Check Electric Power Steering message turned on?

RRIGGS41

MEMBER
2012 HONDA CIVIC
1.4L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
170,000 MILES

My daughter is away at college and has experience no steering problems at all but... When she started her car today, the warning light came on, saying check electronic steering system. To be safe, we had the car towed to a local fire stone for evaluation. I have read a lot about replacing the electronic power steering module. When I called the Honda dealership, they said I could not purchase the module by itself and that I would have to purchase a $1,700.00 steering rack. That would then cost me an additional $3-4Kin labor fees to install. Not a mechanic, but this seems a little excessive. I would appreciate your input/advice.

3 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,942 POSTS

That does sound a little pricey. Here is the cost of the rack and labor time in shop which you will need to multiply by the shop rate.

4 - Steering Gear 53601TS8A04 $1612.82

Complete Assembly With Transfer Of Parts B 4.6 HRS at shop rate. So, if the shop is at $120.00 an hour it would be $552.00

Here is how the job is done in the images below in case you what to see what you are paying for. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

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Saturday, April 8th, 2023 AT 12:02 PM

RRIGGS41

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Hi Ken,
Thanks for the detailed response.
I visited the auto shop today to discuss my daughter’s Honda Civic.
Since neither of us had experienced any steering issues at all until the EPS warning light and steering failure happened yesterday while the car was sitting in a parking lot...
And while checking the mechanical function, I asked them to ensure they ran the onboard diagnostics which cost me $110 but I think was well worth it in the end.
The problem is was diagnosed as a faulty, EPS control module.
This part has been ordered and will be installed at a total cost to me of $800
The technician said my serpentine belt looked pretty good but based on the current mileage of 170,000 I decided to have the serpentine belt replaced while the car is in the shop. Bringing my total cost to $1100.
The only negative is it will take a couple days to get the EPS control module. I might be a bit old-school, but I’m not really a fan of the electronic power steering.
I guess that’s because this is the second vehicle I’ve had that experienced problems.
My other car was a 2016 Hyundai Sonata that was only four years old when the EPS motor went out.

Thanks again for your input and assistance

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Saturday, April 8th, 2023 AT 2:51 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,942 POSTS

Yep, I am not a fan of EPS either, I think manufactures will end up going back to the old faithful systems that work better and are easier and cheaper to work on, (I hope anyway). I have included the replacement of the EPS control unit so you can see what you are paying for. Also, $300.00 for a serpentine belt sounds a little high? I have included the prices for that as well.

Control Module 39980TS8A01 $563.52
Labor Control Module 0.9 hrs @ shop rate.

Serpentine Belt:

Bando Without AC Serpentine Belt 31110R1AA11 $52.08
With AC

Mitsuboshi Serpentine Belt 31110R1AA02 $89.85

Labor: Serpentine Belt 0.5 hrs @ shop rate.

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

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