Electric Power Steering Fail Warning

[RitasRedRubiJLU]

On our first day off road in our 2026 Rubicon X with 1,500 miles, we got an annunciator warning on the instrument panel between the speedo & tach:


Electric Power Steering Fail Warning

This happened three times within a few minutes, but were only momentary, 4 Low selected, and right after climbing an obstacle with both axles locked, but we didn’t engage, drive, or disengage while turning.

We drove maybe 70 miles, mostly on pavement in 2WD the next day (today) with no more indications.

Got the usual AI nonsense when Google searching.





Any insights?

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[BDinTX]

Make sure the fluid level is good for the power steering but I’m leaning towards it was just getting hot.

 

[RitasRedRubiJLU]

I'll check that. I just had it at the dealer a few days ago for 1,000 mile check and they checked all that stuff, but def worth it for me to check with my own eyeballs.

Could have been heat too, but it was only 80º outside, and I'd hope this thing isn't that wimpy. Thanks for your response!

UPDATE: PS fluid level is full.

 

[2nd 392]

If it was over heated (actual or not) it would have said so with the may fail warning. My 21 did similar for no obvious reason once., unnerving, but just the one time

 

[2nd 392]

Honestly, the may fail warning is a bit vague, I thought that was more for low fluid or pump issues, not necessarily heat related. Was your truck showing any dashboard lights or messages prior to the EPAS fail?

Mine didn’t, rural hwy just somewhat curvy, not a hot day. Out of nowhere just something like “Steering Overheated May Fail” on and off for about 10 mi. I swung by Jeep the next day, no codes, got the usual “if it happens again…..” ,
it hasn’t.

 

[jadmt]

On my 2024 that happened my first to moab with it and then has not happened since. I have been to moab 3 more times since it first happened. The last two times with 37’s so not sure why it did the first time when it was brand new. Nothing else was showing other than the steering warning.

 

[RitasRedRubiJLU]

On my 2024 that happened my first to moab with it and then has not happened since. I have been to moab 3 more times since it first happened. The last two times with 37’s so not sure why it did the first time when it was brand new. Nothing else was showing other than the steering warning.

Yes, this was in Moab, Fins & Things trail.

 

[Ear Responsible]

On our first day off road in our 2026 Rubicon X with 1,500 miles, we got an annunciator warning on the instrument panel between the speedo & tach:


Electric Power Steering Fail Warning

This happened three times within a few minutes, but were only momentary, 4 Low selected, and right after climbing an obstacle with both axles locked, but we didn’t engage, drive, or disengage while turning.

We drove maybe 70 miles, mostly on pavement in 2WD the next day (today) with no more indications.

Got the usual AI nonsense when Google searching.





Any insights?

I think it

On our first day off road in our 2026 Rubicon X with 1,500 miles, we got an annunciator warning on the instrument panel between the speedo & tach:


Electric Power Steering Fail Warning

This happened three times within a few minutes, but were only momentary, 4 Low selected, and right after climbing an obstacle with both axles locked, but we didn’t engage, drive, or disengage while turning.

We drove maybe 70 miles, mostly on pavement in 2WD the next day (today) with no more indications.

Got the usual AI nonsense when Google searching.





Any insights?

I suspect it’s related to the same issues I have with my 2025 Rubicon X. The 2.0 + 8 speed has aggressive low-speed torque management, and very low idle creep for off road control . Electronic control + turb+ load compensation + changes in power steering load causes sine wave oscillation in my RPM when going from reverse, to forward with sharp changes in steering and very light pressure on the accelerator. It’s not surprising to get a quick power steering warning flash

 

[Dusty Dude]

Your electric pump is working overtime, gets hot, and it is the cause of the warning. If it continues to be a problem, then you will need to install a fan.

This is what I did and problem solved. See attached. Credit is due to another member on this forum. Unfortunately I don’t remember who it was.

 

[Dusty Dude]

Here are some pix of the fan after install. Be aware that the wiring is installed backwards on purpose so the airflow is correct. You can see the backwards connection in the last pic.

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