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2011 Ford Focus steering problems

10 complaints (9% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 40,000. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints
10
of this car's complaints
9%
typical mileage
40,000
crashes
2
recalls
0

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Focus steering problems in other years

19992005201020152018

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2011 Ford Focus owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 14, 2026 · Steering · 150,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Forcus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed power steering pump. The contact was informed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. In addition, the vehicle was towed to two independent mechanics multiple times for the same failure within the two years. The contact referenced an unknown recall which had a similar failure description, however the contact's VIN was not associated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Sep 24, 2025 · Steering · 19,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction and instead turned in the opposite direction. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed steering column. The contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised that the parts to repair the vehicle were discontinued. In addition, the contact was informed that the aftermarket parts were not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.

Filed Feb 28, 2024 · Steering · CA

My car made grinding sounds when turning the steering wheel. My mechanic found a leak on Power Steering Pump & replaced it. My car has only 48,800 miles & there's a recall for Ford Trucks with the same problem.

Filed Sep 19, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 150,000 miles · LA

Backing up the wheel barely turns and it locks up while backing up, making turns, the wheel locks up as I make turns left and right I'll bring it to the shop several times but this issue persists every year I buy a new power steering system every year. I have brought 3 power steering systems from ford 3 years in a row.it's deadly!

Filed Oct 4, 2018 · Steering · NC

My power steering turns on and off without warning. I have had tie rod ends, rack, pinion, power steering pump, and lines replaced. That has not fixed the issue.

Filed Mar 2, 2016 · Steering · 82,000 miles · OK

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford focus. While traveling approximately 35 MPH, the warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The "power steering failed" and "check power steering now" messages appeared. The steering wheel became stiff and would not turn. The contact bounced into a curb and stopped the vehicle. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the steering seized. The dealer was notified, but the manufacturer was not. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.

Filed Jun 25, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 40,000 miles · NC · crash

Upon entering a school zone and decelerating to 35 MPH, while entering into a left curve the power steering locked up preventing the turn into the curve. This resulted in the vehicle running off the road and hitting a road sign causing damage to the passenger mirror and right rear door and quarter panel.

Filed Apr 3, 2015 · Acceleration, Airbags · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owned a 2011 ford focus. While driving 15 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently and the brakes and steering wheel seized. The contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries and no medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 5/15/15*cn updated 09/16/2015

Filed Jan 4, 2013 · Steering · 15,000 miles · NJ

Driving in the fast lane uphill in a mountainous area of freeway approx 65-70 miles per hour. While continuing driving up the uphill grade the roadway sharply curved to the right. I turned the steering wheel hard to the right to execute the curve, however, the steering wheel turned only so far to the right and then the steering wheel locked up and would not allow me to turn the wheel any further. I panicked because I was uncertain whether I would make the curve successfully. Luckily, I just barely made the curve and did not run off the roadway. I have noticed that this problem(the stiffness when turning right) exists at lower speeds as well. Oddly, the steering is very loose and normal when I make left turns or curves.

Filed Jul 13, 2012 · Steering, Suspension · 30,300 miles · MA

The car has poor steering, poor suspension control over bumps, an acknowledged but unrepaired transmission mount, severe alignment issue, tires are feathered and cupped per dealer and dealer is not willing to fix it. The care is unsafe to drive but the dealer states if we do not purchase new tires, pay for an alignment that they will not fix the faulty transmission mount. It has been at 3 ford dealers in the past 3 weeks. I said nothing is wrong (thomas ford in beverly ma), next fixed a bearing and 2 suspension parts and said it is fixed (it was not) (danvers motor company, danvers ma) and finally the selling dealer said the alignment, tires and transmission mount are faulty (jack madden ford, norwood, ma). This care is unsafe and is under bumper to bumper warranty.

Questions about the 2011 Ford Focus steering

Does the 2011 Ford Focus have steering problems?

Owners have filed 10 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Ford Focus, 9% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2011 Ford Focus steering problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 40,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2011 Ford Focus steering?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Ford Focus have bad steering?

The Ford Focus model years with the most steering complaints are 2012 (927 complaints), 2013 (273 complaints) and 2014 (223 complaints).

Other 2011 Ford Focus problems

Electrical 25Transmission 20Locks 17Body 14Acceleration 9Airbags 6Wheels 6Brakes 5Suspension 5Engine 4Fuel system 4Tires 4Driver assistance 3Lights 3Seat belts 3Seats 2Visibility 2

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