2016 Ford Focus: loss of power steering

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · TX

I am filing this complaint regarding my 2016 Ford Focus S and concerns about a potentially recurring safety defect associated with Ford’s safety recall involving the canister purge valve. My vehicle experienced a no-start condition and stalling. The vehicle became inoperable and had to be towed to an authorized Ford dealership for inspection. These symptoms are particularly concerning because the recall information describes the possibility of engine stalling and difficulty restarting the vehicle. The dealership informed me that the recall had previously been performed on my vehicle. However, despite the recall repair, my vehicle experienced symptoms consistent with those described in the recall. The dealership was able to start the vehicle when it arrived and stated that it could not reproduce the problem. The dealership subsequently performed diagnostic testing on a dyno but claimed that the issue was unrelated to the recall. No definitive cause for the no-start and stalling condition was identified. I was charged $219 for the diagnostic testing. I am concerned that the dealership’s inability to reproduce an intermittent problem does not establish that the underlying safety defect has been corrected or that the current symptoms are unrelated to the recalled component. A vehicle that unexpectedly stalls or fails to restart creates a serious safety risk. If the engine stalls while driving, the driver could lose power and potentially lose power steering assistance and normal brake assistance. The vehicle could become disabled in traffic, at an intersection, or in another dangerous location. A vehicle that unexpectedly fails to restart could also leave the driver stranded in an unsafe location.The problem was intermittent, which may explain why the dealership was unable to reproduce it during its inspection. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether the recall remedy is adequately addressing this safety concern and reimbursement of a diagnostic and tow fee.

Filed Nov 1, 2025 · Engine · NJ

In the Ford 3 cylinder 1.0L Ecoboost engines there is a terrible wet belt system, there is a recall on the automatic models but nothing for the manual models, regardless of the fact that the manual models are designed far more poorly than the automatic models in the sense that the manual models have no tensioners and rely solely on the factory tension of the screws, keeping in mind that the belt is both rubber and sitting in hot oil when in use, if not a money grab, my best guess is that they hoped the wet rubber belt would simply not not stretch in good faith. 4 days after getting basic maintenance, the wet belt failed, clogging the oil pickup causing engine failure, and temporary loss of power steering, after the engine was given time to warm up, luckily the road was nearly empty, and i was driving at a slower pace. However the fact that Ford Motor Company has gone nearly a decade without dealing with the issue, and then denies having knowledge of this design flaw, is absolutely and abundantly absurd. I have all vehicle maintenance records, as well as mechanic testimony, all of which point to this incident being caused by poor engine design. In addition to the estimated cost to replace the engine is 8,500$, or about 140% the cars total value prior to the engine failure. This a NOT a minor issue, this is not even a uncommon fail point on many other manual models, this IS a major safety concern, that god forbit it, could lead to a major accident. I simply think that the Ford Motor Company should be made accountable for cheaping out for profit, at the cost of customer’s safety.

Filed Oct 29, 2025 · Engine · NJ

The transistor arm or tensioning arm for the wet belt, which drives the oil pump in the oil pan failed, leading to oil starvation to the engine, causing total catastrophic engine failure, and temporary loss of power steering, while driving, fortunately, I was moving at a slow pace in minimal traffic, however, this is a known fail point in Ford 1.0 L ecoboost 3 cyl engines, that Ford claims my vehicle does not have, and refuses to cover, regardless of the fact that it did happen, and I have pictures in mechanic testimony to prove this to be true, had I’ve been on a different road, or had more traffic, this could have to a fatality. The engine replacement would cost a estimated 4500-7500$

Filed Aug 6, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · AZ

My 2016 Ford Focus SE is stalling at higher temperatures while driving at high speeds, which is very dangerous. This issue occurs primarily during hotter daily temperatures. I have previously taken the vehicle in for the recall (the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V735000) related to the Canister Purge Valve (CPV) malfunction, which was supposed to address excessive vacuum in the fuel vapor management system. However, this did not resolve the stalling issue. This has stalled my car out at interstate highway speeds (75 MPH) which makes me lose power steering and acceleration and has nearly ended in accidents numerous of times due to this.

Filed Apr 3, 2024 · Engine · GA

On March 29 2024, vehicle had rough idle on start, problem remedied with restart. All fluids appeared to be within normal levels with coolant reservoir indicating just below half-full. On March 30 2024, vehicle idled rough on starting. Attempted restarts led to multiple stalls with failure to start after third attempt. Inspection of engine bay found coolant reservoir to be empty. Upon towing to dealership, service department denied the federal safety agency #23V905 as cause of failure, stating that the engine was showing coolant intrusion into cylinders and needed a full replacement at 57,771 miles. This is similar to the federal safety agency Complaint # 11570577. The engine showed no driver-visible warning indicators of imminent failure. This is a cause for concern as engine failure while driving will lead to loss of power steering and brake assist systems. These are safety critical systems and can cause an accident if rendered inoperable while in motion.

Filed Sep 24, 2021 · Steering · NC

Power steering failed while driving making it difficult to steer car.

Filed Jul 7, 2021 · Steering · 26,500 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while reversing into the driveway, the power steering assist warning light illuminated, and the steering became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 26,500.

Filed Jan 12, 2021 · Electrical · 75,490 miles · NC

My power steering went out without giving me warning messages first, this happened last week 01/07/21. It's reading "steering loss".

Filed Jan 9, 2020 · Steering · 53,735 miles · NC

Hello, my car lost the ability to steer while driving at highway speeds and in a turn. It went out like a light bulb would. No warning. I was luckily as no traffic was coming when this happened and the arch of the curve was favorable for this situation. I noticed the warning light came on power steering assist fault. God forbid if I would have had my grandchildren with me and there was traffic!! This has been identified as an issue before with earlier models and a recall was issued but the issue still remains with the newer models as well. Someone will have a terrible accident soon with the possibility of loss of life. Please look into this as it is just a matter of time before something unfortunate happens. Thank you! :-) [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 22, 2019 · Fuel system · 35,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ford focus. The contact stated that the engine failed to start and the power steering assist warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v735000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, it was unknown if the failure was related to the recall. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 35,000.

Filed Jun 25, 2019 · Steering · 35,080 miles · MO

Turned vehicle on, there was no power steering. Turned vehicle off and turned it back on. Still, steering wheel felt like it was locked. Thankfully we weren't driving. With much difficulty, was able to get vehicle down the street to ford dealership. Ford says complete replacement of power steering unit is required to fix the problem. 35k miles on vehicle.

Filed Dec 5, 2018 · Steering · 39,000 miles · FL

Recently when starting my car I received a "steering assistant failure service required warning" I turned my car off and restarted it and it went away. This happened again when I went shopping and came out to my parked car. This time the warning would not go away. I tried disconnecting the battery to disconnect power and it did not work. I was able to drive the car (with no power steering) to a dealership. This appears to be a common problem in some models of ford cars and believe it should be investigated.