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2014 Ford Focus steering complaints

Page 6 of 9: complaints 131 to 160 of 223, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2014 Ford Focus steering problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jun 23, 2018 · Steering · 67,000 miles · NC

I was driving home from work on a city street and I got a warning light that said "power steering assist fault" and I suddenly lost my power steering. I was able to get home but I am obviously concerned. While doing an internet search on the problem I found a site with many complaints and they said there was a recall on 2013 ford focus models for the same problem, so this has been an ongoing issue with ford.

Filed Jun 21, 2018 · Steering · 46,057 miles · OR

Power steering failure. Needs total replacement. Vehicle only has 46,000 miles. I was lucky I was not driving it, when it went out. I am guessing the temp that day had something to do with it. Temp was 85 that day.

Filed Jun 1, 2018 · Steering · 60,000 miles · GA

I parked vehicle in parking lot of store. I returned to car, started the engine, put car in reverse, gave it a little gas while I tried to turn the steering but it would not move. Message flashed 'steering wheel assist error'. Car now has to be towed to dealership for a repair that is not covered by ford. Lucky the steering did not go out while I was driving.

Filed May 31, 2018 · Steering · 82,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford focus. The contact stated that the warning indicator flashed "power steering loss" and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (echelon ford, 4 s white horse pike, stratford, nj 08084, 1-(856) 627-8400) where it was diagnosed that the steering motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer issued 95 tsbs for the steering and one steering recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.

Filed Apr 24, 2018 · Steering · 38,300 miles · TX

Steering wheel has locked twice after vehicle had started and was moving. First was when leaving a garage at work and moving forwards on a turn. Second was when trying to back out of a parking spot in reverse and locked up. Both times the hud popped up a message indicating failure. Took to dealer to diagnose and they said I need a new steering rack for $2300. Seems strange or faulty on the company considering it is a 2014 focus with only 38k miles on it that this would fail so soon. Never been in an accident. I am hoping this doesn't happen while driving, otherwise it might not just be repair problem but a wrongful death suit against ford. Being unable to move your steering wheel while driving is very dangerous and I am confused the estimate to repair was so high. Other websites indicate well under $1,000 to replace a steering rack with parts and labor. I suggest ford fix this problem with a recall before it gets worse for me and other owners.

Filed Apr 18, 2018 · Steering · 59,837 miles · CA

I was driving in the #1 lane in moderate traffic on the freeway, going about 40 MPH, moving straight ahead, and slightly accelerating. An alert showed up on my dash screen stating that there was an issue with steering assist. As I pulled off the freeway, I noticed that it was significantly more difficult to turn my steering wheel, and as I took a right turn at the freeway exit, it was almost impossible to turn. I had the vehicle towed to a mechanic who recommended that I have it taken to the dealership, as he believed it fell under the same steering issue that many other ford models have lately been recalled for. The dealership confirmed that the steering gear will need to be replaced, at full cost to me because the focus does not fall under these recalls. Ford must issue a recall for the focus models in addition to those that have already been recalled. I am not the only focus owner to experience this terrifying issue, which could have easily caused an accident had my steering assist gone out in a slightly different situation. This is a life threatening fault and focus owners need to be aware that the vehicles they are driving are dangerous.

Filed Apr 15, 2018 · Steering · 42,000 miles · OH

Went to autozone for power steering fluid. They asked year make model said it doesn't require it. I left an on my way out steering locked. Praise the lord no one way hurt.

Filed Apr 4, 2018 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 133,000 miles · TN

I have had this 2014 ford focus since early 2015. I have had problems out of this car since I have had it, with the dealership not ever finding out what was wrong. It started with power train issues which they had issued a recall for and I had brought to them and the dealership still did not fix. The last two weeks the car has begun having steering issues. While I was driving it just locked up and I had to coast to a stop and restart it. It drove fine after it sat for a minute and I restarted it, then three days later would not turn again after I started the vehicle while parked in my driveway and was getting ready to drop my children off at school and then head to work myself. I once again had to turn the vehicle of and let it sit for a minute and had to restart it. It ran okay for another three days. This morning it once again while parked in my driveway will not turn and the steering assist light came on the car. This time it will not turn at all after I have restarted the car several times.

Filed Mar 28, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 2,435 miles · CA

I had nothing but problems with this car I've had it for eight months and I am in a death trap ford is trying to kill me I swear to god I've taken this car in for transmission alignment tire rotation is a full blown body inspection my car pulls me left alright I never watch but I never know which way I'm going I come off the freeway and I better be prepared for head on collision I had a ford tec , drive with me in this dangerous car and he to felt the car pool one way or the other. Back to the service department guess what there is nothing they can do about it .[xxx] ford recall staring gears..recall 14v514000 another 16v643000 another 15v813000 more fuel system gasoline devilettes fuel pump many more.. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Mar 22, 2018 · Steering · 47,925 miles · FL

When car is parked and I start the engine the dashboard shows "steering assist fault" error message appears. When the attempt to drive the steering wheel will be very difficult to turn to the right or to the left or will lock. This issue makes it very difficult to make turns in an intersections, highways and city streets. Problem will continues until car is turn off. When the car is started up again, the message error will appear on the dashboard and the steering wheel problem will continue.

