CarComplaints.com Notes: You should probably steer clear of the 2012 Focus. Otherwise, you might not be able to steer at all.
The 2012 is the first Focus to offer Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS). It's also the first year with massive power steering failure. These things are not mutually exclusive.
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While the contact was turning into her neighborhood at 15 mph, the steering wheel seized. The power steering indicator flashed right before the failure. The manufacturer stated there was no recall and stated that the contact would have to pay to have the vehicle towed to holman Ford maple shade (571 NJ-38, maple shade township, NJ 08052, (888) 722-6721). The vehicle had not yet been towed, diagnosed, or repaired. The failure mileage was 92,000.
Steering assist malfunction light came on. Steering wheel automatically locked. Huge safety issue. Should be looked at immediately. This can cause multiple accidents and even lead to death.
Takata recall started car and dash light indicated the following message, "transmission malfunction. Service now" also got power steering assist error message earlier in the month.
Power steering assist fault warning..results in loss of power steering dealer had to change complete steering rack told us it could happen again since it is same rack that was faulty.Ford has not made changes to this system or ordered a recall
Takata recall I noticed that this vehicle "chugs" when it is sitting idle, and that sometimes it feels as if it wants to stall while idling. There is already a recall out for this issue but I have not been informed of it. It says that 10/22/2018 there was a recall for this issue. Onto the next issue, without warning my vehicle began to shake (this car is my daily driver) and then I began to hear whining whenever I would turn! help!
- Blanchard, MI, USA
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The electronic power steering goes out without warning while driving on a city street !!! the internet is teaming with complaints about this on this vehicle. Does someone have to die before the NHTSA takes action ?
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving 10 mph, the steering wheel seized and was unable to turn. The contact called denny menholt Ford (located at 50 Ford ln, butte, mt 59701, (406) 494-6333) and was informed to schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 124,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the power steering assist was faulty and the steering wheel was extremely difficult to turn. The contact had to use excessive strength to turn the steering wheel. The contact observed that "steering assist malfunction" was displayed on the instrument panel, malufunction warning light came upon. The vehicle was taken to wayne akers Ford (2000 10th ave N, lake worth, fl 33461, (800) 749-8875) where it was diagnosed that a new steering gear was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 38,000. The VIN was invalid. 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
The power assisting wheel steering has malfunction and leads to very difficult wheel turning. It increase the risk of accident when the malfunction was suddenly happens when driving on road. Ford franchise dealer store has verified that this issue happens on 2012-2014 Ford Fusion and Focus and the issue happens without car being hit or involved in any accident. Ford has already announced recalls for 2011-2014 escape, Explorer, and mariner for power steering defect. I have experienced the exact same situation described for those recalls. Therefore Focus should be ianother model of Ford vehicles that needs investigation for power steering defect and be recalled for repair. More complaints from Focus owners online: M.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Focus/2012/steering/power_steering_failure.shtml
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at 50 mph, the steering wheel seized. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was restarted and functioned normally. The contact stated that the failure was periodically. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for a diagnostic test or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.
Electronic power steering failed at less than 50,000 miles. Could not steer car. Electronic control is located by exhaust manifold, which heat caused unit to fail. This is a common problem and Ford has recalled the steering unit on other model, but not on Focus. Cost $2160 to repair. Transmission shutters at low speeds making it difficult to control. Had it into Ford several times to diagnose and they state it is within parameters of this dual clutch type transmission. Ford had extended warranty for transmission but refused to replace mine under warranty.
Steering beings to lock intermittently during driving, steering wheel locks during driving, steering wheel then becomes very hard to turn upon start up. I was driving on the freeway nearing a curve to exit when issue happened. This car cannot be operated without power steering for someone who is eldery, sick, even a normal person. The wheel just wont budge. I am trying to secure funds to pay out of pocket
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving 20 mph, the power steering failed and the contact's daughter lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle drove into an embankment, crashed into a light pole, and flipped over multiple times. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's daughter sustained head and neck injuries that required medical attention. Police report number: 85507869 was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: Cas21646310. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 90,000.
The contact owned a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving 25 mph, the power steering failed and the contact's daughter lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into a pole and the vehicle flipped over multiple times. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's daughter sustained neck pains that did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled by the contact's insurance company. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was unknown.
Steering assist malfunction on console display upon start of vehicle. Steering is almost impossible and vehicle poses a serious hazard if this happens while I'm driving. Recall is issued for similar problem on other models, yet no recall is issued for the same problem on the Focus.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 18V735000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Stuart powell Ford Lincoln Mazda (225 S danville bypass, danville, ky 40422, (859) 236-8917) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was notified and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact stated that the vehicle also experienced steering failures several times. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Owner of a 2012 Ford Focus 4D SE, experienced the loss of power steering "power steering assist". it has happened to me twice within minutes of each other. Going down a city street and lost control it was extremely difficult to turn to get off the street to safety. In the process of turning I came close to hitting a car. Turned the car on and off, figured works for electronic devices, the "power steering assist" was removed then 10 minutes later the "power steering assist" engaged again this time turning off the freeway. Very scary experience. After reading the cost to correct the issue I will be out $2000. Is Ford putting lives in danger to create another revenue stream?? I can not believe that these vehicles have not been recalled for this issue!!!! 57K miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving 70 mph, the steering wheel became uncontrollable when making turns. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to gordie boucher Ford of kenosha (8301 75th St, kenosha, wi 53142, (262) 697-0700) where it was diagnosed that the steering computer needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 127,000. The VIN was not available.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Palomyra, NJ, USA