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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:
8 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 2
Average Mileage:
45,692 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Ford Fusion Owner Comments (Page 2 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #127

Apr 232022

Fusion

  • miles

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

Power Steering intermittently stops working.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #126

Mar 162022

Fusion

  • miles
While driving, the power steering went out completely which made it incredibly difficult to steer the car. The car's warning lights immediately flashed that the AdvanceTrac and Power Steering were both out. There were no advanced warnings and happened in the middle of a drive. I have taken the car to a dealership that said there was a recall for this exact situation in other 2012 Ford Fusions with the electric power assist system going out which causes the power steering to fail, but my VIN did not meet the recall requirements. I believe the recall should be expanded as this is incredibly dangerous to current owners. I am lucky this happened while I was driving the car as my wife would not have been able to safely move the car to the side of the road. She could have been in a much worse situation where the car was a risk to other drivers on the road.

- Tiffin, OH, USA

problem #125

Oct 182021

Fusion

  • miles
Driving down the road when my car suddenly started to decelerate. It would not allow me to go any faster when pressing the gas. I had to pull over put my hazard lights on as cars were coming up on me. I pulled over turned my car off and waiting a few seconds, turned it back on and it was fine. However, I looked up what it could be and found the electronic throttle body could be the cause. Why hasn-??t mine been fixed if Ford new about this. I-??ve been in an had my oil change and my air bag recall and nobody has mentioned any of that.

- Kansas City , MO, USA

problem #124

Feb 072022

Fusion

  • miles

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

Started car and began to back out of parking space. There had been a few drops of rain, but it wasn't actively raining at the time. Brake went to floor when driver went to slow down. Numerous dashboard lights and messages came on, including ABS, Traction Control, Traction Control Off, and "Service ADVANCETRAC" message. Driver stopped car with handbrake and shut car off. Tried several times to restart vehicle over the next 30 minutes, but lights remained on and brake remained soft. Finally restarted car and brake was normal, but lights remained on. All lights went on and car returned to normal when put in drive gear. This has happened about five times to two different drivers over the past 18 months. All but one time in rain, and twice while driving at 35 mph or so. We will plan to scrap or trade in the vehicle. Vehicle has been checked out by both an independent mechanic and Richmond Ford West, with no issues identified when examined.

- North Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #123

Oct 052021

Fusion

  • miles
On October 5th, 2021 around 6:20am, the brakes on my 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid failed to slow the car in any way. This event occurred while I was on the highway (M14) going ~65mph. Unable to conventionally stop, I was a crash hazard to those around me, and to the braking traffic in front of me. After being inspected by the Varsity Ford Dealership, I was told "the brake control unit is not actuating the valves in the hydraulic control unit" and that "there is a possibility that it will also need the hydraulic control unit as well." It has been at the dealership for the past 2 weeks and is available for inspection. There were no warning messages or signs prior to the brake failing. I received a warning sign at the point of failure, but by then I already knew the brakes did not work.

- Ann Arbor , MI, USA

problem #122

Sep 232021

Fusion

  • miles
Drove car out of driveway, after driving approximately 150-200 feet the dashboard wrench icon ( powertrain problem ) illuminated and car went into limp mode. Read MIL codes, had codes P0715, Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit Malfunction and P0717, Input/Turbine Speed Sensor No Signal. Traced wiring problem to connector in front of drivers side shock tower. This connector is the connector between the PCM and and the transmission. The connector was causing an open on the conductors, causing the lack of TSS signal. There were no symptoms or intermittent problems prior to this - it happened suddenly. Had been on an interstate hiway the day prior to this, am glad this ( going into limp mode ) did not happen while I was traveling at 65mph - could have caused accident.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #121

Oct 122021

Fusion 4-cyl

  • miles

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

2012 Ford Fusion. Consumer writes in regards to various electrical issues with vehicle. The consumer stated the vehicle experienced several electronic issues. The consumer stated the issues included the sound system, windows, throttle system, power steering, traction control. The airbag indicator would flash. The consumer expressed dissatisfaction with the console dashoboard features and accessibility of clock controls.

