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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 62 of 68)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #128

Mar 142014

Fusion

  • 53,229 miles

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

We had just purchased the car in March. We were driving home one evening from the store, within a couple of weeks of the purchase, and the power steering just went out. We were able to get the car to the house. When we turned it off and back on later the power steering was back. This has happened 3 different times. Took it to the dealership they said there was nothing they could do because it had been reset. Now again this morning the steering is completely out again and will not reset. We purchased extended warranty, thinking we had peace of mind, but was told that it does not cover this, as we were only sold the powertrain warranty, which again we were not told. Dealership said that's all we could afford. This is appalling and needs to be recalled before someone gets hurt due to an accident. I would not have been able to steer the car due to a bad arm. Someone needs to do something.

- Artesia, NM, USA

problem #127

Jul 032014

Fusion

  • 50,300 miles
The advance trac power steering on my 2012 Ford Fusion cut out in the middle of a left hand turn leaving a traffic light. It had done this once before, a year prior at around 34000 miles while it was still under warranty, and the dealership sent me away telling me it was an isolated incident as the steering recovered when I turned the vehicle on and off. This time, when I reset it, it cut out again driving through the parking lot at the shopping center I was at less than 500 yards traveled later. This time when I took the vehicle in for repair they acknowledged the issue was real and claim the entire steering column needs replaced or this will continue to happen. They will not cover it under warranty despite the fact I had made a claim related to this exact issue while it was under warranty previously. The steering has thankfully only cut out for me at low speeds and in places I was able to quickly and easily pull over even without power steering. If this were to occur at higher speeds or in places I was less able to pull over I am not sure I could have maneuvered the vehicle safely for any extended amount of time.

- Elkridge, MD, USA

problem #126

May 202014

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 52,000 miles
Driving down a busy highway one evening, an indicator recommending service on the power steering system lit up. There were no extreme speeds or accidents. Car became too difficult to steer. Ford dealerships have mentioned that this is a common issue, requiring a replacement rack and pinion system. Should be a recall- since steering is essential in order to avoid accidents, damage and injury.

- Fayetteville , NC, USA

problem #125

Jun 042014

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 42,000 miles

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

I was coming to a stop at a traffic light and the power steering fault came on and also the advance trac service light leaving me with no power steering. This has happened numerous times over the course of about a month now. Turning the car off for about 15 seconds and restarting seemed to reboot and fix the problem for the time being whereas other times I would have to turn my vehicle off 2-3 times and restart before the problem was fixed. Now the power steering has gone completely out and turning the car off and restarting does no good. I only had the car about 7 months and was not informed about this. Power steering is a very important component to driving a car and with this being faulty is very dangerous as if I were on the highway going at a much higher rate of speed and the power steering go out could have been fatal bit only to me but my daughter and gradson as well. This certainly is a huge problem that the manufacturer needs to correct as they are putting many families lives at risk. So this should be the responsibility of the company to correct this issue free of charge to their customers and really get the ball rolling on doing a recall on the power steering in all 2012 Ford Fusion's. this is so dangerous and I don't drive if I don't have to until I can afford to get it fixed and again these expenses shouldn't be coming out of my pocket!

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #124

Jul 072014

Fusion

  • 69,000 miles
The car lost power steering while merging with traffic on the freeway. A "power steering assist fault" & "service advancetrac" error showed up on the dashboard. Very dangerous situation losing power steering in traffic. Took to dealer and was informed they needed to replace the entire electric power steering rack for $1,813. Did some research online and it seem this is a common problem with this vehicle. Several other models were recalled for this same problem but not the Fusion. Seems like this is a major problem that should be the manufacturer's responsibility.

- Jordan, MN, USA

problem #123

Jul 092014

Fusion

  • 59,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was unable to be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,000 and the current mileage was 61,000.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #122

Jul 062014

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 36,000 miles

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

Driving on freeway at 65mph and suddenly power steering warning light came on with message saying service required. Drove home safely, but after stopping and restarting, power steering did not work at all. Took it into mechanic and was told power steering gear needs to be replaced. Had the same work done last year as well as replacing control arms for the same issue. Car nearly impossible to drive when power steering shuts down.

- Kaysville, UT, USA

problem #121

Jun 242014

Fusion

  • 81,000 miles
I purchased my 2012 Ford Fusion about 4 months ago from a family member who had no problems with the car since owning it new. Since that time I have had an alert come on when I am driving that reads "power steering failure" and the steering wheel becomes really hard to turn. It has happened to me twice and my wife once. When I stop the car and turn the ignition switch off and then start the car back up the system is reset and the warning is not displayed any longer and the power steering works once again. This is very dangerous as my wife had a very hard time turning the wheel to get the car off the interstate when it happened to her. I took the car into my regular mechanic who could not diagnose the problem (he drove it around a long time) and he recommended that I take it in to the Ford dealer. The Ford dealer told me that it was a problem with the rack and pinion and that it would cost $1700 to get it replaced. I refused the repair because I read on this board that this has been a problem with the 2012 Fusion and that others that have taken their car in to get this problem fixed, paid the money for the repair, but still had the same alert come on after the "repair." It sounds like an electrical problem to me that is reset when the car is turned back on. I expect there to be a recall on this problem as this could be very dangerous. My car only has 81,000 miles on it.

