The Peugeot 207 regularly suffers from faults in the anti-lock braking system (ABS) — the braking system that prevents the wheels from locking — and the electric power steering, leading to heavy steering and illuminated warning lights. These problems mainly affect models built between 2006 and 2015 and are often caused by defective wheel speed sensors, failing power steering motors and communication problems between various control units. Do you recognise these symptoms on your own car?
Common symptoms you need to recognise
Owners of the Peugeot 207 report various symptoms that point to problems with the anti-lock braking system and the power steering. The most noticeable sign is suddenly heavy steering, especially at low speeds when parking or manoeuvring. The steering wheel can then feel as if the assistance has failed completely.
In addition, several warning lights on the dashboard come on. The EPS light (electric power steering), ABS light (anti-lock braking system), ASR light (traction control) or steering wheel light stays on permanently, often in combination with the airbag light. This combination of lights usually indicates a communication fault between different systems.
A typical feature is the intermittent nature of the fault. The power steering fails immediately after starting the car, but sometimes restores itself after driving a few kilometres. Some owners also report that the speedometer does not work, the mirrors do not fold out automatically or the remote control of the central locking does not respond.
‘ Peugeot often used the MK60 or MK70 ECU in the 207, which are vulnerable to electrical problems. ’
Why is my Peugeot 207 showing an ABS fault?
ABS faults on the Peugeot 207 are usually related to problems with the wheel speed sensors. These sensors are located at each wheel and measure the rotational speed. Dirt, corrosion or mechanical damage can cause them to send incorrect signals to the ABS control unit, resulting in a fault.
The ABS control unit itself can also fail. Peugeot often used the MK60 or MK70 ECU in the 207, which are vulnerable to electrical problems. Fault code U1221, for example, indicates a communication fault between the ABS control unit and the power steering ECU. This means that both systems can no longer communicate with each other via the CAN bus network — the car’s internal communication network.
Electrical issues play an important role in these faults. Burnt connectors, poor earth points or defective wiring looms can disrupt communication. Users report that problems often worsen after cold starts or in wet weather, which points to moisture-sensitive connections.
Defective power steering motor as the main cause
The electric power steering motor is a well-known weak point on the Peugeot 207. This motor provides the electric assistance for steering, but fails over time. Mechanics estimate that in 99 per cent of cases the motor itself is the cause of power steering problems.
A failing power steering motor generates specific fault codes such as C1413, C1414, C1415 or P0606. These codes appear when read out with a diagnostic tool and point directly to problems in the power steering ECU. The motor may produce humming or vibrating noises before it fails completely.
The service life of the power steering motor peaks at around 10 years or 150,000 kilometres. PSA models such as the 207 and 1007 share the same vulnerable components, which is why this problem is common across the model range.
How do I repair power steering problems in a Peugeot 207?
The repair always starts with a thorough diagnosis. Have the car read out with an OBD tool — a diagnostic device that reads fault codes — to identify the exact fault codes. Look for codes such as C1413 to C1415 or U1221 and check which control unit is causing the fault. This step prevents you from randomly replacing control units without knowing the real cause.
A visual inspection can tell you a lot. Check all electrical connectors for burn marks using a magnifying glass. Measure supply voltages, earth points and CAN bus signals with a multimeter. Clean all earthing points thoroughly, as poor earths often lead to communication problems between control units.
For the power steering motor itself there are two options. Overhaul is often the preferred solution and costs between 200 and 400 euros. Specialist companies repair the motor within 1 to 3 days and provide a warranty. A new motor costs more than 800 euros, while replacing the wiring loom is recommended by Peugeot but often turns out to be unnecessary.
‘ Replace defective sensors in good time, as failure greatly reduces braking performance and safety. ’
Are ABS sensors a weak point on the Peugeot 207?
Wheel speed sensors on the Peugeot 207 are sensitive to contamination and corrosion. Because of their location at the wheels they come into contact with dirt, road salt and moisture. This leads to signal faults, causing the ABS system to think that one wheel is rotating differently from reality.
The sensors themselves are not necessarily of poor quality, but their exposure to the elements makes them vulnerable. Regular inspection and cleaning can extend their service life. Replace defective sensors in good time, as failure greatly reduces braking performance and safety.
Owners sometimes temporarily resolve problems by resetting the ABS control unit or recalibrating the sensors. However, this only works if the sensor itself is still functioning and only dirt or incorrect calibration is causing the problem. In the case of real defects, only replacement will help.
Diagnostic steps you can carry out yourself
Start by reading out the fault codes. A consumer OBD scanner now costs relatively little and gives immediate insight into the stored fault messages. Note down all codes and look them up to understand which system is involved in the fault.
