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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 54 of 68)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #288

Apr 072015

Fusion

  • 33,500 miles

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

Power steering failed. After taking to dealership was quoted $1885 to repair. Reviewing online showed a class action lawsuit for the same problems. Also showed that there is a open investigation into this matter. Needs to be noted that this is another complaint for the same issues that are being investigated and for the litigation that is under way. Ford needs to make it right for the consumer.

- Bensalem, PA, USA

problem #287

Apr 072015

Fusion

  • 35,434 miles
I was driving with cruise control set 59 mph error light and message came on said steering assist fault and the car lost all power steering. The little icon with the car with the curvy lines underneath also came on. I pulled over as soon as I had a safe spot and turned the car and got out my owners manual to consult. It advised me to restart the car after 10 seconds and it had been well past that time that I was pulled over with the car off. When I restarted the error message was gone and the power steering was functional again. The next day when I started the car the same error message came on before I even put the car in reverse. I turned the car off and waited for more than a minute and restarted and the error message was gone again. This has only been a week, but so far the loss of power steering nor the message has returned.

- Hohenwald, TN, USA

problem #286

Apr 102015

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 19,985 miles
On 4/9/15 a "power steering assist fault" message on my 2012 Ford Fusion was illuminated on the car's message center when the car was put into reverse. There was no power steering. The owners manual says to turn the car off and restart it and it may solve the problem and it did. On 4/10/15 after driving the car about 8 miles I stopped at a store and the same thing happened when the car was put in reverse. The car was shut off and restarted several times but the message remained and the power steering never came back on. I drove the car home without the power steering as I was only 2 blocks from home. The owners manual says "if the message returns, or returns while driving, take the vehicle to your dealer to have it checked.". the Ford dealership I called said to have the car towed to them rather than drive it in. The car has 19,985 miles on it.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #285

Apr 092015

Fusion

  • 71,980 miles

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

After being parked at my daughter's school, I started the car and the service steering warning and the traction control light came on. The car no longer had any type of power steering and driving the car became very challenging. If this would have gone out while I was driving especially if I was driving at high speeds, it could have caused a serious if not fatal crash.

- Wausau, WI, USA

problem #284

Jan 302015

Fusion

  • 22,000 miles
Power steering assist message and then power steering acutran message came on dash. Power steering went out almost immediately after the second message. I was able to steer the car into a parking lot; turned off the ignition and looked for a place to park. When I turned the ignition back on the power steering was working. I called the Ford dealer that was about 8 blocks from the incident and went there. The dealer indicated that they reprogrammed the computer in the vehicle. I have not had another incident. Initially the dealer was going to charge a diagnosis fee but I had a 5 year bumper to bumper warranty. So no charges.

- Lauderdale Lakes, FL, USA

problem #283

Aug 122014

Fusion

  • 56,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at 70 mph, the steering wheel seized without warning. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed that the sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 56,000.

- Lanett, AL, USA

problem #282

Apr 032015

Fusion

  • 87,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. While driving 30 mph, the steering wheel seized. In addition, the service power steering now and the service advance track warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 87,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #281

Mar 302015

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 49,990 miles
I was driving on through an intersection at about 40 mph when I felt my steering wheel pull very slightly, and then I noticed the "power assist fail" message came up on the vehicle. Because I was driving on a straight road I didn't really notice any major difference until I got to where I was going to turn off, and then it was extremely difficult to steer. After parking, I looked in my owner's manual, and read that I needed to wait for a bit and then restart. When I restarted the car it drove fine. After returning home, I called the service center at the dealership where the car was purchased, and asked if I should come in. I was advised to come in. They charged me about $130 to run a diagnostic test, and they estimated that it was going to be about $1800 to repair the problem. My husband and I have not decided whether to have the car repaired (we both have read about people getting the part replaced only to have the problem occur again) or to just replacing the car altogether. Either way, we are not pleased at Ford's failure to accept responsibility for an issue that is the result of a defective part they used to manufacture the Fusion. Furthermore, had this happened when I had been on a curvy road or in a high traffic situation, I could have wrecked and possibly been killed or could have collided with someone else and they could have been either severely injured or killed. Ford needs to do something about this problem, considering both the possible outcomes and that my experience is not an isolated incidence (as evidenced by reading about a lot of others who have experienced or who are experiencing the same problems).

- Jonesville, VA, USA

problem #280

Apr 022015

Fusion 4WD 4-cyl

  • miles
I am unsure of the fate the first time but approximately a year ago I was driving and the service power steering now warning came on and power steering was lost. Again today April 2, 2015 I was driving approx 33 miles per hour and the service power steering now warning came on and all power steering was lost. Dealership fixed it the first time under warranty my car is now out of warranty and I am taking it to the dealership today.

