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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 40 of 68)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #568

Jan 292018

Fusion

  • 129,000 miles

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

I was driving at 545 am Monday, Jan 29th. Advancetrac power steering light came on. Driving immediately became more difficult. Had to fight to keep the car in the lane. I drove home safely. I learned about the recall on my vehicle, but Ford told me it didnt apply. Now, today steering wheel is locked and I can not get the car to the dealer. Seems to me like the recall might be at work and may affect more vehicles than it went to. Strange thing is I bought the car right after the recall notices went out.

- Lithia Springs, GA, USA

problem #567

Jan 312018

Fusion

  • 126,000 miles
The advancetrac system has gone bad, forcing me to lose power steering and power to the engine. Incredibly hard to diagnose the exact problem. Replaced multiple sensors and fuses and issue still exist.

- Stillwater, OK, USA

problem #566

Jan 222018

Fusion

  • 67,000 miles
2012 Ford Fusion sel 67000 miles. During operation the vehicle exhibited a service power steering assist notice. Without change to steering habit. Luckily while pulling into an empty parking lot the notice changed to service power steering now, and proceeded to lose power steering altogether. After taking it to charles gabus Ford, they ran diagnostics and told me it was $1500 to replace the entire system due to a failure. They also tell me there is not a recall on my specific VIN. Although on the Ford website and yours, I see a recall on 2012 Ford Fusion for power steering assist failure. It is obvious not all the appropriate vehicles were recalled since mine failed and does not have a recall on it. Like I said earlier. Luckily I was already in a parking lot moving at a slow speed. If I were still on the highway like I was 5 minutes prior, then I may not have been so lucky. I called Ford customer service and they were the least bit sympathetic nor helpful. Continued to send me an email declining financial assistance. I do not believe that I should have to pay for this repair although I am currently going to.

- Knoxville, IA, USA

problem #565

Jan 102018

Fusion

  • 75,000 miles

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

Power steering failure while driving my vehicle. Ford has diagnosed the issue, and replacing of steering gear is required due to power steering failure. Diagnostics code U3000. In my opinion, this vehicle should be covered under recall #15S18. My vehicle was manufactured 6 days outside the time window for recall #15S18. However, it was manufactured in the same facility, only 6 days outside the time window for recall. I have the same issue as described in recall #15S18, and Ford diagnostics confirmed this. I'd like to know the steps to take in order to have Ford honor this recall. Thank you.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #564

Jan 052018

Fusion

  • 88,000 miles
On 1/4/18 I got in my car and noticed the car was pulling to the left, it would stop pulling at speeds over 40mph. Thinking it could possible be a tire issue I had them rotated (tires have less than 12K miles on them) I then noticed that the car was now pulling to the right constantly. When I was driving on the interstate the car flashed a service advanctrac and service power steering now warning. While I was traveling 60mph the power steering cut out completely. Thankfully I was going in a straight line and not going around a corner. Or that we were not traveling during winter conditions. At that point I figured I didn't have a tire issue. I took the vehicle to a Ford dealership. After inspection the claimed that I had a faulty steering gear. I had done some research before they had diagnosed it to see if it was a common issue with the Fusion. I then noticed that there had been a recall for that exact issue I was having. When I asked the service tech if it was an issue that was warrantied they claimed it wasn't. after paying $1520 to have the gear replace. I called Ford to inform them of my concern of how unsafe it was to have your power steering cut out. Especially when this is my wife's daily driver. They told me 'just because you have the same make, model, year, and circumstances that other cars have covered under recall doesn't mean yours is covered.' Which is alarming to say the least.

- Council Bluffs, IA, USA

problem #563

Jan 042018

Fusion

  • 80,000 miles
The dashboard info displays "power assist failure" when stationary (a cold start), either when the key is turned to the on position, or after starting the engine. The steering wheel will require great effort to turn it when this happens. This warning happens now about 1 to 3 times a week. It started at about 74000 miles. Currently the car has 80000 miles. To work around the problem, the ignition is turned to off, turned on again, wait a few seconds, then restart the motor. The steering may feel tight when turned for about 1 second, but will loosen as the power steering works again. The warning has not repeated after restarting. So far, the steering has not failed (become tight) while driving. The warning at start up occurs more frequently in cold or wet weather. The car was last serviced at the Ford dealership at about 72000 miles with the only notice the brakes need service soon. The sync system reports indicate no problems when uploaded to the auto insurance company. It was cold this morning 25 F when the "power assist failure" reoccurred again. After restarting, the warning did not repeat, but steering was stiff about 1 second. I decided to report this. This steering type issue has never occurred in previous cars I have owned. These electric steering systems needs to be banned as a safety issue. Also, they are expensive to repair because it has to be completely replaced.

