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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 4 of 68)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1288

May 312024

Fusion

  • miles

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

Power steering went out on my car while driving

- Forest Grove, OR, USA

problem #1287

Jun 202024

Fusion

  • miles
Ford refuses to remedy a safety issue with the EPAS steering assist. It's a safety issue and these criminals filled it under customer satisfaction. This car could have killed me. I was going 55mph down the highway when the epas failed.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #1286

Jun 162024

Fusion

  • miles
Steering assist complete failure. While driving down the highway. No warning complete dead stick.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #1285

Jul 012023

Fusion

  • miles

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

Power steering went out and made me crash. Prior owner got it fixed but still didn-??t fix issue

- Silvis, IL, USA

problem #1284

May 012024

Fusion

  • miles
I am having problems with the POWER STEERING DEFAULT SYSTEM CAN NOT STEER VEHICLE

- Burlington, NC, USA

problem #1283

Jun 302023

Fusion

  • 136,812 miles
My power steering failed. The steering is very difficult to steer and maneuver at low speed. The error code on the dashboard beeps every time I enter the vehicle -??power steering assist fault-?? and is available for inspection. This is extremely unsafe when driving at any speed because of the extra effort required to maneuver the vehicle putting other drivers or pedestrians at risk in the event of needing to avoid a collision. The problem has been inspected by Ford and another independent mechanic. Ford did not honor the recall. There was no warning for the issue, other than the beeping and the message on the dashboard. I had drove to the store and parked with power steering, when I started the car up to leave the store I suddenly had no power steering and had to have the car towed.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #1282

May 062024

Fusion

  • miles

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

The electric power steering assist (EPSA) function of the car is no longer functional. It is available for inspections upon request. The vehicle began intermittently losing power steering when the vehicle would start. The problem can now be re-produced each time the vehicle is started. The problem is a known issue with this model Ford Fusion and was part of a previous recall. This vehicle was serviced by the Ford dealership during the times the recall was in place and had the EPSA re-programmed. The issue still persists, and the vehicle is unsafe to drive. The recall is no longer in effect and Ford will not remedy the issue.

- Leesburg, VA, USA

problem #1281

May 112024

Fusion

  • miles
We are experiencing a loss of power steering with the car, which is dangerous as you never know when it is going to happen. When it does happen the car becomes so hard to steer you can hardly turn the wheel. Right now the loss of power steering is intermitent. We're afraid to drive the car for this reason. I contacted my local dealer's Ford service manager and Ford Customer Service and they will not cover any repairs. The Advancetrac light came on and a power steering assist fault displays when it you loose the power steering. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealer as we just started having this problem. The service manager said it would cost around $2000 to fix it. The 2012 Ford Fusion SEL with the 2.5L I4 engine has 149,818 miles on it.

- New Auburn, WI, USA

problem #1280

May 112024

Fusion

  • 49,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that her daughter had parked the vehicle, and when she returned and started the vehicle, the steering wheel almost locked and was difficult to turn. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to a local repair shop. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the steering gear and sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised by the repair shop that there was a recall associated to the year, make and model. The contact called a dealer and was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.

- North Riverside, IL, USA

problem #1279

Mar 282024

Fusion

  • miles
Unknown electric power steering shut down while traveling leaving me with no power steering

- Portland , TN, USA

problem #1278

Apr 262024

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 an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic power steering. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #1277

Apr 012024

Fusion

  • 87,508 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction control and advanced traction warning lights illuminated. In addition, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed steering gear. The contact was informed that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the failure was like safety Manufacturer Communication Number: 15N01 and NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not associated with the recalls. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. Additionally, the contact was advised to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 87,508.

- Aurora, IL, USA

problem #1276

Apr 222024

Fusion

  • miles
Bought this car in January of 2024. 2 weeks after purchase, my steering wheel became hard to turn while I was on the road. The Power Steering Assist Fault light came on, so I decided to fix the issue by taking my car to a well-rated mechanic in my area. The issue was fixed, but only temporarily as the same issue occurred two months later while I was on the road, leading myself and anyone else around me to be in danger of me losing control and crashing into them. Luckily, I made it home safely, and researched the problem only to find out many vehicles similar to my make and year had the same issue with a lot of recalls. I already paid 1000 dollars to fix it once, I'd like to have a recall in order to fix it again.

- Bardstown, KY, USA

problem #1275

Apr 192024

Fusion

  • 44,529 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving from the driveway, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault-?? was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the electric power steering assist had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 44,529. The VIN was not available.

- Ojai, CA, USA

problem #1274

Jan 012023

Fusion

  • 81,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while depressing the brake pedal, the "Power Steering default" message was displayed, and the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to turn. The contact stated that the vehicle was restarted and was operating normally; however, the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not repaired. The contact discovered an unknown NHTSA Campaign; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #1273

Apr 072024

Fusion

  • miles
While pregnant wife was driving the vehicle, the steering completely stopped working. When she reached safety, wife pulled over and turned car off. After letting car set for a couple of minutes and turning back on, steering still wouldn't work. When taken to the dealership, Ford said that car didn't meet the customer satisfaction program warranty of 10 years or 150,000 miles.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #1272

Mar 122024

Fusion

  • miles
Power steering went out. The steering rack has now gone bad in this vehicle twice. The first time it was covered under a recall, 15S18, and then there were further issues, so they issued a customer satisfaction recall with the number 15N01. 2012 ford fusion with 110,000 miles, two steering racks, but because the customer service recall is expired, they won-??t replace my second bad steering rack, and it is going to cost me 3,000 dollars, more than half the worth of the car according to KBB. I find this to be incredibly unfair that Ford can put a crappy part that costs 2000 dollars in a vehicle, and then say because the customer service recall is expired, it-??s my job and responsibility to spend 3,000 dollars fixing their crappy part.

- Chepachet, RI, USA

problem #1271

Mar 082024

Fusion

  • 132,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. The power steering service now and advanced track system warning lights are illuminated. The vehicle was undrivable. The contact was able to safely pull the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed determined there was no communication between the steering wheel and the power steering. The steering wheel sensor needed to be replaced and possibly the control module and the rack and pinion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #1270

Mar 092024

Fusion

  • miles
I was driving along, going about 55mph, and all of a sudden the service advancedtrac pops up on my dash. A few minutes later service power steering now came across the screen. I noticed a difference in the steering. It was getting harder but it was manageable. I had to make a stop and turned the car off. When I crunk the car back up and started to drive the steering was very stiff. It took all I had just to pull out of a parking space. Ford really needs to extend the recall for this issue to other years.

- Pinewood, SC, USA

problem #1269

Mar 042024

Fusion

  • miles
Power steering went out and couldn't turn wheel. It is available for inspection. Tried to turn right at intersection and power steering was just gone. I had my wife and granddaughter in the car. We were lucky no vehicle was coming thru the intersection at that moment. Got it off the road and back to my house since I had only went about a quarter mile.The vehicle has not been inspected since its undriveable. There was first a power steering assist fault and then changed to Advancetrak Fault. It showed power steering fault about 3 weeks ago but I turned off car and restarted it, and it drove fine until [XXX]. We were headed to lowes and had just left our house when we pulled out at a red-light to go right and it locked up. Went to Ford dealership. They said extended warranty was 10 years from date or 150000 miles. They basically said it wasn't there problem. So now we have an excellent condition car that we can't drive. Thank You for your time. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Venice , FL, USA

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