What does it mean when the electronic power steering warning light comes on?

[Donna]

When the yellow "EPS" warning light or "steering wheel" shaped warning light illuminates on the dashboard, the following symptoms may occur: heavy steering, abnormal steering noise, steering wheel vibration, and poor steering wheel return capability. Possible causes of electronic power steering system failure include: 1. Excessive air in the power steering system. 2. Foreign objects in the hydraulic lines causing steering pump flow blockage. 3. Loose steering connections leading to steering fluid leakage. Below is relevant information about this component: On the steering shaft there is a hub with grooves that rotates when turning the steering wheel. There are four equally spaced grooves around the hub. When the turn signal is activated, a plastic lever on the turn signal switch gets pushed into the path of these grooves. As the hub continues rotating clockwise, these grooves strike the plastic lever, causing it to oscillate and allowing each groove to pass. When the steering wheel returns left, the hub rotates counterclockwise, pushing the plastic lever in the opposite direction. This forces the spring-loaded roller out of the switch housing's groove, causing the turn signal lever to snap back to its central position.