Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While the contact's son was driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel failed and was difficult to turn. In addition, the power assist warning indicator illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 113,000.
2012 Ford Focus steering complaints
Page 11 of 32: complaints 281 to 310 of 927, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that the power steering failed. While steering, the contact had to use excessive force to turn and the steering wheel seized frequently. The contact stated that "service steering" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to koons ford (2540 riva rd, annapolis, md 21401, (410) 224-2100) where it was diagnosed that a new power steering system needed to be installed. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.
Came on after I was attempting to repair the heat/AC fan as it has failed after unhooking the battery post to atemp to reset computer to see if the code would reset it did not. Steering is hard and unsafe if it happens to fail while driving the speed limit on interstate or parkways. It may cause possible accidents if not recalled and a fix happen. Stationary when this issue happen
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that the power steering was faulty and the steering wheel seized, which made it difficult to turn. Also, when the vehicle was started and the contact shifted into drive, the vehicle automatically went in reverse. The contact had to immediately engage the parking brake. Also, while the vehicle was parked on the street, it rolled backwards due to the parking position. Furthermore, while attempting to reverse, the vehicle stalled. Also, the door latches were loose and in danger of becoming detached. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed multiple times. The vehicle was taken to ted russell ford (9925 parkside dr, knoxville, tn 37922, (865) 444-6467) and serviced multiple times for each failure; however, each failure remained except for the power steering failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and did not assist. The failure mileage was 130,000.
I purchased a used 2012 ford focus that is equipped with the electric power assist steering. At about 116,500 I started having trouble turning the vehicle while driving. An "power assist malfunction" message appeared, but after restarting the car it "solved" the problem. However, at around 118,000 it came on permanently while I was making a left hand turn causing me to hit a granite curb putting a dent in the rim.. I recently had to have the car inspected (01/05/2019) and it failed the safety portion of the inspection. This is a safety issue, and I understand it will cost me over $2,000 dollars to have "fixed". This type of "steering units" have been recalled by ford on previous models of their vehicles, but not on the 2012 ford focus. Why? This puts lives at risk because of their faulty design and really needs to be addressed. It is driveable but extremely hard to turn when at slow (5mph to 15mph) speeds, but still, it is extremely difficult to park in a crowded parking lot.
Tried to start car this morning and couldn't turn steering wheel when trying to back out with warning light coming on. Has happened one other time. Worried it will happen while driving and I have to drive daily on a one lane highway that is off the edge of mountain. Afraid of going over edge if it happens while on it. Will be calling dealershiip about it. Car has 135,000 miles.
With increasing frequency the power steering fails at startup. I turn the car off and back on again, seems to be a quick fix, but I worry something is actually broken.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. When the vehicle was started, the steering wheel failed and became difficult to turn. In addition, the steering assist warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to wayne akers ford (2010 10th ave n & I-95, lake worth, fl 33461, (561) 582-4444), but was not diagnosed or repaired due to the fees. The manufacturer was contacted via mail and did not assist. The failure mileage was 37,000. *tt
Vehicle was stationary at the time. Steering assist warning check manual came on the dash and I was unable to turn the steering wheel. Luckily I was stopped. I turned the car off and back on and it worked. Kind of scared to drive it now though, what if that happens when I'm in motion????
The electronic rack and pinion failed when driving. The car started displaying a power steering assist error on the display. All power steering was lost and car nearing lost control and caused an accident. Speed was 55 MPH on shug jordan. After diagnosing the issue, a replacement power steering unit needed to be installed. Ford made a defective part.
Upon starting my 2012 ford focus on two occasions in the past 2 months, my steering wheel would not turn. The "steering wheel assist: fault" message alerted on my steering wheel screen on both occasions. The car was parked on the street and upon turning the car on and seeing the message, I attempted to drive out of the parking spot and could only go straight or backwards. After finding multiple complaints online about my same issue, I took it to my local auto repair shop to diagnose the issue. The diagnosis code is u3000:49 - control module internal electronic failure, and the invoice/technician's opinion can be found in the uploaded file below.
While driving the vehicle the steering failed fortunately I was at my own street and finally got it home by getting my grandson to help me turn the wheels. Took to aamoco they scanned for codes and updated the PCM/TCM. It broke again in 3 days. I was fortunate again I had not left my driveway. This is a safety issue if yo are on a freeway or other roadway where traffic is moving fast. This whole endeavor cost over $2000 to fix. I averted the danger but whose to say others my not.
For a few months now my power steering has been not working when I turn the car on sporadically. To fix this I have been just turning the car off then back on a few times and that seems to fix the problem. However, now it won't reset and I do not have power steering at all. I had it towed to the dealer and after they charged me 140 they tols me that it needs a new rack and pin and it would cost 2400!!! Ford issued a recall on several different cars for this same issue. How many more people have to be hurt or die before they issue one for this? I just had the transmission control module replaced under warranty and received a letter in the mail informing me that a recall was issued due to the fuel system causing major problems.
