Power Steering Warning Light Explained: Causes, Driving Safety, and Repair Costs

If your warning light comes on, read this article first
👉 VW Warning Lights Guide

If the steering warning light (EPS/power steering) comes on while you’re driving or immediately after starting the engine, you may be worried, wondering,
“Has the steering suddenly become heavy?” or
“Is it okay to drive?”

Many VWs use electric power steering (EPS)
, which, unlike hydraulic systems, is more susceptible to electrical influences,
making it a system that is more likely to cause warning lights to come on.

In this article, we will clearly summarize
the causes of steering warning lights, which are common in VWs, whether the car is drivable, what to do, and repair costs .

What the steering/power steering warning light means

VW steering warning lights are primarily yellow and red .

yellow

A minor abnormality in the electric power steering (EPS)
may cause the power steering to become difficult to operate
. The steering wheel may become a little heavy, but the vehicle may still be able to be driven.

red

Serious abnormality
→ Power steering may not work at all
→ Steering becomes very heavy, making driving dangerous
→ Driving should be avoided

Blink

Serious errors in the control unit or communication abnormalities
→ High urgency, early diagnosis required

The three things you should check first (color/symptoms/situation)

① Lamp color (yellow or red)

This is the most important factor in determining safety.

② Is the steering wheel heavy?

• Just a little heavy → Slight EPS malfunction
• Abnormally heavy – a sign that the power steering is not working properly

③ When the light is on

• Immediately after starting the engine
• After battery replacement
• The timing of crossing the gap
• Rainy days (electrical problems caused by humidity)

The reason why the light comes on will give you a clue as to the cause.

Main causes of steering warning light (organized for VW)

① Low battery voltage

The most common cause.
Electric power steering is sensitive to voltage, and
a weak battery can cause the warning light to come on.

👉 Common VW battery problems and repair costs

② Malfunction of the charging system (alternator)

Unstable power generation makes the EPS unit more susceptible to errors.

👉 What is a VW alternator malfunction and how much does it cost to repair?

3) Steering angle sensor (G85) abnormality

This is an important sensor that detects the direction of the steering wheel,
and if it malfunctions, the EPS will not function properly.

④ Communication error (CAN communication error)

If communication between multiple control units is disrupted,
the power steering may temporarily stop.

⑤ Poor contact of wiring or coupler

Poor contacts can occur due to moisture and aging, especially around the front .

⑥ EPS motor failure

Although rare, there are cases where the warning light comes on due to deterioration or abnormal resistance inside the motor.

Is it possible to drive when the steering warning light is on?

Cases where it is okay to drive

• Yellow lamp
• The handle can be moved (it’s just a little heavy)
• No other warning lights are on at the same time

However, careful driving is required.

Cases where it is better not to drive

• Red lamp
• The handle is very heavy
• There is a strange noise (whining/gagaga)
• At the same time, the battery warning light comes on.

There is a high possibility that the power steering function has been lost,
making it extremely dangerous to maneuver on narrow roads or in parking lots.

Correct solution (based on the characteristics of VW electric power steering)

Step 1: Turn off the engine and restart it

If it’s a minor error, it may go away.

Step 2: Check the battery voltage

If the problem is caused by low voltage, charging or replacing the battery will resolve the issue.

Step 3: Check the alternator’s power output

Even if the battery is in good condition, it will not function properly if it is not generating enough power.

Step 4: Check operation by turning the steering wheel left and right

Check the weight and whether there are any abnormal noises.

Step 5: Check the error code with a diagnostic tester (required)

Since EPS is electronically controlled,
the quickest route is to check the error details using OBD diagnostics.

Estimated repair costs (common cases in VW)

You can scroll

Repair costs for the EPS itself tend to be higher for older cars.

👉 Summary of maintenance and customization costs and work days at VW specialty store Nile Plus

What happens if you leave it alone?

• Steering becomes harder and safety decreases
• Cannot be maneuvered when parking
• Unsteadiness while driving
• Increased motor load leads to expensive repairs
• Chain reaction to power generation system problems

In particular, driving with the red light on is extremely dangerous, so caution is required.

Information you should prepare before consulting with a factory

• Is the light yellow or red?
• Handle weight (when it becomes heavy)
• Battery replacement history
• Immediately after starting the engine or while driving
• The weather just before (rain, humidity, etc.)
• Whether other warning lights are on at the same time

This information will facilitate diagnosis.

FAQ

Q1. Is it possible for the warning light to come on even though the steering wheel is not heavy?

Yes, there are cases where the light just lights up due to voltage or sensor abnormalities.

Q2. Will it really light up if the battery is low?

Electric power steering is dependent on voltage, so if it becomes weak, the warning light is likely to come on.

Q3. Is it okay to keep going even when the light is red?

The steering is extremely heavy and dangerous, so it is best to avoid driving it.

Q4. Why does the light go off and on?

This may be a temporary error caused by poor contact or voltage fluctuations.

Q5. Is the strange noise at low speed caused by a malfunction of the EPS?

This may be a sign of motor deterioration or gear wear. We recommend that you have it inspected.

Details of defects by vehicle type

Even if the “way” of the malfunction is similar, “which model has the most common problems” differs slightly depending on the model.
The following page summarizes the trends by model and common malfunction cases among other owners.