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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 16 of 68)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1048

Dec 082021

Fusion

  • 69,099 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 while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering assist. The contact was able to manually drive the vehicle back to her residence. The contact was informed by an independent mechanic of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall or covered under warranty. The contact requested that the mechanic repair the vehicle at her expense even though she believed that she should not be responsible for the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,099.

- Fairborn, OH, USA

problem #1047

Jan 022022

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the "service power steering-?? and "service StabiliTrak, '' warning messages appeared on the instrument panel. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle due to the failure. He had initially taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed him of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) which he linked to the failure; he was then referred to a dealer for assistance. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed him that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #1046

Dec 242021

Fusion

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the son was driving approximately 40 MPH, the power steering assists suddenly failed to cause the steering wheel to become difficult to turn in either direction. The power steering and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Felicity, OH, USA

problem #1045

Dec 202021

Fusion

  • 93,000 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 while driving 50 MPH, the "Steering Assist Fault" warning message was displayed and the steering wheel locked up. The contact was able to pull over and restart the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment for diagnostic testing. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle had previously been serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

- Tifton, GA, USA

problem #1044

Dec 222021

Fusion

  • miles
The electric power steering suddenly stopped working while my child was driving causing her to almost crash. I had to drive the car home and it is almost impossible for me to turn the wheel at 200lbs - there is no chance that she could steer the car like this and it just suddenly stopped working while driving with no warning. It is scheduled to go to the dealership to be looked at but I am told even though 2012 Ford Fusions are being recalled for this exact issue - hers is not part of the recall? No warning prior to it being disabled - once disabled yes, it tells you it-??s not working. I have driven plenty of cars with no power steering and they are drivable - this requires your full body weight to force the car to turn and at 120lbs - you just don-??t weigh enough to turn the car or stop it safely. I am thankful she was not on the Highway because that could have ended VERY badly.

- Liberty, MO, USA

problem #1043

Mar 042017

Fusion

  • miles
I was driving in North Miami Beach, Florida when I suddenly felt something change in the car. At the same time, I noticed a warning light turned on. I decided to stop to see what was going on. At the time is when I noticed the steering wheel went stiff. Invoked up what the warning light meant and it was for the power steering. I took the car in to the mechanic to change the rack and pinion. This fixed the problem, but six months later the problem was back. From then on the steering wheel is stiff. It is dangerous to drive this way so I took it to Ford to get fixed, but I was quoted $2,500 with only a 2 year warranty. I have read online from other Ford Fusion drivers the issue usually reoccurs even when fixed. There is a recall for my model vehicle for power steering, but Ford told me my particular VIN does not fall under the recall even though it fits the model and year description of the recall.

- Fayetteville, AR, USA

problem #1042

Dec 172021

Fusion

  • miles

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

2012 Ford Fusion. Consumer stated that while driving there was a sudden lost of steering.

- Waltham, ME, USA

problem #1041

Dec 122021

Fusion

  • miles
On Sunday, December 12, I dot in my car and noticed the power steering assist fault light was on. I proceeded to drive and was struggling to turn the steering wheel. This is a very dangerous situation. I drive to work many miles as well as drive my daughter to school every day. This is a clear danger to my family and I as well as the community.

- Clifton, NJ, USA

problem #1040

Dec 102021

Fusion

  • 172,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon the start of her vehicle, the power steering assist fault warning light appeared on the instrument panel. The contact then called a dealer and was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was then referred to the manufacturer who then referred her to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 172,000.

- Prospect Hill, NC, USA

problem #1039

Nov 152021

Fusion

  • miles
The power steering assist failed while driving on freeway. Steering all but locked up. Power assist failure code presented itself beforehand, pretty much from the week I purchased it, and the owner's manual instructed to pull off road, turn off engine and restart to stop code (??), which always worked, until 2 weeks ago. It was a very scary and unsafe situation when it failed while driving. After research I found out Ford used shoddy and faulty parts for the power steering modules. I never received any correspondence from Ford or NHTSA for my vehicle, yet when I called a Ford dealer they said my car was affected and could be fixed if under 150,000, which it is not. But, had I k own this was an issue, I would have had it repaired from the beginning, and not followed what the FORD MANUFACTURER OWNER'S GUIDE SUGGESTED each time. I want my car repaired by Ford and they are refusing stating NHTSA was responsible for recall informing, which again I was not informed.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #1038

Oct 252021

Fusion

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that upon the start of the vehicle, the power steering assist failed to operate without warning. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where he was informed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The mechanic also informed him that since the power steering was electric, the vehicle had to be serviced and programed by an authorized dealer. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer and it was confirmed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. He was provided an estimate for the repair but was declined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided the contact a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Nashua, NH, USA

problem #1037

Oct 312021

Fusion

  • miles
My 2012 Ford Fusion experienced a loss of power steering assist. I received a message on my dashboard stating "power steering advance fault, service Advancetrac system". I was driving back from a nearby store and could not move the steering wheel without using all of my strength. The component was not inspected by the dealership from which I bought it. I was not informed about this issue. The dealership was Motormax Of Gr.

- Sparta, MI, USA

problem #1036

Nov 042021

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 173,200 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the service power steering now and advancetrac warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to her home. The dealer and the manufacturer were both notified of the failure and both informed her that her vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer had referred her to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 173,200.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #1035

Nov 022020

Fusion

  • 144,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while seated in the vehicle the contact turned the steering wheel to the left and the right and heard a loud clicking sound. The contact stated that there was an abnormal vibration in the steering wheel while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

problem #1034

Nov 042021

Fusion

  • miles
The power steering went out. We have had a child in the car. The inability to steer is a huge safety concern and could have been catastrophic. The issue was allegedly "fixed" 5 years ago. Now it has gone out again, and the "CSP" warranty has expired. Dealership does not acknowledge that this is a safety issue. They acknowledge the common problem and have diagnosed the issue as a software replacement issue needing $2500 to repair. This could have caused deaths should it have gone out at the wrong moment.

- Milton, WI, USA

problem #1033

Sep 052021

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 140,116 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and making a turn at an intersection, the power steering assist fault warning light illuminated. The contact simultaneously lost power steering. The contact switched gears to reverse and she reversed, then she forcefully steered the steering wheel to make the turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the EPAS gear was internally faulty and needed to be replaced; however, the dealer advised the contact that they could not repair the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) because the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 140,116. After filing the initial complaint I have had no other choice but to borrow the money from a relative and have a relative and have a private party repair the vehicle to make it safe for my use.

- Brighton, CO, USA

problem #1032

Nov 012020

Fusion

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the power steering became inoperable without warning. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on multiple occasions however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000. The VIN was not available.

- Horseheads, NY, USA

problem #1031

Oct 062021

Fusion

  • miles
this is in reference to recall15s18. The Ford garage fixed this problem in 2017, but the steering has gone out again. They are saying that it is not covered by the recall. That I am 5 weeks too late to be covered. Do I have any recourse but to pay for it myself.

- Lebanon, OR, USA

problem #1030

Oct 122021

Fusion

  • miles
Parked car when returning to go home the steering would not turni could not steer the car, I could not move the wheel, I believe that this year Ford was recalled for this problem

- East Worcester, NY, USA

problem #1029

Sep 252021

Fusion

  • 178,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the service power steering now warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to his residence. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.

- Miamisburg, OH, USA

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