MajorCommonElectrical

Nissan Micra: Electric power steering (EPS) column failure (K12)

Electric power steering (EPS) column failure (K12) is a common electrical fault on the Nissan Micra on the 2002–2010 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $400 to $1,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 22 documented faults on the Nissan Micra.

Vehicle: Nissan Micra
Years: 2002–2010
Fuel: petrol
System: Electrical

This page covers the Nissan Micra as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Nissan Micra faults22 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Steering rack yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The K12 uses a TRW electric power steering column with several documented failure modes: the motor's internal control board burns out, the column ECU chips fail, torque/position sensors drift (steering lighter one way), and internal relays fail. The result is intermittent or total loss of assistance - suddenly heavy steering with a warning light. Repair options range from second-hand columns to specialist rebuilds. The car remains steerable but heavy, which frightens drivers at speed.

What you would notice

Steering suddenly heavy
EPS/steering warning light on the dash
Assistance lighter turning one way than the other
Intermittent loss of assist that returns after restart

How to check it

Where to look. Steering column inside the cabin, under the dash

With the car stationary and running, turn lock to lock - assistance should be even both ways with no groaning or dead spots.
Check the dash for a steering warning light at start-up and confirm it goes out.
Ask if the column has ever been repaired or replaced.

Parts involved: Steering rack.

What it costs to put right

$400 to $1,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the power steering ever failed or the column been replaced?”
“Does the steering ever feel heavier on one side?”

Now check the Nissan Micra you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in the sources below. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them.

Western Power Steering 'Help with Nissan Micra K12 steering column failures'
Micra Sports Club thread 'EPS power steering column, what ACTUALLY goes wrong?' (#66451)
Honest John forum '2004 1.2 K12 electric power steering loss'

Nissan Micra buyer questions

Is electric power steering (eps) column failure (k12) serious on a Nissan Micra?

We rate it major and common on the Nissan Micra. The K12 uses a TRW electric power steering column with several documented failure modes: the motor's internal control board burns out, the column ECU chips fail, torque/position sensors drift (steering lighter one way), and internal relays fail. The result is intermittent or total loss of assistance - suddenly heavy steering with a warning light. Repair options range from second-hand columns to specialist rebuilds. The car remains steerable but heavy, which frightens drivers at speed.

How much does it cost to fix on a Nissan Micra?

$400 to $1,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Nissan Micra years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2002–2010 Nissan Micra. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

With the car stationary and running, turn lock to lock - assistance should be even both ways with no groaning or dead spots. Check the dash for a steering warning light at start-up and confirm it goes out. Ask if the column has ever been repaired or replaced. Look here: Steering column inside the cabin, under the dash