Carry out a test drive to reproduce the problem. Start the car, wait a few seconds and repeat the procedure. Pay attention to whether the power steering recovers after about 3 kilometres of driving. This pattern points to a specific type of fault related to components warming up.
Check the battery voltage, as low voltage makes EPS faults worse. Use a multimeter to check that the battery provides at least 12.4 volts when stationary and around 14 volts while driving. Weak batteries often cause mysterious electrical faults.
Costs and preventive measures
The cost of diagnosis ranges between 50 and 100 euros at a specialist garage. Overhaul of the power steering motor costs 200 to 400 euros, while a new motor is more than 800 euros. Replacing the wiring loom can add up to more than 1,000 euros, but often proves unnecessary if the motor itself is the problem.
Regular maintenance helps prevent problems. Check the battery voltage periodically and make sure it remains within specification. Have the ECU software — the software of the car’s electronic control unit (computer) — updated where possible, as manufacturers sometimes release improvements that resolve communication issues.
Watch out for early warning signs while driving. A humming noise when steering or warning lights that flash on occasionally can indicate an emerging problem. Acting in good time prevents you from suddenly being stranded at the roadside with heavy steering.
‘ The combination of both faults significantly reduces safety. ’
Safety risks when systems fail
Failure of the power steering makes the steering heavy, but the car remains steerable. However, it requires considerably more effort, especially at low speeds. This can be dangerous in emergencies where quick steering movements are needed. Park safely as soon as possible if warning lights stay on.
ABS failure has a direct impact on braking performance. The system prevents the wheels from locking during emergency braking, helping you retain control of the car. Without ABS the wheels can lock, increasing the stopping distance and making the car unmanageable on slippery surfaces.
The combination of both faults significantly reduces safety. Do not drive with active warning lights for ABS and power steering. Have the car checked and repaired immediately before resuming normal journeys.
Owners’ experiences with repairs
Owners share mixed experiences with repairs online. Some report that overhauling the power steering motor permanently solved the problem, while others continued to have faults after the wiring loom had been replaced. This underlines the importance of correct diagnosis before you decide on a repair.
Temporary workarounds such as repeatedly locking and unlocking the car sometimes work, but they do not fix the underlying problem. Owners use this method as an emergency solution to get home, but it is no substitute for a proper repair.
Specialist companies that focus on overhauling power steering motors often deliver better results than general garages. They know the specific weak points and can carry out targeted repairs instead of replacing complete control units.
On the Carnews website you will find much more information about common car problems, maintenance schedules and practical tips for various car brands. Discover useful articles that help you with maintaining and diagnosing your car.
Frequently asked questions
The most common cause of these faults on a Peugeot 207 is a defective electric power steering motor (EPS motor), often recognisable by fault codes such as C1413–C1415. In addition, problems in the ABS/ESP control unit (for example communication faults such as U1221) regularly trigger ABS and power steering warning lights at the same time. Electrical problems also occur, such as poor earth connections, burnt connectors and wiring loom or CAN bus faults. Less often the cause lies in a defective steering angle sensor that disrupts ABS and stability functions.
Early problems with the ABS or power steering on a Peugeot 207 often show up as warning lights on the dashboard (ABS, ESP/ASR or steering wheel light) that come on. You may notice that the steering becomes heavier, especially at low speed or when parking, sometimes with a humming or vibrating feel. The power steering or ABS can also occasionally drop out and later start working again on its own. In some cases additional symptoms occur, such as the speedometer dropping out or the car pulling to one side.
Yes, an enthusiast can first use an OBD diagnostic tool to read out and note the fault codes of the ABS and power steering systems. They can then carry out a visual check of connectors, wiring looms and earth points for corrosion, burn marks or loose connections. It is also sensible to measure the battery voltage, as a weak battery or poor earth can cause faults in ABS and electric power steering. Finally, a short test drive, paying attention to exactly when the faults occur (immediately after starting, in wet weather, after a few kilometres), can help narrow down the problem.
Driving with an ABS fault increases the stopping distance, reduces stability under hard braking and raises the risk of skidding or wheel lock, especially on wet or slippery roads. A power steering fault makes the steering much heavier, so swerving and correcting become slower and more tiring, with a greater risk in emergencies. Both faults can in some cases occur intermittently, which leads to unpredictable behaviour of the braking and steering systems. Because of the combination of reduced vehicle control and longer reaction time, the overall safety risk and likelihood of accidents clearly increase.
Yes, especially early Peugeot 207s from the first years of production (around 2006–2009) are known to be more prone to problems with the electric power steering and ABS control unit than later, updated years. On these older models faults in the power steering motor and the ABS/ESP control unit occur more often, which shows up as warning lights and temporary loss of assistance. Complaints generally increase as the car ages (around 10 years and more than 150,000 km). Later model years appear to be slightly less fault-prone, partly due to improvements and replacements implemented in practice.