Very strange issue. Very intermittent

When driving around 20mph or less, going round a corner, either direction, the car has felt like someones yanked the steering wheel and I have to correct it, very quickly. This all happens in a split second, around once a week? First time I thought it was a slippery road, but it's happened in different places.

Naturally, the S-Max has electro-hydraulic steering, and has had new fluid around 18 months ago, and no other issues. It's still clean fluid! at the max level. Tracking is spot on. Tyre pressures are spot on.

Next I went to forscan - live data of the steering angle sensor shows flawless operation, nil errors there

However. I have this code recurring: U0126 in the ABS module, comes back within a few mins when cleared off. Sometimes get another code, can't remember what, saying lost comms with another (maybe PCM?) but that doesnt come back often.

Can an ABS fault cause a steering wheel jerk?

Am I going insane?

I'm leaning more toward it being ABS module related

Any inputs appreciated

There's this which is similar:

https://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/157610-mk3-focus-steering-angle-sensor/#comments

U codes are communication so sensor or wiring are indicated or the inevitable battery to be checked/replaced etc from above?

Is 'Pull drift compensation' enabled?

15 hours ago, Shearers said:

There's this which is similar:

https://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/157610-mk3-focus-steering-angle-sensor/#comments

U codes are communication so sensor or wiring are indicated or the inevitable battery to be checked/replaced etc from above?

cheers - i've had a quick scan through, however this is my only (sometimes 2) code, with no dash warning lights or errors shown, i'll read throughly later 🙂 the battery however, I have a habit of doing a full charge on it once a week so did it today, and errors persisted afterwards. Battery is relatively new and my work commute is 36 miles a day most days

14 hours ago, unofix said:

Is 'Pull drift compensation' enabled?

I'll be honest, i've no idea, but will have a search 🙂

thanks !!

4 hours ago, Swearwolf said:

19 hours ago, unofix said:

Is 'Pull drift compensation' enabled?

 

I'm aiming to understand this:

https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/pubs/content/~WT/~MUS~LEN/1840/G0000075.pdf

Is it just on EPAS i.e electric steering rack (assume you have the EHPAS i.e. the one with the fluid and separate hydraulic pump system:

https://www.motor.com/magazine-summary/ford-epas-steering-you-straight-march-2019/

On 7/25/2025 at 5:50 PM, Swearwolf said:

Can an ABS fault cause a steering wheel jerk?

Yes, the ABS is combined with traction control. If the module loses connection with one of the front wheel speed sensors, then it could cause traction control to kick in on that wheel, causing the steering to pull.

The first thing you need to do is sort out what is causing the ABS codes.