While driving the steering stops working, unable to turn right or left. I was turning right at a corner and steering completely stopped working. Traffic stopped because of this and this could've caused an accident.

- Abernathy, TX, USA

Electronic power steering assist failure. Electronic power steering failed while vehicle was in motion on city streets while turning.

- Sherman, TX, USA

Letter from senator burr on behalf of constituent re 2013 Ford Focus issues. The consumer stated while driving on the freeway at 65 mph, he noticed dead spots in the steering function, the vehicle seemed to drift in a direction and while trying to correct it, nothing happened right away. Then it would catch. The consumer also stated after driving the vehicle for a month, it was apparent there was a problem with the transmission. It was hesitating trying to shift and making noises. The dealer was aware of the problem and it stated it was called shuddering. The dealer informed the consumer it depended how fast he took off from start and it was standard for the vehicle. The consumer discovered there was a fix for the problem. However, records indicated the transmission had already been fixed on the vehicle.

- Winston-Salem, NC, USA

Driving home on the 15 October 2015 and the power assist feature failed. Had to have the vehicle towed home. Appears to be a common or know safety issue.unsafe due to highway driving - speed and potential merging issues!

- Oxford, NC, USA

I was driving and out of no where the information light came on notify me that the steering assist fault light and the steering wheel wouldn't turn

- Mesa, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While reversing at a low speed, the steering wheel seized. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Tucker, GA, USA

My 16 year old daughters car. She called me to tell me the steering control would no longer work and could barely control the direction of the car. This occurred while the car was in operation and being driven down a highway I advised her to pull over and give me her location. When I got the car, I verified that steering was extremely difficult. I checked the tilt and telescoping steering and had no effect. I then checked for fluid, does not exist. Lastly, I turned the car off and then re started. At restart, the electric power steering then worked properly. I then reported to my local Ford dealership. They checked to see if any recalls existed for the reported problem and was advised that none existed. The dealership then told me that if I had any future problems to let them know.

- Summit, MS, USA

My 16 year old daughters car. She called me to tell me the steering control would no longer work and could barely control the direction of the car. This occurred while the car was in operation and being driven down a highway I advised her to pull over and give me her location. When I got the car, I verified that steering was extremely difficult. I checked the tilt and telescoping steering and had no effect. I then checked for fluid, does not exist. Lastly, I turned the car off and then re started. At restart, the electric power steering then worked properly. I then reported to my local Ford dealership. They checked to see if any recalls existed for the reported problem and was advised that none existed. The dealership then told me that if I had any future problems to let them know.

- Summit, MS, USA

Stopped in stop-and-go traffic on a major highway, when I attempted to accelerate again the vehicle flashed a warning which said "hill start assist not available" and the engine died completely. I lost all power to the wheels and lost power steering, was able to coast to the shoulder, where the car would not start. All warning lights appeared to come on, including seatbelt, check engine, traction control, etc. The car indicated it was in "drive", in spite of the fact that I had the gearshift in park. It would not shift gears or allow me to start the engine. After sitting for 30-40 minutes waiting for a tow truck, the car suddenly appeared to function normally. I drove home, and 10 minutes later, while parallel parking, the incident occurred again: Backing into a parking space and attempting to pull back out, going uphill, the exact same sequence of events occurred ("hill start assist not available", loss of power and steering). This time the vehicle coasted backwards into another car. No injuries or damage. The 2013 Ford Focus cannot be trusted to be driven on the highway. I have read many reports online of other drivers having identical or very similar issues with hill start assist/transmission/traction control errors, loss of power, loss of power steering, and inability to shift gears or restart the car, with this error sometimes happening *while driving at highway speeds* resulting in loss of control of the vehicle. I do not feel safe driving this car. I feel less safe knowing that Ford with this problem waiting to happen are being driving every day by unknowing drivers. This is a safety issue of the highest magnitude. It is absolutely outrageous that Ford has issued no recalls.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

In August 2013 after owning car short time took to dealer and service manager drove it with us and said many people think there is an issue with shuddering and delayed acceleration but it's just the high performance transmission.. not to worry. The car continually got worse over time and we got a recall notice and took in in Oct 2014. They replaced the clutch and seals. May 5 the car got really back on long drive home from la. Overheated and then warning light came on. Turned car off and back on warning light went off and drove car home shuddering very bad and with extreme delayed acceleration. Had cars behind us on hills honking and almost rear ended us... took car in May 15 they said it wasn't safe to drive and they had it for 2 months to fix clutch, seals and adaptive learning sensor, replaced tcm, electronics. 8/8/15 while on freeway steering assist fault notification - service required. Pulled off and when I tried to start car again I couldn't move the steering column. Called nearby Ford dealer and they said you can't drive it - safety issue. It is currently in the shop again. Having this happen on a freeway is terrifying - cars honking at you, trying to steer off, etc. This is a danger and Ford needs to take care of it instead of continuing to do temp fixes!!!!!

