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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 2 of 68)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1328

Nov 172024

Fusion

  • miles

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

The vehicle-??s power steering failed on a major roadway with a [XXX] driver at the wheel. This is a defect in the power steering that is known to Ford, the recall was supposedly fixed but it failed again so the fix is also very unsafe. Ford needs to find a way to actually make the steering safe. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Clairton, PA, USA

problem #1327

Oct 022024

Fusion

  • miles
The power steering went out. They had a recall for it but its no longer available. I never had an issue til now so if it was a danger then it should still be a recall no matter what year it is now

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #1326

Oct 132024

Fusion

  • miles
Power steering was repaired under recall warranty about 3 years ago. The replacement part failed. This part should have outlasted the car, this it's a known issue

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #1325

Oct 122024

Fusion

  • miles

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

I am the original owner of this 2012 Ford Fusion. It currently has 122,000 miles. The power steering went out on my car last week. SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW light came on. Had the car towed to the Ford dealership in Sandusky. I was advised the repair would be $2100. In doing research I found that while there was not a recall on the car there was the following that was put out by Ford. 15s18 Supplement 3. I contacted Ford customer service and was advised that my car was 2 months out of the build date for the service advisory from Ford. From what I have read this is not an uncommon problem for this model year. Please feel free to contact me. My cell number is [XXX]. Thanks! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Castalia, OH, USA

problem #1324

Apr 102024

Fusion

  • miles
This is an open recall that I'm sure has been stated many times, but the dealerships are not accepting the recall or granting it. The power steering aka. Steering assist system failed. Which is an ongoing issue with my vehicle model and year. It has caused me so many "almost" bad accidents and making it so I have lost an incredible amount of income due to my vehicle being down for repair and unsafe to drive and too expensive to fix. Especially when there is a recall about said thing. I need help.

- Duluth, MN, USA

problem #1323

Sep 232024

Fusion

  • miles
The contact's father owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Service Now" was displayed, and an excessive effort was needed to steer the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Sharon, SC, USA

problem #1322

Sep 262024

Fusion

  • miles

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

The driver power steering system message goes on every so often and I have to turn off and on to reset the light, but my concern is that it-??s going to go off as I-??m driving, and the fuel mileage as I-??m driving it says mileage to empty and one time I was trying to get to the gas station and it hit 0 and it was still going the car, and the suspension makes noise when I go over the bumps and also when I-??m reversing and turning the wheel there-??s a popping sound from the front it sounds like,

- Lindsay, CA, USA

problem #1321

Sep 122024

Fusion

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the wheels were shuddering. Additionally, the contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the steering wheel was locked. The message "EPAS System Inspection Required" was displayed, and the Advancetrac warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with power steering failure. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

- New Smyrna Beach, FL, USA

problem #1320

Sep 012024

Fusion

  • miles
My power steering failed and caused me a great deal of grief financially and left me without a vehicle. This was a known issue with my car and a recall was not brought to my attention. I spoke with a representative at Ford and was informed to ask for an investigation: 15V340. I wish to be reimbursed by Ford for the inconvenience and failure to be notified about this recall.

- Menomonee Falls, WI, USA

problem #1319

Sep 042024

Fusion

  • miles
My 15 year old permit driver was driving the car and a power steering message flashed. The car became very difficult to steer and very difficult to pull to the side of the road. This could have caused a major accident. I was told when I called there was a recall for this in the past but had been fixed on this particular car. It must not have been fixed well. The car is not technically high mileage by today-??s standards.

- Richland , IN, USA

problem #1318

Jul 192024

Fusion

  • 144,277 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 when the vehicle started, the steering wheel seized. The power steering assist fault warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with electronic steering rack failure. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed electronic steering rack. The contact was informed that the electronic steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 144,277.

- Austin, AR, USA

problem #1317

Sep 122024

Fusion

  • miles
Power steering assist fault failed, should have been covered under NHSTA forms but was not honored.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #1316

Aug 132023

Fusion

  • miles
Last few years I have advance trac, steering assist, steering locks up intermittent issues documented by dealer, not abke to find anything wrong when i still had extended warranty, now they suspect it no recall / no warranty it's 2400 $ It's a safety issue many people have documented.

- Hammond , WI, USA

problem #1315

Sep 102024

Fusion

  • 128,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering gear box had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #1314

Aug 262024

Fusion

  • miles
One week ago I started experiencing a grinding noise when steering my vehicle, at any speed. The steering also catches in certain positions and becomes difficult to turn. The issue can be isolated to the electronic power steering gear in my vehicle: the grinding persists after disconnecting the tie rods, but disappears after disconnecting the steering column. I have a 2012 Ford Fusion with 104,000 miles on it. It has been well maintained and driven carefully for its whole life with zero accidents or failures. The steering issue appeared suddenly and spontaneously. There are no warning lights, or service codes, but the steering is clearly failing and making the vehicle unsafe to drive. Power steering failures at speed are unsafe and can cause accidents. Recall 15S18 and extended warranty 15N01 specifically address this faulty part in 2011-2012 Ford Fusions and many other vehicles. Because my vehicle is 2 months outside of the manufacture date range, it is not covered by this recall. However, it is built in the same plant with the same faulty part number. This leaves me with either a $2000+ repair, or I can drive with faulty power steering which is not only a major safety issue but one that is known to Ford as well as the NHTSA. Ford is refusing to cover the cost of this repair and additionally want to charge me diagnostic labor which I don't think I should be responsible for. Please look into this issue further and hold manufacturers accountable for replacing their faulty parts. Thank you.

- Kirkwood, MO, USA

problem #1313

Sep 032023

Fusion

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the message -??Power Steering Assist Fault-?? was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering rack had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the Extended Warranty had past the 10-year limitation and was expired; therefore, there would be no coverage on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was no longer covered under the Extended Warranty. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #1312

Jul 252024

Fusion

  • miles
When getting my car I started the car the steering was stiff and a Power steering assisted fail came across my dash so I turned of the car and restarted the car and it was find. I have had to repeatedly do this on several times.

- Hopewell, OH, USA

problem #1311

Aug 272024

Fusion

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was slowly driven to the residence. The contact parked the vehicle and turned the vehicle off. The following day, the vehicle was started, and the power steering function was inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel had seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle had not been diagnosed. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

- Troy, MI, USA

problem #1310

Aug 202024

Fusion

  • miles
Power steering service, advancetrac warning and symbol on dash light came on as a message when car was shut off and restarted there was no power steering

- Lake Butler, FL, USA

problem #1309

Jan 232024

Fusion

  • 71,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated after starting the vehicle, the Power Steering Fault message displayed on the instrument panel. The contact restarted the vehicle, and the message was no longer displayed. The VIN had been included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that because the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) was already updated, a diagnostic test nor the software update was not necessary. After the recall was removed from the VIN, the contact stated that after parking the vehicle and then restarting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the power steering assist fault message and the Service Auto Tech Issue messages were displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle had been returned to the dealer where it had been diagnosed that Power steering rack had failed. The contact stated that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 15N01; however, the vehicle had exceeded the 10-year limitation. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been made aware of the failure and denied coverage under Customer Satisfaction Program: 15N01. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 71,000.

- Paulina, LA, USA

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