Ford C-Max power steering loss problems

Filed Nov 30, 2024 · Steering · UT

Got a “Power steering assist fault” message on the screen. It was very hard to steer the wheel. The case on the wheel was turning around it. Managed to drive 3 more miles to the dealership. A lot of other ford models have same issues, even under 50.000 miles. And many of the are in recall program, but not 2013 ford c-max. Can’t afford 3.400$ price for fixing it at the dealership. I’m a second owner, bought it for 5.000 , 3 years ago. At least it didn’t stuck completely, and I didn’t Die

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, 2024 · Steering · 50,500 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford C-MAX Hybrid. The contact stated while starting the vehicle in cold temperatures, the steering wheel was locked. The contact stated that the steering wheel operated as needed after the vehicle had warmed up. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact stated that he used his physical strength to steer the steering wheel, and he drove to his nearby residence. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the power steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the same assessment was made. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 50,500.

Filed Mar 23, 2023 · Steering · FL

I went to change lanes and all of a sudden the steering became difficult. I thought the car had lost power, but it was only the steering. The sudden loss came as a surprise and did cause me to loose control momentarily during the lane change. Shortly thereafter a warning light came on indicating the power steering needed to be serviced. I was able to arrive at my destination safely, but power steering was completely out. Upon restarting the car the problem went away. Returning home later that evening the problem returned about 5 miles into my trip. I returned home and shortly after brought the car to the auto parts store to see if there was a code on their scan tool. No codes, but this time when the car was started the warning light came on immediately and power steering has quit working 100% of the time.

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 10, 2022 · Steering · CA

I started the car and could not move the steering wheel without great great effort. “Power steering failure” notice appeared on dashboard.

Filed Oct 29, 2022 · Steering · CA

Steering warning light came on after driving away from home. Power Steering failed, no possible way to move steering wheel. Powered vehicle off. Next day, steering worked and took vehicle to Ford Dealer. Upon inspection by Dealer, the steering gear failed and needs to be replaced. Vehicle has less than 50,000 miles driven. In my opinion, this is a manufacturing issue that Ford needs to review and possibly recall. This could have been very serious had the failure occurred while I was driving the vehicle.

Filed Jul 5, 2022 · Steering · MD

As I was driving I lost power steering and almost crashed the car. A red alert and sound on the dashboard told me “steering assist failure service vehicle”. Also the light on the dashboard for steering was illuminated. I was able to barely drive the car home (approx 3 miles). Took to my local mechanic and had the error code: u3000 49-08 Driving the car by my husband in our neighborhood resulted in the same problem including the warning sounds and message. He was able to restart the car and the steering was fine and was able to drive it back to its parking spot. Took the car to the Sheehy Ford dealer today and am being told it is a 3k repair to replace the rack and pinion.

Filed Feb 7, 2022 · Steering · CA

I was driving on the freeway when my power steering failed. Ford has switched to an Electronic Steering Control system and it has had multiple class action suits against them, however no recalls have been done. I nearly ran off the road because when I turned off the freeway it took all of my strength to correct the wheel. There was no warning, just full failure and alerts on my dash board. This is a known problem and needs to be corrected. Not only that, it is a $3000 repair job on a known problem.

Filed Jan 1, 2022 · Steering · WA

The message to service the power steering suddenly appeared and the steering wheel could not be rotated, when we were at our drive way. I felt to be very lucky for not being on the road when the loss of power steering occurred. After I turned off the engine and restarted the car one minute later, the power steering problem disappeared and I was able to drive the car again. About one week later, I sent the car to a Ford dealer for inspection. The test result showed the error code U300-49:08 and the internal electronic failure type. The dealer recommended replacing the steering gear at a cost of over $3000. We have just completed a 7-year service contract with the same dealer. Thus, the car should have been well maintained.