I purchased a Ford Focus in 2013 and currently have 28,300 miles on this vehicle. This car has been well maintained and is driven solely by me. However, recently I had a major mechanical problem that could very easily be fatal for any driver. The power steering completely failed and locked up the steering while I was driving. Luckily for me I was within 10 feet of my driveway going about three miles per hour. I had to have the car towed to the Ford dealer where they wanted over two thousand dollars to repair the power steering. If anyone is driving this car on the highway and this problem occurs, I believe the probability of a serious accident or fatality would be very high. I was told by the Ford dealership that the power steering is electronic so when it goes, it becomes unsteerable. Alarmingly, when speaking with dealership and the Ford area regional manager they did not regard this as a serious problem. In fact, they did not believe this was a defect as it was not covered under warrantee. I asked if this was not defective, how could this occur at 28,300 miles? the dealership told me this could happen if it was hit but admitted there was no evidence of this. I can assure you that this car has not even run over a pot hole. Since no one is taking this seriously, I need to document this problem as one that can cause a serious accident if not recalled or corrected by Ford Motor Company. This is a much more severe problem than the auto problem a few years back where cars were accidentally running people over when starting. This is a very serious problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Imagine your family driving on a highway at sixty miles an hour and this problem happens, I believe more people should be aware of this possibility before they purchase this vehicle. I for one would have never purchased mine!

- Middletown, NJ, USA

Steering rack and pinion control module is prone to failing and when this does fail the car cannot turn and this is a huge hazard to the driver and everyone on the road.

- Laplata, MD, USA

My teenage son was operating the vehicle at relatively low speed (below 20mph) in stop and go traffic in a busy city shopping area, the steering suddenly locked and was very difficult to maneuver left or right. He was able to pull the car off the road into a parking lot with tremendous effort. When trying to turn the wheel left or right the car seemed to lock or grab at the wheel and made an awful screeching sound. He said that several warnings flashed on the message center but he did not catch them as he was trying to get out of traffic safely. Once he came to a stop, he noticed that the orange "I" in a box remained lit while the car was running. I went to pick him up and verified the locked steering, noise, and warning light. We left the car overnight and researched potential problems before having it towed to a mechanic. I came across several forums and complaints that sounded very similar to my car's issues. Many of these cars had worked after turning off the vehicle and restarting. So the next day I went and started the car with no issues and had no warning lights or indicators. However, as I pulled out the steering was still very tight and jerky but I was able to man-handle the car enough to make it to a local dealer. No warning lights ever came on this time. I was informed that I must replace the power steering control module and have it reprogrammed to determine if this is the only problem at a cost of approximately $450. I have authorized this repair. The dealer said that after this repair, I may also need to replace the steering gear and have the car aligned at an additional cost of approximately $1500. My car is at 89,700 miles.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

Complete and unexpected loss of power steering (error message: Power steering fault). Extremely hard to turn wheel. Vehicle had to be towed for repair. Less than 30,000 miles.

- Austin, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 60 mph, the power steering failed and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering failed and the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

- Schenectady, NY, USA

Driving down the road approaching a traffic signal when the steering wheel froze and would not move either left or right. Fortunately I was stopped for the signal. I had to think about what I was going to do about holding up traffic. Finally I turned the ignition off. I waited approx 10 to 15 seconds. I attempted to start the car and when I started I was able to move the steering wheel. I then proceeded directly to my mechanic very carefully. He told me what he thought the problem was the electronic steering mechanism. I then went directly to the Ford dealer, explained my problem and left the car. He contacted me later, said he had to order the part and would let me know when the car was ready to be picked up. The cost? wow. The name of the part was steering gear assembly, reprogram system with the computer. Since it was out of warranty, the total cost was $1,972.19.

- Palm City, FL, USA

Power steering will go out. Have to turn car off and on to correct the problem. This often happens while driving. The windshield wipers will turn on without the switch being turned on. They will still run even when the car is turned off and the key is out of the ignition. They will not turn on at other times, especially when needed.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving low speeds, the steering wheel seized and the brake system warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted and operated correctly. The failure occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the electric steering motor burned out and needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,300.

- Palm City, FL, USA

2013 Ford Focus power steering totally went out while pulling into a parking space. Car would still steer but took a tremendous physical effort. Dealer diagnosed with a faulty steering epas. Ford has recalled other models for this exact issue, but not the Focus.

- Hixson, TN, USA

Transmission began shifting incorrectly until finally losing all power leaving me stranded in the passing lane going uphill on a major highway. Problem still persisted after the Ford dealer reprogrammed the transmission. Replacement of transmission control module still has not fixed the issue and the dealer currently doesn't know what the problem is as they hold onto the car for further testing. I've also had the power steering fail on me twice.