Steering assist fault; loss of power steering in the vehicle
Steering wheel locked up while vehicle in motion (unable to steer). Turned key off then back on after getting car stopped and steering worked. This has happened at initial start up on three separate occasions. Wife refuses to drive it. At initial start up we were unable to even turn the steering wheel with engine running. On one occasion I had to return half hour later and it did function properly. Very unpredictable. Ford dealership says it's the steering gear and costs about $2,000 to replace. Display on vehicle says problem is electric assist for power steering. Vehicle has 89,000 miles on it. No control of vehicle if loses power steering assist. Additionally the driver's side window will not roll up or down. Rubber door gaskets continue to fall off on all four doors. The dust cover under the motor is nothing more than a piece of cardboard with some sprayed on fuzzy fake material covering one side.
Started car up ,steering locked up,turn car off,restart steering worked,car was stationary
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving approximately 8 MPH, the vehicle lost all power steering ability and the steering assist failure warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.
"steer assist fault" error message with total loss of power steering while driving, causing low speed impact into curb in neighborhood. This is a known power steering system failure and yet ford has failed its customers and continue to put them in danger and life's as risk. This is my 16year old daughter car and it is an absolute disgrace that this issue has significant documentation & complaints confirming this failure yet no recall & ford not taking responsibility for their products. It's extremely sad that it will probably take a humans life before this known power steering failure issue which causes drivers to lose all power steering capabilities! Hey ford..don't expect a merry christmas from the [xxx] family! Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
While I was driving the whole stearing column starts to vibrate then it tightens up and the light comes on saying stearing assist fault, service required. When this happens the stearing wheel locks up and you can't turn. I've had this happen three times, luckily not in a curve or at a higher rate of speed. I have to stop the car, turn it off and back on to reset. I know I will crash if I am going around a curve or driving on the interstate, with the car stearing locked. I currently have it at the ford dealership for repair. The mechanic said it was not safe to drive.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. When the vehicle was started, the power steering indicator illuminated and the vehicle could not be steered. The dealer (verner-cadby ford, 1240 bloomfield ave, fairfield, nj 07004, (973) 575-0333) stated that the failure was due to age and the repair would cost approximately $1,700. The manufacturer stated that there was no recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.
70k miles, steering assist failure. Leaving my 19 yo daughter stranding out of town. Car was parked and malfunction would not reset with restarting or disconnecting battery. $2000 to repair... I own four fords and my patience is wearing thin from all the recalls on all four vehicles that I own.
Electric assist steering failed after 116,000 due to manufacturers placement of electronic box location 3" (three inches) away from exhaust manifold, thereby destroying electronics inside sealed box. Makes steering extremely difficult. Failure in parking lot and almost caused me to hit a parked car while trying to turn into a parking space.
Electronic power steering failure light keeps going on and no power steering is available. Does reset upon restarting car. There are over 10000 online forum complaints about same issue. Ford was aware of issue and continued to sell the vehicle with this issue and the transmission control fault.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While starting the vehicle, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer (gosch ford escondido, 1717 auto park way, escondido, ca 92029, (760) 745-3361) where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was 67,000.
Car was in park. When I turned on the ignition and started to back out I couldn't turn the steering wheel and the power steering warning light came on. I put the car back in park, turned it off then back on after a couple of minutes and it was fine. This has happened at least 4 times within the past year.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving 25 MPH, the power steering failed without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle became very difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the electronic power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. An unknown dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
7 years ago I purchased a brand new 2012 ford focus from a local dealership. The car currently has 36,600 miles only, but so far had 3 recalls(!). 1 for transmission issues (got it to the dealership, they said they fixed it but to this date it is still stalling when accelerating), 1 for defect door latches, and 1 for the fuel pump. On top of these 2 days ago while trying to back out from a parking lot the steering wheel went dead and a warning came up on the dashboard screen saying the power steering is out. Towed it and took it to the nearest ford dealership and after two days I got the new that rack and pinion need replacement and it will cost $2,100 parts and labor. Called ford motors company and they said it's nothing they can do since the car is out of warranty. How can parts like these can fail after only 36,000 miles??? And why ford motor company doesn't take responsibility for defect cars like these placed on the market to be sold as "new"?!
Starting my car while parked, power steering malfunction indicated on dash, I would shut the car off and start it again and it would clear, however after multiple times of this occurring it is constant. I am unable to drive my car and will have to pay close to $2000 for the repair. My car has 55000 miles!
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. When the contact started the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.
The power steering assist malfunction light went on and power steering failed three times on my ford focus 2012. When I restarted the car, the malfunction light went away and power steering returned. Each time the vehicle was in a stationary position. The dealership service department said the rack and pinion module needed to be replaced. Thank goodness my vehicle was not in motion or serious injury or death could have occurred. The vehicle has less than 35,000 miles on it and there is no reason why this significant of a repair is necessary on a vehicle with so little mileage on it. This is clearly a manufacturer defect problem and not a wear and tear issue. Ford was not willing to assist in any way unless this part is subject to a recall.
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