The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no reservoir cap to check for power steering fluid. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid steering problems
36 complaints (38% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 67,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 36
- of this car's complaints
- 38%
- typical mileage
- 67,000
- crashes
- 1
- 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 Fusion Hybrid steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Power Steering Failure
On September 28, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE16-011) to investigate claims of power steering assist loss on model year (MY) 2010 Ford Fusion vehicles. During the PE, ODI received 718 unique claims related to the alleged problem with 598 reports indicating the power steering assist failed while driving at various speeds with no warning. Ford Motor Company (Ford) provided 1,851 unique reports and 1,720 warranty claims related to the alleged problem. It should be noted that as the result of investigation PE14-030, Ford conducted a safety recall (15V‑340) ofMY 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and other vehicles using the same electric power assist steering unit to rectify incidents of loss of power steering assist. On November 20, 2017, PE16-011 was upgraded to this Engineering Analysis (EA17-004) to further assess the scope, frequency, and consequence of this failure. This was based on an analysis of the subject vehicle complaint data that had indicated an increased likelihood of failure as the vehicles age. At the time, the rate of occurrence of this failure was comparable to previous investigations involving loss of power steering assist including the previously mentioned PE14-030. During the EA, ODIâs analysis of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles identified the following: testing showed minor steering effort changes between âassistâ and âno assistâ, no root cause identified, a declining failure trend, the ramp-down or reduced assist provided when a DTC is set, a lower failure rate than the recalled Fusion vehicles, and the high age of the vehicles. A safety-related defect trend has not been identified. Accordingly, this Engineering Analysis is closed. See the attached Engineering Analysis Closing Report for details. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety defect does not exist, and ODI will take further actions if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
EA17004
Electric power steering failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate complaints of the loss of power steering while driving. The subject vehicles are equipped with a rack mounted Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) unit.Some of the complaints alleged that the steering assist failed and resulted in increased steering efforts that contributed to a loss of control and in some cases a crash.The EPAS system was manufactured by TRW Automotive for Ford and was designated as Generation I.These units were first produced and put into vehicle production in July 2008 beginning with the model year (MY) 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan.The system is comprised of a mechanical steering rack-and-pinion gear with torque sensor, electric assist motor, motor position sensor and a power steering control module (PSCM). The PSCM is self-monitoring and designed to detect faults within the system and can store diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) if a problem is detected.There are 29 potential DTCs the system can detect.Many of these allow the system to go into reduced-assist steering mode by using the default vehicle speed signal should the live speed signal be lost, if voltage to EPAS system falls below 10.7 or goes above 17 volts, the temperature at the PSCM goes above 105C (221F), or if high friction is detected.Some DTCs will cause the system to go into manual steering mode (no assist). On July 1, 2015, Ford filed a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a safety related defect in TRW GEN I EPAS systems installed in some of the subject vehicles (the federal safety agency Recall 15V‑340, Ford No. 15S18).The DIR indicated that intermittent electrical connections caused by quality issues associated with conformal coat contamination and ribbon cable pin misalignment within the steering gear motor may lead to a loss of the motor position sensor signal, resulting in a sudden loss of power assist while driving.The recall covers approximately 393,623 vehicles built from September 2010 through February 2012:2011-12 Fusion built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012; 2011-12 Lincoln MKZ built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012; 2011 Milan built SEP 2010 - DEC 2010; 2011-13 Taurus built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012; 2011-13 Flex with 3.5L GTDI engine built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012; and 2011-13 MKS, MKT with 3.5L GTDI engine built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012.The repair consists of updating the PSCM software to prevent a loss of steering assist while driving. The revised software will provide audible and visual warnings to the driver. If one or more of the following DTCs are stored, C1B00-62, C200B-2F, C200B-61, C200B-62, C200C-2F, C200D-49, U0300-00, U2011-49, U2011-61, U3000-46, U3000-49, U3000-61, U3000-72, U3000-96, P07AE-09, the dealer will replace the EPAS system at no charge to the owner.ODI's analysis of failure data for this PE identified a total of 2,584 complaints to ODI and Ford and 9,967 Ford warranty claims related to the alleged defect.The recalled vehicles account for 1,634 of the complaints and 7,311 of the warranty claims.ODI's analysis identified 40 complaints alleging crashes that may be related to loss of steering assist while driving, 20 of which involved vehicles included in Ford's recall.The information available for the alleged crashes were not sufficient to assess specific causes of the incidents or to verify EPAS malfunctions in each case.Most of the crashes were low-speed impacts with curbs or roadside objects resulting in wheel or minor body damage.None of the injury claims indicated medical attention was required.In addition, statistical modeling of the failure data by the federal safety agency's National Center for Statistics and Analysis projected 10-year failur
