You are driving when a steering-wheel-shaped light appears on your dashboard, sometimes with an exclamation mark next to it. This is your power steering warning light. Your car is telling you that the system that makes steering light and easy is not working properly.
This guide explains what this light means, what causes it, how serious it is, and what you should do the moment you see it.
What Does the Power Steering Warning Light Look Like
The symbol looks like a steering wheel, often with an exclamation mark beside it. On some cars, it may show the letters EPS or PS instead. The light usually appears red or amber, depending on the vehicle’s make and model.
On older cars with hydraulic power steering, the light may also appear alongside a low fluid warning. On newer cars with electric power steering, the light is almost always related to an electronic fault.
What This Light Is Actually Telling You
Power steering makes it much easier to turn the steering wheel, especially at low speeds. Without it, you can still steer the car, but it will feel significantly heavier and harder to turn, particularly when parking or driving slowly.
When this warning light comes on, it means the assistance is reduced or has stopped completely. Your car is still drivable in most cases, but steering will feel noticeably more difficult. The light in your car is telling you the system needs attention before the problem gets worse.
Two Types of Power Steering Systems
Understanding which type your car has helps you find the cause faster.
Hydraulic Power Steering (older cars): This system uses a pump driven by the engine and a fluid called power steering fluid. If the fluid is low or the pump fails, steering becomes heavy, and the warning light comes on.
Electric Power Steering or EPS (newer cars): This system uses an electric motor to assist steering. There is no fluid involved. When the warning light comes on in an EPS car, it is almost always an electronic or sensor fault that needs a diagnostic tool to read.
Common Causes of the Power Steering Warning Light
- Low Power Steering Fluid: This only applies to cars with hydraulic systems. If the fluid level in the reservoir drops, the pump cannot generate enough pressure to assist steering. Fluid levels can drop due to a slow leak in the hose, pump, or rack.
- Power Steering Fluid Leak: A cracked hose or worn seal can cause fluid to leak out over time. You might notice a small puddle of reddish or light brown fluid under the front of the car. Once the fluid gets too low, the light comes on, and steering gets heavy.
- Faulty Power Steering Pump: The pump is what pressurises the fluid and sends it through the system. When it starts to fail, it cannot maintain the pressure needed. You may hear a whining or groaning noise when turning the wheel as an early warning sign.
- EPS Motor or Sensor Fault: In electric power steering systems, a fault in the motor, torque sensor, or control module will trigger the warning light. This type of fault needs a diagnostic scanner to read the exact error code and find the cause.
- Damaged Steering Rack: The steering rack is the component that physically turns the wheels when you move the steering wheel. Damage or wear to the rack can cause irregular steering and trigger the warning light on some vehicles.
- Battery or Electrical Issue: Because electric power steering runs entirely on electricity, a weak battery or alternator problem can sometimes cause the EPS light to come on. If your battery warning light is also on at the same time, this is likely the connection.
- Overheated EPS System: In some situations, such as turning the wheel repeatedly at full lock while the car is stationary, the electric power steering motor can overheat temporarily. The light may come on and then go off once the system cools down. This is less serious but still worth noting.
How Serious Is This Light
The answer depends on the cause.
If the light came on briefly and went off on its own, it may have been a temporary sensor issue or an overheated EPS motor. However, you should still get it checked at the next opportunity.
If the light stays on, your steering assistance is reduced. You can still drive the car, but steering will be noticeably heavier. At motorway speeds, this is manageable, but at low speeds or when parking, it requires considerably more effort.
If the steering feels completely unresponsive or extremely stiff, pull over immediately. Complete loss of power steering at speed can make the car very difficult to control in an emergency.
What To Do When This Light Comes On
Step 1: Notice how the steering feels. Is it heavier than usual or completely unresponsive?
Step 2: If your car has hydraulic power steering, check the fluid reservoir under the bonnet. It is usually a small container near the front of the engine bay with a steering wheel symbol on the cap.
Step 3: If the fluid is low, top it up with the correct power steering fluid and check if the light goes off.
Step 4: If the fluid level is fine or your car has electric power steering, the fault is likely electronic. Do not try to diagnose this yourself.
Step 5: Drive carefully to a garage. Avoid situations that require rapid or sharp steering until the fault is fixed.
Step 6: If steering feels dangerously stiff or unpredictable, pull over and call for assistance rather than driving further.
Can You Drive With the Power Steering Warning Light On
In most cases, yes, but with caution. The car will still move, and you can still steer, but it will take more physical effort than usual. At high speeds, the difference is minimal. At low speeds and when parking, it becomes noticeably harder.
The key question is whether the steering still feels controlled and predictable. If it does, you can drive carefully to a nearby garage. If steering feels unpredictable or extremely stiff, stop the car and get it towed.
Power Steering Light Came On Then Went Off
If the light appeared briefly and then switched off, do not ignore it. This can be a sign of an early fault in the EPS system, a momentary voltage drop, or a sensor beginning to fail. Get the car scanned for error codes even if the light is gone, because the fault code is often stored in the system even after the light disappears.
How To Keep Your Power Steering in Good Condition
For hydraulic systems:
- Check the power steering fluid level every month
- Look under the car for fluid leaks near the front wheels
- Replace the fluid if it looks dark or dirty
- Listen for whining noises when turning as an early warning
For electric power steering:
- Keep your car battery in good health with regular checks
- Get a diagnostic scan if the light ever comes on, even briefly
- Avoid holding the steering wheel at full lock for long periods
Quick Summary
What | Detail |
Light Color | Red or Amber |
Symbol | Steering wheel with an exclamation mark or EPS letters |
Severity | Moderate to High, depending on the cause |
First Check | Hydraulic or electric? Check the fluid in the hydraulic |
Most Common Cause | Low fluid (hydraulic) or EPS sensor fault (electric) |
Risk if Ignored | Heavy steering, reduced control, potential safety risk |
Related Warning Lights
These warning lights are also worth understanding for safe driving:
- Brake Warning Light – Direct safety system fault requiring immediate attention
- Oil Pressure Warning Light – Critical engine lubrication warning
- Engine Temperature Warning Light – Engine overheating alert
This page is part of our complete guide to car dashboard symbols and meanings. To see every warning light explained in one place, visit our Car Dashboard Symbols.