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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 7 of 64)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1142

Dec 102022

Fusion

  • miles

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

Service advance track light came on, the car was turned off then back on and the warning light was gone. Begin driving, made it 10 miles or so then the electric power steering went out while driving the vehicle. Service advance track light came on. The car then lost all power steering. This resulted in difficulty steering. When the steering went out this almost lead to a collision.

- Kendallville, IN, USA

problem #1141

Dec 072022

Fusion

  • miles
N/a

- Middletown , OH, USA

problem #1140

Dec 072022

Fusion

  • 141,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to reverse and park the vehicle on the side of the curb. The contact stated that the failure persisted upon turning off and restarting the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under Ford Campaign Number: 15N01 (EPAS Steering Efforts) due to the manufactured date. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.

- Maplewood, MO, USA

problem #1139

Aug 192022

Fusion

  • 80,000 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 at the initial start of the vehicle, the power steering failed to function. The power steering assist message was displayed. The contact had the vehicle towed to a certified mechanic where the power steering system was reset; however, the failure recurred while driving 35 MPH. The power steering assist and service rack and pinion warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a certified mechanic who reset the code and the power steering functionality returned. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Kinzers, PA, USA

problem #1138

Dec 022020

Fusion

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the traction control system, brakes, and power steering functionality became inoperable. The vehicle was restarted and worked as designed. While driving approximately 30-40 MPH, the brake warning light illuminated. Additionally, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The driver pumped the brake pedal several times before the brakes started working as designed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed him that the failure was not covered under the warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

- Canoga Park, CA, USA

problem #1137

Nov 232022

Fusion

  • 146,199 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and slowing to enter a parking lot, the steering wheel became very stiff and required an extra effort to turn. The contact observed that when she depressed the brake pedal, the steering wheel became harder to turn to the left or the right. The contact stated that an unknown warning light and the "Service Power Steering" and "Advancetrac" warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull off the roadway and placed the vehicle into park(P) and turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the warning lights remained illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle regained normal power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure had become constant. The contact stated that she had taken the vehicle to a local dealer and informed the service manager that she researched a similar failure online for electric power steering. The service manager referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 146,199.

- Elgin, IL, USA

problem #1136

Nov 192022

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 while driving approximately 55 MPH, the power steering assist alarm and warning light illuminated. The contact stated that soon after, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist function. The vehicle was towed to the residence. An independent mechanic arrived at the residence and diagnosed that the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) needed to be replaced. The contact made the local dealer aware of the failure and was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #1135

Nov 072022

Fusion

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a-€¯2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately-€¯115,000.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #1134

Nov 282022

Fusion

  • miles
Was backing up and the Power steering Assist Fault came on i was unable to drive car as the steering wheel is locked. The ABS system kicks in and had the brakes done.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #1133

Nov 082022

Fusion

  • miles
The power steering assist randomly went out and caused me to almost crash into a wall when I was on the freeway taking the car home. The previous owner had gotten into an accident with the vehicle which had also resulted from the power steering randomly going out, and the power steering is now out completely on the vehicle and yet seems to come on randomly while having to manually steer the vehicle. I just got the vehicle and am the most recent owner, but since the vehicle has over 150,000 miles on it and it has been over 10 years, Ford and its dealerships are saying there-€™s nothing they can do to fix it. However, I know that these issues going on with the car (power steering assist and electronic throttle body issues) are related to the recall on the vehicle. There are apparently no active recalls on the vehicle, but I know that the previous owners may have taken the car in for problems related to the recall. However, I also know that the company is required to fix problems related to the recall no matter how many years the warranty is or how many miles the vehicle has on it, so I-€™m unsure why both Ford and its dealerships are saying there-€™s nothing they can do and that I-€™ll have to pay for a diagnostic fee and then the repair fees associated with the problem, and I just got the vehicle. I don-€™t feel that it-€™s fair that I pay for repair costs associated with a recall on several other Ford Fusion vehicles as well (2011-2012) when those recall related problems almost killed me, and upon researching it no other cars have power steering assist, electronic throttle body and airbag problems like the ford fusion.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #1132

Nov 222016

Fusion

  • 66,934 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 at 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and became difficult to steer. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving by using physical strength to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). However, the failure reoccurred while driving two years later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where an unknown software was reset. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving uphill four years later. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact stated that the failure persisted upon turning off and restarting the vehicle. The contact's father then assisted her with driving the vehicle to her residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 66,934.