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #562

Oct 162016

Fusion

  • 120,000 miles

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

There was recall 2015 for power steering service and I had it repaired 10/2016 and this same problem happen again 2017 I too car back to green Ford in greensboro, nc to repair it again but I was told it was no longer under warranty. My complaint is that they couldn't have fix the recall. Now I don't know lot about this process but I would have thought if it's recall the responsibility lies on Ford. I'm so afraid that this issue can be very hazardous to me and my family. I shouldn't be responsible for paying for the repairs. I just want as a consumer that Ford be hell to higher standards and fix the problems they have recalled.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #561

Dec 152017

Fusion

  • 38,000 miles
Vehicle was in motion when power steering service notification came on. We pulled into a gas station and shut the car off. Upon turning the car back on, the steering wheel was locked and the car was undrivable from that point and had to be towed.

- Moorhead, NJ, USA

problem #560

Mar 152017

Fusion

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. On two different occasions, after air was applied to the front driver's side tire, the contact attempted to drive when the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The advance trac service power train indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to rob sight Ford (13901 Washington St, Kansas City, mo 64145, (816) 941-1200) where it was diagnosed that the vehicle needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. On another occasion, the front driver's side tire was filled with air when the steering seized. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering gear fault needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that there was no recall. The failure mileage was not available.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #559

Dec 162017

Fusion

  • 66,000 miles
As I drove into work parking lot steering power light came on. Two hours later I went to try the car and steering was gone and had to have someone drive it to a station. The rack and pinion are not working.

- Scituate, MA, USA

problem #558

Dec 092017

Fusion

  • 115,000 miles

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

15S18/15N01 reprogram power steering control module and steering gear extended coverage

- Fort Smith, AR, USA

problem #557

Dec 072017

Fusion

  • miles
The steering assistt fault comes on now, my steering doesn't work, almost got in a wreck..also my advance traction comes on at the same time, I paid good money for this car. I think Ford needs to fix this problem at their expense.

- Newark, OH, USA

problem #556

Dec 012017

Fusion

  • 81,700 miles
I stopped at the gas station to fill up when I got back in and started my car the power steering was not working. I managed to drive the car home. When taking it to the dealership they told me my car was not covered by the recall on the electronic power steering recall. They stated the recall only covered certain cars manufactured during certain months, mine not being one. I feel that the recall should cover more of the manufacturing dates due to my research online there are hundreds of people with the same issue that have been told by Ford that their not covered by the recall. I believe that they jumped the gun on the time table for the recall. Ford doesn't want to take responsibility due to the high cost of repair. The Ford recall number is 15-S-18. Now my car is sitting here because I don't have the money to repair it.

- Westernville, NY, USA

problem #555

Dec 042017

Fusion

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. While driving approximately 35 mph, the "service advance trac" and "service power steering now" warning messages displayed and the power steering suddenly malfunctioned, which caused the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering computer chip malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (steering). The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #554

Nov 032017

Fusion

  • 90,000 miles
Power steering failed and the car left the highway and both front tires blew out and damage to the wheel and undercarraige was apparent.

- London, KY, USA

problem #553

Nov 082017

Fusion

  • 30,000 miles
While driving, the power steering will intermittently stop working, requiring unexpected difficult steering.

- Hudson, WI, USA

problem #552

Nov 102017

Fusion

  • 58,043 miles
Power steering assist failure on 2012 Ford Fusion. Power steering assist light is on and there is no power steering. Very dangerous as it gives out while the car is in motion. Ford knows they have a larger problem with 2012 Ford Fusion (just read the complaints on this site) but have not expanded the recall and leaves these dangerous cars on the road where power steering stops working even while you are driving. Ford dealer said car is not cover by warranty or by recall. Cost to repair $1,600.

- Dublin, OH, USA

problem #551

Nov 172017

Fusion

  • 115,476 miles
The power steering assist code keeps coming on on the dash every othee day for well over a year now. When that comes on you can barely steer the fricken thing when it happens. Ive been lucky enough to have it happen while driving slow in town and havent had any accidents luckily. Some very close calls though!

- Menomonie, WI, USA

problem #550

Jan 012015

Fusion

  • miles
Rack and pinion. Steering wheel makes clunking noise. Vehicle wanders. Ford company states this is not a recall which it should be. This is a manufacturing defect

- Morrow, GA, USA

problem #549

Nov 032017

Fusion

  • 114,000 miles
The vehicle was parked in my driveway upon returning from errands. The next morning the power steering assist and the advancetrac system failure lights were on. This has happened before while driving and after parking at my workplace. Usually restarting the vehicle would correct the issue. This time it would not reset and I brought it to the Ford dealership where it was purchased. I understand there was a recall on the 2012 Ford Fusion and other Ford makes for this same issue. However the dealership says the VIN # on my Fusion doesn't match any current recall and will not cover the cost of repair. My question is if this is a known Ford problem why should it not cover my vehicle with the same issue for recall ? just because the VIN # isn't in the system is no reason not to fix this. It is a known problem, many situations exactly like mine recorded online. How are they (Ford)not responsible?

- Denhm Springs, LA, USA

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