MajorCommonElectrical

Renault Clio: Electric power-steering (EPS) column failure

Electric power-steering (EPS) column failure is a common electrical fault on the Renault Clio on the 2006–2013 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $600 to $1,400 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 15 documented faults on the Renault Clio.

Vehicle: Renault Clio
Years: 2006–2013
System: Electrical

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

All Renault Clio faults15 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 Clio III uses an electric power-steering motor built into the steering column rather than a hydraulic pump, and the column's electronics and motor are a well-known weak point. As they fail the steering goes heavy without warning, usually with a 'STOP' or steering warning light. Early on it is intermittent (heavy for a moment, then normal), but once it fails fully the steering is heavy all the time, which is dangerous at parking speeds and on the open road. A reconditioned column or motor fixes it; ignoring it risks being left with unassisted steering.

What you would notice

Steering suddenly heavy then normal again
Steering/STOP warning light on dash
Vibration or notchiness through the wheel when turning
Heavy steering at parking speed

How to check it

Where to look. Steering column, behind the steering wheel under the dashboard

On the test drive do slow full-lock turns in a car park and feel for any moment where the assistance drops out or the wheel goes heavy.
Watch the dash on start-up for a steering warning light that appears then clears.
Ask if the steering column has ever been replaced or reconditioned.

Parts involved: Steering rack.

What it costs to put right

$600 to $1,400 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 column or motor ever been replaced?”
“Does the steering ever go heavy or has a steering warning light shown?”

Now check the Renault Clio 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.

Haynes 'Renault Clio Mk3 common problems (2005-2013)'
ECU Testing – Renault EPS electric power steering column common faults
ClioSport.net 'STOP Steering fault' thread

Renault Clio buyer questions

Is electric power-steering (eps) column failure serious on a Renault Clio?

We rate it major and common on the Renault Clio. The Clio III uses an electric power-steering motor built into the steering column rather than a hydraulic pump, and the column's electronics and motor are a well-known weak point. As they fail the steering goes heavy without warning, usually with a 'STOP' or steering warning light. Early on it is intermittent (heavy for a moment, then normal), but once it fails fully the steering is heavy all the time, which is dangerous at parking speeds and on the open road. A reconditioned column or motor fixes it; ignoring it risks being left with unassisted steering.

How much does it cost to fix on a Renault Clio?

$600 to $1,400 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 Renault Clio years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2006–2013 Renault Clio. 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?

On the test drive do slow full-lock turns in a car park and feel for any moment where the assistance drops out or the wheel goes heavy. Watch the dash on start-up for a steering warning light that appears then clears. Ask if the steering column has ever been replaced or reconditioned. Look here: Steering column, behind the steering wheel under the dashboard