Ford Motor Company, a massive automotive manufacturer, sold a vehicle with a known, systemic defect that can cause a driver to suddenly lose power steering at highway speeds, while simultaneously disabling critical safety systems ABS and AdvanceTrac stability control. The vehicle's dashboard lights up like a Christmas tree, steering suddenly becomes incredibly heavy, and the safety nets designed to prevent a rollover or spin-out turn off at the exact same moment. Lives are absolutely being put at risk. Because Ford has chosen to handle this through expensive, individual part replacements rather than a massive federal recall, the burden of safety has been unfairly shifted onto the consumer. When the PSCM (Power Steering Control Module) lost communication, it simultaneously disabled my ABS and Traction Control systems. This caused a sudden, unexpected loss of critical safety and handling systems while driving, creating an immediate crash hazard. I have already fixed the vehicle, so I must log the failure. Ford’s network architecture turns a single component failure into a massive, vehicle-wide electrical blackout. I've analyzed the underlying mechanics, and it became clear why this specific cycle is happening and why it causes the entire dashboard to go haywire. The Ford does not use simple independent wires for different parts; it relies on a High-Speed Controller Area Network (HS-CAN). Think of this like a high-speed internet data rail that loops through the car, where the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM), the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), and the Body Control Module (BCM) all "talk" to each other in real time. The steering gear houses the internal Steering Angle Sensor. The ABS module needs to know my exact steering angle dynamically to calculate how to apply the brakes or handle stability control (AdvanceTrac).
2014 Ford Fusion: ABS light or ABS activating
25 of the 1,337 complaints about the 2014 Ford Fusion describe ABS light or ABS activating.
- owner complaints
- 25
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- typical mileage
- 80,000
- recalls
- 2
ABS light or ABS activating by model year
What owners say
Sudden Loss of Power Steering Assistance and Simultaneous ABS/AdvanceTrac System Faults I am submitting this complaint to document a serious vehicle safety incident involving my 2014 Ford Fusion SE. The vehicle experienced a loss of communication with the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM), accompanied by faults affecting the ABS and traction/stability control systems. During the incident, the dashboard illuminated multiple warning lights, and the steering suddenly became extremely difficult to operate. The simultaneous loss of power steering assistance and warnings involving critical vehicle safety systems created a serious potential crash hazard, particularly at highway speeds or during an emergency maneuver. Diagnostic scanning with FORScan revealed the following communication-related diagnostic trouble codes: • U0131 — Lost Communication with Power Steering Control Module. • U0121 — Lost Communication with Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Module. • U0420 / U0415 — Invalid or implausible data received, as indicated by the recorded codes. I am concerned that an electrical, electronic, or component-level failure involving the power steering system may be associated with the simultaneous faults in other vehicle systems. I request that the federal safety agency review the incident and determine whether similar complaints involving the 2014 Ford Fusion SE indicate a broader safety concern. One concern is that the failure is intermittent. The steering and warning lights appear to recover after the vehicle is shut off, allowed to cool, or restarted. Such intermittent behavior make the problem difficult to reproduce and diagnose, even though the underlying safety concern remain.
The brake pedal switch pad was recalled and failed after being fixed and tripped the whole ABS system which caused the whole transmission to not shift and I didn’t have traction. My taillights stayed on 24/7 and I had to disconnect my battery. Ford did nothing
The brake pedal switch pad was recalled and failed after being fixed and tripped the whole ABS system which caused the whole transmission to not shift and I didn’t have traction. My taillights stayed on 24/7 and I had to disconnect my battery. Ford did nothing
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the brake pedal was not sending the correct signal to the ABS. The "Hill Assist" option was not operational while driving on a slope and the brake lights remained illuminated, even when the brake pedal was not depressed. An independent mechanic was contacted and associated the failure with the brake pedal failure. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V011000 (Services Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
SUBJECT: URGENT COMPLAINT: Deceptive Practices/Misrepresentation & Services Not Rendered (Woodhouse Ford of Omaha) I. Actionable Safety Issue Summary This complaint concerns fraudulent billing and dangerous misrepresentation by Woodhouse Ford of Omaha, which claimed a vehicle's 3rd rack and pinion system was "safe" on 2/19/2026 after a known safety issue, following a previous failure. They further charged $219.22 for unrendered/improper ABS programing repairs that was not successful because the electric rack and pinion is defective on 3/5/2026 and fabricated invoice records to shift liability. II. Parties Involved •Consumer: [XXX] •Dealer/Service Provider: Woodhouse Ford of Omaha, Service Manager Jeremy Sullivan, Technician Anthony Rubio. •Financial Institution: First National Bank of Omaha (Regulated by OCC). III. Nature of the Dispute 1.Safety Hazard/Misrepresentation (2/19/2026): Service Manager Jeremy Sullivan and Tech Anthony Rubio stated the vehicle’s rack and pinion was "safe" despite a prior failure. This misrepresentation has left me with a vehicle that has had the rack and pinion fail or require replacement three times in under a year. 2.Services Not Rendered (3/5/2026): Charged $219.22 for "programming the ABS module" which was not rendered or not performed correctly. 3.Fabricated Documentation: Woodhouse Ford created fraudulent service invoices stating I diagnosed the ABS fault and declined further diagnosis. This is an attempt to evade liability for ongoing, dangerous defects. IV. Regulatory Violations & Requested Action The described actions violate consumer protection laws, including: •Dodd-Frank UDAAP (12 USC § 5536): Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices. •Fair Credit Billing Act (15 USC § 1666): Billing error/services not received. •Regulation E (12 CFR 1005.11): Procedures for resolving errors. Requested Action: Initiate an investigation into Woodhouse Ford of Omaha’s service practices and safety diagnostics. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),
