Sudden loss of electric power steering on the Clio III and Modus (2008–2009)

Engine / equipment

Renault Clio III and Modus with electric power steering (all versions)

Period mentioned

2008–2009

Symptoms

While driving a warning light comes on and the assistance is lost all at once: the steering wheel gets heavier and heavier at low speed.

Possible cause described

According to L'argus (July 2013), the terminals of two electronic components of the electric power steering (made by TRW) corrode for lack of protection and wear out early. It affects Clio III and Modus built from 1/7/2008 to 31/1/2009 (about 91,474 cars in France). In November 2011 Renault opened a special technical operation that replaces the steering column, only if the customer asks.

Check for the garage

Drive carefully, because without assistance you need much more force on the wheel, and ask the garage for a steering code read-out. If the visual and electronic check confirms the fault, the repair is a new steering column. A car that has already been repaired has a blue label on the front left suspension turret.

Cost cited in the source

Quotes of about €1,400–1,800 for the column; Renault paid part of the cost on cars under 5 years old or 150,000 km (in France).A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database