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CarComplaints.com Notes: Power steering problems started rearing their ugly head in the 2010 Fusion, so you'd think Ford had plenty of time to make sure those problems didn't creep into the 2012. But here we are.

The Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) is a mess. It fails at an alarming rate. Don’t believe us? Take a look at NHTSA’s data on the subject.

And much like the power steering, we’re still seeing the same throttle body failures that started in 2010 continue in 2012.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
42 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
12 / 1
Average Mileage:
72,151 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.

2012 Ford Fusion steering problems

steering problem

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2012 Ford Fusion Owner Comments (Page 21 of 64)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #862

Sep 012018

Fusion

  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The electric steering failed as described in a recall for other 2012 Ford Fusion, but not my own.

- Winnemucca, NV, USA

problem #861

Nov 242019

Fusion

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. While driving approximately 65 mph on the highway, the power steering suddenly failed. The contact exited the highway and parked at a nearby fuel station. When the contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, the power steering continued to fail. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was the same as the one listed in NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

- Longview, TX, USA

problem #860

Nov 222019

Fusion

  • 156,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. While driving at a moderate rate of speed, the power steering seized and the power assist warning indicator illuminated. The contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (steering), but the manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 156,000.

- Suwanee, GA, USA

problem #859

Nov 182019

Fusion

  • 215,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

November 18, 2019 approximately 6:30 P.M. central time I was driving my 2012 Ford Fusion which I have owned less than a month, on a dark, city street at approximately 20 miles an hour while looking for a business. Suddenly, the electric assist steering went out and the car became difficult to steer. A warning light was lilluminated on the dashboard advising of electric power steering fault. As I was shuttling children from an after school event home, I did not have time to stop the car and read the owner's manual for the fault light. I proceeded home using manual steering. Once at home, I read the owner's manual and shut down the car and restarted and the fault cleared. Research showed that there were safety recalls issued for the steering 15 S18 and 15 N01. I took the vehicle into bob allen Ford dealership in overland park, Kansas where they diagnosed power steering rack failure. They advised approximately $1,500 charge to service. I inquired regarding the safety and customer service recalls and was told the vehicle was not covered due to mileage. I contacted Ford customer service and was also rejected for any assistance. I asked the service manager at bob allen Ford if he would split the cost with me, which he refused. It would appear to me that if this is a known defective part/safety issue, it should be covered regardless of mileage of the Ford car.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #858

Jun 202017

Fusion

  • 66,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. While backing out of the parking lot, the steering lost power and the power steering default indicator illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to classic Ford sales (919-934-6500, located at 1698 E booker dairy rd, smithfield, nc 27577) to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The technician stated that there was no failure code. The failure recurred and the vehicle was towed back to the same dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

- Four Oaks, NC, USA

problem #857

Aug 092017

Fusion

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. While driving approximately 60 mph, the speed began to decrease and the power steering suddenly seized. In addition, the power assist warning indicator illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering system's electrical default and power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (steering). The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Silver Springs, TX, USA

problem #856

Nov 152019

Fusion

  • 145,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Power steering failed. Vehicle display service power steering now and service advance track. Manual steering effort required is extrodinary vehicle was previously repaired in 2018 as part of recall 15V340000 vehicle is currently at Ford dealership for diagnosis and hopefully replacement of the same parts that were previously recalled. I'm alerting NHTSA so that you are aware a previously repaired vehicle under the recall campaign has experienced the same issue within one year of repair.

- Lapeer, MI, USA

problem #855

Nov 012019

Fusion

  • 84,612 miles
Driving 60mph on the freeway and information center messaged popped up saying "service advancetrac" and "service power steering". steering became very tight and when trying to adjust in the lane, the car would react erratically and aggressively, making it extremely hard to maintain the lane. Car would "jump" over about a foot when trying to correct the steering wheel to maintain the lane. Slowed down and got off the freeway to which another message popped up saying "service power steering now". no power steering at all, almost impossible to drive over 25 mph without risk or crashing due to steering being extremely tight and resistive to maintaining the lane. Limped the car home about 5 miles, and scheduled an appointment at a local Ford dealership. Talked to an older gentlemen over the phone and said that this happens all the time and that a computer refresh/update is all that is needed. Scheduled appointment as such. Car was serviced and power steering was working just fine for a 5 days before the "service power steering" and "service advancetrac" light came on, and the "service power steering now" code followed within 5 minutes of first code. I understand that there was a previous recall for this exact same issue on the 2010-2012 Ford Fusion, but this Fusion was manufactured just outside the window in may of 2012. I believe that this issue needs to be covered under that recall because its the same reoccurring issues on this year of Fusion.