Filed Mar 15, 2018 · Steering · 50,000 miles · UT

The steering wheel on my 2014 ford focus se came loose one morning. No indication of looseness in the weeks leading up. The steering wheel just became very wobbly and loose. The ford dealership stated it was not covered under warranty and the comprehensive extended warranty wouldn't cover it either, the issue: a nut that holds the steering wheel to the steering column came loose. According to the technician, there was not much loctight on the bolt. $200 later I have the same nut tightened back down with newly added loctight. Fast forward and on 3/14/2018 ford announced a recall affecting 1.4 million ford fusions that have this very same issue. Yet I have a focus not a fusion. This issue is not seclusive to just the fusion line up and ford needs to expand their recall to put the same fix in place for all affected models. Perhaps the loctight isn't enough and the focus needs the new aggressive threaded bolt with the nylon nut.

Filed Mar 14, 2018 · Steering, Transmission · 20,000 miles · CA

Start with the transmission RPM go between five and seven after a stop sign are trying to merge onto the freeway second all coming off the freeway are coming to a complete stop anywhere in the street the congress poll either left or right you never really know which way causing you to lose control of the car

Filed Feb 27, 2018 · Steering · 49,800 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford focus. While driving approximately 15 MPH, a warning alarm sounded and a steering failure warning message displayed. The power steering suddenly malfunctioned and the steering wheel locked up. As a result, the contact drove off the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the failure continued. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was instructed to have the vehicle diagnosed. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 49,800. *tt

Filed Feb 21, 2018 · Steering · SC · crash · 1 injury

Cpsc: a week ago, my son was driving app 45 miles per hour when suddenly the power steering locked, jerking his vehicle to the left, across the adjacent lane on a 2 lane highway. He attempted to redirect the vehicle, but the steering was locked and he could not control the car. *dt the consumer stated the vehicle became airborne. The seat belt locked and the airbag deployed.

Filed Jan 25, 2018 · Steering · 41,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford focus. While driving 55 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the steering assist warning indicator illuminated. The contact pulled over, turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the power steering failed to reset. The vehicle was able to be driven without power steering. The vehicle was taken to currie motors ford of valpo (2052 w morthland dr, valparaiso, in 46385, (219) 464-3523) where it was diagnosed that the strut and pinion in the power steering needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed her not to drive the vehicle because the front wheels would turn in different directions. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 41,000.

Filed Dec 14, 2017 · Steering · 21,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford focus. While driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to watertown ford in walthan, massachusetts where it was diagnosed that the electrical power steering rack needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Nov 14, 2017 · Steering · 35,000 miles · FL

Ability to turn heavily degraded; loud squealing when turning the steering wheel; strong force required to make turns; loss of power steering; unsafe to drive; ford dealership diagnosed failed rack and pinion

Filed Oct 29, 2017 · Steering · 58,000 miles · FL · crash

Steering wheel acted like it lost power and as I tried to avoid a curb, instead of avoiding the curb the vechile hit the curb and blew out two tires and more damage. I will find out when I go to the ford dealer. This is the second accident I have had with a steering issue with this vechile. Sterling has been an issue where it acts like manual if the car sits or around water. Car has also had clutch and multiple service for transmission issues.

Filed Oct 24, 2017 · Steering · 37,900 miles · AL

When I parked my car it was in perfect working condition. The car sat for a few days and when I went to go drive it again the steering wheel was locked up while the car was on then it unlocked after a few seconds. When I turned the wheel both ways there was a weird noise (like tire on the pavement but worse) and a grinding/vibration in the steering wheel. I drove the car anyways think maybe it just needing to be driven after just sitting. While only a 100 yards down the road (city street) the steering wheel locked up for a second they unlocked. Had my dad look at my car and drive it to make sure I wasn't crazy and he couldn't find anything visually but said it wasn't right. Took to dealership the next morning. The dealership had no idea what was wrong with my car. All the technician and even the manager was stumped. Not a good sign. They had to contact the help desk for assistant. They finally got an answer 4 days later that the steering racking pin was bad and needed to be replaced. It was out of warranty of course so the cost of part is going to be about $1900 plus labor so I looking at around $2100. I was able to get cost to only be $560 as a goodwill cost from the dealership.

Filed Oct 15, 2017 · Steering · 39,437 miles · FL

The electronic power steering (epas), or driving assistance system, displays an error: "steering assist fault; service required." ford focus vehicles are outfitted with the electronic steering assist system install of the standard fluid-based power steering pumps. From forums and blogs, the problem looks to happen after turning the car off, then back on again. The sensor for this system looks to not triggering the steering assist.

Filed Sep 15, 2017 · Steering, Transmission · 9,999 miles · MD · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford focus. While driving 35 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. The contact lost power steering and the vehicle crashed into a guardrail. A police report was not filed. The contact stated that the front passenger side fender to the rear quarter panel was severely damaged. Additionally, the transmission began to shudder. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to hagerstown ford (1714 massey blvd, hagerstown, md 21740, (301) 733-3673) where it was diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the clutch was replaced for the second time. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v514000 (steering). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 9,999.