- Breinigsville, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 75 mph, the vehicle experienced a complete loss of steering. The failure occurred without warning. After the failure occurred, the contact slammed on the brakes and the vehicle was able to be stopped. After the failure, the service power steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact also stated that the failure recurred when making turns. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electrical power steering control module was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was also brought in for a transmission clutch failure every three to six months. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. The VIN was not included.

- Calremore, OK, USA

Newly purchased 2013 Ford Focus SE.1. initial incident at 23000 miles showing error code on dashboard display with subsequent vehicle stalling (car shutting off). Issue similar to alternator or battery failure. 2. now-persistent dashboard alarm light with message: Steering assist fault, service required. Ford district management informed-no assistance available for repair or buyback or recall. Repair estimate couple thousand dollars. Vehicle not drivable without repair. Electronic power steering locks during drive after start after car is in driving gear preventing turns and driveability. Please respond, thank you (new vehicle purchase) less than 40000 miles.

- Pompano Beach, FL, USA

Car has been in 4 times for transmission problems.tcm and PCM replaced and reprogrammed.car was bought 4/25/15 and was in shop 4/27/15 and 3 consecutive mondays after with engine lights and jerking..as of 01/01/17 my steering assist went out with no warning in a snow storm.almost wrecked..very disapointed.all probs while driving and in motion.steering assist went out in mid right hand turn and for abt a week wld perodically be functional then harden up steering again.

- Nampa, ID, USA

Steering assist code is coming on and off I lose steering while I'm driving at any speed hwy residential ect. Took to dealership they offered to fix for 2 grand but weren't sure if its 100 percent going to fix the steering. So I drive it home the vide has been coming on an off its very unsafe I live in the mountains and its not being considered a safety recall yet, the dealership was unable to duplicate the code so we're unable to diagnose the problem.

- Yosemite, CA, USA

The power steering stopped working while driving on a rural highway at 50 mph and the steering became very stiff and difficult to maneuver the car. When I tried to drive the car to the dealership the next day the steering completely locked up and needed to be towed. The odometer was only at 31,870, but out of warranty. The repair bill was $2500 and took 10 days to fix.

- Chesterland, OH, USA

While driving home on a very busy freeway in dallas the steering default warning came on. Shortly thereafter numerous other warnings displayed on the dashboard, my car immediately lost acceleration and the engine default light came on causing me to completely stall. I almost caused a major accident being rush hour. I was towed to the dealership where they said I needed a new battery. Over $400 later, 4 days later, I picked car up and 5 hours later it did it again. Returned car to dealership and this time they reported an evap code. This has nothing to do with the steering and I knew this. I contacted a friend who is a master technician who went into the dealership with me and subsequently I was not charged the diagnostic code again. He discussed this issue and they said the steering was fine and until it happens again there was nothing they could identify to fix!! (however, the repairs the dealer wanted me to agree with now-the evap code"- were just under $2,000 and didn't address the steering code warning in any way. Fuel tank, lines & purge valve" all in need of repair 6 hours after car was fixed via a brand new battery) I am at 103,000 miles. I drove the car that night fine, the next day and then again it repeated the steering warning and shut down while in motion on a major freeway that evening. Four times later since 11/29/16 I have had this steering warning/subsequent results of almost crashing. This is thee most unsafe vehicle being driven on american roads today. Ford should recall this, fix this steering issue once and for all. I will never, ever buy or drive a Ford car again.

- Mesquite, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving 65 mph, the power steering failed and the power steering assist warning indicator illuminated. The dealer diagnosed that the steering gear failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 128,000.

- Lebanon, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 60 mph, the steering wheel shook violently and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine was failing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

I'm another victim of the epas power steering gear assembly failing. It failed on September 26th, while under warranty, but unfortunately I didn't bring it into a dealership on September 30th. Two days after the warranty expiration. Despite the well-known occurrences of the epas / gear assembly failures, the warranty expiration date, etc., Ford still chose to refuse it under warranty care. Instead, Ford forced me to pay out of pocket with no assistance. The worse part is it nearly caused an accident because it chose to fail in traffic while under operation at low speeds.

- Middleburg, FL, USA

While driving at a high rate of speed(55mph) on a highway, the "power steering assist failure" came up on the dash screen. I immediately noticed the steering was tight to turn. While turning to get off to the side of the road, the tightness got worse. It took a lot of strength to turn the wheel. I almost got in an accident. When the Ford dealership diagnosed the problem, they said the steering assist was shot and would cost around $1600 to replace and realign the wheels. They informed me the problem was not a recall issue although I see Ford has recalls on various other model power steering assist units. They need to add the Focus to the list.

- Hampshire, IL, USA