The Power Steering Assist Fault notice keeps popping up on the dashboard screen. When this happens, the power steering is inoperable leaving me stranded. I've had my mechanic fix it several times (after the Ford Recall on steering didn't properly repair the issue) costing an insane price. It's very unsafe to be on the road & have the power steering go out. It is unsafe not only for me & my family but also for the vehicles traveling around my vehicle. It causes mental distress & anxiety as I never know when I'm going to be left stranded. This time, I'm stranded at the laundromat, on a Sunday. Not knowing how I'm going to get home or to work tomorrow. My receipts for repairs are at home. Until Ford makes this right, I'll never see the Ford brand as a reliable manufacturer nor will I ever purchase or recommend the Ford brand.
2012 Ford Fusion: clunking or noise when steering
19 of the 2,519 complaints about the 2012 Ford Fusion describe clunking or noise when steering.
- owner complaints
- 19
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- typical mileage
- 76,000
- recalls
- 1
Clunking or noise when steering by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel started drifting and the contact was unable to keep steering wheel steady. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the steering wheel while turning the wheel in either direction. The contact stated that the "Service Power Steering Assist" and "Service Advancetrac" messages were displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the power steering module was electrical, and no repairs could be performed on the vehicle. Despite the failure, the contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence and contacted the manufacturer. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The contact was also provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 214,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while making a right turn, there was a popping sound coming from the steering wheel. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the electronic steering assist motor needed to be replaced. The contact was advised to contact a dealer for assistance. The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The failure mileage was 76,000.
Power steering makes a scraping noise when you turn the steering wheel. Sometimes it gets harder to turn and there are noises associated with it. It has happened to me while stationary and while driving when turning. I am afraid that power steering will fail on that car leaving me on the side of the road or even put me at risk for an accident.
My vechicle is in motion and then all of a sudden the steering wheel locks,the car makes noises and I get an error on my dashboard that says steering wheel assist or power steering assit. While this is hapening, I am unable to move the steering wheel. It is locked. Very dangerous as I am driving and one day can cause an accident due to this malfunction. This has happened 4 times within the month.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford fusion. The contact stated that the steering column made an abnormal popping noise while the steering wheel was being turned. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to jim click ford lincoln east tucson (6244 e 22nd st, tucson, az) where it was diagnosed that the control arms needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
Recall 15s18 steering gear, while driving the steering while turning the make a noise . Took it to jim click ford because a code didn't show on dash ford will not cover the cost to replace the steering gear which is the issue with the car. So we are unable to drive the car it is dangerous/ unsafe to drive the vehicle. The steering make noise when in motion, stationary on street and highway when turning the steering wheel. The federal safety agency #1227804 /ford case#14458165
Rack and pinion. Steering wheel makes clunking noise. Vehicle wanders. Ford company states this is not a recall which it should be. This is a manufacturing defect
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford fusion. While the contact's son was driving 60 MPH, the power steering seized without warning. The contact pulled the vehicle to the side of the roadway and waited a few minutes before restarting the vehicle. Afterwards, the power steering returned to normal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the failure could not be diagnosed or duplicated. Several months later, upon starting the vehicle, the power steering failed and an unknown noise was heard. The power steering returned to normal once the vehicle was turned off and restarted. While driving 30 MPH, an unknown noise was heard and the power steering seized. The power steering returned once the vehicle was restarted. The contact stated that a diagnostic appointment was scheduled with bonnell ford (353 cambridge st, winchester, ma 01890 (781) 729-9700). The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was unknown.
While sitting still or driving the steering will make an audible "clunk" you can hear and feel when turning left or right from the centered position. No code present upon first trip to dealer who recommended rack and pinion replacement. They "updated" the software per the recall specs. Service advancetrac warning came on about a week later and dealer said code c1278 appeared and recommended rack and pinion replacement. Seems like this should fall under the recall of the rack and pinion, but the service dept said it doesn't.
Popping noise present from steering wheel whenever steering wheel is turned in either direction. Whenever vehicle hits a bump regardless of the size, the steering wheel is yanked around causing the control of the vehicle to become compromised. These issues happen at any speed and in all road conditions, stationary or non stationary, highway or city and regardless if I'm turning or not. When steering wheel is turned all the way to the right or left the wheel will stiffen and throw itself back the opposite direction. Must use a lot of force to keep steering wheel in that position. Was told by a certified ford dealership and a shop by the name of midas that it was the rack and pinion. Ford refuses to fix issue due to the fact that the rack and pinion is not throwing any sort of trouble code. The rack and pinion on this vehicle however is not only under a current recall but is also backed by an extended warranty issued by ford motor company.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford fusion. While driving various speeds and turning the steering wheel, an abnormal noise was heard without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
- Risk
- If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.
Recall number 15V340000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2012 Ford Fusion steering noise
Is clunking or noise when steering a common problem on the 2012 Ford Fusion?
19 of 2,519 owner complaints about the 2012 Ford Fusion (1%) mention clunking or noise when steering. The model year with the most reports is 2012.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2012 Ford Fusion?
There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2012 Ford Fusion
Power steering loss 779Loss of power 232Steering lock-up 157Door locks 122Engine failure 112Stalling 77Jerking 57Check engine light 50ABS 47Ball joint 32Airbag light 30Brake failure 29No deployment 28Harsh shifting 21Hesitation 21Grinding brakes 16Won't start 15Slipping 13Won't shift 13Sudden acceleration 11Warning lights 10Knocking 9Headlights 9Fire or smoke 8Overheating 7Pulling 7Shudder 6Transmission failure 6Wipers 6Adaptive cruise 5Battery drain 5Spongy pedal 5
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