Print this page

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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Ford Fusion:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Ford Fusion Owner Comments (Page 3 of 64)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1222

Aug 272023

Fusion

  • 235,440 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the steering wheel was significantly difficult to turn. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact was able to drive back to the nearby residence by using physical strength to steer the vehicle. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 235,440.

- Forest Hill, TX, USA

problem #1221

Aug 142023

Fusion

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the "Service Power Steering Now-?? message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 125,000.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #1220

Aug 192023

Fusion

  • 127,541 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at approximately 5 MPH, the power steering failed, causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V34000 (Steering). The failure mileage was 127,541.

- Bossier City, LA, USA

problem #1219

Aug 182023

Fusion

  • miles

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

It is hard for me to steer my steering wheel. It keeps saying service power steering. This is dangerous.

- Philadelphia , PA, USA

problem #1218

Aug 072023

Fusion

  • miles
+Consistent with Safety Recall 15S18 and program code 15N01 - Integrated Controller for the Power Steering Gear failed. This caused power steering assist and traction control to be inoperative. The problem started intermittently at about 93,000 miles and 11 years of age - but then became constant by 95,600 miles. +The problem made the steering wheel very difficult to turn. Vehicle was unsafe to drive, particularly at lower speeds or with a driver of average upper body strength. It would have been very difficult to steer away from a pedestrian, animal, vehicle, or obstacle - had one suddenly moved into the path of the vehicle. This increased the chance of death/injury and/or property damage when operating the vehicle. +Noted Safety Recall only provided limited extended warranty coverage - which had expired (due to age, but not miles). +Repair was exceptionally expensive due to the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) being integrated with the Steering Gear, and the Steering Gear being integrated with the entire rack and pinion assembly. Diagnostic and Repair total was $2,690.15. I considered taking the risk vs. repairing the vehicle due to the high cost. +Vehicle was diagnosed and serviced at a Ford Dealer and Independent Repair Shop. Representatives at both shops mentioned that this is a very common problem with this vehicle. The Dealer escalated to Ford Corporate to obtain an extension of the Safety Recall coverage, but was denied. I did the same and was also denied. Vehicle: 2012 Ford Fusion Miles: 95,600 Purchase Date: 9/2011 Logged DTC codes: C1277-20 C1277-E0

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #1217

Jul 312023

Fusion

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she stopped and parked the vehicle at the local grocery store. The contact stated that when his wife restarted the vehicle and shifted into drive, she became aware that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that his wife shifted the gear shifter back into park and turned off the vehicle; however, when the vehicle was restarted and shifted into drive, the power steering was operable. The contact's wife was able to safely drive the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer informed the contact that the power steering control module would be reprogrammed to resolve the failure; however, there was no guarantee that the failure would be fixed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

- Belleville, IL, USA

problem #1216

Aug 072023

Fusion

  • 130,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became stiff and difficult while maneuvering the vehicle. The contact-??s son veered to the side road and notified him. The contact was able to safely navigate the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering gear failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the Warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Geneva, IL, USA

problem #1215

Jul 012023

Fusion

  • miles
Power steering assist fault would flash, steering locked up. Every few weeks for past couple years. Started grinding hard to turn Service power steering now light, steering completely locked. Almost wrecked numerous times. Started in 2021. Ford claimed they had no idea why. No check engine light ever. Finally locked up completely in July this year.car has maybe 127000 miles.

- Waveland, MS, USA

problem #1214

Aug 082023

Fusion

  • 205,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, upon start-up, the steering wheel became firm and difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the -??Power Steering Service Now-?? message was displayed on the instrument panel. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was previously covered under the Customer Satisfaction Program: 13N03 and advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 205,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Glassboro, NJ, USA

problem #1213

Jun 302023

Fusion

  • miles
While driving the vehicle the power steering suddenly stopped working. There was no warning or indication of an issue with the power steering. This happened while traveling at 45-50 MPH so was able to safely maneuver the vehicle to a safe area. Searched on Ford website for recalls and there is an EPAS repair for the steering. I brought the vehicle to the dealership for the repair, but was informed the repair has expired and they will not repair it.

- Oviedo, FL, USA

problem #1212

Jul 242023

Fusion

  • miles

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

Upon starting the vehicle, the power steering assist fault message was displayed and the steering wheel was stiff and dificultt to turn.The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where it was diagnosed that the power steering control module (PSCM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. I was told that th There was a recall on power-steering for 2012 Ford Fusions, but my VIN has not been included, which was confirmed after a call to FORD. Also they told me Is not covered under the extended warranty coverage since It Is a 2012 modelo however the mileage on my car Is 117307

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #1211

Mar 152023

Fusion

  • 190,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the steering wheel seized and became inoperable. The contact shifted into neutral (N) and veered to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V3400 (Steering); however, the contact was informed by the dealer and the manufacturer that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was?made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

- North Salem, NY, USA

problem #1210

Jul 292023

Fusion

  • 153,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while making a turn from a complete stop at the traffic light, the steering wheel was stiff and difficult to turn. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power steering control module (PSCM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

- Middletown, CT, USA

problem #1209

Jul 292023

Fusion

  • 143,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the message "Service Power Steering Now" was displayed. The contact stated that upon driving into a parking lot, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact used physical force to drive into a parking space. The contact turned off the vehicle and disconnected the battery; however, the failure persisted after the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

- Kennewick, WA, USA

problem #1208

Jul 212023

Fusion

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while her father was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. Additionally, the power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the power steering control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Middletown, CT, USA

problem #1207

Jul 232023

Fusion

  • miles
Power steering turns off when you go above a certain speed and the service advance power steering comes on.

- Haverhill, MA, USA

problem #1206

Jul 202023

Fusion

  • 155,713 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to steer the vehicle off the highway and became aware that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality. The contact pulled of the roadway and shifted to park(P). The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to regain power steering functionality. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact reported that in January 2022 he had a Power Steering Control Module software update performed through NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) by a local dealer. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 155,713.

- Fairmont, NC, USA

problem #1205

Jul 142023

Fusion

  • 157,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the service advance-trac and power steering assist messages were displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.

- Augusta, GA, USA

problem #1204

Jul 112023

Fusion

  • miles
The steering has been locking up for 3 years on and off, a few times a month. I would get a 'power steering assist fault message and had to turn off the ignition while driving almost wreaking. Now it's locked up and says 'service power steering now.'

- Waveland, MS, USA

problem #1203

Jul 102023

Fusion

  • 119,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a grinding sound in the steering wheel while making a left or right turn. The service power steering assist fault warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized. The contact then stated that she turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact then stated that the -??Service Power Steering Assist Now-?? warning light illuminated and remained illuminated, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

- Waveland, MS, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?