PE14030
What 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. While the contact’s daughter was operating the vehicle, the steering wheel was very difficult to turn in either direction, with the message "Power Steering Malfunction" displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering rack was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 68,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated a message that the “Advance-trac System Failure - Service Required” message was displayed. The contact drove the vehicle home, turned off the vehicle, and noticed that the steering wheel was locked. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure occurred on two prior occasions and was diagnosed as an Advance-trac system failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 207,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the TPMS warning light illuminated. The contact stopped at a local gas station and inflated the driver's side front tire. The contact stated that after inflating the tire, the Advancetrac error and power system failure warning lights were illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and proceeded to drive the vehicle to his destination; however, the power steering seized and became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed steering gearbox. The contact was informed that the steering gearbox needed to be replaced, and the tires needed to be rotated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford fusion hybrid. While driving 5 MPH, the advance auto trac and power steering assist warning indicators illuminated. Also, while making a right turn, the steering wheel seized. The contact attempted to steer the wheel, but it failed to steer properly. The contact turned the vehicle off and back on, placed the vehicle in reverse, and then drive; however, the steering wheel failed. Aaa was contacted and towed the vehicle to heritage ford (2075 edsel ln nw, corydon, in 47112, (812) 738-3284) where it was diagnosed that the steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to call the federal safety agency to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 166,000.
I was driving and my steering wheel became very stiff. About 30 minutes later there was a red alert on the dash stating service power steering. Then about five minutes later another alert came on and it was yellow that said service advancetrac. After that happened I drove home and the next morning when I got in my vehicle to leave the steering wheel was completely locked. Even though it is 2019 I understand the car has years on it but after only having it for three months from the dealership I am extremely upset.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford fusion hybrid. While driving 20 MPH, the contact's husband attempted to turn the steering wheel, but was unable to because it was stiff. The contact heard an abnormal noise and unknown warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to matthews currie ford (located at 130 n tamiami trail, nokomis, fl 34275, (877) 405-7194) where it was diagnosed that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. *bf
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford fusion hybrid. While driving various speeds, the steering failed and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. Sheehy ford of marlow heights (5000 auth rd, marlow heights, md 20746, (301) 298-0793) diagnosed that the steering sensor system needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 150,000. *bf. Consumer stated diagnosed communication had a problem and steering wheel was hard to turn. Dealer had car for 23 days month later same issue. Vehicle was never looked at. Recall was mentioned by the consumer by dealer did not acknowledge it. Consumer has contacted the manufacturer.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 ford fusion hybrid. The contact received a recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v001000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer failed to provide the part within a reasonable timeframe. The contact had been waiting to schedule an appointment with lorenzo ford (30725 s federal hwy, homestead, fl 33030, 1-(305) 307-8039) for over two years. A loaner vehicle option was not offered. The vehicle was also included in field service action number: 15n01 (epas steering efforts), but the contact had not received a notification via mail. The manufacturer was contacted to address part availability and the manufacturer field service campaign. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Power steering failed while driving this vehicle, and it cost over $1,600 to repair. Ford motor company claims this vehicle was not included under the federal safety agency campaign number 15v34
Questions about the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid steering
Does the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid have steering problems?
Owners have filed 36 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid, 38% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 67,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid steering?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Ford Fusion Hybrid have bad steering?
The Ford Fusion Hybrid model years with the most steering complaints are 2010 (138 complaints), 2011 (43 complaints) and 2012 (36 complaints).
Other 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid problems
Airbags 32Brakes 17Electrical 13Driver assistance 11Engine 8Transmission 3Body 2Fuel system 2Acceleration 1Seats 1Suspension 1Tires 1Visibility 1
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