Suspicion of serious error with steering gear reported (9)

I believe the answer is:

scintilla

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'suspicion' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for scintilla that I've seen before include "suspicion" , "Tiny trace or amount" , "littlest bit" , "A spark; a trace" , "Slight amount" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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