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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:
45 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
13 / 1
Average Mileage:
69,923 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2012 Ford Fusion Owner Comments (Page 15 of 68)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1068

Jun 012021

Fusion

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel would intermittently lock without warning. Initially, the power steering would resume normal operation after restarting the vehicle; however, on the latest occurrence, the power steering failed to correct itself upon restart. After months of not being driven, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where they informed her that her vehicle was not under warranty or recall and she was given an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #1067

Apr 172022

Fusion

  • miles
Steering wheel will not turn. The dash says "Power steering assist fault. Was not driving when this happened. When I stopped driving last night it was driving perfect, no problems. Went to drive the the next morning and that's when I noticed this problem.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #1066

Nov 012021

Fusion

  • miles
My 2012 Ford Fusion has a recall for power steering assist failure. I took my car to the ford dealership in Florence KY where I purchased the car 7 months earlier. They told me they would not complete the recall because my car was over 150k miles. My car had 170k miles on it when I purchased it in March of 2021 from that dealer.

- Independence , KY, USA

problem #1065

Mar 232022

Fusion

  • 233,874 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The service power steering warning message was displayed. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 233,874.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #1064

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 #1063

Apr 232021

Fusion

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that she received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) and took the vehicle to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer informed the contact that there were no Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) for the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM). The contact stated while her son was driving at 40-50 MPH after the repair, the steering wheel lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's son continued to drive the vehicle using extra effort to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the mechanic could not replicate the failure. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving and the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Chenoweth Ford Inc (1564 E Pike St, Clarksburg, WV 26301) where it was diagnosed that the electric steering gear assembly needed to be replaced; however she would be responsible for the cost of the repair as the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Martinsburg, WV, USA

problem #1062

Mar 222022

Fusion

  • miles

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

Dashboard pop-up stating -??Service Power Steering Now-?? and power steering instantly stopped working almost causing a wreck going within a curve.

- Mooresville, NC, USA

problem #1061

Mar 162022

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 230,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, an unknown warning message for the power steering appeared on the instrument panel along with an audible chime. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle as she moved to the shoulder of the highway. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to her home. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and she was given an estimate for the diagnostic fee and repair. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA for further assistance. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (STEERING) which she linked to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000. Consumer stated steering has a recall and was told to call and report the vehicle not being safe.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #1060

Mar 112022

Fusion

  • miles
I was driving and the advanc Trac and the power steering check light came on and within 3 to 5 minute of both codes flashing, the power steering service now came on and the steering wheel locked up as I was traveling 55mph with traffic all around nearly causing me to crash with other cars within a sharp curve because of steering wheel locking up as I was in fast lane and had oncoming traffic coming from opposite direction. I barely was able to pull into slower lane and had to use all my body weight and strength to maneuver off the highway to safety. A very terrifying event with only a few moments of prior notice of any problem with the car. This needs to be a safety recall, because of such a short notice, the indicator changed to service power steering now faster than I could change lanes to get off of congested highway. This could have been a deadly ending or caused serious injury for me and other nearby motorists had I not immediately turned on my hazard signal and started tapping brakes to warn others of my perilous situation. I have not had any prior indicator lights alerting me of any problem with the steering. And the warning of any problem was less than 5 minutes before it told me to service power steering now and the lock down of the steering wheel. Too short of a notice especially speeding down a congested highway amongst other drivers who were unaware of the dire situation of trying to control my car and not causing a major collision of multiple cars. I have not reported to anyone as it only happened yesterday and is now the weekend but the vehicle is available for inspection at any time. I had to call for someone to pick me up because I was stranded and I shook so bad from the experience. A friend with a tow trailer and my husband loaded the car and brought to my home. Too dangerous to drive. I am going to contact the dealership first thing Monday to have them check it out. I really need my car because I can't afford to purchase another.

- Chatsworth, GA, USA

problem #1059

Mar 072022

Fusion 4-cyl

  • miles
Failed Power Steering Assist (Electronic Steering) and AdvanceTrac Assist. Steering wheel hard to turn, and will cause an accident. Current bulletin recall for power assist feature, only applies to Ford Fusions Manufactured after August 2012. I am requesting that the current open recall for Ford Fusions be limited to ALL Ford Fusions from 2010-2012. Mine was manufactured in July, 2012 and is NOT covered under current recall. Many Fusion owners are requesting for this recall to be open for ALL Ford Fusions from years 2010-2012. It has appeared that most 2010-2012 fords fusion owners are experiencing lack of power steering in the electronic steering. Consumer's vehicle is not under the current Ford recalls, as other owners. The rack and electric gears have failed in my Fusion, as well as other fusions as stated. Consumer's Fusion is actually in-between recalls. The recent recalls are for Ford 19S26, and Ford 15S18.