- Marysville, WA, USA

problem #854

Nov 012019

Fusion

  • 163,200 miles
I was driving on a street leaving a restaurant and went are a right turn and a display message pop up power steering assist default. And my steering wheel locked on

- Monroe, NC, USA

problem #853

Oct 202019

Fusion

  • 143,000 miles
While in motion less than 40 mph, the vehicle lost power steering and became stiff and very hard to turn the steering wheel in either direction. Decided to park the vehicle in a parking lot and have the vehicle towed to the dealership. This has been recalled previously in which the dealership replaced the part with a remanufactured part. However, in the first recall/repair the vehicle did not have any cause of concern other than to address the national recall. Now, the vehicle is not drivable and the dealership does not want to replace the defected part. Instead they want to charge $1,915 for a faulty remanufactured part that has gone out and could have caused severe harm and damage to persons in and around the vehicle. Https://www.NHTSA.gov/vehicle/2012/Ford/Fusion/4%252520dr/fwd#recalls reviewing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are over 10+ complaints filed within the past 3 weeks for faulty steering. This is an obvious grave concern as there is severe risk in losing control of the vehicle due to poorly designed steering.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #852

Sep 012019

Fusion

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. While operating the vehicle, the contact stated that extra strength was needed to turn the steering wheel left or right and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Ford & Lincoln of smithtown (440 East jericho turnpike, St james, NY 11780, (631) 265-2340) where the contact was informed that the steering wheel module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (steering). The manufacturer provided a case number. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Mt Sinai, NY, USA

problem #851

Nov 042019

Fusion

  • 71,000 miles
While driving to work 11/4/19 I got a message on the dash saying power steering now and advancetrac when it came time to make a turn at a light after exiting the hwy I had to struggle and pull... I couldn't believe my car lost power just like that. 71K miles no warning before that day of steering problems.

- Garland, TX, USA

problem #850

Nov 012019

Fusion

  • 153,809 miles
Drove that morning to work when I cranked back up to leave power steering assist fault showed up and no power steering

- Wallace, NC, USA

problem #849

Dec 122018

Fusion

  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. When the vehicle was started, the power steering assist warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to pat millikan Ford (9600 telegraph rd, redford charter twp, mi 48239, (313) 731-6436) to be diagnosed, but a failure code could not be found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

- Livonia, MI, USA

problem #848

Oct 282019

Fusion

  • 68,000 miles
On or about 28 October, woke to to drive to work and noticed upon starting the vehicle that the "power steering assist fault" message displayed on the instrument panel and the steering became very stiff. After attempting to drive the vehicle for a very short distance, an additional message of "service advancetrac" displayed and there was a smell of burnt electronics. This issue appeared without any warning.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #847

Dec 232015

Fusion

  • 54,419 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. While driving various speeds, extra distance was needed when bringing the vehicle to a complete stop. The contact also mentioned that the steering wheel seized prior to the brake failure. The vehicle was taken to barbee's freeway Ford (4471 E evans ave, denver, co 80222, (303) 584-6600) twice for diagnostic testing, but the failures could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to big mike naughton Ford (150 S havana St, Aurora, co 80012, (303) 343-1900) for the braking failure, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was also taken to lewis Ford Lincoln of hays (4450 vine St, hays, ks 67601, (785) 625-3441) where the steering module was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,419.

- Dever, CO, USA

problem #846

Oct 212019

Fusion

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. While driving approximately 35 mph, the steering wheel pulled to the right before "power needs checking' appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power assist was faulty and needed to be repaired. Skyline Ford (2510 commercial St SE, salem, or) was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000(steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Salem, OR, USA

problem #845

Oct 112019

Fusion

  • 188,000 miles
I have loss of electric power steering assist while driving and system defaults to manual steering mode. Error code C1277 is the error code. The vehicle was in motion when the power steering went out. Now every time we drive our car we have to do manual steering. Ford is refusing to fix my vehicle since it is not on the recall list. I am requesting that my vehicle be put on the recall list as I am having the exact issues others has complained about for power steering electrical issues.

- Firestone, CO, USA

problem #844

Oct 162019

Fusion

  • 81,000 miles
Last week I received a recall for the airbags on my vehicle. Before I called for an appointment, I checked the recall on line and noticed the steering is also being recalled. Two days later while driving, lights started going off on my dashboard. The steering and tsc lights were blinking and ringing. I had no idea what to do! I read the dashboard which said check my power steering fluid, ther is no fluid well"?" I called my Ford dealer and was told ' we will fix the airbag, but have no idea about the steering issues, my car has no recall for that' I told them I was looking right at the recall notice, and since I wasn't notified, they can't fix it. I told her I cannot drive the vehicle that the car won't steer, she told me to have it towed in. I have purchased a 1990 Bronco I, a 1999 Ford Ranger and a 2007 escape from this same dealer. These vehicles have as follows: 660K,588K and 290K miles on them. My Ranger still has the original muffler. Is this the way I should be treated. If the car has been recalled for steering, which you can easily see from the tire wear, than why doesn't Ford stand up and repair it, since there is a recall. I could fix it myself, but Ford has blocked the computer usage, do I need to bypass that also. I'm a simple man who loves his Ford. I brag constantly about my vehicles. I brag constantly about my dealer. I feel betrayed!!!

- Bushkill, PA, USA

problem #843

Oct 142019

Fusion

  • 71,000 miles
Power steering stopped working. Warning appeared on dash stating: "service power steering pump now."

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

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