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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.

And while you wait for your steering to disappear, you'll be greeted with a transmission that shudders, vibrates or won't shift at all.

8.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,900
Average Mileage:
82,300 miles
Total Complaints:
122 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (49 reports)
  2. replace steering assist (17 reports)
  3. new rack (12 reports)
  4. replace rack & pinion (12 reports)
  5. new steering assist (9 reports)
  6. replace gear (9 reports)
2012 Ford Focus steering problems

steering problem

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2012 Ford Focus Owner Comments (Page 6 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #22

Nov 232015

Focus LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 153,000 miles

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

My 2012 Ford Focus broke down after taking the car in for another problem recall. It is estimated that I will have to pay about $1700 to get it fixed. I wonder if there are any recalls for this problem.

- rudy_riosii@yahoo., College Station, TX, US

problem #21

Nov 252015

Focus Titanium

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles

Just got my car back for a recall on the transmission and had to have axle seals replaced. Now a couple of days having it back the steering assist goes out, seems this is a recurring problem with this year, make and model of car. Ford needs to step up and fix it, or it looks like it's time for yet another lawsuit.

- Dennis B., Nelsonville, OH, US

problem #20

Jun 082015

Focus Titanium 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

Power steering would not work intermittently when first starting car. Turn car off then back on and it would work. Then the other day it went out completely. Took into dealership and they found a code but dont have a clue what it is or what to do with it. This all started after clutch system had been flushed then replaced later as the flushing did nothing. This is bad that you have to argue with dealer repairs to try to get it fixed. And why is there no recalls on steering issues???

- James W., San Tan Valley, US

problem #19

Oct 082015

Focus SE V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

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

I had my vehicle serviced and repaired from the TCM recall. After the "fix" (replacement of TCM) the steering felt a little off. I needed tires so I bought new tires and got it aligned. Still having a lane drifting problem where the wheel is a little tight then loosens way up after about 2 degrees. This causes me to switch lanes and then go way over or just trying to straighten up in a lane causes over steering. This is dangerous especially in rush hour traffic. Ford stated I'd need to deal with the manager of the service department at that Ford dealership. I will not go back there.

- Eric C., Oklahoma City, OK, US

problem #18

Oct 142015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles

I had purchased an extended warranty good for 60,000 miles from the dealer.ON MY BRAND NEW 2012 FORD FOCUS.

I started noticing some problems with my power steering at about 55,000 miles. It would be stiff and not work when I started the car, but as I backed out of the garage a few feet, it would engage and start working.

When mentioned on my regular service visits...they would say "well if it isn't doing it now, we wont be able to find the problem. Of course at 73,000 miles, it went out, could barely move my steering wheel...backed up, couldn't turn wheel, pulled it back into my driveway..and an error light came on.. Steering System failure. So, this time when I took it into the dealer... They could read the error message...and said it had to be replaced to the tune of $1750. That is ridiculous. I have never had a car that the power steering went out..and I have been driving for 49 years. I bought this car brand new in May 2011..and this is not the only problem I have had with this car. Of course, now it was passed the warranty and FORD seems to feel it is not a defect in the car..... so why are so many people complaining about the same problem..

IT IS A FORD DESIGN PROBLEM.! AND THEY SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

!

- Susan W., Milford, MI, US

problem #17

Oct 012015

Focus SE 2.0L 4cy

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

Purchase 2012 Ford Focus SE Hatchback (used) just over a year ago. The car seemed to be in good shape but was high mileage. This car has been in the shop for recalls or problems of one type or another average about every two months. Now it's the power steering. Get the warning power steering malfunction then "bam" no power steering. It's getting worse. It has been checked by the Ford dealership and they can find nothing wrong! Not safe to drive....no info as to what to do. It's sits and I continue to make pmts. Something needs to be done. If anyone knows how to force a "recall" on this, please, let me know.

- Judi W., Olathe, KS, US

problem #16

Mar 022015

Focus LES 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles

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

Power steering went out and I was told online to shut car off, wait, then start it up and that would fix it. Well that worked for about 15 times over a few months time and then it just stopped working. Message on the dash says "power steering assist failed service required". I called dealer and was told to bring it in and for $69 they would tell me my power steering was out. I told them I already know what is wrong with it. They told me my warranty had just ran out, how convenient! So I called Ford Corp and they said that this was the first they had heard of the problem. I told Ford that was a lie as I was sitting here reading all the complaints made to Ford about this issue and they even had a lawsuit against them for a mother that was killed when her steering went out on a curve.

Well they went on to say they had no knowledge of this problem. They asked my vin# and looked it up and said that there was a recall on this car made at a different plant but mine was not one of them. So I asked them if they had no knowledge of this problem then why was there a recall on this problem from another plant. The line was silent for some time, and then I was told I would have to fix it myself. I told Ford they were crooks and lairs and I would never buy another Ford product and I would spread the word about them to all.

Now I see a recall on all Ford models from the Fusion on up with this same problem. The gov needs to get this taken care of, but we all now how that goes. For now I have to drive a manual steering car as I don't have $2,400 to fix this piece of junk. When I do, I will sell this car and stay away from any electronic steering, even if I have to buy and older car.

