MajorCommonElectrical

Suzuki Wagon R: Electric power-steering rattle and column faults

Electric power-steering rattle and column faults is a common electrical fault on the Suzuki Wagon R on the 2000 onward 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 8 documented faults on the Suzuki Wagon R.

Vehicle: Suzuki Wagon R
Years: 2000 onward
System: Electrical

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

All Suzuki Wagon R faults8 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 Wagon R uses electric power steering, and a rattling or knocking noise from the steering column is one of the most commonly reported faults, along with the assist becoming inconsistent or failing on older cars. It is usually the column EPS unit or its mounting. Beyond the annoyance, a steering fault is a WOF and safety concern, and a full EPS column replacement is one of the pricier repairs on an otherwise cheap car.

What you would notice

Rattle or knock from the steering column over bumps
Steering that goes heavy or the assist cutting in and out
Steering or power-steering warning light

How to check it

Where to look. Electric power-steering unit on the steering column

On the test drive over rough roads listen for a rattle from behind the wheel, and note whether the steering ever goes heavy or the assist fluctuates. Watch for a steering warning light on start-up. Any inconsistency in the assist should be checked before buying.

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

“Does the steering rattle or ever go heavy?”
“Has the power-steering unit ever been repaired?”
“Has a steering warning light appeared?”

Now check the Suzuki Wagon R 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.

gomechanic.in - Buying a second-hand Wagon R, 10 problems to look out for
Suzuki Wagon R - Wikipedia (EPS and model history)

Suzuki Wagon R buyer questions

Is electric power-steering rattle and column faults serious on a Suzuki Wagon R?

We rate it major and common on the Suzuki Wagon R. The Wagon R uses electric power steering, and a rattling or knocking noise from the steering column is one of the most commonly reported faults, along with the assist becoming inconsistent or failing on older cars. It is usually the column EPS unit or its mounting. Beyond the annoyance, a steering fault is a WOF and safety concern, and a full EPS column replacement is one of the pricier repairs on an otherwise cheap car.

How much does it cost to fix on a Suzuki Wagon R?

$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 Suzuki Wagon R years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2000 onward Suzuki Wagon R. 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.