Jaguar “Power Steering Assistance Reduced” Warning Message

The electric power steering in Jaguar F-Pace, E-Pace, XE, and XF uses an electric motor to assist the driver. Power steering helps the driver by giving additional torque to make turning the steering wheel light. The assistance given by the electric motor varies based on the speed and direction of the vehicle. 

What does the “Power Steering Assistance Reduced” warning message on a Jaguar means?

When the warning message “Power Steering Assistance Reduced” appears on the dashboard, it means that there is a fault within the electric power steering system. There will be a loss of power steering assistance, and the steering wheel will be hard and heavy to turn. You must use a professional diagnostic scanner to run a full vehicle scan to determine what is causing this warning message.

The common issue that causes power steering problems on Jaguar is the electronic steering motor or rack assembly failure. It contains the rack and pinion assembly and the electric power steering motor. Based on the technical bulletin issued by Jaguar, this is the problematic part that needs to be replaced. 

Symptoms

• The Steering Wheel is Stuck
• The Steering Wheel is Hard To Turn
• Lane Assist Not Available Warning Message
• Warning Message Appears During Parking or Low-Speed Maneuver
• Warning Message Appears During Cold and Wet Weather Conditions

Common Causes

Faulty Steering Rack Assembly

The steering rack translates the steering wheel’s rotational movement to a linear movement needed to steer the vehicle. It comprises rack and pinion assembly and the electric motor to assist the steering. The electric motor provides additional steering assistance for a light and smooth steering maneuver. 

When the steering rack assembly is faulty, especially the electric motor, it cannot provide the necessary assistance to the driver resulting in hard and heavy steering. A warning message, Power Steering Assistance Reduced, also appears on the dashboard to alert the driver.

A common cause of a faulty steering rack assembly is water damage. Water can enter, while driving on a flooded road or on heavy rain, to the electric motor or in the connectors, causing a short circuit and destroying the electric motor. 

Steering Rack Bolts Failure

The steering rack bolts that hold the electric motor on a Jaguar are made of aluminum and prone to corrosion. While aluminum doesn’t rust, it does corrode. The aluminum oxide coating is highly resistant and renews itself if damaged, keeping the metal relatively safe from corrosion. But some factors can cause the coat to become unstable, thus exposing the metal. Corrosion can damage the bolts and cause them to fracture, resulting in the electric motor detaching from the steering rack. This can result from a power steering failure and can be dangerous while driving. 

Weak 12-Volt Battery

A low battery can also cause a warning message to pop up. This is because the electric motor used by the power steering uses the battery power to operate. The electric motor cannot produce the needed torque to assist the steering when the battery produces low voltage. 

Corroded Connectors

Connectors found in a Jaguar have rubber seals to prevent water from getting in and corroding the connector pins. Corrosion prevents a good connection on the connector pins and can disrupt the signals and power to and from the electric motor.

The rubber seals are prone to damage from wear and tear and weathering that allows water and moisture to enter. Also, driving in deep puddles or floods can allow water to penetrate the seals. It is advisable not to drive in deep puddles or floods to avoid this problem. Cleaning the connectors with electronic contact cleaner can resolve the issue with corroded connectors. 

Safety Precaution 

When you encounter a warning message while driving, stop the vehicle immediately. Loss of power steering assist can result in heavy steering and be dangerous to you and the vehicles around you. Turning off the engine and turning it back again can sometimes resolve the problem temporarily for you to move to a safe location, but this is not a permanent fix. It is advisable to call for help to tow your vehicle to a trusted mechanic or dealership to have the problem fixed properly. 

Troubleshooting

If you get “Power Steering Assistance Reduced” on your Jaguar, the steering wheel will feel heavy and difficult to turn. The proper way to find out what is causing this problem is to run a vehicle health check with a scanner such as the YOUCANIC full system scanner.

Affected Jaguar Models

Here is the list of affected Jaguar models:  

• F-Pace (2017)
• XE (2017)
• XF (2017)
• E-Pace