- emccaleb, Kingston, OK, US

problem #15

Aug 032015

Focus Titanium 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles

My 2012 Ford Focus steering assist went out. I had to have it towed to the dealer and have a $1500 fix on a 3 year old vehicle. I have had several different models of vehicles over the years and have never had a $1500 repair needed on any of them. Had my steering assist gone out at a higher speed I have no doubt and accident may have easily occurred. From internet research this appears to be a widespread problem with the 2012 Focus and Ford is aware of it ignoring it. Ford needs to step up and fix this problem before someone is seriously hurt or dies.

- Ed D., Glen Carbon, IL, US

problem #14

Sep 022015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

Driving car around 30 mph. "Steering fault fail, service needed" light went off and steering became extremely difficult. I was barely able to pull my car to the side of the road without crashing into something. Restarted car, and the situation seemed fixed. Called the Department of Transportation's Vehicle Safety Hotline. They said they had several thousand complaints concerning this issue, but Ford had yet to issue a recall. They suggested me calling Ford Customer hotline. Did that...no help. Call center representative said my car was over the warranty. This is clearly a manufacturer's issue that Ford fails to takes responsibility for. VERY DANGEROUS! I guess there will have to be a few deaths/severe injuries before Ford admits their guilt. Never again will I buy a Ford. Cheap construction.

- Abby J., Atlanta, GA, US

problem #13

Jun 092015

Focus 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

Power assist has failed numerous times. Taken it to dealership numerous times, a low and behold they wouldn't do anything. Now all those trips to the dealership was before the warranty ran out. The last trip up there they did say "yeah we know there's an issue but there's no recall and you'll have to pay up$1850 bucks" and from my understanding the part that they will replace it with is the exact same piece, so when they finally meet their bloodshed quota to do a recall would that mean it will be replaced every time it goes out? Well anyways, it went out for good on June 10 and don't have the funding to get it repaired so I'm paying car notes on one bigass paper weight. Never was a Ford fan but decided to give them a shot, stupid decisions.... Ford=drof=drive returns outright furious+massive bicep and tricep gains! Thanks assholes!

- Bart J., Auburn, AL, US

problem #12

Apr 302015

Focus SEL 2.0L I4 Di

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

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

A few weeks ago my son started experiencing intermittent failure of the electric power steering (EPS) on his 2012 Ford Focus SEL, which he'd owned for less than a year. If he had no power steering when he turned on the car, he could just turn off the car, take the key out of the ignition, replace the key in the ignition, turn the car back on, and occasionally the power steering would work again. That only lasted a few days.

Then the loss of power steering became permanent. He could still turn the wheel with a great deal of effort (more than is required to turn the wheel of a car that never had power steering), but as soon as our independent mechanic (Ford certified and worked at our local Ford dealership for years) pointed out that there were reports of the same steering system seizing up and making the car impossible to steer, we directed the garage to immediately replace the rack.

That mechanic believes there might be a class action suit implicating the EPS, but our local dealer and Ford corporate confirm there's no program to assist drivers whose EPS have prematurely failed as did my son's. Was the dealership knowledgeable? No. Were they nice? Sure. Same goes for the folks in Detroit. Nice, but neither sympathetic nor helpful.

Ford's EPS turned an otherwise decent car into a second job for its unwitting owner. My son and I will be hanging on to the repair receipt. Maybe Ford will catch up, addressing their dangerous and expensive defect and making whole the drivers who've already borne the brunt of their craptastic design and belated acknowledgment of their responsibility. If they don't, that's one manufacturer whose cars -- new or used -- will never be driven again by anyone in my family.

- Dean M., Franklin, TN, US

problem #11

Jun 272014

Focus 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,748 miles

I was coming off the 401 ramp to the 400 and as there was road construction, there were cement walls as you turned off the ramp and my steering assist went. I could barely maneuver the car. It was like driving a semi with no power steering. I was a mess when I got home...I could barely turn the steering wheel when I had to make a turn.

I phoned the dealership when I got home and they told me to bring it in! I asked if it was safe to do that as I did not feel comfortable driving a car with no steering assist. They sent Roadside Assistance to pick up my car. They couldn't find the problem and after a week said it was the steering rack. According to the complaints on line, I could have told them that the first day as that seemed to be the resolution in cases such as this.

I wanted to make a complaint to their head office but of course no one will give me the number. Also they told me that the cost would be $1676 and I would have to pay 10% as it just exceeded the warranty by 1 month. When I got the bill it was $250, not 10% but I was told that was the minimum. Mark from the service department at Shanahan did not return my call as to why I was charged more than the 10%. Now onward to the next problem.

- ntezukaon, Bradford, ON, Canada

problem #10

May 052015

Focus SEL 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles

I have a 2012 Focus that I bought brand new. It had 5 miles on it when I took it home. I've had to have the transmission replaced twice. I've needed a new wiper motor. And now I need a new steering gear assembly because my EPS went out on me yesterday while driving. Of course now I'm no longer covered by warranty and will have to pay the $1500 out of pocket.

