CarComplaints.com Notes: Ford changed a lot of things for its 3rd generation, just none of them were a good idea.
The transmission tends to hesitate and jerk when accelerating. The new electronically-driven power steering can fail suddenly and without warning. Even Ford's SYNC can be a headache. Actually, scratch that last one — it's always been a headache.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,029 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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 on vehicle intermittently goes out. This has only happened to me when starting the vehicle cold. Dash read "steering assist fault. Service required." This has happened several times in the past. Ford has claimed it is software related. I've taken it to the dealership on more than one occasion. I am worried that this will happen when I am driving. I am afraid of being stuck out somewhere without being able to steer. I have read reports of this happening to motorists. This is a common issue that is well known to the online community. Ford has had steering assist recalls on other vehicles in the past. This is an issue which should be addressed.
When I first start my car. The steering fault message comes on and I can't turn the steering wheel. I have to turn the car off then back on. Then it works.I'm afraid that it may lock while driving.
While driving in reverse to park the car in my garage, the steering wheel suddenly became nearly impossible to steer. There is an error message on the console that says 'steering assist fault service required'. I checked it the following day, and the problem persists.
I have seen many videos on you tube on what could of been wrong and they all had the same problem which was the steering rack and pinion very expensive and unsafe fix my child was in the car while we was driving when mine broke only 28 days after I bought the car not very happy
The steering locks up while driving and is very hard to turn. There is no light or code. It's very unsafe especially on the highway. If there is an accident Ford will be hearing from our lawyers. This should've have been recalled along with the other models and years that had the same electric power steering problems.
I was driving on a highway using my cruise control and the motor revved up really high as if it was in neutral. I took it off cruise control and the transmission wasn't going into to any gear. I had to start off in low gear and when I got to 15-20mph put in drive the transmission jerks so hard it felt like someone had hit us from behind ive been reading up on this and I feel the whole transmission needs to be recalled. Also the power steering has showed 2 times theres something failing on it turning around in a parling lot and all the sudden ima not able to turn almost hit 2 people. It was horrible.
My power steering wont work at all. I just barely got the car and had it for 3 weeks and this happened. I was literally driving when this happened and now Ford wants to charge me $2200 that I cannot afford right now.
Car in motion in a street and suddenly stopped and my wife couldn't turn the wheel. Until she managed somehow to park it. (power steering problem). Speed problem when accelerating, car slowed down in highway suddenly while other cars behind me. It did it 5 times in different days. (transmission problem). Now car is parked since 3 months in parking lot. Since 2016 I reported 5 times to Ford dealers the dual clutch transmission problem. I filed online report. I reported in 2019 power steering problem they didn't fix it. I fixed it. Now I can not drive my 2013 Focus for safety precautions due to transmission problem since 3 months. They refuse to admit recall and fix the problem. I am paying a lease for not be able to drive my car.
Power assist fault failed. It has been recalled on all other Ford models except 2013 Ford Focus. I started my car and power assist fault appeared needing service. I could not move my steering wheel. Luckily the car was parked as this is very dangerous if I were driving. Since other Ford models were recalled why not the make and model of my vehicle? it is extremely expensive to fix.
I was driving inside town when I began to feel the steering getting stiff. I stopped to get gas to only find out that the steering got much stiffer and was making squeaky sound. After that it was very tough to drive back home. After reaching and stopping the car the steering wheel has completely gone stiff. There are no warning lights or anything.
Steering fault alert came on while driving in community to pick up mail I.e approximately 15mph. Went to Ford dealership via the highway and the same thing happened almost causing a pile up!! that's at 60mph! diagnostic done showed the entire steering unit, gear, computer unit needs to be replaced. Not covered under recall or warranty per Ford company representative and local Ford dealership. Cost $2146.50 out of pocket! not a wear and tear isssue but rather a manufacturer defect. So why isn't Ford recalling or extending warranty?! they need to. It is very unsafe and a common find in these cars.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after his daughter started the vehicle, it was discovered that the electric power steering assist failed and the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. The message electric power steering assist message was displayed on the instrument panel. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer max motors Ford located at 2502 cantrell rd, harrisonville, mo 64701, was notified of the failure. The manufacture was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
I started the car and the steering assist fault alert came up and the steering wheel was locked in place. I turned the car off and back on and there was no longer an issue. The car also jerks when accelerating quickly. This has been an ongoing issue that the dealership claims to have repaired.
The steering assist keeps failing on this car that I bough for my 16 year old daughter making it next to impossible to steer while driving. This is a major safety issue. Luckily the one time it happened while she was driving it was on a straight road. It has happened several times on start up. For has recalled this same steering issues on other models with the exact same electronic steering with the exact same problems. But not the Ford Focus! someone is going to be seriously injured from this if there is no recall. Many people can't afford 2K to fix it themselves. Shame on you Ford!
Power steering will not work. Began having issues several months ago but re-cranking would fix issue. Now power steering is completely out. What a driving hazard this is and it's obvious a big issue in this make and model. Why no recall? this is a 2013 Ford Focus with 70,000 miles. Vehicle was stationary when finally went out.
I would like to report a power steering assist fault warning light and also power steering that's completely inoperable. It first went out and when the car was turn off and back on, it worked but went out again while driving. It has been inoperable since the second lost of steering.
I was driving down a city street and an engine light appeared and instantly power steering stopped while I was in motion. I had to slowly drive the car back to the house which was 10 mins away and park it which obviously was not easy considering the circumstances. Ford stated that there were no recalls on electrical or power steering for this model but I have seen that some other models have had electrical issues and its concerning. Luckily, I was the only person in the car and my children were not present. I am also thankful I was not on the interstate when this occurred as this could have been a potentially dangerous situation. This occurred yesterday, 8/26/2020 in indianapolis, in.
Steering fault can turn the steering wheel this is a big problem Ford should not be able to sell this kind of car. I have had issues after issues with this 2013 Ford I have had transmission issues that I had to pay for out of pocket and now this less than 47K this car model is a lemon!! as much trouble this car has cased me I should get a full refund and Ford should buy this piece of junk back I have 4 Ford but this Ford is my last one I will buy a Honda or something else Ford is not what it use too be!
"steering assist fault".. "steering loss". vehicle experienced steering loss while driving at 45 mph and nearly cause a fatal accident. Electronic steering assist can fail with out warning, which results in loss of steering while vehicle is in motion potentially endangering the driver, passengers as well as other motorists. This is a huge safety issue and must be addressed immediately.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Durham, NC, USA