not a death sentence for your vehicle but it is an issue that should be handled promptly. You can continue to drive your vehicle however, it is best to make an appointment with a mechanic as soon as possible.

Common reasons for this to happen:

  • Contaminated with Aluminum: As your power steering fluid does its job, it comes into frequent contact with your vehicle’s rack and pinion. The rack and pinion system is made up of high amounts of aluminum which over time can shed into a fine powdered state. This fine powder can contaminate your power steering fluid resulting in a sludgy compound that does not hold the same consistency as your ideal power steering fluid.

This shedding of aluminum particles is natural, so you usually don’t need to be concerned with the status of your car’s rack and pinion. However, after having your steering fluid replaced, you should check its color with regularity. If the fluid returns to a dark color quickly, then the rack and pinion should be inspected.

  • Water In System: Water causes power steering fluid to oxidize, which diminishes the ability of the fluid and therefore of the system as a whole. As with many components of your vehicle, the power steering fluid reservoir can sometimes trap unwanted water. This water mixes with the fluid, causes oxidization and changes the color of the power steering fluid.

  • Fluid Degradation: Power steering fluid is subject to high loads of pressure, as it relies on pressure to do its job effectively. This pressure causes the temperature of the fluid to increase, especially during long drives. As the fluid rises in temperature, it begins to slowly break down as the chemicals separate from one another. This is known as electrochemical degradation and is the cause of discoloration and sludge in the power steering fluid.

What to expect:

A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to determine the cause of the brown or black power steering fluid, and will then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.

How it's done:

Discolored power steering fluid cannot be reversed. Instead, the fluid needs to be drained from the power steering system and replaced with fresh fluid. This is called a power steering fluid flush. A mechanic will disconnect the power steering hose from the power steering pump and drain all of the fluid out of the system. After reconnecting the hose to the pump, a fresh batch of clean power steering fluid will be added to the reservoir. Once the system has been flushed, the mechanic will usually turn on your vehicle and turn the steering wheel a few times to introduce the new fluid to the system. This process will also allow your mechanic to identify any other issue that may require his or her attention.

How important is this service?

When your power steering becomes discolored, it runs the risk of harming the rest of your power steering system. It’s important that you schedule an inspection as soon as you notice that your power steering fluid is brown or black, so that you don’t cause severe damage to the system.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert Kia mechanics

Real customer reviews from Kia owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(281)

Rating Summary
272
3
2
0
4
272
3
2
0
4

Richard

20 years of experience
27 reviews
Richard
20 years of experience
Kia Forte L4-2.0L - Car is shaking or vibrating - Whittier, California
Very kind, down to earth and knowledgeable.

Jeffrey

27 years of experience
870 reviews
Jeffrey
27 years of experience
Kia Forte L4-1.8L - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - Charlotte, North Carolina
Great service!

Nezar

26 years of experience
67 reviews
Nezar
26 years of experience
Kia Forte L4-2.0L - Oil Change - Pompano Beach, Florida
Our first time using “Your Mechanic” and we couldn’t be happier! Our mechanic Nezar showed up early was very efficient and did a great job! We will definitely be a return customer!!

Mohammed

9 years of experience
152 reviews
Mohammed
9 years of experience
Kia Forte L4-2.0L - Crankshaft Position Sensor Replacement - Raleigh, North Carolina
Very professional

Excellent Rating

(281)

Rating Summary
272
3
2
0
4
272
3
2
0
4
Number of Kia Forte services completed
3091+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Kia MECHANICS
1000+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

P0158 OBD-II Trouble Code: 02 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank 2, Sensor 2)
P0158 P0158 trouble code definition Oxygen Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank 2 Sensor 2) What the P0158 code means The P0158 trouble code appears when the sensor has remained at a high voltage for too long. This oxygen sensor is...
10 Best Stores to Buy Auto Parts in Tucson, Arizona
Automotive technicians rely on auto parts stores to add and replace car parts. The best auto parts shop in Tucson is O’Reilly Auto Parts.
How to Replace a Horn Switch
Your car horn works through the horn button. A faulty button can be hazardous and usually should be replaced by a professional.

Engine leaking oil and making noise

Hi. The common components on any given vehicle that produce oil leaks are the valve cover gaskets and the oil pan gasket. The leaks will usually occur on vehicles above 80,000 miles but can occur as low as 50,000 miles....

fan somehow putting hole in radiator

Hi there. If all the mountings are secure, the only thing I can think of is something that is pushing the fan into the radiator. Have the engine and transmission mounts checked. If the engine and transmission are moving around...

My oil light came on way before it usually does after getting a battery replaced.

It could be that the service reminder was affected by having the battery disconnected for a short time. These days, it is wise for a technician to hook up an alternative power source while changing the battery to prevent memory...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com