- San Jose, CA, USA

As I was driving home with my daughter I had turned a corner going a low speed like 10mph and the steer assist fault warning light came on and my steering wheel locked up as I was turning and I had to force my car straight. I moved off to the side and I was so scared.my daughter who is autistic also said mommy I'm scared. I had no idea if it was safe to try and get home or if I should sit there.I am so frustrated that I bought this car to replace a car that had gone out and have only had it for 5 months. I'm even more upset that I trusted that the 2013 Ford Focus was a stable car and here I am about to have to shell out money that I don't have to get it fixed. I'm outraged that this type of thing is happening to many Ford owners, and I'm regretting that I even chose this car. They boast about being american made yet it's bad quality american made. I also have an issue with the car jerking and shaking while driving or stuttering. Although this is equally dangerous it is tolerable. I hope this company makes it right with their customers and think of our safety before they keep making these cars.im very disappointed beyond words. Major work on a car with only 44,890 mikes on it.shame on you Ford

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

While driving home from work, I felt the steering wheel became tight, then a slight drift to the left. When I tried to bring it back to the center the steering wheel would not move to the right. I noticed if I turn it to the left a little, which could take me left of center of the road, I was able to turn the wheel to the right and bring the car right and back to center of my lane. This worsen as I got close to home as I began to hear noises like grinding from the steering. By driving very slowly with my flashers on, getting out periodically to check if the wheel was not falling off, I manage to get home safely.

- Cincinnati A, OH, USA

I was driving on a side street at about 15 mph when I noticed it became difficult to steer the car. The steering assist warning light came on. It was now difficult to make turns. It felt like manual steering from the 1960's. there was no warning; it just happened. I took the Ford Focus to my mechanic. He plugged the car into the computer for a diagnostic report. He found nothing wrong with it. He loosened the battery cables and made a few other inspections. The steering assist light was no longer on and the car ran well. Having the power steering go out without warning was scary. I've never had this problem with any car.

- Chicago, IL, USA

We have an intermittent problem with the electrical power steering on the car. Sometimes we start it and we get an error message "electrical power steering malfunction". when we turn off the car and restart the problem clears itself. Lately it has added a new dimension that causes concern. While driving the electrical steering goes out with the same warning. We need to move to shoulder. Put in park and turn off car and restart to correct. Trips to the dealer have been unfruitful as they can't duplicate the problem.

- Monrovia, CA, USA

The steering seemed very difficult then a message on the message board said steering fault turn engine off.I had it towed to a Ford garage who said the electronic power assist steering needed to be replaced

- Dundee, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 70 mph, there was a warning alarm and the power steering default critical light illuminated. The steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.

- Denham Springs, LA, USA

Driving from home, made two turns with the steering somewhat "grabbing" both times, but after getting to maintain speed at about 50 mph it seems to be fine, until I went to make a small adjustment in direction, started getting a steering failure and the steering just stuck, so I turned hard to over correct (like you would in a car w/ no power steering) and suddenly it let loose, shooting to the other side of the lane and grabbed again and repeated again. By now im starting to get concerned and slow down, but the next time it grabbed completely stuck in that direction and the error changed to "steering loss", I slammed on the brakes before veering off the road, and thankfully not far from home. However, I was terrified, and thankfully my wife and children were not in the car, or we were in the middle of our hour commute! now after talking to the dealer we are up for $1300 in repairs and only 8000 miles out of factory warranty. No car until this is fixed! completely need to replace the epas, this is unacceptable Ford!

- Ravenna , MI, USA

I filled up my car with gas and then turned it back on to get a failure message that my eps power steering had failed. When I tried to turn the vehicle, it was very hard to turn corners or turn it at all. I tried driving it to the dealership and once there, I was notified that I would need to pay $1,500 to pay for an entire new eps system since they cannot replace just the steering module. I don't get how I pay for a like-new car in 2014 and immediately incur a $1,500 bill.

- Clearwater, FL, USA

Wife was driving the car from work and on the way home suddenly the car lost the power steering, warning light came on and a warning to service the vehicle display on the screen stating there was a problem with the steering assist system. She almost hit another car trying to get to the side of the road because it was very difficult to steer the vehicle, since she was close to the dealer where the vehicle was bought she carefully made her way into the dealer and left it there for service. Later I was told by the dealer that it was a problem with the rack and pinion and they did not have the part available and it will take 3 weeks for the part to arrive. After a google search I found this vehicles are having problems with a epas system, tomorrow I will be talking to the service manager and see what they say about this...

- Mayaguez, PR, USA

While parked, steering locked, making any steering impossible. After returning to normal operation, car while being driven at any speed, became difficult to steer. Steering felt as if there was a gear clash, wheel had to be held with force to drive straight. Without effort, vehicle wanted to veer either right or left.

- Scheller, IL, USA