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 driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was coasted into a parking lot and the engine was powered off. The vehicle was restarted and the failure recurred. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence without power steering. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact the VIN was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 129,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While exiting a parking space, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was powered off and restarted, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was driven without power steering ability to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While the contact's son was driving 35 mph, the steering wheel failed and was difficult to turn. In addition, the power assist warning indicator illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 113,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the power steering failed. While steering, the contact had to use excessive force to turn and the steering wheel seized frequently. The contact stated that "service steering" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to koons Ford (2540 riva rd, annapolis, md 21401, (410) 224-2100) where it was diagnosed that a new power steering system needed to be installed. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.
- Odenton, MD, USA
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Came on after I was attempting to repair the heat/ac fan as it has failed after unhooking the battery post to atemp to reset computer to see if the code would reset it did not. Steering is hard and unsafe if it happens to fail while driving the speed limit on interstate or parkways. It may cause possible accidents if not recalled and a fix happen. Stationary when this issue happen
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the power steering was faulty and the steering wheel seized, which made it difficult to turn. Also, when the vehicle was started and the contact shifted into drive, the vehicle automatically went in reverse. The contact had to immediately engage the parking brake. Also, while the vehicle was parked on the street, it rolled backwards due to the parking position. Furthermore, while attempting to reverse, the vehicle stalled. Also, the door latches were loose and in danger of becoming detached. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed multiple times. The vehicle was taken to ted russell Ford (9925 parkside dr, knoxville, tn 37922, (865) 444-6467) and serviced multiple times for each failure; however, each failure remained except for the power steering failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and did not assist. The failure mileage was 130,000.
I purchased a used 2012 Ford Focus that is equipped with the electric power assist steering. At about 116,500 I started having trouble turning the vehicle while driving. An "power assist malfunction" message appeared, but after restarting the car it "solved" the problem. However, at around 118,000 it came on permanently while I was making a left hand turn causing me to hit a granite curb putting a dent in the rim.. I recently had to have the car inspected (01/05/2019) and it failed the safety portion of the inspection. This is a safety issue, and I understand it will cost me over $2,000 dollars to have "fixed". this type of "steering units" have been recalled by Ford on previous models of their vehicles, but not on the 2012 Ford Focus. Why? this puts lives at risk because of their faulty design and really needs to be addressed. It is driveable but extremely hard to turn when at slow (5mph to 15mph) speeds, but still, it is extremely difficult to park in a crowded parking lot.
Tried to start car this morning and couldn't turn steering wheel when trying to back out with warning light coming on. Has happened one other time. Worried it will happen while driving and I have to drive daily on a one lane highway that is off the edge of mountain. Afraid of going over edge if it happens while on it. Will be calling dealershiip about it. Car has 135,000 miles.
With increasing frequency the power steering fails at startup. I turn the car off and back on again, seems to be a quick fix, but I worry something is actually broken.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. When the vehicle was started, the steering wheel failed and became difficult to turn. In addition, the steering assist warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to wayne akers Ford (2010 10th ave N & I-95, lake worth, fl 33461, (561) 582-4444), but was not diagnosed or repaired due to the fees. The manufacturer was contacted via mail and did not assist. The failure mileage was 37,000.
Vehicle was stationary at the time. Steering assist warning check manual came on the dash and I was unable to turn the steering wheel. Luckily I was stopped. I turned the car off and back on and it worked. Kind of scared to drive it now though, what if that happens when I'm in motion"??"
The electronic rack and pinion failed when driving. The car started displaying a power steering assist error on the display. All power steering was lost and car nearing lost control and caused an accident. Speed was 55 mph on shug jordan. After diagnosing the issue, a replacement power steering unit needed to be installed. Ford made a defective part.
Upon starting my 2012 Ford Focus on two occasions in the past 2 months, my steering wheel would not turn. The "steering wheel assist: Fault" message alerted on my steering wheel screen on both occasions. The car was parked on the street and upon turning the car on and seeing the message, I attempted to drive out of the parking spot and could only go straight or backwards. After finding multiple complaints online about my same issue, I took it to my local auto repair shop to diagnose the issue. The diagnosis code is U3000:49 - control module internal electronic failure, and the invoice/technician's opinion can be found in the uploaded file below.
While driving the vehicle the steering failed fortunately I was at my own street and finally got it home by getting my grandson to help me turn the wheels. Took to aamoco they scanned for codes and updated the PCM/tcm. It broke again in 3 days. I was fortunate again I had not left my driveway. This is a safety issue if yo are on a freeway or other roadway where traffic is moving fast. This whole endeavor cost over $2000 to fix. I averted the danger but whose to say others my not.
For a few months now my power steering has been not working when I turn the car on sporadically. To fix this I have been just turning the car off then back on a few times and that seems to fix the problem. However, now it won't reset and I do not have power steering at all. I had it towed to the dealer and after they charged me 140 they tols me that it needs a new rack and pin and it would cost 2400!!! Ford issued a recall on several different cars for this same issue. How many more people have to be hurt or die before they issue one for this? I just had the transmission control module replaced under warranty and received a letter in the mail informing me that a recall was issued due to the fuel system causing major problems.
Steering wheel locked up while vehicle in motion (unable to steer). Turned key off then back on after getting car stopped and steering worked. This has happened at initial start up on three separate occasions. Wife refuses to drive it. At initial start up we were unable to even turn the steering wheel with engine running. On one occasion I had to return half hour later and it did function properly. Very unpredictable. Ford dealership says it's the steering gear and costs about $2,000 to replace. Display on vehicle says problem is electric assist for power steering. Vehicle has 89,000 miles on it. No control of vehicle if loses power steering assist. Additionally the driver's side window will not roll up or down. Rubber door gaskets continue to fall off on all four doors. The dust cover under the motor is nothing more than a piece of cardboard with some sprayed on fuzzy fake material covering one side.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 8 mph, the vehicle lost all power steering ability and the steering assist failure warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Warrenton, OR, USA