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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:
44 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
13 / 1
Average Mileage:
71,102 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 3 of 65)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1255

Dec 072023

Fusion

  • 204,297 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 her daughter shifted the vehicle in reverse the steering wheel was stiff. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was diagnosed by a mechanic at the residence and the contact was informed that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but was unable to help. The contact believed that the failure to be associated with an unknown recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 204,297.

- Eight Mile, AL, USA

problem #1254

Dec 082023

Fusion

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the "Power Steering Assist Fault-?? message was displayed, and the contact became aware that the electric power steering was not functioning properly. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 125,000.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #1253

Sep 252023

Fusion

  • miles
I had purchased the vehicle wrecked from an auction. I was driving this vehicle back in September and the power steering went out I have had no power steering since I have brought it to the attention of Ford motor company that they needed to do an investigation into their Ford fusion years 2011 and 12 along with prior years due to the fact that so many have no power steering I do not see the point of having my power steering fixed or my airbags fixed if I cannot get both fixed at the same time and I believe that the power steering is a safety issue it is illegal to drive without power steering I did not know that

- Orleans, IN, USA

problem #1252

Nov 272023

Fusion

  • miles

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

Dashboard displays 'Power Steering Assist Fault', and the steering wheel is locked (unable to turn it) It appeared on the dashboard when car was started to drive back home from work on Nov 27, 2023. It was the first time this message has appeared. There were no other warning signals about steering issues before this event. All other systems appear to be working (Engine start, Throttle, Gear change, Brakes, etc.). Because steering is locked the vehicle is not drive-able. It was towed to Northampton, MA, Ford dealership for troubleshooting. Ford dealer said the remedy is to replace the steering system. Their rough estimate for the repair is $2600. They also said there is a recall to replace the steering system for this 2012 Ford Fusion. Upon checking with Ford company (Case# [XXX]), they refused to cover the cost of replacement due to time limits, even though it is clearly their design/manufacturing defect. The vehicle has about 110,000 miles and has been well maintained as per Ford's recommended service schedule. Based on industry standards and my own experience, the car should have a lot of remaining years of service. Ford should accept ownership of the problem and replace the steering system at no charge to me - their customer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Eagan, MN, USA

problem #1251

Nov 252023

Fusion 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 154,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.

- Chico, CA, USA

problem #1250

Nov 292023

Fusion

  • 156,070 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 20-25 MPH in a parking lot, the steering wheel seized. The message "Service Power Steering Now" was displayed. The contact parked the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. An unknown dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 156,070.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #1249

Nov 012022

Fusion

  • 168,000 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 approximately 40 MPH, the message "Power Steering Fault" was displayed, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were contacted but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 168,000.

- Apopka, FL, USA

problem #1248

Nov 052023

Fusion

  • miles
I was experiencing steering wheel issues last year I felt a dragging and pulling underneath the car... I had to pull over because my car was slowing down and i felt a tugging and pulling underneath the car.. I thought it was my brakes or transmission, but it was the steering....I Paid over $2,000 to fix it at the dealership ! It was a 2012 Fusion.. It was the rack and pinion and bolts that needed replaced.. One year later it was the same problem again!!! I took it back to the dealership to fix it again... The front steering wheel is still not the same.. I have had the car about 6 years...I believe there were a recall on the bolts that I had to pay to replace also..

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #1247

Nov 262023

Fusion

  • miles
Unknown the light just popped on asking me to service power steering now

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #1246

Sep 012023

Fusion

  • 211,308 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the electric power steering assist became inoperable. The service power steering message was displayed. The contact was able to pull over and use another vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 211,308.

- Linville, VA, USA

problem #1245

Jan 012023

Fusion

  • 110,000 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 that while driving 10-35 MPH, the power steering became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that there was no recall on the VIN for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

- Ottumwa, IA, USA

problem #1244

Nov 052023

Fusion

  • 104,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact became aware that the power steering assist fault and an audible warning chime sounded. The contact stated that he was able to drive the vehicle back to his residence. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering assist module and the rack and pinion gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

- Fairview Park, OH, USA

problem #1243

Sep 152023

Fusion

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware that the electronic power steering assist was not functioning properly. The EPS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 160,000.

- Athens, AL, USA

problem #1242

Oct 302023

Fusion

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly. The EPAS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the power steering control module. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 88,000.

- Wentzville, MO, USA

problem #1241

Jun 092023

Fusion

  • miles
Power steering failed and we were stranded 300 miles from home. Repair completed 6/19/23 Safety of myself and others was at risk due to the fact this was a known FORD problem for many years. On this trip, I drove over 600 miles to pick up my stranded husband (his truck also failed), I drove over the Mackinaw bridge, many other roads and this issue could have resulted in serious injury or death. (please see details on attached summary) Fortunately, the failure occurred as i pulled into the motel parking lot. The repair was done, which took one month, while I had no vehicle to drive. Problem confirmed by FORD dealership who repaired. My car was in at the Ford dealership for various maintenance and repairs with no mention of this known problem many previous times over the years of ownership. There were no warning lights or other symptoms prior to the failure.

- Dearborn, MI, USA

problem #1240

Oct 252023

Fusion

  • 111,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became firm and difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that she heard a beeping sound on the instrument panel and the power steering assist fault warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to AutoZone where it was diagnosed that the steering gear failed, and the contact was informed that the VIN was included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) and advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering gear failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that she was quoted a fee and the dealer declined to repair the vehicle under the recall and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed to notify the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #1239

Sep 282023

Fusion

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while her son was driving in a parking lot, the power steering assist failed without warning. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to her home. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where they informed her that there was a recall on her vehicle for the power steering. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with a defective rack and pinion. The mechanic had the vehicle towed to the dealer where she was informed that the recall on the vehicle had expired. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Flat Rock, MI, USA

problem #1238

Jul 272023

Fusion

  • miles
The power steering will go out and will make the wheel lock

- Millbrook , AL, USA

problem #1237

Sep 222023

Fusion

  • 191,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel became very difficult to turn while following a curve in the road. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact stated the power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had recently become a persistent failure. The contact stated that she was afraid to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that an independent mechanic arrived at the residence to diagnose the vehicle. The mechanic determined that the power steering assist had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 191,000.

- Pleasantville, NJ, USA

problem #1236

Sep 262023

Fusion

  • miles
I was driving down the highway, and out of no where my powersteering shut off, we almost wrecked with my 2 kids and wife In the car. I had a message pop up on the dash saying -??service powersteering now-?? -??service advancetrac-??. We pulled over, I tried disconnecting the battery hoping the issues was electrical. It didn-??t help. I checked every fuse both under the dash and under the hood, all were good. I got to doing some research, turns out there was a recall on 2012 ford fusions without the 3.5L (mine is the 2.5L) for this exact issue. The Electric Powersteering has issues that could cause severe accidents. I reached out to Ford about the issue, and I was told the recall didn-??t apply to my vehicle. Even though I do in fact own a 2012 ford fusion with the 2.5L engine, and I-??m having the same dangerous issue that was replaced in other vehicles like mine. The recall I found doing research is (NHTSA Recall ID: 15V340000)

- Booneville , AR, USA

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