C0626

Variable Effort Steering Sensor Circuit Low

Severity

⚠️ Medium

Can you drive?

Limited driving only, diagnose soon

Approx. repair cost

$89–167 (est.)

Symptoms

Increased steering effort, especially at low speeds
Steering warning light comes on
Unstable behavior of the hydraulic booster
Grinding or knocking noise in the steering column

Causes

Variable steering force sensor malfunction
Open or short circuit in wiring harness
Poor contact in sensor or ECU connectors
Problems with power or grounding of the circuit
Mechanical damage to the sensor
Steering ECU software failure

How to Fix

Check the voltage and resistance in the sensor circuit
Inspect the wiring harness for damage
Check connector contacts for oxidation or corrosion
Replace the variable steering force sensor if necessary
Reflash the steering ECU if the problem is software in nature

Related codes

C0625 C0627 C0628