What does it mean if the “Service power steering” warning is displayed in the message center?

What does it mean if the “Service power steering” warning is displayed in the message center?
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Your car’s Power Steering system is an integral part of the vehicle. While the system can fail and you’ll still have the ability to steer, you’ll find that the wheel is much harder to turn. Obviously, it’s important to have the system serviced and maintained properly. If you see a warning in the message center that reads, “Service power steering,” it means that there’s a condition that has been detected requiring immediate service. Have your car inspected immediately.

Tip

If you see the “Service power steering NOW” warning, you need to take your vehicle immediately to a mechanic.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

The light warns you that the power steering system has failed and prompts you to investigate for a cause. The cause may vary according to the type of power steering system in your car. In hydraulic power steering systems, a leak in the system causing a low fluid level is the most common cause for this problem.
When a problem is detected in with ESP, the power steering warning light comes on. One common problem with your vehicle is a faulty power steering control module (PSCM). The PSCM is integrated into the rack and pinion assembly. There were recalls issued on some Ford vehicles for faulty PSCMs.
Power Steering Warning Light Causes

Hydraulic Systems – For vehicles with hydraulic power steering, the warning light is most likely warning you that you`re low on power steering fluid. Feel free to bring your car to Dalton Automotive, so our technicians can check your fluid levels. We can also check for fluid leaks.

It is never advisable to drive once the power steering warning sign pops up on your dashboard. The best you can do is perform the diagnostics yourself if the problem is minor and check on your mechanic immediately. The steering system is the most critical part of your vehicle because it helps guide your car.
While it is technically possible to drive the car with a failing electric power steering system, it is not going to get any better. The vehicle will need to be serviced as soon as possible. The module is still pulling excess power from the battery and robbing the rest of the vehicle.
When you notice this light come on while driving, you should immediately look for a safe place, park your car, and check the steering wheel fluid reservoir. Refill the fluid and restart your car. However, refilling is a temporary fix since leakage is a more serious problem requiring an expert`s help.
On the 2012 Ford Fusion, you will find the power steering fluid reservoir under the hood of the vehicle. Pop the hood and look for the oil dipstick and coolant. Adjacent to them is the power steering fluid reservoir. Power steering fluid is the unsung hero of most vehicles.
This problem can be fixed on your own, but if you`re not sure how to fix electric power steering problems, take it to a certified mechanic.
Answered by CarsGuide. The power steering is an electrical system, so a problem with the battery could affect the power assistance. You should still be able to steer the car even without power assistance. It won`t affect the braking.
Having power steering is essential for driving. Not only can driving without it damage your car, but it can also endanger other drivers on the road. For this reason, it`s illegal in all 50 states to drive without power steering. Power steering enables you to turn your steering wheel easily and quickens reaction time.
Answer. The average power steering fluid leak costs between $500 and $650 to repair. The exact price will depend on the specific parts that are failing. You may need to replace only a single component, or the entire system.
How much should I expect to pay? While the price of this repair can vary, expect to pay between $500 and $800 to get your power steering pump replaced. Depending on your car, the cost could exceed that price, or fall below it.
Estimated times for your repair range from 1-2 hours. Most technicians and shops charge a minimum hourly charge for labor, on top of the cost for parts and fluids.
When driving without power steering fluid is prolonged, damage to the steering pump is inevitable. As a result, the pump vanes that produce heat is left with no lubrication, fuses down, and increases the risk of damaging the drive belt. With no power steering fluid, the shaft and rack seal will also break down.
All you need to do is turn off your engine, then restart it so the light can reset. In most cases, it should come back on, and this only indicates that it may have thought it suspected a problem due to a mistake in the computer system.
Additionally, service technicians should be aware that a recall has been issued for 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine because their electronic power steering assist systems may shut down due to a steering motor sensor fault.
The fuse panel is located under the instrument panel to the left of the steering column.
Ford has announced that 90644 vehicles have been affected by a Power Steering recall. If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Note: All power steering systems built between 1998 and 2012 require the user of MERCON® V fluid. Power steering systems build after 2012 require MERCON® LV. Refer to Workshop Manual or Owner`s Guide.
Fusion power steering pumps are responsible for effortlessly allowing you to turn the steering wheel while you are driving. This ensures that you are able to turn your car without trouble. If the power steering pump becomes broken, the tires are difficult to turn.
One of the most common problems power steering systems have is leaks. The high pressure of the system combined with the soft hoses carrying the fluid makes it relatively susceptible to leaks. A low fluid level can cause a whining power steering pump and even a loss of fluid pressure and a loss of steering assistance.
The average cost for a Power Steering Control Module Replacement is between $900 and $929. Labor costs are estimated between $108 and $137 while parts are priced between $792 and $792.
M-type fuse.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

I had a warning message in my 2013 Ford Fusion that the power steering assist failed. I have power steering capability now. Is it safe to drive?
ANSWER : Some 2013 Ford Fusion models are part of a safety recall involving loss of steering assist. Contact your dealer with the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or check your VIN number on safercar.gov to verify if this recall applies to your vehicle. Loss of steering assist can be dangerous if you are caught off guard. It would be best to not drive the vehicle. Contact your dealer to have it towed to their location.