- Arnoldsville , GA, USA

problem #1058

Jan 172022

Fusion

  • miles

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

The advanctrac power ateeeing Vera or continue to malfunction. Safety put a risk because can-??t steer the vehicle or turn which causes a collision. It has went outa total of 4 times since I purchase the car two years ago. The dealership is whom time me this model of vehicles has this issue. They reset but it cost 135 dollars each time. They no warning till it gone out, then the advancetrac power steering light will appear. Ford is aware of this why not recall.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #1057

Feb 222022

Fusion

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer to be inspected. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #1056

Oct 252021

Fusion

  • miles
I have a 2012 Ford Fusion SEL and my power steering has failed again. I say again bevause the previous owners of my vehicle had power steeting failure as well. They took my car to Greenway Ford due to power steering failure, which was in August 2015. The recall letter from Ford wasn't sent out until October 2015, which tells me that they got the same medssage on their dashboard that I'm getting now... "power steering failure". Ford's remedy at that time was to either fix the gear box if any codes were present or if no codes were present, then to update the software for the power steering. The simple fact that the dashboard says "power steering failure", means that a DTC code would have been present. Hence why the message on the dashboard, but Ford took the cheaper way out. For them, it was faster and easier to just update the software instead of replacing the gear box. Knowing that replacing the gear box would have solved the issue. Now 6 years later, im now stuck with the same issue that Ford allegedly fixed. However, the recall from Ford specifically stated "if any codes are present, to replace the gear box. Ford didnt do that. They went the cheaper way around and updated the software instead and i want Ford to replace the gear box on my car like they should have done the first time back in 2015.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #1055

Jan 202022

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 54,921 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist warning light illuminated and the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with power steering assist failure. The dealer replaced the steering gear and steering rack related to Extended Coverage Number: 15N01; however, the VIN was not included in the extended coverage. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer denied the steering gear and steering rack replacement since the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was 54,921.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #1054

Feb 132022

Fusion

  • miles
Power steering fails on and off going down the road. Makes it very difficult to control vehicle. says power assist failure, I see this is a problem and has recalls before but when i put in my vin number nothing comes up.

- Vandalia , IL, USA

problem #1053

Jan 012022

Fusion

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the steering was inoperable. The steering wheel failed to turn as needed with a steering fault message displayed. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not covered under special coverage. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

- Doylestown, PA, USA

problem #1052

Feb 082022

Fusion

  • miles
As of now what I'm aware of, the power steering has went out on the car. I was driving and the traction light came on by itself but then it went away. Two days later as I was driving and making a turn the wheel wouldn't budge unless I used ALOT of force. Only at specific speeds does it become a little easier to drive. My safety was at risk because I had enough time to turn toward the light, but someone coming off the freeway almost hit me from the back from how slow I was going. The wheel got stuck since I wasn't accelerating and I let the brake go slowly since I was turning, so I stopped in middle of the road for a second. I had to realize that my wheel was messing up while in the middle of driving. Yes I got the car checked out by a local car repair shop. They were able to confirm that for me as well. I spoke with representatives as well from the ford service department and they informed me I would have to get a new electrical rack since it does not run on fluid. This has not happened before or previously. The traction light stays on continuously and they just started to appear a couple days ago. I have not been driving the car since because I am scared of the wheel getting stuck or affecting anything else.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #1051

Feb 042022

Fusion

  • miles
The power steering control module failed causing a complete loss of the ability to steer. The car WILL NOT steer at all. Vehicle was towed to the dealer where they wanted $1850 to replace this power steering module which has already been replaced in the past under what I believe was a recall for this vehicle. The exact part they replaced has failed again. This is a very dangerous issue and needs to be addressed further. Once the loss of steering happened a message popped up on the dash "Service power steering immediately" or something very close to that message...

- Springfield , OR, USA

problem #1050

Jan 222022

Fusion

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive only forward and park in front of her residence. The contact stated, later on, the steering wheel services warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure however, the dealer did not have an appointment available until 2/10/2022. The contact called a second local dealer; Tasca Ford Berlin (250 Webster Square Rd, Berlin, CT 06037, (860) 828-3546), and made them aware of the failure however an appointment was not available until 1/28/2022. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and the mechanic associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

- Bristol, CT, USA

problem #1049

Jan 032022

Fusion

  • miles
My electric power steering locks so i was not allowed to drive

- Vernon, CA, USA

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