I went to start my vehicle and none of the electronic instrument panels turned off. The car started but i couldn't see anything on the panel. I turned off the car, waited for a few minutes, and turned it back on. The instrument panel and other electronic screens turned on but I had 8 different lights pop back on. I had my scan tool and pulled various codes regarding the PCM and losing connection to ABS, steering column, power steering, etc. I took it into my mechanic and they were not able to replicate the issue.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving out of the residence driveway at approximately 2 MPH, the traction assists and ABS braking assist warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel then seized. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had become a recurring failure. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V250000 (Steering). The failure mileage was 184,513.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she depressed the brake pedal to slow the vehicle; however, she had to depress the brake pedal to the floorboard to slow the vehicle to a stop. The ABS warning light and the brake fluid warning light was illuminated. Despite the failure, the contact stated that his wife carefully drove the vehicle back to the residence. The contact then notified the dealer of the failure, and the contact was then made aware that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact then stated that he was informed by the technician that parts to do the recall repair were not yet available and to temporarily place brake fluid in the reservoir until an appointment became available; however, the brake fluid continued to leak from the reservoir. The contact notified another dealer, and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,993. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while stopped with her foot on the brake pedal, the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard, with the ABS warning light displayed on the instrument panel. Despite the failure, the contact carefully drove the vehicle back to her residence. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who discovered that the rear brake hoses were corroded. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the ABS, traction control module, and steering column control module warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer and diagnosed with steering column control module failure. The dealer reprogrammed the steering column control module; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,713.
It literally does what the recall says and mine isn’t covered? It jumps between second gear. The brakes do not automatically start working for like 5 seconds after starting it, you feel like you will go out into the road because it will not stop. Hill assist light is Constantly coming on which triggers abs brakes light and service light to come on and looks like a damn Christmas tree because the dash has so many lights on at night. You guys say it isn’t under these recalls?
Service bulletins that may apply
- Noise when the brakes are applied
- Error message when updating the All Wheel Drive-ATC Barcode using the IDS service function after...
- Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Edge and Lincoln MKX Vehicles and 2013-2018 Model Year Fusion and Lincoln MKZ...
- Certain 2015-2018 Model Year Edge and Lincoln MKX Vehicles and 2013-2018 Model Year Fusion and Lincoln MKZ...
- Certain 2015-2018 Model Year Edge and Lincoln MKX Vehicles and 2013-2018 Model Year Fusion and Lincoln MKZ...
- Noise when the brakes are applied
- Some 2008-2017 ford/mercury/lincoln vehicles equipped with sync may generate a vhr that identifies a...
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
- Risk
- A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S12.
Recall number 23V162000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Fusion, Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 Mustang vehicles originally sold or ever registered, in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Hawaii. Exposure to certain environmental conditions, such as high temperatures, high humidity, and salt air can cause the brake pedal bumper to corrode and separate from the brake pedal.
- Risk
- A separated brake pedal bumper can cause the brake lights to illuminate continuously, causing confusion to other drivers and increasing the risk of a crash. On automatic transmission vehicles, a missing brake pedal bumper can allow the driver to shift the vehicle out of the "PARK" position without depressing the brake, allowing the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the brake pedal bumpers and clutch pedal bumpers, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on March 4, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 13, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S02.
Recall number 22V011000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2014 Ford Fusion abs
Is ABS light or ABS activating a common problem on the 2014 Ford Fusion?
25 of 1,337 owner complaints about the 2014 Ford Fusion (2%) mention ABS light or ABS activating. The model year with the most reports is 2010.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2014 Ford Fusion?
There are 2 recalls and 9 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2014 Ford Fusion
Power steering loss 116Check engine light 90Stalling 84Door locks 74Loss of power 69Overheating 61Engine failure 55Backup camera 40Jerking 34Steering lock-up 29Won't shift 27Transmission failure 26Fire or smoke 24Misfire 21Hesitation 20Wipers 20Won't start 20Seat belt 19Brake failure 17Grinding brakes 15Airbag light 12Slipping 12Headlights 10Adaptive cruise 9Tire blowout 9No deployment 8Harsh shifting 8Warning lights 8Battery drain 7Knocking 7Key fob 7Shudder 7Ball joint 6Screen failure 6Power windows 5Pulling 5
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