What does the steering wheel exclamation mark on the dashboard indicate?

[SanLandon]

An exclamation mark displayed on the car dashboard near the steering wheel symbol may indicate a fault in the active steering system. Here are explanations about the steering wheel exclamation mark display: 1. This indicator normally appears when the engine is off and should disappear immediately after engine startup, with the steering wheel becoming looser, indicating the electric power steering function is activated. 2. The computer self-check warning light will illuminate during startup but should turn off automatically after ignition; if it remains lit, there's likely a fault in the power steering system. If this occurs while driving (which can be dangerous as it might lead to steering lock), immediately stop the vehicle and contact maintenance to clear the fault. It's normal for the light to turn off after startup. The power steering warning light also illuminates during dashboard self-check at startup - as long as it turns off after the engine starts, there's no issue. 3. Another exclamation mark may indicate the handbrake is engaged, which will disappear when released. For power steering mechanism faults, the warning light should normally turn off after the vehicle is started and running.

[ColtonLee]

That day when picking up my kid from school, I suddenly noticed the steering wheel warning light with a yellow exclamation mark was on, and the steering felt as heavy as moving bricks while driving. I immediately called my cousin who works in auto repair, and he said it was the electric power steering failing, most likely due to poor contact in the steering gear sensor. He suggested I pull over, turn off the engine for ten minutes, and then restart it—and it actually worked. However, when I drove it in for inspection, they found the wiring harness under the steering wheel was loose, and the mechanic fixed it in just five minutes by tightening it. Never force the car to drive with such an issue, especially when reversing or parking, as the lack of power assistance increases the risk of scratches. Safety first!

[Melissa]

Last year when I was driving my old Passat, this warning light came on and the steering wheel instantly became twice as heavy. After researching, I learned it was a power steering system alert: possibly a faulty sensor, issues with the steering gear motor, or unstable battery voltage affecting ECU control. I first checked the battery voltage was normal, ruling out alternator problems. During repairs, the mechanic scanned a historical fault code from the steering angle sensor and found connector contamination causing poor contact - common in vehicles frequently driven on muddy roads in rainy conditions. Recommended diagnostic steps: battery voltage → steering system connectors → reading fault codes. These three steps can resolve 70% of such issues.

[McBrandon]

Discovering the exclamation mark light on the steering wheel requires immediate attention! This indicates potential failure of the power steering. Personal experience: Once, the light came on while driving on the highway, and the steering wheel instantly became heavy. Pulling over to the side avoided danger. There are three common causes: abnormal torque sensor in the steering gear (replacement with an original part costs around 800), failure of the electronic steering column module (reprogramming or replacement required), or a short circuit in the wiring (check the fuse box position 37 first). Friends who have modified their steering wheels should be especially cautious, as aftermarket heating kits may cause data disruption.