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.
In early 2017 I started experiencing issues with the electronic power steering. I would turn my car on some days and it would say power steering malfunction and there was no power steering making it impossible to turn the wheel and drive. Turning it off and back on (sometimes several times) would get rid of the error code and I would be able to drive it like normal. A month ago at 129,000 miles the power steering went out again, but this time it is out for good. No matter how many times I restart the car, the error code will not go away. The cost to repair is outrageous for a car that is not worth much due to the horrible reviews and unending problems that everyone is experiencing. On top of that, I have been dealing with the car shuddering constantly when I drive it. My transmission went completely out a year ago and the Ford dealership replaced it under warranty. I was driving and the car wouldn't shift. I pulled over and I could not get it into reverse or any gear. A few months after it was fixed the shuddering began again while I was driving the car (same symptoms as last time before it completely went out), but Ford says that the car is no longer under the mileage it needs for the recall replacement, so if it goes out again and I know it will in a matter of time, that will be another $2,500 to fix. With the numerous complaints on just the power steering issue and the consistency between reports, I do not understand why there has not been a recall. It is a safety issue.
When I start the car a message comes on the dash that says steering assist malfunction and the car will not steer. I have to turn it off and wait a minute and try to start the car again.
Vehicle was in motion with my son driving. Turning left at a protected green arrow, the power steering stopped working and the wheel effort skyrocketed. Car was jerked right, my son slammed on the brakes and he was able to pull over. Stopped, looked under the hood. Nothing seen. Restarted the car and a "power steering assist model fault" was illuminated. Turned the car off. Turned car back on and the fault was gone. Drove car 1 mile home at low speed with hazards. Error comes back unpredictably and dangerously.
Steering assist failure when wife was driving home almost lost control of the car leaving her work she had a horrible time controlling the vertical to make it home would not turn easy what so ever
Steering assist fault service required warning signal showing on dash board. Steer is very heavy, cannot turn. Cannot make right or left turn. If you are strong enough, and want to turn, you need always occupied reverse road. That's very dangerous. I'd like to say, it lost turn function, out of control. Dangerous for myself, and other vehicle. If you google this problem. A lot of Focus 2012 have same issues. Below link for your reference. All of this can show it's design defect. This problem can happen at any time. Https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/25/automobiles/Ford-Focus-steering-problem-prompts-many-complaints-but-no-inquiry.html my car have happened several time, but normally when I shut down, restart, it's gone. This time happened on last Friday night, mile 48209, with heavy rain, frozen day. I cannot drive it to home. It's very sad and frustrated. And I brought it to dealer, they advise" FS27 rack and pinion-replace". cost 2200 usd. It's not fair to ask customer pay for their design defect. Highly appreciate if your excellency can look into this case, help all customer solve this potential risk.
- Worcester, MA, USA
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I started engine today and got notification that "steering assist" needs attention. I just recently took my car to dealer for recalls on door latches, windshield wiper motor, and transmission. They kept it 2 weeks and I had to pay $393 for repair of broken motor mount and wiring diagnostic because linkage to computer failed due to short. I have attached the dealer invoice for these services. On seeing problem with power steering assist I looked on internet and see that Ford has issued recalls for motor mounts, steering assist problems, and faulty wiring issues on other Ford models but not for the Focus. I have not received recall info for the motor mount, steering assist problem, or wiring issues for my Focus. Should they not be required to do so if they have issued recalls for other Ford products with the same issues?
Power steering assist fault has happened at least 4 times where the steering freezes and the vehicle has to stop, be restarted for the problem to be rectified. The vehicle was in motion reversing or just started. It is now going into a Ford dealer for inspection and repair. This is unacceptable.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized and a steering wheel assist warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed her to contact NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. Consumer stated vehicle is undrivable.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the steering assist warning light illuminated and the vehicle became difficult to steer. Blake Ford located (1011 armory dr, franklin, va 23851, (888) 338-4988) was contacted and an appointment was made to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 57,496.
I have had this vehicle for three days (10-28-18) when the steering assist stopped working when it was started. The car was stationary and the message on the display said steering assist fault. When the car was turned off and restarted it was ok. This car has 71100 miles on it and was purchased as a first car for my son who is 17.
:steering assist malfunction" error on dashboard at start up. Power steering is not working -- steering wheel is locked up. This happened 3 times at startup. Car has 79,399 miles. Took to dealership and they informed me that electronic steering gear mechanism and rack need to be replaced at a cost of $1,800 and alignment for $99.95. I agreed to have dealership do the work as I was too scared to drive the car. This seems like a widespread and dangerous issue that is very common with this model, why isn't there a recall?
On 9/25/18, after driving two hours and then making a brief stop, when I turned the car on I received the following warning: "steering assist fault. Service required." When I started backing out of the parking space, I discovered the car had lost power steering. I turned the car off and then back on but received the same warning and still had no power steering. I was able to drive the two hours home very carefully but obviously this posed a safety risk, especially if it had gone out while I was driving or if there was a need for me to make a turn quickly. Here are the facts we learned from doing some online research and contacting our local Ford dealership: Several other Ford family models with similar years have been recalled for steering assist issues and the only way to fix the problem was to replace the entire steering system which costs over $2100. In conclusion, why am I now $2100 poorer after replacing power steering in a vehicle with less than 60,000 miles when clearly there is an issue with Ford's power steering that should warrant a recall on the Focus as well? thank you for your consideration of this complaint.
Power steering fault has been coming on and off for several months. An engine restart normally resets light. On October 23, 2018, the power steering light came on while in motion and completely disable my ability to control the car. The vehicle is now park and cannot be driven.
When starting the car, before driving, "steering assist malfunction" comes on the screen and the steering wheel will not turn. This happens a couple of times a day and I fear this will impair the ability to turn during driving or when starting my commute. I found restarting the car a few times eliminated this error.
Steering assist malfunction on Ford Focus 2012 model. This error would come up periodically over the last 6 months, but would go away when restarting the vehicle. Now the error comes on every time the vehicle is started. The power steering is completely out. Driven about 2000 miles since error first noticed. Mileage now 116,895.
Upon ignition a message 'steering assist fault svc required' sometimes appears and the steering wheel is extremely difficult to turn. Problem is usually remedied by turning off the engine and restarting but can sometimes take three tries. Problem was intermittent but is becoming more frequent. So far it only happens when the vehicle is parked on level ground and slightly inclined driveways. Online research suggests bad placement of the steering module is causing internal electronics to overheat and develop faults.
On 3 occasions while driving down a side street with a speed limit of 35mph, a power steering assist fault notification appeared. On one occasion it prevented my brake pedal from engaging the brakes. The parking brake still worked. The vehicle has a 3rd party warranty through the dealer I bought it from, when taken to their mechanics it was stated that they could find no trace or cause of the issue and could not replicate.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Johnstown, CO, USA