A method for detecting internal friction in an electric steering system of a motor vehicle having a control unit. The method comprises: defining a limiting value for a change in a steering column torque; defining a limiting value for a change in a steering rack position; measuring an actual steering column torque; measuring an actual change in a steering rack position; and generating a fault message if the actual steering column torque exceeds the limiting value for the change in a steering column torque and if an actual change in steering rack position is less than or equal to the limiting value for a change in a steering rack position.