System: Electric Power Steering assist module failed on engine start up. Safety: Without power steering it is extremely difficult to steer the car manually which could cause an accident and/or bodily injury. This is a well known problem with the Ford cMax which has created a recall for earlier model years of the cMax (but my 2014 model is not covered under previous recalls). Inspection: Vehicle is at the Ford dealership and has been diagnosed with a failed Power Steering module and is currently under parts replacement. Warnings: On 8 Feb 2014 during engine start, I warning window was displayed that said "Service Power Steering". Same warning window appeared the following morning when car was started. I drove it carefully to the dealership for repair.
2014 Ford C-Max steering problems
14 complaints (18% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 20,000.
- owner complaints
- 14
- of this car's complaints
- 18%
- typical mileage
- 20,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Ford C-Max steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2014 Ford C-Max steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Steering
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Focus and C-Max vehicles manufactured August 8, 2014, to August 15, 2014. The affected vehicles may have steering gears that were incorrectly assembled.
- Risk
- The incorrectly manufactured steering gears may cause impaired steering, including the loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gears, free of charge. The recall began on November 11, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑800‑392‑3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S18.
Recall number 14V514000 · Recall details
What 2014 Ford C-Max owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford C-Max. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and attempting to make a left or right turn, there was a squeaking sound coming from the front passenger’s side wheel. The sound occurred while driving over a bump in the roadway and while accelerating. The tire pressure sensor failure warning light had been illuminated. The contact learned of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V514000 (Steering) and believed that the failure was related to the recall. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and was confirmed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V514000 (Steering). The manufacturer also confirmed that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 20V331000 (Latches, Locks, Linkages) and 22V413000 (Power Train). The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 307,868.
Electric power steering assist failed. Started intermittent and cleared on restart of the vehicle. Now complete failure within 2 days of first alert. Spouse was going to drive the vehicle after the vehicle was parked overnight and when she started the vehicle the power steering was inactive and the warnings were displayed and audible. Warning and alarm to "Service Power Steering" is still active and cannot be cleared. We are currently traveling and will not be home for months and must drive the vehicle without power steering assist. My spouse cannot drive the vehicle with this malfunction. We have researched for solutions and have found that this is a common failure for 2014 Ford Cmax Hybrid and there is not a fix other than complete replacement of the Power Steering Motor and Rack Assembly. The safety and health of myself, passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, and even animals is the risk especially if this component(s) fails during active driving and it has according to social media posts and blogs. We have tried to have the vehicle diagnosed by dealerships, but they cannot get the vehicle in for service in any time frame that does not come with significant inconveniences and financial loss. Dealers will not order a part without first diagnosing the problem and cannot schedule an appointment any time soon. I contacted Ford Support directly and they confirmed that steering components have been recalled on 2014 Ford Cmax based on production dates, however, our Cmax was built outside of those parameters. We have logged case number: CAS40982963 with Ford.
Complete failure of the steering without any warning, Was not able to steer the car. The dealership diagnosed the cause is a failure of the steering Rack Pinion which needed to be replaced. I understand that the 2014 Ford C-Max has a recall on the Steering Rack Pinion, but for some reason my car was not included in this recall. It is obviously it should been included.
Steering wheel locked up and could not control car. After taking car to repair shop I was informed that the entire power steering rack would have to be replaced. Upon internet research noticed numerous similar complaints of same problem in Ford Cmax and Ford Focus vehicles. Appears to have been a limited recall back in 2014 of several hundred Cmax and Focus cars but Ford gave assurance those were all the cars affected. Not sure if that problem was the same as current problem but there are many reports of power steering failures which can make the cars difficult or impossible to be driven. To repair the car will be approx. $2000 as the entire electronic power steering rack needs replacing. Please see attached PDF for additional information.
The issue is related to steering. My Ford C-Max steering system would become very stiff and gets locked. The warning "Service Power Steering" would pop up and the steering wheel would become inoperable. This has happened a couple instances and creating a huge panic. When this happens the steering cannot be moved. I have to stop the engine and restart after a couple mins. The issue is intermittent and does not give any warnings before this situation occurs creating anxiety and huge risk to drive. I took the car to Ford Dealership at Georgetown Texas. They investigated the issue and reverted that the problem is with Steering Gear and has to be replaced to fix the issue. Upon checking on internet I see Ford had reported out similar issue in Sep 2014 and had tried to address the issue. Details below. https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2014-ford-focus-c-max-recalled-for-potential-steering-gear-problem.html https://repairpal.com/recall/14V514000 The issue I faced is consistent with the problems highlighted and pose huge risk if this were to happen while driving at high speeds in traffic.
Sudden loss of power to steering....noted that many others have had this problem.
During last trip with car, parked car while shopping. When leaving store car lost steering and warning light came on in dash indicating power steering assist fault. Car was extremely difficult to drive after that. Waiting for appointment with dealer. Had this happened while turning at a busy intersection it could have been a problem. Car has 100,000 miles so I expect some problems, but I think this could be a safety issue.
While stopped for gas idiot light for power steering failure came on. Couldn't steer car. Took to ford dealer and they said power assist was broken and need to be replaced, and this would cost $2800. This has been recalled previously on ford taurus and fusion, but was not extended to c-max. It should have been.
Power steering failed without warning. Luckily I was going very slow at the time, but needed to abandon vehicle, undriveable without power steering.
Questions about the 2014 Ford C-Max steering
Does the 2014 Ford C-Max have steering problems?
Owners have filed 14 complaints about the steering of the 2014 Ford C-Max, 18% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2014 Ford C-Max steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 20,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2014 Ford C-Max steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 14V514000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford C-Max have bad steering?
The Ford C-Max model years with the most steering complaints are 2013 (39 complaints) and 2014 (14 complaints).
Other 2014 Ford C-Max problems
Electrical 20Transmission 18Locks 9Engine 5Airbags 4Body 3Driver assistance 3Fuel system 3Wheels 3Acceleration 2Brakes 1Seat belts 1
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