What does it mean if the “Service power steering” warning is displayed in the message center?
ANSWER : Your car’s Power Steering system is an integral part of the vehicle. While the system can fail and you’ll still have the ability to steer, you’ll find that the wheel is much harder to turn. Obviously, it’s important to have the system serviced and maintained properly. If you see a warning in the message center that reads, “Service power steering,” it means that there’s a condition that has been detected requiring immediate service. Have your car inspected immediately.

Tip

If you see the “Service power steering NOW” warning, you need to take your vehicle immediately to a mechanic.

power steering fluid is leaking
ANSWER : With a power steering fluid leak that big, you certainly should have the vehicle inspected as soon as possible to find the exact cause. Any of the components you listed can be the source of the leak. The power steering pump as well as the rack & pinion steering unit rely on the fluid for lubrication as well as cooling. The whining you hear is from the pump when the fluid runs low or empty. Your issue can be caused by something as simple as a fluid hose right now, but continued ’running dry" of the power steering fluid, can result in damage to both the pump and the rack & pinion unit. If that happens, you can take what may be a repair of a few hundred dollars and turn it into a repair of a couple of thousand dollars.

Power steering fluid groaning noise. Power steering leak?
ANSWER : Hello. A groaning noise is an indication of low power steering fluid. If you had your power steering fluid serviced about 5 months ago and it is making a groaning noise again most likely means your power steering pump has gone bad or your power steering leak has going from minor to moderate. I can tell you that Honda Accords are one of the most common vehicles for a power steering pump leak to occur on and require a pump replacement. If not a leaking pump it could be power steering hose leaking fluid. I suggest that you have a power steering fluid leak inspection done otherwise you will have to keep filling up your power steering reservoir until it is fixed.

https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/power-steering-fluid-is-leaking-inspection

What does the “Power steering assist fault” warning in the message center of a Ford Fusion mean?
ANSWER : Your car’s Power Steering system includes both the normal Hydraulic system used for many years now to make steering your car easier, as well as a Power Steering Assist system that augments the regular power steering. If a problem develops with the Power Steering Assist system, it will be deactivated. You’ll see a warning in the message center that reads “Power steering assist fault.” When this happens, you need to have your car inspected immediately.

Tip

If the Power Steering Assist system is deactivated, you will still have normal power steering capabilities. The only thing that’s been deactivated is the supplemental assist system.

What does the Service Power Steering message mean?
ANSWER : The Service Power Steering message can appear on your driver information center (DIC). When the DIC displays this alert, it means that there is an issue with the power steering system, and the system should be serviced as soon as possible.

What does the service AdvanceTrac® warning mean in the message center?
ANSWER : AvanceTrac is the electronic stability control (ESC) system used in Ford vehicles. It may also be referred to as “traction control” or “vehicle dynamic control” is other vehicle models. This system monitors the steering stability of the vehicle and engages when skidding has been detected, or the loss of traction.

The AdvanceTrac system counteracts oversteering and understeering by reducing power and/or applying brakes to specific wheels. This is done by the use of electronic sensors that communicate with the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) regarding steering performance and stability in adverse weather conditions. The are several components that are necessary for the AdvanceTrac system to work properly.

Anti-Lock Brake System-When/if the brakes lock up, this may cause a loss of control and the vehicle may slide. The anti-lock brake system prevents this from happening by preventing the brakes from locking up, as well as preventing oversteering and/or understeering when the vehicle starts to slide.

Traction Control System-The traction control system works by reducing engine speed and determining which wheel to apply brake pressure to in order to prevent the vehicle from sliding.

Electronic Sensors-The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) receives information from electronic sensors regarding the rotational speed of each wheel, the horizontal motion of the vehicle, and the vertical motion of the vehicle.

If the “service AdvanceTrac” warning indicator light comes on in the dashboard, this could be an indication of several issues.

A faulty wheel-speed sensor
A faulty steering-angle sensor
A faulty rotational-speed sensor
An issue with the steering rack
Something that is lodged in one of the wheels
The AdvanceTrac system needs to be reprogrammed

If you need assistance diagnosing the service AdvanceTrac warning light, contact a certified techncian for help.

What does it mean if the message center displays a warning saying “Engine oil change soon?”
ANSWER : Your car’s service reminder system is designed to help you remember when you need to have your oil changed. It displays the oil life as a percentage from 0 to 100. If the message center says “Engine oil change soon,” that’s an indication that the “Oil Life [Percentage (%)]” has dropped to between 10% and 0%. Have your oil changed as soon as possible and make sure the “Oil Life [Percentage (%)]” is reset in the message center. Not resetting the “Oil Life [Percentage (%)]” will make the warning come on before it’s due.

Tip

If the “Oil Life [Percentage (%)]” drops to 0%, the message will change to say “Oil change required.”