- West Rutland, VT, USA

problem #120

Apr 152021

Fusion

  • miles
Power steering just died while I was on highway almost lost control and service power steering came on funny thing is it should be recalled it is horrible.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #119

Apr 102021

Fusion

  • 146,210 miles
The power steering is not working. Very difficult to turn the wheel

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #118

Mar 092021

Fusion

  • 63,400 miles
Tail light socket melted and burned. Noticed blinker and passenger side brake light were not working. Pulled out of housing and saw the socket was burnt and the bulb was melted in the socket.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #117

Feb 232021

Fusion

  • 75,000 miles

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

Defrost/ac/vents blow out hot air regardless of settings...found this to be a very common issue online and an expensive permanent fix...vents/defrost/ac may be tricked into working if lights are turned on before starting (thinks it's nighttime or cover up light sensor on dash)

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #116

Feb 222021

Fusion

  • 145,000 miles
The air conditioner fan blower motor freezes up until it eventually stops working. It is doing it again for the 6th time. I have had to replace it every 1-2 years.

- Rosemead, CA, USA

problem #115

Dec 142020

Fusion

  • 144,000 miles
Car is slow to accelerate after stopping at a traffic light or stop sign. Loss of power and speed when going up hill, steering wheel locked in place while driving on the highway

- Calera, AL, USA

problem #114

Nov 262020

Fusion

  • 55 miles
I was getting gas and I cut my car off when I got back into my car it did not start. I continued to start it. Car would not start. I popped the hood and touched the battery some and tried starting the car the car started then about 5 minutes after driving it suddenly cuts off. This is a ongoing issue. Car suddenly stops in the middle of street almost causing accidents that can nearly kill someone!!! very unsafe and extremely dangerous. This happened on highway and street. And its so random no signs just cuts off at any speed.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #113

Oct 012020

Fusion

  • 79,000 miles
Numerous times I have been driving and the power steering fault warning would flash across the display. When I tried to restart the car, the display changes warnings and says "power steering fault" or "severice power steering now". had a local mechanic clear out the code and steering would go back to normal...everything has been fine since but now the steering wheel makes a whining/weird sound when turning the wheel under 10mph and its very stiff when trying to turn but once I get over 10mph it loosens up and is normal...my car isn't currently under any recall but I feel like the power steering should be under recall if its a continuous issue

- Kill Devil Hills, NC, USA

problem #112

Aug 102020

Fusion

  • 132,000 miles
My driver's side electric door lock and inside handle will not open door. Must put window down and reach out side to open door. Very apprehensive because sometimes I have to repeat the unlocking process before I can let myself out of the car. At the time of the incident, I had been driving and then parked at a business place. When I attempted to unlock the door and to out, I heard a click but the handle would not release.

- Trenton, MI, USA

problem #111

Jul 102020

Fusion

  • 166,000 miles
Lose of power steering and my dashboard keeps flashing to check it! my dashboard also keeps saying that my advance trac isnt right or unstable! plus my air conditioning unit blows hot air on hot days! my air bag was supposed to been fixed on 02/11/2020 by a Ford dealership and it is back to it's old self

- New Albany, IN, USA

problem #110

May 312020

Fusion

  • 133,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start. The vehicle was towed to franklin Ford (175 E central St, franklin, MA 02038 508-570-4022) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the wiring under the dashboard had a corroded solder point. The contact stated that there was a short circuit in the wiring harness. The contact stated that several repairs were performed at a cost of $3,000 however, failed to fix the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.

- Walpole, MA, USA

problem #109

Jun 112020

Fusion 4-cyl

  • miles
While in motion the advance trac service needed appeared and then the power steering came up as I was backing out of a parking lot. Car steering wheel would not turn at all car is now parked.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #108

Mar 262020

Fusion

  • miles
Driving like normal under normal conditions. The radio shuts off, chimes ding like it does on start up, turn signals do not work, horn does not work, and climate controls do not work. Car is still under power, and it lasts anywhere from a few seconds to about a minute, then comes back on. It does not matter if I'm in city traffic or on the interstate, wet or dry, hot or cold, or smooth or bumpy road surface.

- Missouri Valley, IA, USA

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