How To Fix Hill Start Assist Not Available?

Hill start assist system helps start a car on very steep inclines, but can disappear due to software or internal issues.

Though you can keep driving with hill start assist not available light, fixing the problem increases safety and prevents the car from rolling back on inclines.

So, how to fix hill start assist not available problem? You can fix this error message easily and quickly by resetting or upgrading the software if it’s caused randomly or due to software issues.

But if your car shows this error message due to damaged rear-wheel ABS sensors, broken brake light fuse, faulty ESC or TC, or battery, you’ll need an expert’s help. Let’s get the details.

What is Hill Start Assist?

Hill Start Assist (HSA) is a security feature in many modern vehicles. It acts as an added precaution against rollback when starting on a hill.

As the driver releases the clutch and begins to lift the brake pedal, HSA keeps the braking pressure on the wheels for a short period, making it possible for the driver to go straight from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal without accidentally rolling back.

HSA can be especially helpful when driving on hills because it makes it easier to start the car when you are on a steep hill.

HSA comes on automatically when the system detects an incline and turns off again when the driver accelerates; thus, driving becomes quite smooth without thinking about it.

This is primarily to prevent rollbacks, which can be quite commonly caused by hilly terrains, raising the driver’s confidence level, especially the novice ones.

Rather than following the car in front of you to avoid any mistakes those novice drivers might commit.

Causes of Hill Start Assist Not Available 

Hill start to assist and hold the brake for a few seconds once a driver removes their foot from the accelerator. This feature engages after parking the car at an incline.

Owners shared their experience with Hill Start Assist, which is not an issue that is available on numerous pages of registered NHTSA.

Most confirm that this error message comes from a bad battery, faulty fuel injector, and misaligned radar.

However, the hill start assist is not available. The message may pop up occasionally when you are driving on uneven or lose ground on start-up.

It doesn’t mean anything is wrong. After appearing once or twice, this message should disappear automatically. If not, these problems can be the culprit:

1. Damaged Rear Wheel ABS Sensors

If your car’s rear-wheel ABS sensor is fired or burnt, it can activate the ABS and hill start assist, which is unavailable on the dashboard.

The car may also show OBD codes on the display. In this case, you must replace the sensor to remove the hill start failure message.

2. Broken Brake Light Fuse

A broken brake light fuse can trigger this error message, particularly on Ford Edge cars. Ford’s brake light is connected to its hill start assist system.

So if the brake light malfunctions, your Ford can activate the “hill start assist not available” light. To fix this, you have to repair or replace the brake light circuit issue.

3. Random Error

Ford vehicles sometimes show error messages, codes, and lights randomly. It may also show this HSA error light randomly. It can happen with old and new vehicles driven only a few miles.

If you remove the vehicle from a garage with an open hood, keep the start button down for a long time, or have some function disabled, the error message can activate. The HSA light may also turn on, particularly if you have a child passenger or car wash partner.

4. Faulty ESC and TC

If your car’s electronic stability control (ESC) or traction control light (TCL) deactivates completely, the vehicle can turn on some other features including HSA. If so, you must take the aid of an expert mechanic.

5. Bad Battery

If the battery voltage performance drops down, it’ll affect the HSA system’s performance and disable it temporarily.

If this message turns on when you start the car and disappears after a few seconds, the bad battery can be the source of this issue.

The car might not show other warning lights or any DTC codes. If so, recharge or replace the battery.

6. Overheated Transmission

If you drive a vehicle in hot weather or heavy traffic, it can overheat the transmission. As a result, the hill start assists not available light may come on.

However, it should disappear after cooling down the transmission.

7. Driving at High Speed

The HSA system is designed to work at lower speeds, like under 10 mph. So, if you drive the car too fast, the system can be disabled, and the car can show a warning light.

How To Reset Hill Start Assist not Available Problem?

The process of fixing the HSA error message depends on the underlying problems. You can fix some issues at the home garage, while others may need to hand over to the expert mechanic. Below are some potential solutions:

1. Use an OBD Scanner

Use an onboard diagnostic (OBD) scanner to determine the actual issue. This device will read the error code you must interpret to diagnose and solve the issue.

2. Perform a Software Update

You can update the car’s software and fix the HSA issue, particularly if your vehicle is due for an update.

It’s even an easier solution than diagnosing the issue using an OBD scanner. Follow this procedure to update the software on your Ford vehicle.

3. Reset the Feature

If your car’s HSA system turns off and on frequently, simply reset the feature.

How To Reset Hill Start Assist Problem?

The HSA system prevents the car from rolling backwards after starting the car from a stop. While noticing the hill start assist not available light is extremely hazardous, you can easily restore its functionality by simply resetting the system. The processes are:

• Park the vehicle and turn off the engine.
• Place your left foot on the brake pedal, depress, and hold it for 30 seconds.
• Restart the engine.
• Release the brake pedal and you should receive a reset complete message.
• You should now drive the car normally.

If the message appears again, there can be a fault in the system that requires mechanical investigation. The message should disappear automatically after solving the underlying issue.

Remember, the HSA feature works within various parameters, including hill angle, vehicle speed, and battery voltage.

So read the owner manual and talk to a qualified mechanic to utilize this safety system properly and avoid unwanted massage.

Cost of Fixing Hill Start Assist not Available Problem

If the resetting method doesn’t work, you must go through expensive repair or replacement. The most common part to replace to fix HSA is the fuel injector. It can cost around $1200 depending on the car’s brand and model.

However, replacing faulty rear-wheel ABS sensors and broken brake light fuse is fairly cheap. It’ll cost between $100 and $150 for rear-wheel ABS sensors and $30 to $75 for brake light fuse.

Likewise, fixing damaged ESC and TC costs between $96 and $106, while replacement of a bad battery costs $45 to $250.

Can I Drive with Hill Start Assist Not Available?

You can drive your car with a deactivated hill start assist system, as it isn’t a part of the engine. So, driving without a hill start assist won’t hurt your driving experience.

This feature helps prevent a car from rolling backward on the hill and is critical for driving on certain terrain requiring special vehicle behavior.

But if you always drive on a flat road, the HSA feature isn’t essential. In some Ford models, the HSA feature isn’t the same as the hill descent control (HDC) system included.

The HDC helps a car maintain a steady speed while driving on rough terrain. If this feature disappears, a driver should be extra careful while driving downhill.

Automobile enthusiasts recommend fixing any error message or light appearing on the dashboard. So, if your vehicle has an HSA feature, keep it in performing condition no matter if you use it or not. Otherwise, your safety will be in danger.

FAQs on Hill Start Assist Not Available

Final Words

Hill start assist is highly beneficial for a starter driver, particularly for starting the vehicle on an incline without worrying about rolling back.

So, knowing how to fix a hill start assist with an unavailable problem is essential to enjoy safe driving on uneven terrain.

Though this error message should be fixed easily by resetting or upgrading the software, you may need a professional’s help for internal issues.

So don’t hesitate to pay a qualified mechanic instead of ignoring it, particularly if you can’t handle it.