C0450 code meaning
Rear Wheel Steering Position Sensor Circuit
What C0450 means
C0450 does not occur in the accessible J2012 lists. Its only public manufacturer use is GM: bulletin PIC5321A for the 2010–2011 Cadillac DTS links C0450 with Service Power Steering and Service Brake System messages, a lit check-engine lamp and cycling door locks, caused by an engine harness chafed through on the transmission. The DTS has no rear-wheel steering, so GM evidently uses the number for a front steering function; the bulletin does not name it. For the rear-steer meaning of the title: systems such as ZF's AKC set rear toe electrically, a patent for an electric rear-steer actuator reads ball-screw travel with Hall elements, and a ONE80 patent drives the wheels back to straight ahead and locks out rear steer once the position signal is lost or wrong.
C0450 at a glance
- Check engine lightUsually not
- Emissions testNot an emissions code
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyHard
- Typical labor0.5 to 3 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of C0450
- Steering or brake system warning message in the cluster
- Rear steering locked straight ahead, larger turning circle
- Check-engine lamp on some GM models
Common causes of C0450
- Most likelyWiring harness chafed or pinched (GM DTS case at the transmission)
- PossibleFaulty position sensor in the rear steering actuator
- Less likelyCorroded or loose connector on the actuator
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Rear steering position sensorRear steering actuatorWiring harness
What each part of C0450 means
| C | Chassis system: brakes, ABS, steering and suspension. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| 50 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note C0450 and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about C0450
What does C0450 mean?
C0450 means "Rear Wheel Steering Position Sensor Circuit". C0450 does not occur in the accessible J2012 lists. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with C0450?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With C0450 the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will C0450 fail an emissions test?
C0450 is not an emissions code, so on its own it usually does not fail an emissions test. Other stored codes or a lit check engine light still can.
How hard is C0450 to fix?
Difficulty: hard. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 3 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will C0450 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.