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.
2014 Ford Fusion steering problems
329 complaints (25% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 73,000. 9 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 329
- of this car's complaints
- 25%
- typical mileage
- 73,000
- crashes
- 9
- recalls
- 3
Which part fails
- Rack and pinion3
- Hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid3
- Rack and pinion: rack2
- Electric power assist system2
- Steering wheel/handle bar1
- Column1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Ford Fusion steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2014 Ford Fusion steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
- Risk
- If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear motor bolts and apply a wax sealer. If any of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed in the vehicle. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S26.
Recall number 19V632000 · Recall details
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.
- Risk
- A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S08.
Recall number 18V167000 · Recall details
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to March 20, 2015, and 2015 Ford Edge vehicles manufactured February 26, 2015, to February 28, 2015, and originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, snow or water containing road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
- Risk
- If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist. Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply sealer and replace the steering gear motor bolts as required. If one or more of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed in the vehicle. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S14.
Recall number 15V250000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Steering Wheel Fastening Bolt Loosens
On March 12th, 2018, Ford Motor Company submitted a Defect Information Report to the federal safety agency describing a defect in the steering wheel fastening system of approximately 1,301,986 model year (MY) Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ. On March 1, 2018, Ford discovered a design change that affected the MY 2014-2018 subject vehicles. The affected population are MY 2014-2016 Fusion and MKZ with manual and power adjust steering columns and MY 2017-2018 Fusion and MKZ equipped with manual adjust steering columns only. The affected populations have steering shafts with a reduced amount of threads for the steering wheel bolt to engage. The thread length was decreased by 5mm in the affected models. Ford stated that another contributing factor was the placement of a nylon locking patch torque retention on the fastening bolt.As a result, the steering wheel bolt may not maintain torque allowing the bolt to loosen and eventually separate from the steering shaft, resulting in a loose or detached steering wheel. The two crashes and one injury noted in Ford?s Defect Information Report are from two legal claims. The first accident is a claim where the driver reported the steering wheel twisted freely on the shaft which caused the driver to lose control.An injury was alleged but no details were provided. The second claim resulted in minor damage to the driver side of the vehicle including a punctured tire. No injury was reported.Ford?s recall remedy procedure will use a bolt that is 17mm longer, providing a more robust steering column thread and torque retention patch engagement. The torque retention feature will be 13mm longer to ensure proper engagement. This investigation is closed based on Ford's recall.
PE17007
What 2014 Ford Fusion owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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).
On XXX I was driving my 2014 Ford Fusion to [XXX] from [XXX]. About 20 miles before my destination I received a warning on my dash "Power Steering Failed. Service Now". I continued to my destination in [XXX]. Turned off my car and the power steering stopped working, making it difficult to turn. I had to towed to a Ford Dealership in [XXX]. This is very dangerous and I would like information on this Ford Safety Recall 19S26 (the federal safety agency Campaign 19V‑632) addresses a defect where the electric power steering motor attachment bolts can corrode and fracture due to road salt and environmental contaminants. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Almost got into an accident twice. Complete steering loss while driving. Replaced my rack n pinion per the bhph dealership i bought it from and still having issues. Complete steering loss while driving.
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),
As I was driving,making a right turn and with out warning my steering wheel before excessively hard to control, turn. Because of the sudden wheel tightening as I was making this right turn I almost collided with a vehicle in next lane on highway. My brakes were in good standing but I had to really step down on my brakes to gain control of the steering wheel. I put in the shop and got a multi point inspection with repairs costs of over 3000 to replace steering wheel gear bolts etc in which I can't afford at this time
While driving a 2014 Ford Fusion during a snowstorm, the vehicle displayed the warning message “Steering Assist Fault – Service Required.” Immediately afterward, the steering became extremely difficult to turn, requiring significantly greater effort to control the vehicle. This sudden loss of power steering assist created a serious safety risk for myself and others on the road. The vehicle was inspected by a dealership, which confirmed diagnostic codes U3000 and C200D in the Power Steering Control Module and recommended replacement of the steering gear assembly and related components. The dealer noted that my VIN was not listed as included in the relevant recalls, although many vehicles from the same model year were included in Ford recall 19S26 (the federal safety agency 19V632000), which addresses corrosion or breakage of electric power steering gear motor bolts and potential loss of power steering assist. No prior symptoms were noted before the warning message appeared. The failure was sudden and occurred while the vehicle was in motion. The steering gear and related components are available for inspection. Based on the dealer’s assessment and the similarity to documented recall conditions, the cause appears to be a sudden failure of the electric power steering gear assembly.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel remained stuck in the direction turned and failed to return to center. The contact stated that the traction control warning light was illuminated. Due to the failure, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle while driving back to the residence. The contact’s stepson used a code reader to diagnose the vehicle and performed a reset, and the power steering assist feature returned. Upon investigation, the contact's stepson discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V632000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was informed that the repair was temporary and that the failure would return. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Power Steering Loss (2019 - Recall 19S26): Affects 2013–2016 models. Corrosion of the steering gear motor bolts can lead to a sudden loss of electric power steering assist, making the car harder to steer. This recently happened to my vehicle, causing my wife to almost crash. Luckily she wasn’t far from home and was able to drive slowly with very difficult steering made it home safely. I took the vehicle to the local ford dealership that has described that the bolts have sheered off on my vehicle the exact thing described in this recall, but have informed me that according to my VIN this recall doesn’t apply.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fusion. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became very firm. The contact pulled over, and the messages “Steering Loss” and “Service Advancetrac” were displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V632000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,904.
Questions about the 2014 Ford Fusion steering
Does the 2014 Ford Fusion have steering problems?
Owners have filed 329 complaints about the steering of the 2014 Ford Fusion, 25% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2014 Ford Fusion steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 73,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2014 Ford Fusion steering?
Yes, 3 recalls: 19V632000, 18V167000, 15V250000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Fusion have bad steering?
The Ford Fusion model years with the most steering complaints are 2010 (1,662 complaints), 2012 (1,476 complaints) and 2011 (1,436 complaints).
Other 2014 Ford Fusion problems
Transmission 237Engine 231Electrical 163Brakes 120Fuel system 82Seat belts 75Body 74Driver assistance 62Locks 49Airbags 43Wheels 35Visibility 29Acceleration 24Lights 18Suspension 18Tires 6Seats 5
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