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.
Steering assist malfunction-service required keeps coming on. When is a recall coming. Scared this is going to cause an accident. I have to turm the car off and on then wait til it decides it wants to move. Afraid the steering will lock while driving. So far it has only happened while stationary but has caused problems when driving in reverse to get out of a parking space.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. After starting the engine, the message "steering assist malfunction" displayed on the instrument panel and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.
Power steering is disabled upon starting vehicle. I thought this was just a random error because I would turn vehicle off then on and then it was fine. Now the error will not turn off and I do not have power steering at all.
For the past 6 months, every time I start up the car the steering column is almost locked. I start backing out and it loosens up. This morning I started my car up and it was locked again, but I got the message on the dash steering assist malfunction, and it never loosened up. I was a little nervous driving it ot work, but I had to get there. I have seen a lot of people with the same issue. This needs to get fixed.
Takata recall well I went to turn on my car and I put it in reverse and when I was back in up I notice the screen say steering malfunction service requiere and the steering wheel dindt want to move
- Fall River, MA, USA
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Received "steering assist malfunction" error on dashboard at start up. Power steering is not working and very hard to turn car. Took to dealership and they claim electronic steering mechanism and rack need to be replaced at a cost of $2300. Seems like a widespread and dangerous issue that is very common with this model, wonder why there isn't a recall?
My Focus when being turned on the steering wheel locks in place and does not want to turn in any direccion. This has happend multiple occasions for about 3 months. The problem used to be resolved by turnig the car off and then back on but is not the case anymore. This last time that it happend I was in motion coming to a stop sign and it seized on me. Luckyly I was already stopping or I could have wrecked. It took multiple attempts of turning the engine on and off to get it to work again. For now we are not driving the vehicle because we feel that it is dangerous. The warining that turned on on the dash read "steering fault". this car is a 2012 with 130 thousand miles.
Power steering has been going "in and out" for about a year. Resolved temporarily typically by restarting engine. However, power steering permanently failed 9/24/18. T called customer care stating Ford knew about the issue (2017 dismissed lawsuit). The vehicle was stationary in a parking lot. Mileage @88,000. Ford needs to take responsibility for their issues they have with their vehicles. Cost to replace the rack and pinion was $2,200!
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving at a low speed, the steering column seized without warning. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 67,000.
This car has had problems since purchasing it as a certified used vehicle for my daughter. The stereo went out completely and had to be replaced. The transmission has been having issues but Ford says the problem is not bad enough when hooked up to the computer for it to be replaced under their extended warranty which Ford has put in place an extended warranty up to 100,000 miles and 7 years. Lastly twice while my daughter was starting to drive the car the steering wheel locked up and brakes stopped working. The second time the car was in reverse and continued to roll forward. Its a good thing she knew to use her emergency brake or she could have been hurt. The car is at the dealership to be diagnosed and repaired. Never buying a Ford again.
My 16 year old was driving and the steering assist fault made the steering go out for her. This part is extremely pricey I feel that as many complaints there are about this plus the high cost this should have a recall on this. Very dangerous
The power steering has gone out. Research shows this to be a common problem with this car. The car was stationary at the time, but mid-trip. My son was driving and had difficulty getting home.
Power steering assist stopped working while driving car. Steering became very hard to turn. Took to dealer, required entire steering gear to be replaced.
Power steering has been going "in and out" for about 1-2 years. Resolved temporarily typically by restarting engine. However, power steering permanently failed 9/9/18. Took my car in multiple times prior to this with no resolution. Looking at a $2100 bill to replace whole steering gear. Multiple electrical issues with cars computer. Called customer care stating Ford knew about the issue (2017 dismissed lawsuit)-- but warranty was relied to get out of the cost responsibility. Mileage around 94-96,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving 5 mph, the steering wheel seized and the steering service default warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to norris Ford (901 merritt blvd, baltimore, md 21222, (410) 285-0200) where the contact was informed that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 35 mph, the power steering assist malfunctioned and caused the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. During the failure, the "steering fault" message displayed on the instrument panel. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer (san tan Ford, 1429 E. motorplex loop, gilbert, AZ) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 117,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle stuttered and rolled backwards, the steering wheel shook and failed to turn, and the accelerator pedal failed to respond and traveled to the floorboard when it was depressed. In addition, the "transmission ready" indicator illuminated. After the vehicle was restarted, it operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (camelback Ford, 1330 E camelback rd, phoenix, AZ 85014, (602) 635-7551) where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failures recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 77,000. The VIN was not available.
Occassionally when first starting this vehicle an alert will appear on the dash, saying power steering assist has failed, contact Ford service dealer and the power steering will not work. If I shut the engine off and restart the power assist will work, so far.
In April of this year I started the car from the garage and the power steering was not working as it was very difficult to turn the wheel, maneuver, and steer the car. I managed to get it to my local automotive repair shop where they assessed the situation. They found failure with the power steering control module. In order to fix it they needed to replace the electronic steering rack and pinion assembly which contains the steering module. This cost $3,377.56. I am filing this complaint in the hopes that it prompts a recall and that I may be eligible for some form of refund for this extraordinary failure and expense for a car that is not that old with low mileage. I kept the repair invoice with all the details but do not wish to post it as it contains my personal information.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving 65 mph, the steering wheel seized and the steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact immediately slammed on the brakes and exited the freeway. The contact stated that the steering wheel never unlocked and the vehicle was not driveable. Paul cerame Ford (11400 new halls ferry road, florissant, mo 63033, (314) 838-2400) was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,550.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Murfreesboro, TN, USA