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william_crystal1

Power Steering Issues Plague T-Cross Owner

My car has gotten really hard to steer lately and the steering wheel shakes quite a bit. The power steering seems to be acting up, takes way more force to turn than usual and feels spongy. There is also an error code stored. I am not sure if I should trust my regular mechanic with this steering system issue after a recent bad experience. Has anyone dealt with similar power steering problems on a 2020 T-Cross (34000km, gasoline)? Looking for recommendations on what to check and potential repair costs before heading to a shop.

4 comment(s)

charlotte_wolf3

Had the exact same symptoms on a 2017 T-Roc TSI. The electric steering system was giving similar warning codes and required serious attention. The root cause was a faulty connection in the steering column wiring harness. The steering system would intermittently lose power assistance, causing heavy steering and vibrations. This is a known issue that requires proper diagnostic equipment to pinpoint. A certified shop will need to: 1. Run full steering system diagnostics 2. Check the integrity of all wiring connections 3. Test the electric steering motor function 4. Verify proper wheel alignment after repairs In my case, the steering column had to be partially disassembled to access and replace the damaged wiring harness. This is not a DIY job, it requires specialist tools and proper calibration after repair. The symptoms you describe match exactly what happens when the power steering control module loses proper communication. Have it checked soon, as continuing to drive could stress other steering components. Based on experience, this is a job for a certified shop with proper diagnostic capabilities for electric steering systems. Your regular mechanic may not have the required equipment for this specific repair.

william_crystal1 (Author)

Thanks for sharing those details about the steering harness issue. I am dealing with very similar problems right now, heavy steering and vibrations in my 2020 T-Cross. The repair shop just diagnosed a problem with the electric steering rack and some wiring damage. They mentioned the steering pump needs checking too. I am glad you flagged this as something requiring a specialist, I will make sure to use a certified shop. Would you mind sharing what the total repair cost was in your case? Also curious if you had any other steering-related problems since getting it fixed?

charlotte_wolf3

The wiring issue was completely resolved after taking it to a certified shop. The final repair cost came to 95€ for fixing the faulty cable connection in the power steering system, much less than initially expected. The steering wheel now responds smoothly without any vibrations, and the power steering functions perfectly. No steering-related problems have occurred since the repair. The shop also performed a wheel alignment check as part of their diagnostic process to ensure everything was properly calibrated. The hydraulic fluid levels and steering pump were inspected during the repair, but they were fine, the entire issue stemmed from that single faulty electrical connection. Getting it fixed by specialists who understood the electronic steering system was definitely the right choice. Sounds like your symptoms match what I experienced. Having proper diagnostic equipment made all the difference in quickly identifying the exact problem rather than replacing parts unnecessarily.

william_crystal1 (Author)

I took my car to a certified shop last week after reading about your experience. They found the same wiring issue in the power steering system that you described. The total repair came to 780€, which included replacing a damaged pressure hose they discovered during inspection. The steering column needed partial disassembly to access the wiring, but the mechanics knew exactly what they were doing. They also performed a complete wheel alignment afterward to ensure everything was properly calibrated. The difference in steering feel is remarkable, no more vibrations or heavy steering. The hydraulic fluid levels were also topped off during service. I am glad I chose a specialist shop with the right diagnostic equipment rather than my regular mechanic. This turned out to be a more complex repair than expected, but having it done correctly was worth the investment. Thanks again for steering me in the right direction with your detailed explanation of the problem.

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