Amber A steering wheel icon with an exclamation point, or text 'POWER STEERING' illuminated on the instrument panel Light: Power Steering Light Warning Light
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The Electric Power Steering (EPS) system has detected a fault. Power steering assist may be reduced or completely lost, making the steering wheel extremely heavy to turn, especially at low speeds.
📋 What This Light Means
| Light Color | Amber |
| Symbol | A steering wheel icon with an exclamation point, or text 'POWER STEERING' illuminated on the instrument panel |
| Meaning | The Electric Power Steering (EPS) system has detected a fault. Power steering assist may be reduced or completely lost, making the steering wheel extremely heavy to turn, especially at low speeds. |
| Urgency | Check Soon |
| Brand Specific | Honda Civic |
🛑 What to Do When This Light Comes On
Step 1: You can still steer the vehicle, but it will require significantly more physical effort — particularly at low speeds and when parking. Drive carefully to a safe location. Try turning the steering wheel fully left, then fully right, then centering it — this recalibrates the steering torque sensor on some Civic models. If the light does not clear after recalibration, the EPS system needs diagnostic scanning. Do not attempt highway driving until the steering is restored.
⚠️ What happens if you ignore this light: Without power steering, the Civic's steering wheel requires 3-5 times more force to turn at low speeds. This is particularly dangerous when parking, making tight turns, or performing emergency maneuvers. Common Civic EPS failures include: steering torque sensor failure ($400-800), EPS control module failure ($600-1,200), or corroded EPS connector under the dashboard ($100-200 to clean and seal). Honda issued TSB 12-061 for 2012-2014 Civic EPS connector corrosion.
🛠️ Technician's Notes: Honda-specific: The 2012-2016 Civic (9th generation) has a known issue with EPS connector corrosion from water intrusion through the bulkhead. Honda TSB 12-061 covers inspection and repair of the EPS connector. If your 2012-2014 Civic has intermittent power steering loss, check the EPS connector under the driver's side dashboard for green/white corrosion before replacing the EPS module.
📚 Data Sources: Warning light information compiled from SAE J2402 dashboard symbol standards, NHTSA vehicle safety regulations, OEM owner's manuals, and ASE master technician field experience. Different vehicle makes may display slightly different symbols. Always consult your owner's manual for make-specific warnings.