- Brownsburg, IN, USA

problem #279

Mar 282015

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 53,000 miles
I have had two incidents with the power steering. First incident while driving on the I95 the wheel locked on me, fortunately I was exiting the highway at the time. Second time my car was parked in my drive way and on my way out the wheel locked again and gave me a error report of power steering fault assist. I don't know what to do next. After reading the stories about this being a problem with the Ford Fusion. Help!!!

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #278

Mar 062015

Fusion

  • 56,000 miles

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

While I was driving to Florida the ABS indicator come on, I parked my car. After reading the manual, found that the power steering was listed for problem, once I restarted the car it was impossible to turn the wheel. There was no other warning nor is there anything wrong with my car. Come to find out there is no recall on this but had to replace both front lower control arms and epas steering gear. After reading and finding may problems with the steering there need to be a recall on this problem.

- Oregon, OH, USA

problem #277

Mar 242015

Fusion

  • 126,000 miles
I was driving to work and my car displayed a message that said service advance steering. I made it to work but upon leaving work my car displayed the message service power steering now and it would not turn. I do no know where this problem came from or how it occurred. I feel like Ford should be responsible for it due to it being an issued that has been reported by several others and just came up from out the blue.

- Tupelo, MS, USA

problem #276

Mar 232015

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 65,234 miles
While I was driving the indicator read service power steering, I parked my car. Once I restarted the car it was impossible to turn the wheel. There was no other warning nor is there anything wrong with my car. It was serviced by Ford for a routine check up and no problems occurred. This happened out of the blue, I am happy I wasn't driving on the highway at the time with my 4 year old son. There needs to be a recall!!!

- Maple Shade, NJ, USA

problem #275

Mar 162015

Fusion

  • 53,013 miles
Was driving to drop my 7 month old daughter off at my mom's house on way to work and steering wheel suddenly got tight. Service activetrac light came on and I fought to get car to mom's house - very uncomfortable feeling with my infant in the car, especially with no warning signs. Went to leave house and when I started the car, the "service power steering now" light appeared on the dash and there was no power steering at all. Called the dealer and they suggested to have it towed. They ended up having to replace entire steering rack due to steering motor failure.

- Pasadena, MD, USA

problem #274

Mar 132015

Fusion

  • 40,000 miles
I entered the date for the 3rd occurrence because I can't remember the dates of the first 2 occurrences. Every time I have a flat tire/low tire pressure the power steering goes out. After the tire is fixed/inflated, the power steering is still out. I then have to take the car to the dealership to have the codes reset - power steering then works. I could see this being a big issue if you are driving on the highway when it happens - although that scenario hasn't happened to me yet. Obviously there is a design flaw in the TPMS and power steering electronics that causes power steering to shut down.

- Augusta, MI, USA

problem #273

Mar 042015

Fusion

  • 56,806 miles
Driving North on interstate 684 - steering became very difficult (hard to turn wheel or steer the car) & warning light appeared. Pulled over to side of road, turned engine off, restarted car again - light re-appeared. Drove to closest Ford dealership in danbury, ct. They had to replace the total electric power assist steering system and re-align the wheels.

- Hartsdale, NY, USA

problem #272

Mar 162015

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 47,000 miles
I have had power steering fault messages when I start my car. The power steering does not work and the message will only go away if the car is turned off and restarted.

- Tonawanda, NY, USA

problem #271

Mar 182015

Fusion

  • 37,490 miles
I was driving down the highway and the steering wheel kinda jerked and the car started dinging and the display said something like power steering assist failure. I was almost unable to safely turn the wheel of the car, when I did turn it was a very wide right!

- New Providence, PA, USA

problem #270

Mar 172015

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 38,121 miles
Power steering failed while driving. "service power steering now" appeared on dash. Vehicle is nearly impossible to control and this is a very dangerous failure while driving, without any warning. 2012 Fusion with 38,000 miles. Ford refuses to acknowledge the problem.

- Pearland, TX, USA

problem #269

Mar 152015

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 91,000 miles
While driving on highway the dash screen showed advance trac light came on then the computer screen flashed up power steering unit failure. Steering of the vehicle became dangerous and I left the highway to travel at a slower rate of speed. I was instructed to turn off the car and that when restarted it would reset but it did not reset nor fix this. The car is extremely hard to steer and should not be driven. I contacted the dealer I bought it from and they stated there was no recall on it and I would need to bring it to them and they would run tests and see what is wrong. But I would have to pay for this service and any parts and labor needed to fix it.

- Belle, WV, USA

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