Code P1608, hard steering?

Check the battery cables for bad connection. This code indicates power loss, electrical failure battery failure, or charging issues name a few P1608 is a serious code for this car being a hybrid its for when the ECU detected power loss of the engine and or power supply could be bad but maybe not. Its sort of a broad meaning/all encompassing code of sorts so it can be so many things its best to have it scanned for possible causes its usually done by looking at the freeze frame data that was trapped in the ecu when the power loss problem occurred to provide details about the problem but other times it can be a bit more involved to try and find out what happened it being a hybrid its a bit more serious could be something with the hybrid charging system loosing power hence maybe the reason for the loss of steering and whatever else you might be experiencing hat said this being a hybrid vehicle something might be wrong with the engine or the main power generation / charging system etc. I'd say at this point don't order anything for it until its diagnosed properly by a qualified specialist.

Also, a side note, this hybrid car uses EPS ( electric power steering) hence the reason why you lost steering capabilities. So once the problems solved you will most likely get your steering back. So save your money for now the steering going out is not the cause its just a symptom of the reason for the p1608 code.