What does understeer typically cause in a vehicle?

Understeer occurs when the front wheels of a vehicle lose grip during a turn, causing the vehicle to continue in a straighter path than intended. This typically happens when a driver enters a turn too quickly or applies the brakes while turning, leading to a situation where the front tires do not have sufficient traction to follow the intended curve. As a result, the rear of the vehicle swings around less than expected, making it difficult to steer effectively, often resulting in the vehicle's inability to negotiate the turn properly. This loss of traction is a key characteristic of understeer, differentiating it from other driving dynamics such as oversteer, where the rear tires lose grip instead.