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.
Car gives a code that steering assist has failed when starting car. Sometimes would reset if key turned off and turned back on. This started while under warranty but Ford's techs claimed there was no problem, despite technical service bulletins on the problem. Car will start, but won't steer. Problem was brought to attention of Ford dealer when car was still under warranty, but they have ignored the problem.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. Within two weeks of purchasing the vehicle, it failed to start and the key was not recognized in the ignition. Also, the 6 speed automatic transmission failed to shift appropriately and the contact had to turn the vehicle off and back on due to the failure. There was also a sudden loss of eps and the steering assist fault warning indicator flashed. The vehicle became difficult to steer intermittently. The dealer (dave knapp Ford Lincoln, 500 wagner ave, greenville, oh 45331, (800) 717-3673) was unable to diagnose the cause of the failures. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V643000 (latches/locks/linkages) and two manufacturer service campaigns (transmission clutch shudder/transmission input shaft seal - 14M01, transmission control module extended coverage). The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 08/03/17
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the power steering assist failed. While attempting to reverse the vehicle, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The power assist indicator illuminated after the failure occurred. The dealer diagnosed that the steering rack failed. The vehicle was repaired and the steering rack was replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 59,000.
- Bridgeville, PA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
On April 22, 2017 while my daughter and her 5 years old child was driving from a cheerleader meet in Maryland to sterling Virginia, she stopped to retrieved a snack pack out of the trunk, when she got back in and started the vehicle the vehicle steering seized up and the light came on she was luckily able to maneuver the vehicle back to sterling va goons dealership. The vehicle as been at the dealership for 25 days; Ford Motor Co offered an X-pin to purchase a new vehicle which they tried to intimidate my daughter into buying. The vehicle is in my name and I have since retired and live in fl. The vehicle is at koons Ford very arrogant bunch and today I received a call that they wanted their loaner back and that for me to make a decision right away and authorized the payments for repair he did not offer any coupons or breakdown of the same. I told him to call me back and that's where it is now. Ford know very well that there is a problem with the vehicle steering system and are playing games with people lives. Please address my name is [xxx] thanks information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
When the vehicle was started, the power steering assist malfunction indicator light was illuminated. The steering wheel seized and was unable to be maneuvered. Once the vehicle was shut off and restarted, the vehicle was driveable. However, this has been an ongoing reoccurrence. Each time the vehicle is shut off and restarted it seems to be resolved and driveable. Vehicle was taken to mechanic, no issues could be diagnosed at that time. Owner called to check for any open recalls under vehicle VIN search, but no recalls apply to this ongoing steering problem.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. When the vehicle was started, the steering assist warning indicator illuminated. The steering wheel seized and was unable to move. Once the vehicle was shut off and restarted, the vehicle was driveable. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed, but the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure the VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 92,000. Updated 07/12/17
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while exiting from the driveway, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the R and R steering rack and steering sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 43,703...updated 06/08/17
Vehicle was stationary when I turned the car on. Steering column locked up and the car started beeping and presented the warning "system check steering assist fault service required." This only happens when the vehicle is stationary and not in motion. In order to stop the above issue, I had to turn the car off and back on and then the steering would unlock.
Power steering assist failure. Drove to work fine, 8 hours later came out to go home and the power steering would not work. Turned off the car and all electronics in hopes it was just a boot error with no success. The error was "power steering assist failure." Had to have car towed due to it not being highway safe. Recalls for power steering on other models after failure.
Power steering would randomly go out when starting the car. At first, turning car off and restarting would clear error and steering would be fine. One day, car turned on and error wouldn't clear. No power steering at all. Took into dealer to repair. Repair will cost of $1900. Not sure why it's not covered under power train warranty. And with the amount of complaints I've read online for 2012 Ford Focus power steering issues, I'm really surprised there hasn't been a recall. Very unsafe!!
2012 Ford Fusion. Consumer writes in regards to power steering failure after power steering module recall notice 15V-340 reprogramming/repairs. The consumer requested a status update. Updated 04/07/2017 the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired under the recall. The software was reprogrammed but, the power steering failed 6 months later. The consumer would like the vehicle to be repaired under the recall. 05/24/2017 the consumer stated the power steering completely failed. Updated 08/4/2017
After starting the car and starting to back out of a parking place, the audible notification came on and the dash board displayed a message saying "steering assist fault". after that the steering felt like there was no power steering at all
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. After the vehicle was started, the power steering failed to operate intermittently for up to five seconds. On another occasion, while turning, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the power steering failure and service power steering system warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Power steering goes out very hard to steer, yellow trouble light some times comes on. Very scary when it happens. Happens when starting from stop position.
Pulls to the right. Steering gets hard to turn. I was in ashville N.C traffic when it happen in 3 lanes traffic final was able to get side of the road.scared hell out of me.call Ford, they said there is no recall for this
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Daytona Beach, FL, USA