I recently experienced the EPS failure and found the cause of it after much research on my own (practically went below my car looking at it for hours).

The problem only occurs to 8th Gen Civic 2.0 Models with EPS (reaffirm this so that 1.8 members need not worry).

My ride is coming to 2 years this Nov 08 and currently clocking 35,000km.

One fine day while driving, the EPS light came on and felt sudden heaviness in steering. Mind you the steering without assist is unlike normal cars without power steering. It is extra heavy and almost impossible to turn. To those who see the EPS light ON, to immediately slow down and try to stop by the roadside (where its possible). Do not drive anymore, not that it will damage the steering systems further but dangerous.

Switching the engine off and back on will clear the EPS light and steering goes back to normal. But after a while of driving, it comes back ON. I repeat this until I reach home.

The next day, went to SC to check. Initially, they suspect water seeped into EPS motor causing short circuit. Took out the motor, everything dry. They put some grease on the motor head (which originally was not lubricated at all, not necessary). Put everything back and clear the error from the ECU (note all the errors occurred previously will be logged in the ECU log even when the lights do not ON anymore when you bring your car to SC) and says done.

I took back my car and drive away. Immediately at the next junction, the EPS light ON again. Stop by the roadside, call SC. They say, in this case, they order the EPS motor to swap and see. Tell me to drive home or leave the car with them. Motor takes 1 week to arrive. I drove home (slowly). On serious cases, switching off the engine and restarting does not clear the EPS light.

Went home and go below the engine. After hours of search, found the culprit.

*** Important from hereon ***

1. Locate the EPS motor.

2. Trace the wiring. It will lead you to a socket near the passenger side.

3. If you look 2 meter directly above the socket, there was this air-cond pipe (aluminium colour). It runs at a path directly above this EPS wire socket. Now this pipe sweats when A/C is in operation. The sweat will drip onto the socket and water seeped into the socket thus short-circuiting the EPS. Hence the cause.

Next day, bring back to SC, told them this. When the new motor comes, swap it, connect everything back and I place a poly-propylene (plastic) secured with cable tie to cover the sockets (like creating a roof for the the sockets la). Till today (been 1 month plus) problem never occurs.

SC told me, I am the first with EPS failure.

So, by the explanation above, I am saying that ALL 8TH GEN CIVIC 2.0 MAY GET THIS PROBLEM SOONER OR LATER.

To immediately go to SC and get replacement and if possible apply the plastic cover after EPS motor change otherwise, even after replace new EPS motor, problem may come back.

Also do not delay on getting replacement. The short-circuit may damage your ECU as the socket actually connects the EPS to the ECU.

That's all there is to share. Apologise for not having the picture describing the above coz dun hav a cam when I am exploring the undercarriage. Will be happy to explain during TT if any.

IMPORTANT NOTE : If you experience the above problem and due to circumstances, you still need to use the car, then DO NOT USE AIR-CONDITION until repaired and countermeasures done. Not using the A/C will not make the pipings sweat, hence no water will drop on the sockets.

guess toyota has the same problem as well.. it happens, but make sure u take car ur car. Even human also will sick, who do u blame then?

U can turn to proton, which is even worst.