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 approximately 40 mph, the steering wheel seized and the service power steering indicator illuminated. The vehicle shut off and could not be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 927,008.
Threads on the outer tie rod end stripped on the driver side. Tie rod end came off while I was driving! called several local parts departments and funny thing is they report that's the usual side that is affected. Every store in a 20 mile radius had right tie rods but no left.
Transmission was not shifting into gears, then the reverse went out..talked to 3 different Ford dealers..asked about my warranty then said no recalls on this and out of warranty would be out of pocket..so I did have an outside warranty for repairs but they said nothing was covered..so I paid aamco to fix it..3500.00 and 2 months later I am at another aamaco (because of their warranty) the new aamaco place says transmission shot need a new one..about 5 grand..so..no we drove it back home and put her to pasture..I have all paperwork on all work done..and not done..but we travel for my husband's job..so my paperwork is home in tx..we are now in tn..for a few weeks.my car acted up badly, hot transmission, had to stop several times just to get it to the shop.. also..would be great if it at least had a dip stick to check your fluids. Also on first transmission work..we had to rent our motel room for 3 extra days waiting on the car repair to be completed. This after he had it a week already..I also have phone numbers and quotes from 2other people that would have worked on my car if they had the tools to work on a dual transmission.
Power steering failure at startup. Initially, this was intermittent and restarting the car would solve the issue. The power steering is failing while actually driving. The ridiculous part is I am one of over 700 complaints and nobody had required a recall to Ford. This is ridiculous and this issue will cause more and more loss of life as it occurs more frequently. This should be a recall for sure. It is a obvious manufacturer defect.
- Warner, OK, USA
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Power steering failure at startup. Initially, this was intermittent and restarting the car would solve the issue. Eventually, the power steering failed completely despite restarting the car. The power steering failed only on startup, not when driving.
1st time - while driving on the highway the steering wheel locked up and I was unable to turn left of right. This was dangerous as it locked up while trying to switch lanes. Staying in the lane and coming to a light I turned the car off then on, and it went back to normal. Months later 2nd time - my car was stationary in a shopping center parking lot. When turning on my car to back out an alert turned on saying steering assist malfunction, and I was unable to turn my wheel left or right. After turning my car off and on a few times I was then able to turn my wheel. 3rd time - my car was stationary and parked on the street. (later the same day) when turning on my car to pull off an alert turned on saying steering assist malfunction, and I was unable to turn my wheel left or right. This time I had to drive home when it being super hard to turn.
Drove my car to a destination and when leaving, I got in my car, started the engine and when trying to leave, my steering was extremely altered. Tried to go in reverse thinking it may be in a rut. Same issue, steering was next to impossible. Turned car off to explore under the hood. No power steering fluid under the hood. After searching the owners manuel and looking on line sitting in 100 degree heat I attempted again and steering was fine. It has since happened again within a weeks time and all I can think of is what happens if it looses power steering while I'm on the freeway, or if I have my grand babies with, or in the middle of a turn? what if.... people have already lost their life. What's it going to take for Ford to do the right thing.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving at unknown speeds, the steering wheel seized and "power steering failed" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to van bortel Ford, Inc. (71 marsh rd, East rochester, NY 14445, (585) 586-4415) where it was diagnosed that the electric motor failed and the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.
I was driving down the street still in my neighborhood the steering went out.I the car was almost impossible to turn, I was able to get back home thank god I wasn't in traffic yet. When I restarted the car it reset itself, and continued to do the same to point I can't drive it at all it's too hard to control while driving. Ford said it would be $2245 to fix it that there is no recall or anything, that's a lot of money and it's a safety hazard I just don't understand why this isn't a recall I'm trying to save money to get the problem fixed but it's hard being without your car depending on other people or catching a bus the Ford dealership didn't even give me my diagnosis report even though I paid $115 for the diagnostic test that's not right either they gave me receipt saying I had one done and that I declined repair
Power steering assist failure warning light upon cranking the car, steering wheel impossible to turn but not locked up. Car hesitates/sputters at acceleration from stop
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While the contact was turning into her neighborhood at 15 mph, the steering wheel seized. The power steering indicator flashed right before the failure. The manufacturer stated there was no recall and stated that the contact would have to pay to have the vehicle towed to holman Ford maple shade (571 NJ-38, maple shade township, NJ 08052, (888) 722-6721). The vehicle had not yet been towed, diagnosed, or repaired. The failure mileage was 92,000.
Steering assist malfunction light came on. Steering wheel automatically locked. Huge safety issue. Should be looked at immediately. This can cause multiple accidents and even lead to death.
Takata recall started car and dash light indicated the following message, "transmission malfunction. Service now" also got power steering assist error message earlier in the month.
Power steering assist fault warning..results in loss of power steering dealer had to change complete steering rack told us it could happen again since it is same rack that was faulty.Ford has not made changes to this system or ordered a recall
Takata recall I noticed that this vehicle "chugs" when it is sitting idle, and that sometimes it feels as if it wants to stall while idling. There is already a recall out for this issue but I have not been informed of it. It says that 10/22/2018 there was a recall for this issue. Onto the next issue, without warning my vehicle began to shake (this car is my daily driver) and then I began to hear whining whenever I would turn! help!
The electronic power steering goes out without warning while driving on a city street !!! the internet is teaming with complaints about this on this vehicle. Does someone have to die before the NHTSA takes action ?
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving 10 mph, the steering wheel seized and was unable to turn. The contact called denny menholt Ford (located at 50 Ford ln, butte, mt 59701, (406) 494-6333) and was informed to schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 124,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- West Monroe, LA, USA