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.
Takata recall. I was leaving the store when my steering locked up out of nowhere. Luckily I was able to pull back into my parking spot and park, instead of my 7 year old and I driving on a busy road and crashing. I have seen 1000's of the same complaints from other drivers as well. This is very dangerous and will cause accidents for people driving and can not turn the wheel once it locks like myself. This needs to be recalled asap before lives are lost!
Steering wheel wouldn't turn after starting up my 2012 Ford Focus SE. I turned the car off and back on again, and the steering wheel turned as it should. However, the next day it did it again. I immediately took it into the dealership and was informed the electronic rack and pinion needed to be replaced. This is apparently a very common issue (there are hundreds of complaints on the NHTSA website), yet no recall from Ford. Discouraging.
Failure of the electronic power assisted steering (epas). The system has to be replaced at a cost of $3K. The steering completely failed making driving not possible. The system has been going in an out of service. Upon start up it would not work and then begin working a short time later. Finally it has completely failed. The Ford dealer says that although this is a known safety defect, it is not being recalled.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 60 mph, the power steering warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to matt bowers Ford (located at 3724 veterans memorial blvd, metairie, la 70002, (504) 887-8410) where it was diagnosed that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000.
Steering assist fault warning and power steering locks up. Car left me stranded with my 2 kids. After starting the car, power steering assist fault light pops up and steering is locked. Restarted and it fixed. Went to my next location and started the car and no steering whatsoever. Thank goodness I was not driving on the freeway when the steering went out. Ford should be obligated to fix this dangerous issue.
1) while driving in city turn signals stopped working. Never worked again after that. 2) while driving in city and highway power steering goes out intermittently. Shutting off vehicle and restarting generally fixes this issue. 3) while driving in city vehicle stopped accelerating and gave notice to stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible as transmission is overheating. Was stuck on side of road for 30 minutes after stopping vehicle and shutting off before could start and complete drive to work. Afraid to drive vehicle now as the transmission had been having issues before that. Clutch was replaced once already and is included in the Ford transmission class action.
My 2012 Ford Focus sel has an issue where a yellow icon will come up on the dash then display another icon saying that there is a steering assist malfunction and that service is needed. The steering wheel will not move and literally takes all of your power to get it to move. After several times of turning the car on and off it will work but always comes up with that icon again. This has even happened while I was driving! this is a major safety issue! I am not trying to die while I drive my car down the road. Ford also replaced the transmission on my car about a year ago for a transmission recall after the car would shutter when going into first gear. Now, a year later the problem is happening again and just as bad. When my husband and I went to Ford they said that the warranty was up and that they couldn't help me. It was either hit the road or pay $1,500 to replace it again! you're telling me that you put in a faulty replacement part and now expect me to pay out of my pocket to replace your mistake? that's hilarious!! when I turn left into my neighborhood while going across oncoming traffic, it's scary when my car shutters into first gear to the point where I stall in the middle of the road and almost get hit. Come on Ford, get your stuff together! if you truly care about the safety of your customers like you say that you do, then protect us. Fix your mess and don't put dangerous cars on the road. Also, when people come back and say they are having problems that have even led to death again I say, fix the issue.
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.
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
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