- Oil City, PA, USA

problem #1131

Nov 102022

Fusion

  • 219,000 miles
The contact stated their sister owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that their sister was driving approximately 45 mph when the steering wheel suddenly locked and failed to turn left or right. The driver then veered off to the side of the road where due to the lack of steering, the vehicle crashed into a tree stump. No air bags deployed. The driver did not have injuries or need medical attention. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who then informed the contact that the failure related to Customer Satisfaction Program 15N01 (Steering) which was under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however the customer satisfaction program had since expired. The vehicle had not been repaired as of yet. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 219,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #1130

Nov 072022

Fusion

  • miles
Power Steering just locked up while driving with no warning or indicator, it still drives but it randomly locks up where i have no control over the vehicle In backing up out of our driveway i wasnt able to stop because the braking system froze up along with the steering and i hit a truck that was going down our road

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #1129

Oct 252022

Fusion

  • miles
While I was driving down a winding road my power steering went out I almost wrecked my car I still owe $9000 on this car and I can-€™t even drive it in order to get it fixed it-€™ll cost like $3000 money I don-€™t have Ford needs to do another recall on these vehicles before somebody end up getting hurt my car will sit and rot now Because there-€™s no way to fix the power steering assist warning unless you take it to a Ford garage and pay them $3000 to fix it this is bull I will never buy a Ford again

- Saegertown, PA, USA

problem #1128

Oct 262022

Fusion 6-cyl

  • miles
2012 Ford Fusion SEL VIN: [XXX] On Wednesday evening, October 26, 2022, my daughter was parked in a shopping center lot. When she returned to the car and started it, she got an alarm and a warning light on the dash, stating: "Power Steering Assist Fault". She contacted me in a panic, and told me that she could not turn the wheel at all. After making arrangements to pick her up, the car was towed to a local mechanic the following day, October 27. The mechanic explained that the 2012 Ford Fusion had a recall for my specific year, make, and model for that exact problem. I had not, however, received a recall notice. He suggested that we contact a Ford dealership to make the necessary repairs, as specified in the recall. I had looked up the warning message on the computer, and was aware that my year/model Fusion had a known power steering problem. However, when we contacted a Ford dealer, he stated that my VIN number was not included in the recall. He quoted a repair price, over the phone and without looking at my car, estimated at over $2,000. I am a senior citizen with only my social security income. This is my only vehicle, and my daughter needs it for transportation to and from work. Obviously, the car is dangerous to drive without repairs. As of this date, the car is at the shop where it was towed, and I don't know of any options. From what I can gather, all of the problems prompting a recall on 2012 Ford Fusions are identical to the problem I have. I would very much appreciate some assistance and advice on how to proceed in this matter. Thank you. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Social Circle, GA, USA

problem #1127

Oct 072022

Fusion

  • miles
I pulled out of my parking lot started to accelerate and my power steering went out. There was no warning, no check engine light. It's been well maintained and no documentation of this happening with previous owner. My assist power steering now, and advice stabilitrak just flash and now I can't move the wheel to even get it to a shop.

- Le Roy, NY, USA

problem #1126

Oct 262022

Fusion

  • miles
Power steering went out. Then traction control went out. Due to. Module and all components for power steering along with pins and rods.

- Lexington, NC, USA

problem #1125

Sep 152022

Fusion

  • miles
Electronic steering rack binding. Check engine light indicates power steering not working. Vehicle is difficult to control and requires significant force to steer and turn. The dealer confirmed that this model of vehicle was part of a recall due to power steering failures in 2015, but this particular vehicle was not included in that recall. The Ford dealer replaced the faulty steering rack and charged me $1604. A case was created with Ford. They are not providing any financial support at this time.

- Williamsville, NY, USA

problem #1124

Sep 262022

Fusion

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made abnormal sounds and experienced a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the electric power steering motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Abernathy, TX, USA

problem #1123

Aug 122022

Fusion 6-cyl

  • miles
My steering went out one day while I was driving. Took it to crown ford Fayetteville NC and they reset software and it worked for about 5 seconds then went back out again. They said it was the Gear box needs to be replace which is power steering.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

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