The EPS (electric power steering) warning light — usually a steering wheel icon with an exclamation mark, or the letters EPS in your instrument cluster — tells you that the power steering system has detected a fault and disabled electric assist. In UAE conditions, this is a relatively common warning light. This guide explains what to do when the EPS warning light comes on.
What to Do When the EPS Warning Light Comes On
Stay calm and keep driving carefully. When the EPS warning light illuminates, the electric assist is disabled but the steering still works — it just requires significantly more effort. At motorway speeds this may not be noticeable; at parking speed it will feel very heavy. Drive to a workshop promptly but safely.
Try turning the ignition off and restarting. Some EPS faults are transient — a voltage dip, a momentary sensor reading out of range, or a software glitch — and clear when the ignition is cycled. If the light goes out and does not return, monitor the situation. If it returns, have the system scanned.
Check the battery. A weak battery is one of the most common causes of EPS warning lights in UAE. If the battery is more than 3 years old or if the car has been reluctant to start recently, have the battery tested before booking a more expensive EPS repair. A failed battery test and a new battery often resolves the EPS fault.
Have a diagnostic scan performed. The EPS control unit stores fault codes that identify the specific failure. A scan at any competent workshop costs AED 100 to AED 200 and tells the mechanic exactly what system has failed. Do not authorise expensive component replacement without first reading the fault codes.
Common EPS Warning Light Causes in UAE
Weak or failing battery (very common in UAE heat, especially on batteries over 3 years old). Torque sensor fault. EPS motor overheating or failure. EPS control module fault. Wiring or connector fault caused by heat and vibration. After a flat tyre or wheel replacement where the steering angle sensor was not recalibrated.