2014 Ford C-Max: loss of power steering

Filed Feb 9, 2024 · Steering · CA

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.

Filed Jan 24, 2023 · Steering · CO

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.

Filed Nov 18, 2021 · Steering · CA

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.

Filed Jun 9, 2021 · Steering · AR

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.

Filed Dec 29, 2020 · Steering · 65,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed May 24, 2019 · Steering · 48,000 miles · CA

Power steering failed without warning. Luckily I was going very slow at the time, but needed to abandon vehicle, undriveable without power steering.

Filed Jan 13, 2015 · Steering · 8,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford c-max. After starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized and failed to turn. After waiting approximately 30 minutes, the steering wheel operated as normal. In addition, the service power steering now warning light illuminated. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was unable to be duplicated. On another occasion, while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver and the power steering assist fault warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v514000(steering). The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 8,000.