Why Is the Service Power Steering Light On? (5 Causes + Fixes)

Seeing the “Service Power Steering” warning on your dashboard and wondering what it means?
That’s your vehicle’s way of telling you the steering system needs attention.

This dashboard light can be triggered by various issues, including:

Low power steering fluid
Worn or loose power steering belt
Failing power steering pump
Malfunctioning electric power steering (EPS) motor
Faulty power steering sensors

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this dashboard warning light, whether it’s safe to drive in this situation, the potential fixes, and more.

This Article Contains:

What Does the Service Power Steering Light Mean?
5 Reasons the Service Power Steering Light Is Illuminated
Is It Safe to Drive While the Service Power Steering Light Is On?
What Should You Do If the Service Power Steering Warning Is Triggered?
How Much Does a Power Steering Service Cost?
3 FAQs About Power Steering Systems

Let’s buckle up and get going!

What Does the Service Power Steering Light Mean?

This warning light indicates a problem with the power steering system. A yellow, orange, or red steering wheel symbol with an exclamation mark also means the same.

There are various factors that can trigger this warning light:

5 Reasons the Service Power Steering Light Is Illuminated

The causes behind this power steering issue depend on whether your car uses an electric or hydraulic system.

We’ll cover both systems in this section:

1. Low Power Steering Fluid Level or Leaks

In hydraulic power steering systems, the fluid is pressurized by a pump, which helps move the power steering rack as the steering wheel turns.

However, low fluid levels reduce the hydraulic pressure and the power steering effectiveness, triggering the “Service Power Steering” warning.

Additionally, old fluid contaminated with debris can clog the hydraulic pathways and damage a power steering component, such as the pump or the rotary valve. This can also cause the power steering warning light to come up.

In some cases, you might be dealing with a power steering fluid leak.

For example, if you notice red fluid under your parked car, it could be a power steering fluid leak caused by worn seals or hoses. When this happens, it leads to a low hydraulic fluid level and reduces the amount of power steering assistance available.

Sometimes, a hydraulic fluid leak can occur due to an overfilled power steering fluid reservoir. This can increase system pressure, potentially causing seals and hoses to fail or leak.

2. Power Steering Belt Issues

The serpentine belt (also known as a V belt) transfers power from the engine crankshaft to the power steering pulley, which in turn powers the hydraulic pump.

If the belt becomes worn or breaks, your vehicle’s power steering system will fail and display a warning light.

3. Faulty Power Steering Pump

The hydraulic pump uses a rotor and a set of vanes to pressurize the power steering fluid.

However, a faulty hydraulic pump could lead to low hydraulic pressure inside the system, negatively impacting the power steering effectiveness and triggering a warning light.

4. Defective Electric Power Steering Motor

In the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system, an electric motor helps turn your car’s front wheels in response to the steering wheel’s rotation.

A defective motor won’t provide adequate power steering assistance, leading to heavy or stiff steering. This power steering problem will usually trigger an EPS warning light.

If you’re dealing with a heavy or stiff steering wheel, your car will need more steering effort at sharp corners or when driving at low speeds.

5. Power Steering Sensor Problems

The EPS system uses a number of sensors, such as the steering angle sensor and the steering torque sensor.

These sensors help determine the required amount of power from the electric motor. Malfunctioning sensors will send incorrect data to the EPS control module, which could lead to power steering failure and trigger a “Service Power Steering” message.

At this point, you might be asking yourself:

Is It Safe to Drive While the Service Power Steering Light Is On?

Yes — you can still drive with a power steering warning light, but this is recommended only for short trips. That’s because the steering wheel can become stiff, greatly increasing the required steering effort.

This power steering issue can also lead to unexpected steering responses at both high and low speeds, as well as during sharp turns, potentially landing you in dangerous situations.

So, while it might be okay to drive in this situation, you should resolve the issue as soon as possible.

What Should You Do If the Service Power Steering Warning Is Triggered?

Here are the steps you’ll need to follow depending on the type of power steering system your car uses:

Switch off the engine and restart it to see if the warning returns. Sometimes, a minor electronic glitch can cause it to activate. If you still see the warning light, follow the next steps.

Consult the owner’s manual to determine if your car has an Electric Power Steering or a hydraulic system.

Open the hood.

A. Solutions for a Hydraulic Power Steering System

Locate the steering wheel fluid reservoir in the engine bay.

Check the power steering fluid level. If it’s low:
- Top off the power steering fluid according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
- Next, head to a mechanic for an inspection. To make your life easier, contact a mobile mechanic so they can address the issue right from your driveway.

If the fluid level isn’t low, you should still consider getting your car inspected by a professional to diagnose the underlying cause.

B. Solutions for an Electric Power Steering (EPS) System

Check the battery and alternator wiring connections. Also, check the battery voltage using a multimeter to rule out the possibility of a weak battery.

If the connections are in place, get the EPS system checked by a mechanic.

IMPORTANT: If the Service Power Steering message appears while driving, pull over safely to the side of the road and follow the steps above. If you think that your car isn’t safe to drive, get it towed to a workshop.

Next, let’s check what a professional mechanic might charge for fixing a power steering problem.

How Much Does a Power Steering Service Cost?

The service charges depend on the parts to be repaired or replaced, your vehicle’s make and model, and the labor costs.

Here are the estimates:

Power steering fluid change: $90-$130
Power steering belt replacement: $70-$250
Power steering angle sensor replacement: $100-$550
Hydraulic pump replacement: $150-$1000

Before we wrap up, let’s ensure we have left no question unanswered.

3 FAQs About Power Steering Systems

Here are the answers to the additional questions you may have on this topic:

1. How Often Should You Change Your Power Steering Fluid?

You should generally replace the old fluid in your hydraulic power steering system every 30,000 miles. This helps avoid debris building up in the fluid.

To avoid any potential issues, refer to the owner’s manual for the recommended fluid change interval.

And while taking care of the power steering system, ensure you don’t ignore these other critical car maintenance activities:

2. Can a Failing Power Steering System Interfere with Driver-Assistance Features?

Yes, a failing power steering system can interfere with driver-assistance features, such as lane keep assist, the lane departure warning function, and adaptive cruise control.

When the power steering malfunctions, the vehicle may not respond as expected. This can prevent lane keep assist from gently correcting your steering or cause lane departure warning alerts to activate unexpectedly.

Similarly, features like adaptive cruise control (which work in tandem with lane-keeping systems) may also be affected when the power steering system fails.

3. How Does the Steering System Work?

Your car’s steering system has multiple components that work together to convey the driver’s input to the steered wheels.

Here’s how the steering components work:

Steering column: The steering column houses the steering shaft and connects the steering wheel to the other steering components.

Steering shaft: It has the steering wheel mounted on one end and the steering gear on the other. This device also serves as a mounting platform for the steering lock, electric motor, and other components.

Steering gear: This power steering component converts the rotational motion of the steering wheel into the linear motion needed to move the steering rack.

Steering rack: It connects to the tie rods and moves them in a rack-and-pinion steering system.

Tie rods: They transfer movement from the steering rack to the steering arms, which are attached to the wheels.

Get Your Power Steering Back on Track with AutoNation Mobile Service

A working power steering is crucial for a safe and hassle-free driving experience.

If you start noticing signs of power steering failure, get your car inspected promptly by the experts at AutoNation Mobile Service.

With us, you don’t have to worry about shop visits — our trained technicians will come and assist you right from your driveway. For your peace of mind, we back our car maintenance and repair services with a 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty.