Trace reported fault with steering device (9)
I believe the answer is:
scintilla
'trace' is the definition.
(both can mean a small amount)
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
(Other definitions for scintilla that I've seen before include "Tiny hint, trace" , "littlest bit" , "The smallest amount" , "suspicion" , "Tiny, scarcely detectable amount" .)