Acura Check Power Steering Warning: Causes, Fluid And Fixes

Have problems with your Acura power steering? If the power steering fluid level is low, you will hear a whine when you turn the steering wheel.

It is not recommended to drive your Acura with a low-power steering fluid. Doing so will eventually burn the power steering pump. Below are instructions on checking and adding Power Steering (PS) fluid on Acura vehicles.

What the Check Power Steering Message Means

First work out which steering system your Acura has, because the warning means different things.

• Electric power steering (most Acuras built from about 2013 on). There is no pump or fluid. A Check Power Steering message or EPS light means the steering control unit found a fault and may have reduced or switched off assist, so the wheel feels heavy. Common triggers are a weak battery or low charging voltage, a jump start, a failed torque sensor or steering motor, and loose wiring. Restarting the car can clear a one time fault, but if it returns, read the codes with a scanner that can talk to the EPS module.
• Hydraulic power steering (older TL, TSX, RL, MDX and RDX). The pump is driven by the engine and runs on fluid. Whining, foam in the reservoir and stiff steering usually mean low fluid, air getting in past an O ring, or a leaking hose. The fluid check below applies to these cars.

Either way, steering that suddenly goes heavy makes the car harder to control at low speed. Drive gently to a safe place and get it checked rather than ignoring the message.

Checking the Fluid: What You Will Need

• Genuine Honda Power Steering Fluid

Procedure

The following steps will help you check and add power steering fluid to Acura vehicles.

1. Open the hood. Locate the hood release underneath the dash. Pull the lever until you hear the hood pop open.

2. Next, go to the front of the vehicle and release the hood safety latch at the hood’s front. Lift the hood and make sure the hood stays up. 

3. Locate the power steering reservoir.

   

4. Remove the power steering cap. Remove the plastic cover once you locate the power steering reservoir on your Acura. Remove the cap and inspect the current condition of the power steering fluid.
5. Add power steering fluid if the level is low.
   

This guide applies to multiple Acuras, including TL, CL, RL, TSX, RDS, ILX, TLX, RLX, MDX, and ZDX.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of your Acura being low on power steering fluid is a whining or groaning noise from the engine.

• Acura makes a groaning noise when turning the steering wheel,
• The steering wheel is difficult to turn, typically at a cold start,
• Whining noise when turning the steering wheel left or right,
• Acura steering wheel is slow to respond,
• The Acura steering wheel feels stiff,
• Squeaking noise at startup

Common Acura Power Steering Problems

Seals and O-rings

The #1 problem with Acura vehicles is a power steering fluid leak from a defective o ring gasket.

These gaskets are part of the power steering system and become brittle over time, which causes leaks and allows air to enter the PS system.

If you have basic DIY skills, buy a new Acura Power Steering Seal Kit and replace the damaged o-ring yourself.

Leak

Another problem with Acuras is a leak from the power steering pump hose. The hose can develop longitudinal cracks or may crack at the clamp.

Replacing the hose is a relatively easy DIY job and inexpensive repair.

Replacement Cost

The average cost to replace an Acura power steering pump can range from $200 to $600.

At the dealership, replacing the power steering pump on a late-model Acura can cost over $650.

It is possible to replace the Acura power steering pump and save hundreds of dollars.

The cost of a new Acura power steering pump can range from $65 to $150. You need two to three hours to change an Acura power steering pump.

Acura Power Steering Pump Replacement

A brief overview of how to change the Acura power steering pump.

What you will need

• Basic Tools
• 4″ ratchet extension
• Pliers

Instructions

1. Open the hood and locate the power steering pump.
2. Remove the serpentine belt.
3. Remove the high-pressure line from the power steering pump.
4. Remove the return line from the power steering pump.
5. Remove the mounting bolts.
6. Remove and replace

Recommended Power Steering Fluid

Most Acuras use Honda HG Genuine Power Steering Fluid (# 08206-9002), formulated specifically for Acura.

Genuine Honda power steering should be used whenever possible. Aftermarket power steering fluids will work, but they may impact the power steering seals when used for extended periods.

Recalls

NHTSA records show four Acura power steering recalls, all on older cars with hydraulic steering. Each one is about the high pressure hose cracking from under hood heat and leaking fluid, which can smoke or catch fire if it drips onto the exhaust. None of them covers the Check Power Steering warning on newer Acuras with electric steering.

Recall	Models	Problem
08V091	2004 to 2008 TL	Power steering hose can crack from heat and leak
07V551	2005 to 2008 RL	Power steering hose can crack from heat and leak
10V174	2004 to 2008 TSX	Power steering hose can crack and leak
12V222	2007 to 2008 TL (plus 2003 to 2007 Accord V6)	Follow up recall on the power steering hose

Before paying for a repair, call the Acura dealer and provide them with your VIN.

Ask if there are any service bulletins or recalls. The Acura dealer will fix the power steering problem if there are recalls.

If there is a service bulletin, the dealer may or may not fix the problem free of charge. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

Here are some examples of Acura power steering pump recalls and service bulletins.

Power Steering Moans or Whines During Cold Start-Up

• Service Bulletin 07-060

When the engine is cold, a moan or whine is heard when turning the steering wheel. There may be air bubbles or foam in the power steering reservoir.

The noise usually goes away when the engine warms up. Air is entering the power steering pump through the inlet joint O-ring.

This causes bubbles in the power steering fluid, reducing pump performance.

TL Power Steering Feed Hose Leak

• Service Bulletin 08-016

High under-hood temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely and cause the hose to crack and leak power steering fluid. Power steering fluid leaking onto a hot catalytic converter generates smoke.

For more help, check these troubleshooting and repair guides for your Acura vehicle.

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