Electronic Power Steering Failure

On a car of that year ,not unusual to expect to be charged for investigation / repair , warranty long expired .

As you say it is a common problem with this car it will not be a cheap repair. Out of interest what's the mileage?

Hi. Car has done 85000 and full service history. My query relates to this statement made by Vauxhall further to a Watchdog investigation into power steering problems:
Vauxhall statement to Watchdog on Meriva steering:

"Vauxhall takes any product issues which may impact the behaviour of the vehicle very seriously. The Meriva electric power steering system is designed to be fail-safe in line with the EEC Directive that a vehicle must be able to steer in the event of a power steering failure.

The number of incidences of loss of power assistance on the Meriva is low. We would ask customers who experience loss of power assistance to contact their local Vauxhall dealer who has been briefed and trained to diagnosis and carry out the repair. This will be done free of charge.

For additional convenience, including contact details for the Vauxhall dealer network, the Vauxhall customer assistance centre (freephone 0800 026 4970) is available to help. "

When I contacted customer service and local dealer they denied all knowledge of this problem. So I just wondered whether anyone else had any recent experience with this issue

It's a common problem with MANY cars with EPS, not just Vauxhall as anyone in the trade knows . It could be a fault outwith the power steering causing it to fail .If you want another example from Watchdog , check this on Fiats .

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1XBYtxLzfZ7HJQXYBhWwCfp/fiat-steering-that-doesnt-have-the-power

I am not a fan of esp but it comes as standard on most new car so there no getting away from it. You can use the car without power steering but it will not pass an M.O.T if it's not working. Only you can decide if it's worth fixing.

Make sure your battery and alternator are working as this could course a problem with the electric power steering.

" You can use the car without power steering " !!!!!!!

What a load of nonsense , you ever tried to drive a car when the power steering failed ? You would need arms like Popeye . It is also illegal to knowingly drive a car in that condition and you would be in all sort of s**t with the police and your insurance if stopped .

" Make sure your battery and alternator are working as this could course a problem with the electric power steering." Those are possible causes and why the garage has asked to have the car brought in for diagnosing which they are fully entitled to charge for .

My 2012 SE only 11K on the clock has just had the power steering failure.
My car is at our local Vauxhall dealer who have confirmed error code 68 relates to the power steering - I knew that as the car was impossible to move, yes you can drive cars with no power steering but you try moving my Meriva...it took all my strength to turn the wheel only for it to budge a fraction, I was lucky the motorists around me could see there was a problem and blocked the road allowing me to eventually finish off turning right and pull up out the way, it literally went that quick - plus I checked the error code in the manual when I was out the way.
Vauxhall were/are doing the steering failure on Meriva A's and have point blank refused on my Meriva B.
At 11k on the clock it's hardly wear and tear.
Luckily when I brought the car 6months ago I took out an extended 2year warranty which have finally come back and confirmed they will pay part costs, why should this have to go through my extended warranty cover though - Vauxhall know about the problem and clearly haven't corrected it for the 2nd generation.
AliJ did you get anything sorted?

i have this happening to me i have to turn off and reset by way of tunning on and off the ignition

I had a similar problem. Mine is semi-automatic. Occasionally EPS cut out when changing UP a gear in automatic mode; worse in wet weather!
Car went into body shop (long story) and was kept several days in very warm dry environment to bake the paint.
Cured the EPS issue until a few weeks later when it rained and gradually the EPS issue reappeared.
So thinking damp in connections somewhere.
Will be looking into this further - anyone know good place to start or where can get wiring diag for meriva?
Thanks

HI I've experienced same problems with my 2006 meriva, phoned a VAUXHALL dealer who wanted £78 to use diagnostic machine to which I refused to pay as it was a recalled fault phoned head office who were still unhelpful so I tried the only other VAUXHALL garage in my area who were amazing! No questions asked about money they were only interested in fixing my car for FREE! A free diagnostic check later and car was repaired there and then with a new steering column free of charge! VAUXHALL do know about this problem but unfortunately will try and make money out of you before fixing they have extended their warranty for 12years rather than 10yrs so don't be fobbed off guys!