2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid: steering wheel locks up

Filed Nov 20, 2024 · Steering · 80,000 miles · UT

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized, with the steering assist failure message displayed. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the steering assembly had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed May 21, 2018 · Steering · 88,000 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford fusion hybrid. While operating the vehicle, the steering wheel seized and became very difficult to maneuver. The "service power steering" and "service advance trac" messages displayed as the failure occurred. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer (adamson ford in birmingham, al) were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.

Filed Apr 3, 2018 · Steering · 98,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford fusion hybrid. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized while being operated at various speeds. The power steering fault warning indicator illuminated. Fred beans ford of boyertown (525 pa-100, bechtelsville, pa) was contacted, but the failure could not be diagnosed. The steering gear assembly was replaced at the same dealer approximately three times. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

Filed Jan 24, 2018 · Steering · 126,000 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford fusion hybrid. While driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning while the contact was switching lanes. The vehicle was pulled over to a shoulder lane where the failure was still present. The contact owned a diagnostic machine and the codes indicated that the power steering control module needed to be replaced. The local dealer (mcclary ford, 1104 us hwy 72 e, athens, al 35611) was contacted and stated that an appointment for diagnostic testing needed to be scheduled. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v340000 (steering). The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

Filed Aug 23, 2017 · Engine, Steering · 110,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford fusion hybrid. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle hesitated without warning. In addition, while driving the vehicle to the dealer, the steering wheel seized intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (kruse motor sales ltd, 515 broadway st, baraboo,wi, 53913) where it was diagnosed that the coolant motor and power steering failed and needed to be replaced. The coolant motor was replaced along with the spark plugs; however, the power steering was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v340000 (steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer informed the contact to have the vehicle taken to a ford dealer for diagnostic testing. The local ford dealer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Filed Mar 17, 2015 · Driver assistance, Steering · 60,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford fusion hybrid. While driving at approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the traction control and an unknown warning indicator illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Nov 24, 2014 · Steering · 84,000 miles · MS

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford fusion. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and the power steering assist fault message illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,000.

Filed Nov 7, 2014 · Steering · 62,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the service steering now warning message illuminated as the steering wheel seized and excessive force was required. The contact merged over to the emergency lane and shut the vehicle off. The vehicle was restarted and the steering resumed normal operation. However, the failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnosis and they stated that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The dealer reprogrammed the electrical power steering but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Sep 12, 2014 · Steering · 21,503 miles · VA

While attempting to park the car, the power steering froze. With great effort I was barely able to turn the wheel and complete the parking. After turning the engine off, for some unknown reason, I turned the engine on again and the power steering was operating normally. The next day I drove to the nearest ford dealership and the steering was normal. The repair charge for replacing the electronic steering mechanism was $1704. I have since learned (via google) that this problem is common in ford vehicles that have switched from hydraulic to electronic power steering. Had the power steering locked while I was switching lanes in heavy traffic, or attempting to pass on a two lane road, I might not have been able to write this note. Clearly, a recall is in order.