The dealership told us to call Ford and raise a stink. That unless the owner actually calls and make a fuss they won't do anything. So here's the number to call 1-800-241-FORD. The more people that call and report EPS failure the more likely they are to have a recall or extend the warranty like they did on the Power Tran. You can also report your problems to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, http://www.nhtsa.gov. They can push things along as well. Ford should be embarrassed by all the issues these vehicles are having.

- Megan G., Clarksville, IN, US

problem #9

Apr 202015

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

I bought this car brand new thinking that I needed something reliable since I work for a large hospice and make patient visits all over our large county. 3 weeks ago I had my car towed because it wouldn't start. Funny, I had just gotten a letter in mail from Ford 2 days before saying how 2012 Focus have TCM (transmission control module) problems that will result in it not starting. They replaced it.

And now today, after backing out of a patient's driveway, my power steering failed. Had to have my 3 year old car towed again. I was thankful that I was on a residential street when it happened and had not gotten on the highway yet. I am worried that my car is unsafe. Obviously not reliable like I need. I don't know where to turn. It got towed to the dealership where I bought it. Waiting to hear what happens next.

Any info you can give me would be helpful.

- Laurie K., Elyria, OH, US

problem #8

Mar 242015

Focus SE 2.0L 14fi Dohc

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,000 miles

Occasionally having a problem of steering gear not working at start of ignition. Usually lasts up to three seconds, then able to drive as normal. Happened once while driving at approximately 40 mph, then stopped after restart of engine. Was brought to Townsend Ford of Tuscaloosa, Al. where codes were pulled up stating the steering gear was malfunctioning and needed replacing for $1,700, and was driven home without work because of the unbelievable estimate. Want to also state the Ford dealer did not recommend my not driving but only gave me the estimate and sent me on my way.

This is not the only major repair problem I am experiencing and will post those also. This model is definitely in need of recall for numerous reasons. But their way out of recall is to extend the warranty on specific parts, which leads me to wonder, where is the extension for the steering gear.

If it hasn't happened to your Ford Focus yet, then be patient, its coming. I bet the service manager will tell you that they are unaware of any problems. Just look at the all Focuses lined up at the service line when you eventually bring yours there.

- calvincarver, Tuscaloosa, AL, US

problem #7

Feb 142015

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,637 miles

2012 Focus, 13,900 KM on it.

Power Steering went out as I was leaving a grocery store parking lot.

Dealership said it will be a little over $2300.00 Canadian to fix it as it needs a whole new steering column/rack, since it's all electric power steering.

Dropped it off at the local dealership for service two weeks ago and I'm still waiting for the repair to be done.

It took them over a week to even start to look at it.

Pathetic for a 3 year old car with few kilometers put on it in those 3 years.

Update from Feb 13, 2019: This has officially happened twice, now. My power steering went out again and cost me about the same amount as last time. $2500.00 to get the steering column replaced. Still next to know KM's on it - Now I'm only at 28,000 KM.

I was also told by the second garage I brought it to for this repair that the first time it was done by the local Ford dealership that a couple screws weren't even put back in properly and the steering column was only being held in place by one.

This is beyond pathetic. Next time any major repair is required I'm trading it in or bringing it to the scrap yard. I'm done with Ford permanently

- S F., Timmins, ON, canada

problem #6

Feb 122015

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

The car is 3 years old. The steering locked up while I was driving down the highway. I cannot turn the steering wheel. Ford says it will be almost $2000 to fix. Come to find out many cars of this make and model have the same exact problem but Ford won't take responsibility! Of course my new car warranty has expired :/ I should've kept my 11 year old Nissan!!!! I was trying to AVOID pouring $ into a used car but am now expected to pour it into a new one! We were trying to have a safe reliable family car that was good on gas and an affordable price tag but now this! I can't drive this car, we have jobs and 3 kids, this has been a huge inconvenience and should NOT be a problem in a 3 year old car! Take responsibility FORD and do a recall! You should be embarrassed!!!!

Update from Feb 25, 2015: !

- A K., Crystal River, FL, US

problem #5

Dec 062014

Focus S 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,500 miles

Steering wheel locked up twice and displayed steering assist message. I understand components fail however it shouldn't be in less than two years. Ford will not cover it under the power-train warranty and my extended warranty expired 5,000 miles ago. Power steering failure on a 2yr car is ridiculous and the dealership want to charge me over $1500 to fix it. This appears to be an issue with Ford cars but they don't want to do anything about it.

- hurrikanet, Boynton Beach, FL, US

problem #4

Jun 172014

Focus SEL 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles

not the first time this has happened............a real pain

- harrodky, Calvert City, KY, US

problem #3

Jun 082014

Focus SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,000 miles

Just recently the PS went out going down the road and glad I wasn't in the turn I negotiated doing 60 mph at the time. Made it home & had it towed to the dealership and it was working when they started it. They had it for 2 days and the tech driving it back and forth for 2 days. Nothing. They said they couldn't fix it if it isn't doing it even thou the code showed. Have only 500 miles since. Have seen other reports on ford websites and no resolve from Ford after 3 years and other having the same issues.

- Ken K., Brooksville, FL, US

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