2012 honda civic check vsa system and power steering

Q: What does check VSA system mean on a 2012 Honda Civic?

Well, VSA stands for Vehicle Stability Assist and is Hondas computer system that helps ensure the tires have traction to help keep you on the road. When both the check engine light and the VSA light are illuminated it means that the computer has detected there may be a fault in the system.

Q: Does a 2012 Honda Civic have power steering fluid?

Yes! Its pretty easy to replace the power steering fluid in a 2012 Honda Civic. Just remove the red cap from the reservoir, drain the old fluid, and replace it with fresh power steering fluid. You should replace the power steering fluid in your 2012 Honda Civic every 5 years or 75,000 miles—whichever comes first.

Hi,

Table of Contents Show

VSA and Power steering light on
What does check VSA system mean on a 2012 Honda Civic?
What causes VSA light to come on?
How do you reset the electric power steering on a Honda Civic?
Does a 2012 Honda Civic have power steering fluid?

Just purchase a used 2012 CNG Civic with 106k miles. All was ok for about a day, despite a rough idle, then I got code P0304 followed by messages “Check VSA, Power Steering, AND Emissions systems.” The previous owner changed the spark plugs and coils. When I got the misfire error along with the other messages I replaced the spark plugs, but that didn’t resolve the issue. Next I switched the coils between #3 and #4. However, I got the same misfire code relating to #4, which leads me to believe the coils aren’t the problem either. Based on my research here, I think maybe it’s a bad fuel injector and possibly a need for a valve adjustment since the car is also rough idling. 🤔

I’m not too mechanically inclined, so I need advice...Can my guess be correct? What would you guys recommend I do next to attempt resolving the issues?

Thanks in advance for the advice and help.

All the dash warning lights are on (ABS, VSA, Power Steering) as well as messages displayed on the information screen.

hydraulic pump runs continuously, even with the car turned off.

Brake reservoir has proper fluid level, battery was tested fine (disconnected to prevent pump from draining battery)

Car is well maintained and under 50k miles.

I rapped the pump body with a hammer a few times, and the buzzing/whirring changed tone slightly. I'm suspecting the pump pistons are jammed in the rotor and the pump is not effective.

ABS does not function, but steering and all other systems run and drive normally.

Replacing the ABS pump/modulator is easy, but selling my firstborn for the part will not be.

On edit:

ABS pump is running continuously, even with the vehicle completely turned off. My Solus and code reader(s) don't cover 2012 Honda for ABS. The controller seems to be part of the pump/modulator assembly. I suppose it's possible it's bad, but the internet searches seem to all point to replacing the pump.

The fact that I rapped it with a hammer and the tone changed (from a whine to a pulsing chug) leads me to believe the pump pistons no longer float well (probably from water/corrosion) and the pump is not effective in building accumulator pressure.

I found a 27k used one complete on eBay for $110, which is half of what I can buy just the controller for. The pump section can be taken apart (not officially) but I'm waiting for the spare installed and working before I break that seal.

Car is functional without ABS but would be stranded with the modulator removed and all the brake lines open. The Vehicle Stability Assist, ABS, and in some way the electric power steering are all somehow tied to this pump/modulator module.

VSA and Power steering alert. (2012 civic)

So I got a 2012 Honda Civic, and my clockspring went bad. And when it did I obviously lost power to the steering wheel/airbag. But two more notifications popped up, it says check VSA system (traction control won�t turn on) and check power steering system (drives normal, definitely has power steering). But it all came on when the clockspring went off. I replaced the clockspring and I restored power to my steering wheel, but it won�t go away. Should I go in with a code reader and see if there�s any codes I can erase? Or are there any fuses I need to replace? (I couldn�t find any that related to my problems) thanks a bunch.
Glowing regards.
Kegan

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VSA and Power steering light on

Thread starter hotshot
Start date Jan 29, 2014

As the rest of the country is well aware, Atlanta was completely and utterly paralyzed last night. I braved the ice this morning, and after I slid in a few spots, my power steering light and VSA lights came on and stayed on until I left my car in a parking lot 10 minutes from my house.

I've never had the power steering light come on on mine, so I can't comment on that. As for the VSA light, is it possible that you shut it off? I've shut mine off a few times because of the snow and the light will stay on until the either I turn it back on or I shut the car off.

If you have any doubt at all, or if it happens again, a trip to the dealer may be your best bet.

Thread starter
#3

I shut it off a couple times and it still came back on

What I meant was that if you shut the VSA off, the light will stay lit until you turn it back on or you shut the car off.

Staff
#5

you need to get it over to honda to have it looked at -

"EPS indicator" = power steering

from the manual:

If the EPS Indicator Comes On
■ Reasons for the indicator to come on
• Comes on when there is a problem with EPS.
• If you depress the accelerator pedal repeatedly to increase the engine speed while the engine is idling, the indicator comes on, and sometimes the steering wheel becomes harder to operate.