- Jefferson, GA, USA

problem #120

Jul 042014

Fusion

  • 11,000 miles
When I was driving my 2012 Ford Fusion, I lost control of the steering wheel suddenly. A message showing "power steering assist fault" popped up on the dashboard. The wheel became stiff and unable to turn. I had to stop my car and restarted it. The message was gone and I was able to drove it back home. Luckily it happened when there was no other cars. I probably would have been killed if it had happened on an expressway. It is definitely a major safety issue and requires a recall!

- Arlington, MA, USA

problem #119

May 102014

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 110,102 miles
Well I bought this car in April of 2014 and the power steering will shut off while you are driving it happened on the interstate while I was driving at 65 mph and it is hard to control.it has happened 4 times since then once when my wife was driving and she was turning into a parking lot and she is a small woman and she was scared to death to drive it anymore. I bought this car for my 17 year old daughter but I have not let her drive it yet due to this I have looked at some forums with complaint's and there are hundreds of them I think this is a safety issue at least for me it is I don't want my daughter in a crash for it please help us. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Disputanta, VA, USA

problem #118

Jun 302014

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 53,000 miles

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

I was approaching a red light, when I heard a "pop" and suddenly I could not steer my car anymore. I was able to stop the car, but I was stranded in the middle of the road blocking traffic. The car could only be moved by a tow truck. After accessing the situation, it turned out to be my power steering unit had just snapped into. The good lord was with me!!!! had I been on the interstate where I would have been moving at a higher rate of speed, my wife and son might possibly be attending my funeral right now!!!!

- Valley, AL, USA

problem #117

Jun 252014

Fusion

  • 41,000 miles
I was driving on the highway and my power steering went out. I drove with no power steering for about 8 miles and then turned the car off and back on and the steering came back.

- Norristown, PA, USA

problem #116

Jun 282014

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 51,380 miles
Was driving the wheel sudden went stiff out of no where had to shut the car off and start again. That was the first incident. A couple days later the car did the same thing and it says power steering assault failed and I cant drive the car at all it says that as soon as I start it.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #115

Jun 102014

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
I purchased a new 2012 Ford Fusion sel car in August 2011. I now have 55K miles, mostly highway miles, so the standard warranty does not apply, even though I have not exceeded the 3 years. I did not buy the extended warranty due to advice that Ford Fusion are highly reliable. While under warranty, the advancetrac indicator light on the dash and advancetrac service message has happened multiple times. I was even leaving the Ford service when the service advancetrac indicator lit up and message occurred. I immediately returned and showed it to the service person. They checked it out and said it can occur if one tire turns more than another so it was not a problem. Recently, my wife was driving 25 mph when the steering suddenly became difficult and power steering failure messages and advancetrac popped up. She said she almost hit a parked vehicle on the side of the road. I took it to the dealer and they indicated the rack needed to be replaced. That is a $1,375 repair plus the $225 they charged me alignment. The Ford service department indicated that there are no recalls for this problem on the Ford Fusion. I believe this is a safety issue and have found many posting of recalls on multiple models of Ford for the same issue.

- Seminole, FL, USA

problem #114

Jun 292014

Fusion

  • 46,087 miles
I got off the highway and when coming off the ramp I got an error message stating advancetrac power steering failure. There was also a chime and the dashboard light came on. I read that turning off your engine will reset it and it did but I am afraid to drive the car.

- Reisterstown , MD, USA

problem #113

Jun 272014

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 28,000 miles
Tried to drive the car by backing out of a parking space and there was no power steering. Car information system indicated power steering sensor problem and told to check it. Got out checked the fluid levels and they were full. Got out to the major street to go to the nearby dealership for information and evaluation and turned off the car upon arrival. Car was again started and then the power steering was restored.

- Southfield, MI, USA

problem #112

Jun 252014

Fusion

  • 56,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact mentioned that the power steering and low tire pressure warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 56,000.

- Ranch Cucamonga, CA, USA

problem #111

Jun 252014

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 43,000 miles
Driving down the road and all the sudden the power steering failed. Car is extremely difficult to turn. Car alarms "power steering assist failure" and "advancetrac maintenance needed". was able to pull off side of road, cut the car off and restarted it--power steering returned. Has happened twice now. Took car to Ford dealership, they scanned it and found no service codes. Have been told it is most likely in need of a new steering motor but without the "code" they can't replace it under my warranty"?!?!?? so far this has occurred on straight roads--if it were to occur while navigating a curve the results could be deadly/catastrophic! there is no warning, no nothing--you just can't steer the car all the sudden. This is extremely dangerous and apparently a common problem with this year model car--why is there no recall yet?!?!!?? do I have to wreck my car or potentially hurt myself or others before this is addressed"!!!

- Toccoa, GA, USA

problem #110

Jun 242014

Fusion

  • 64,129 miles
I was driving down the road at approximately 45 miles an hour when the alert came on my car dash to service power steering now. After the alarm sounded I was no longer able to turn my steering wheel. I tried turning the car off and restarted it and still not able to turn the wheel. I have read that numerous people have had this same issue over the past few years. I called the Ford dealership to see if there has been a recall and they stated that no there hasn't been a recall and that my car is out of warranty.

- Las Vegas , NV, USA

problem #109

Jun 202014

Fusion

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the power steering light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the power steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000. The VIN was not available.

- Warrensburg, MO, USA

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