MajorCommonSuspension

Nissan GT-R: HICAS Rear Steering Hydraulic Leak and Malfunction (R33)

HICAS Rear Steering Hydraulic Leak and Malfunction (R33) is a common suspension fault on the Nissan GT-R on the 1993–1998 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $500 to $2,800 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 12 documented faults on the Nissan GT-R.

Vehicle: Nissan GT-R
Years: 1993–1998
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: manual
System: Suspension

This page covers the Nissan GT-R as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Nissan GT-R faults12 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Steering rack yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The R33 GT-R retains the HICAS (High Capacity Actively Controlled Suspension) four-wheel steering system. The hydraulic actuators, lines, and rack develop leaks with age, causing unpredictable rear steering behaviour and power steering fluid loss. The standard corrective action in the specialist community is to fit HICAS lock bars (eliminates the system), which is cheaper than a hydraulic repair and generally preferred for track use.

What you would notice

Power steering fluid loss with no visible front rack leak
HICAS warning light on dash
Unexpected rear-end movement or vagueness at speed
Oil residue around rear steering rack or hydraulic lines

How to check it

Where to look. Rear subframe — HICAS hydraulic rack, actuators, and high-pressure lines

Check power steering fluid reservoir level and condition.
Inspect rear subframe area for hydraulic fluid residue on lines, rack, and actuators.
Check whether HICAS lock bars have already been fitted — if so, confirm the hydraulic circuit has been correctly blanked off.

Parts involved: Steering rack.

What it costs to put right

$500 to $2,800 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the HICAS system been locked off with lock bars or is the original hydraulic system still active?”
“Has the power steering fluid been topped up frequently, suggesting a HICAS leak?”

Now check the Nissan GT-R you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Nissan GT-R buyer questions

Is hicas rear steering hydraulic leak and malfunction (r33) serious on a Nissan GT-R?

We rate it major and common on the Nissan GT-R. The R33 GT-R retains the HICAS (High Capacity Actively Controlled Suspension) four-wheel steering system. The hydraulic actuators, lines, and rack develop leaks with age, causing unpredictable rear steering behaviour and power steering fluid loss. The standard corrective action in the specialist community is to fit HICAS lock bars (eliminates the system), which is cheaper than a hydraulic repair and generally preferred for track use.

How much does it cost to fix on a Nissan GT-R?

$500 to $2,800 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Nissan GT-R years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 1993–1998 Nissan GT-R. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Check power steering fluid reservoir level and condition. Inspect rear subframe area for hydraulic fluid residue on lines, rack, and actuators. Check whether HICAS lock bars have already been fitted — if so, confirm the hydraulic circuit has been correctly blanked off. Look here: Rear subframe — HICAS hydraulic rack, actuators, and high-pressure lines