Power Steering Fault Assist message

Tiny
CARRIEBREDOW
  • MEMBER
  • 2014 FORD MUSTANG
  • 5.0L
  • V8
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 36,000 MILES
Periodically (it's happened 10 times since December), when backing up out of a tight parking space where I need to turn my wheel all the way, the wheel suddenly locks up and a warning message pops up on my info display that says "Power Steering Fault Assist". My owner's manual tells me to put my car in park and turn it off for about 15 seconds, then turn it back on. This has worked for me every time, and the message disappears and I drive off like normal. I took my car in to the Ford dealership to diagnose the issue last week, and they said I need a new electric steering rack, which is $2,100.00. I did some research online, and I am not experiencing any of the symptoms for a failing electric power steering rack, and also read that mechanics often resort to this solution when they cannot figure out why the Power Steering Fault Assist message appears. My question is, could there be another problem, like a glitch with the computer system that generates this error, or?
Wednesday, July 24th, 2019 AT 2:15 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,279 POSTS
Hello,

Yes this could be a sensor issue but to be sure lets run the CAN scan to see what comes up here is a video to help see how its done.

https://youtu.be/InIlnsjOVFA

If it is the power steering motor here is how it is changed out. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Friday, July 26th, 2019 AT 11:25 AM
Tiny
CARRIEBREDOW
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you so much for the reply! I will need to ask the dealership if they ran a CAN scan.
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Friday, July 26th, 2019 AT 11:55 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,279 POSTS
Yep, the CAN scan is how things are done now, please let me know how it turns out ;)
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Saturday, July 27th, 2019 AT 10:31 AM
Tiny
CARRIEBREDOW
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I called the Ford dealership yesterday and asked if they did the CAN scan, and they did. It is how they found the codes and determined the need for the electric power steering rack replacement. Thanks again!
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Saturday, July 27th, 2019 AT 10:54 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,279 POSTS
Good to hear, please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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Saturday, July 27th, 2019 AT 12:09 PM

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