■ What to do when the indicator comes on
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and restart the engine.
If the indicator comes on and stays on, immediately have your vehicle inspected by a dealer.

If the EPS Indicator Comes On
If you repeatedly turn the steering wheel at an extremely low speed, or hold the steering wheel on the full left or right position for a while, the system heats up. The system goes into a protective mode, and limits its performance. The steering wheel becomes harder and harder to operate. Once the system cools down, EPS is restored. Repeated operation under these conditions can eventually damage the system.

As webby said. The power steering light is not normal. I've never seen it on mine.

Thread starter
#7

you need to get it over to honda to have it looked at -
If the EPS Indicator Comes On
If you repeatedly turn the steering wheel at an extremely low speed, or hold the steering wheel on the full left or right position for a while, the system heats up. The system goes into a protective mode, and limits its performance. The steering wheel becomes harder and harder to operate. Once the system cools down, EPS is restored. Repeated operation under these conditions can eventually damage the system.

Yeah. That's pretty much what happend. Over corrected to avoid sliding and my dash Lit up like a Christmas tree. Lol

The VSA light is on and it's staying on. It won't let me turn it on or off by the button at all and the message on my iMid says to have the VSA system checked.

I dropped my car off this morning at Honda to have it looked at, along with another with a noise in the transmission. Might take a couple days since there weren't too many techs there today.

Thread starter
#8

Dealer called back today, Turns out it just needed a software update.

What particular update did you get? my dealer says there are several. I have an issue with voltage regulation.

Staff
#10

What particular update did you get? my dealer says there are several. I have an issue with voltage regulation.

he hasn't been online since dec 2014. Does the dealership have your car now? Are they troubleshooting/fixing it?

Thank you webby. No they do not have it yet, i literally just replaced my alternator on my lunch break today and my EPS issue persists. I am reading about Honda's ELD technology and how it can play a role in this. I have an issue with dealerships holding me hostage with their "knowledge" and my ignorance. So i make every effort not to be ignorant. Why can't cars be simple, ya know, like they use to be?

Last edited: Sep 15, 2015

Staff
#12

Thank you webby. No they do not have it yet, i literally just replaced my alternator on my lunch break today and my EPS issue persists. I am reading about Honda's ELD technology and how it can play a role in this. I have an issue with dealerships holding me hostage with their "knowledge" and my ignorance. So i make every effort not to be ignorant. Why can't cars be simple, ya know, like they use to be?

are you out of warranty?

1,107807 Cocoa, FLVehicle Model Civic Si Body Style Coupe

I honestly never thought an EPS would reduce assist due to overheating. Makes sense but I couldn't imagine that much strain on it even on track days. I know I give my EPS hell lol

341 77422Vehicle Model Civic Body Style Si. Coupe

Today mine came on. Vsa and emissions, rainy day, steering went off on the imid but vsa is still on. Any ideas?

2,2551,507 FT. Bragg, NCVehicle Model Civic SI Body Style Sedan

Today mine came on. Vsa and emissions, rainy day, steering went off on the imid but vsa is still on. Any ideas?

Sounds like the alternator. My alternator went out a while back and I lost power steering, lights, Imid, and my car struggled. After that my car would not start and my dash would just flicker really fast when I turned the key over.

As webby said. The power steering light is not normal. I've never seen it on mine.

I have 50,000 miles on my 2013 civic LX and same thing I have never had my power steering light come on for the electronic power steering so I agree with everyone else take it to a certified Honda dealer and have a service technician take a look at it if you don’t have a warranty then obviously it is going to probably be expensive anything to do with electronic power assisted steering is usually pretty pricey also l there is usually $120 diagnostic fee for them to find out what the problem is if you pay for it to get fixed they waive that fee if you do not do you leave with the same problem and pay them $120 to still leave with that same exact problem so do your research

Forums
Civic Technical
Mechanical Problems & Technical Chat

What does check VSA system mean on a 2012 Honda Civic?

Well, VSA stands for Vehicle Stability Assist and is Honda's computer system that helps ensure the tires have traction to help keep you on the road. When both the check engine light and the VSA light are illuminated it means that the computer has detected there may be a fault in the system.

What causes VSA light to come on?

The VSA light will go on if it detects that one or more of your wheels are not rotating at the correct speed. Consult your user manual for wheel size.

How do you reset the electric power steering on a Honda Civic?

Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC).

You can turn the steering wheel 45 degrees to the left from a straight position..

Then turn the ignition to ON. ... .

Immediately, when the EPS light comes off, return to the straight position. ... .

Immediately, turn the wheel 45 degrees to the left, and the EPS should go off after 4 seconds..

Does a 2012 Honda Civic have power steering fluid?

Yes! It's pretty easy to replace the power steering fluid in a 2012 Honda Civic. Just remove the red cap from the reservoir, drain the old fluid, and replace it with fresh power steering fluid. You should replace the power steering fluid in your 2012 Honda Civic every 5 years or 75,000 miles—whichever comes first.