Has the steering suddenly become heavy and a power assist warning or EPS message lit on the dash? Don’t ignore it — causes range from a temporary voltage drop or charging issue to a fault in the assist unit or steering sensors.
The car will often still be drivable, but without assistance the steering needs noticeably more force, especially when parking or performing low-speed manoeuvres. The key is to quickly determine whether this was a one-off at startup or a recurring and worsening symptom.
When the symptom indicates loss of power steering
The most typical scenario is a sudden change from light, normal steering to noticeably stiffer steering. This is often accompanied by an EPS warning lamp, a steering-wheel icon or a message about the assist. In cars with electric power steering the problem can appear after startup, when turning at a standstill or after a temporary voltage drop.
- the steering becomes heavy mainly at low speed or when stationary
- the power assist warning lamp stays on or a message appears after starting the car
- after switching off and restarting the symptom only disappears for a short time
- there are also other warnings about voltage, the battery or charging
- the car steers unevenly or the steering does not return as it usually does
What you can check without tools
Before booking diagnostics, it’s worth collecting a few simple facts. They won’t confirm a fault, but they help narrow down possible causes.
1. Check whether the warning lamp stays on continuously or only flashes sometimes or appears after start-up.
2. Note whether the steering stiffened immediately after starting or only when turning while parking.
3. If the car was recently discharged, had a weak battery or stood for a long time, make a note of it.
4. Assess whether the problem appeared after rain, washing the car or driving through deeper water.
5. Check whether the battery warning lamp or another voltage message is lit on the dash at the same time.
If the assist returns only briefly after switching off and restarting, don’t treat that as a repair. It usually means the controller sees an error but the underlying cause remains.
Can you still drive to a workshop
Careful driving is sometimes possible if the car still steers predictably, there are no other critical warnings and the issue is limited to heavier steering. In that case drive slowly, avoid sharp manoeuvres and plan a route that avoids tight car parks.
Do not continue driving if the steering suddenly offers very high resistance, the car stops responding normally to steering inputs, a steering-system fault message appears or the battery warning lamp is lit at the same time. Then the problem may affect not only the assist but also the vehicle’s power and charging.
What can be the cause
There is no single certain cause for this symptom. In practice it is most often electrical — power supply or the assist system itself — but without reading fault codes and checking parameters this cannot be honestly confirmed remotely.
- a weak battery or a temporary voltage drop after startup
- a problem with the alternator or excessive electrical load
- a fault in the assist motor, the EPS controller or the torque sensor
- interference after moisture ingress, corroded connectors or a damaged wiring
- mechanical resistance in the steering system that the assist only partially masks
If the symptom appears together with the battery warning lamp, treat the power supply seriously first. When voltage is unstable, electric steering can limit its operation or switch off as a protective measure.
How diagnostics look at the workshop
During a visit they usually start by reading fault codes, checking voltages and comparing the symptoms with operating parameters. Only then do they look for whether the problem stems from the electrical system, control unit, connections or mechanical resistance.
Depending on the car, checks may also include the column wiring, fuses, connectors, battery condition and an assessment of whether the steering system needs further inspection on the suspension and wheel alignment side.
If you want to narrow the issue straight away, it can also help to check whether the problem is linked to other running symptoms. Sometimes combining several signals leads to the source faster than a single message alone.
What happens if you ignore it
The commonest risk is reduced manoeuvrability, especially when parking and in traffic jams. The driver starts compensating for the heavier steering, which reduces comfort and can delay reaction in an emergency.
If the cause is charging or the electrical system, the symptom can worsen and additional faults may appear. Then the problem no longer concerns only the steering assist but can affect the whole vehicle.
When to book diagnostics
Don’t delay a visit if the warning keeps returning, the steering is hard to turn even after restarting, or additional voltage messages appear. The sooner a computer diagnostic is performed, the greater the chance of finding the cause before a complete loss of assist develops.
If the car also has noticeable play, pulls to one side, the steering does not return as it should, or you simply want to rule out a wider problem, a steering-system service and wheel alignment check are also useful.
If you notice this symptom when inspecting a used car before purchase, consider whether the seller is really showing the vehicle without hidden faults and whether they carried out a pre-sale check.
If the symptom concerns your vehicle and you want to find the cause safely, it’s best to book diagnostics for the steering system and the charging system. That way the mechanic won’t guess from the message alone but will verify the real cause on the car.