Filed Aug 31, 2017 · Steering · 70,000 miles · MS

I only bought the car last year. Now, I cannot hardly steer it. The steering wheel locks up. I have to fight to turn it. A few mechanics took a look at it, at a shop, and they said it was the steering column, that it is defective. There are other reports about ford knowing there is an issue with the steering. I want a car that is safe. This car has had issues, continuously, since I bought it. Now, I am stuck with paying almost $400/month on a car that I cannot drive. This is not fair. Besides not fair, I do not want to end up dead, or any of my family members dead, because of a defect in the safety of the vehicle.

Filed Aug 28, 2017 · Airbags, Steering · 19,000 miles · NY · crash

While driving home through the village at under 30mph, slowing down from 30mph because of traffic stop ahead, the right front side of vehicle crashed down and control was lost causing me to sideswipe parked vehicle. The pieces of the front end appear to have failed and were falling all over the road.

Filed Aug 3, 2017 · Steering · 37,000 miles · NY

2014 ford focus power steering issue while driving this vehicle the power steering failed while making a right turn on a busy roadway in a urban area. The steering wheel locked in the turning position and the power steering assist warning light came on. I had to put the vehicle in park and turn the ignition off. I turned the ignition back on and put the vehicle in drive and the vehicle's power steering failed once more and the steering wheel locked a second time. I once again put the vehicle in park and turned off the ignition and removed the key. I waited several seconds and started the ignition, placed the vehicle in drive and the vehicle once again failed. I had the car taken to the dealership for servicing and was told that this is a common issue this vehicle has and it would take several weeks to repair due to the volume of repairs this dealership has at the moment. I had this same vehicle repaired several months ago for the transmission issue that is currently under recall. The car performed fairly well after the repair. The same hesitation issue began again a few weeks ago and now this issue arose as well. I asked the dealer if this too would be covered under the recall / warranty and was told the transmission was but they did not know if the power steering issue was but would get me an answer from ford. I've read all the other complaints regarding this vehicles issues and my experience is the exact same. There's no doubt in my mind that ford is well aware of this issue judging on how many formal complaints have been issued. I will be letting go of this vehicle when it is repaired. I will not operate this 2014 ford focus in good conscience knowing full well that it presents a significant liability to my safety and the safety of others.

Filed Aug 1, 2017 · Steering · 30,000 miles · AK

My daughter was driving her new/used ford focus into town and the epas--power steering assist fault coded and she had no power steering. She was going roughly 55 and she could notice it becoming harder to steer. By the time she made it so a parking lot for safety it was close to non-steerable. It became hard for her to steer and luckily she did not have or cause and accident with the sudden change. She tried to assess what was wrong which is when we learned there is no powersteering fluid as it has and eletric steering assist instead. It doesn't work now and shortly after this code faulted the entire car shut down. It won't start and is useless--ford replaced a perfectly good steering system with crap. I hope nobody gets hurt be this defective system.

Filed Aug 1, 2017 · Steering · 31,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford focus. The contact stated while the vehicle was operated at normal speeds and it experienced a loss of power steering. The power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle towed to chapman ford where it was diagnosed the steering column needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.

Filed Jul 7, 2017 · Steering · 56,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford focus. The contact stated that the steering wheel shook while driving at lower speeds. The contact took the vehicle to the foothill ford dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering clutch failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the clutch was replaced twice under warranty; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the repair was no longer covered under warranty. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency to file a complaint and was advised to reference the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v514000 (steering) as the cause of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000. Updated 08/23/17*lj

Filed Jun 26, 2017 · Steering · 81,000 miles · NJ

Upon startup no power steering, making steering extremely difficult. Dashboard message stating "electronic steering assist fault needs service now" diagnosis came back steering gear is bad. Class action has been filed for 2012-14 ford focus as well as 2010-2014 ford fusion so it is a known issue but still no assistance by ford.

Filed Jun 21, 2017 · Engine, Steering · 45,000 miles · FL

Bought a 2014 ford focus 1/17/16and 6 months after owning it, the vehicle shuddered when taking off at a green light, had lost power around corners. Got a recall notice june 2016 got a new clutch and transmission power train. January 2017 problem persisted brought it back to the dealer they said its over 60,000 warranty and have to pay cash for the transmission repair . Could not drive the car safely it would not shift. Brought it back without recall notice june 20, 2017, and the dealer said they will file a 360 on repair of the clutch. Waiting for the dealer to call now 6/21/17 . I need a reliable car for work and my family and can not drive this car. So scared driving it 3/4 close calls and rear ends. It sits as I pay for it every month.

Filed May 26, 2017 · Steering · 48,000 miles · MD

Electric failure of power steering. I was told that there was a "short" that caused the power steering mechanism to fail. Less than 3 years and 48k miles. Sudden failure with total loss of power steering.

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