Ford Flex power steering loss problems

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Steering · CA

The power steering system went out, the dealer told me that the failure is the exact issue that other cars of the same year make and model were recalled for. However this specific vin was not included. We were driving, pulled into a parking spot and while idling the error message came on the screen about the power steering assist fault and service advance trac. At that point we could no longer drive and had it towed to the dealer.

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · Steering · FM

The Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system failed completely and permanently while driving. This is the exact hardware defect described in Ford Safety Recall 15S18 (the federal safety agency Campaign 15V340000), specifically relating to the internal Motor Position Sensor inside the steering gear assembly. The vehicle and the faulty component are fully available for inspection upon request in Sweden. The power steering assist failed suddenly and without warning while the vehicle was in motion. This caused an immediate, massive increase in steering effort, making the vehicle extremely heavy and difficult to control. A sudden loss of steering assist at driving speeds poses a catastrophic risk of a crash, potentially causing severe injury or death to myself, my family, and other road users. We were very close to crash in to a couple of parked cars. The permanent failure is active and consistently reproducible every time the vehicle is started. However, local authorized Ford dealers in Sweden (such as Hedin Automotive) refuse to officially scan, log, or confirm the repair under the recall protocol solely because the vehicle is a North American import, while Ford US refuses to authorize them to do so. The vehicle is currently grounded and unsafe to drive to a facility. Furthermore, the manufacturer (Ford) has actively avoided inspecting or handling the vehicle due to geographic boundaries, ignoring formal executive escalations regarding this safety defect. The failure happened instantly while driving, at which point the instrument cluster immediately displayed the "Power Steering Assist Fault" warning message and power assistance was permanently lost.

Filed Dec 22, 2025 · Steering · FL

While driving, the power steering warning light illuminated and steering assist was lost. The steering became extremely hard, especially at low speeds. The vehicle makes grinding/whining noises when turning, and the car vibrates while in Drive. This creates a serious safety concern, especially during turns and parking maneuvers. Issue appears to be electric power steering (EPAS) failure.

Filed Dec 2, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · CA

Power steering. While I was driving in my neighborhood the power steering went out and I could not make a turn. It locked up while driving. I could have got into a head on collision/accident becasue the road turns. Yes, I reported it to Ford and they told me my flex did not have a recall despite the ford website stating that some 2013 ford flex are affected. The description of 15s18 sterring recall matches my same issue and it poses a serious safety hazard. Yes, i took it to a mechanic at an auto shop and her is telling me that he can't fix recalls. At the time of the accident, i got No pre warning just the message that states: "Steering Lock Malfunction Service Now: The steering lock system has detected a condition that requires service." This happened on or around 11/23/25. I am requesting that Ford pay for my power steering to be fixed.

Filed Sep 20, 2025 · Steering · ID

Leaving home to go to the grocery store and as I exited my street a dash warning came on stating "Power Steering Assist" fault Steering wheel locked up making it impossible for me to steer. Fortunately this happened in a spot where there was no other traffic and I was able to just turn off the car and restart and the message was gone and my steering was restored. I am now terrified to drive my car because if this had happened in traffic there could have been a serious accident because steering capability was non existent. . In reading online this is a very common problem with my make and model and apparently there was a recall by Ford for 2011 and later cars but not 2010 even though it is a "known problem" at dealerships. For me this now seems intermittent but in calling the dealership they know of the issue. It would cost me about $2200 to fix. I am happy to provide my vehicle for inspection. Thank you so much for your help ... greatly appreciated

Filed Sep 9, 2025 · Steering · 213,300 miles · KS

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the "Power Steering Assist Fault" and "Service Advancetrac" messages were displayed. The contact stated that the power steering assist had failed to operate as needed and excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. The contact also stated that the turn signals failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the mechanic was not equipped with the tools to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 213,300.

Filed Sep 8, 2025 · Driver assistance, Steering · OR

Without warning, the vehicle's power steering stopped working in an intersection while turning. The hazard lights came on automatically and I used my full body strength to steer the car out of the intersection. Inspection showed a computer module failure within the steering rack. Because the computer module is built into the steering rack, the whole steering rack needed to be replaced. This was a critical repair and cost over $3500.

Filed Aug 26, 2025 · Steering · 125,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure occurred two to three times per week. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V340000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.

Filed Aug 18, 2025 · Steering · 170,000 miles · KS

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Flex. The contact stated that on several occasions while attempting to start the vehicle, the power steering assist warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel became firm. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic power steering module link needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact believed that the failure was associated with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

Filed Jul 27, 2025 · Steering · TN

My 2013 ford flex only has 109,600 miles on it. The car is currently at the mechanic shop. The problem I am having is with the power steering assist. Several times in the last three weeks, when I am reversing out of a parking spot suddenly the power assist warning comes on and the car is uncontrollable. I have had to tow it twice. I am not strong enough to maneuver the car when it locks up like that. There was no other warning until I made the attempt to back up then a warning message came on. The mechanic was not able to duplicate the problem . He made some other repairs to the wheel hub bearings, so when I picked up my car and it drove fine for a couple of days, I thought it was fixed. But it froze up again under the same conditions--trying to back out of a parking spot. I took it back to the mechanic and once again they were not able to duplicate the problem, but he said there was a record of the warnings in the system. My safety as well as the safety of other drivers is at risk, because if this goes out while in transit, I will not be able to control the car. I enjoy my flex, but the repairs have been so much lately. One of the recent repairs was the emergency brake costing 1,200. The wheel hub bearings were 1,400 and now this power steering assist repair is estimated to be quite pricey. I am partially handicapped, retired and living on a very limited income. These expenses are outrageous for such a nice car with such low mileage. Does this model have issues? I keep up the maintenance and the oil changes and whatever else needs to be done, but these expenses are hitting all at once and putting me in debt. Is there a possibility that there is a glitch in the mechanical system? I looked up recalls and it does say that there was a recall on the power steering assist. I am contacting to verify that information. Please confirm for me so I know how to proceed. Thank you very much.