2016 Ford Fusion: steering wheel locks up

Filed Sep 29, 2026 · Engine · 126,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving, the vehicle lost automotive power, and the steering wheel locked up. The temperature gauge indicated that the engine was hot, and the vehicle needed to be restarted several times. The contact stated that during the failure the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000.

Filed Dec 8, 2025 · Steering · MD

Lost power in the steering wheel. My safety and others is at risk because the steering wheel locks up completely at slow speeds and it's difficult to turn the steering wheel when turning a corner or trying to back up. The problem has been confirmed by an independent service center. The component has only been inspected by an independent service center. On 12/5/25 I received a warning on the dashboard, Steering Assist Fault. I drove to work and parked the car. When I got in the car around noon and proceeded to drive the steering wheel was really difficult to turn and I started seeing other notifications that flashed on the screen. As I drove the steering wheel because more difficult to turn. At low speed the steering wheel locked up and I managed to pull the car over to get out of traffic.

Filed May 12, 2025 · Steering · 66,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the instrument cluster and the radio turned off unintendedly. The contact stated that the power train, hill assist, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed to function as intended. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was able to be restarted after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to two dealers; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V632000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

Filed Mar 27, 2025 · Steering · 200,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized, and the power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Feb 7, 2025 · Steering · NY

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the message steering loss was displayed on the instrument panel and the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the failure was temporary. The vehicle then regained power steering functionality and the contact continued driving. The contact stated that the following morning while starting the vehicle, the failure recurred. The vehicle then became inoperable. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact became aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V632000 (Steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Nov 21, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · 103,968 miles · TN · crash

Date of first incident was Nov 19, 2023. I was driving home from taking my elderly mother to the doctor and my engine just shut off. I had plenty of gas, my oil and transmission had been changed, no warning lights came on my dash prior to the engine stopping. The only message I had on my car said the car is not in park. No one can seem to find out why. It has done this at a moderate rate of speed (45mph). My steering wheel locked and I can't steer the car giving me the option to get to a safe place on the road. I have to hit another vehicle or hit a pole. I have good insurance but I don't want to use it to fix body damage. I can't afford that with a 300 dollar car payment. My break sensor error light will come on as well and I went to have the breaks changed and fluid replaced but it doesn't work. I am afraid that I might get hurt or someone else will, but I can't afford another care to help care for my parents or get to the doctor. The Ford dealership will not let me trade it in unless I give them 7000 dollars. The transmission will Jerk when changing gears. I still owe 9000 dollars. I looked online to see if I could find a solution and multiple people are complaining about the same problem.

Filed May 18, 2023 · Steering · AZ

While at a stop trying to make left hand turn steering assist disabled appeared and steering wheel locked up.

Filed Oct 26, 2020 · Steering · 83,151 miles · CA

I was driving my car on the street going 45 MPH and my car steering locked up and warning light came on saying steering assist fault . Then another hill assist fault light came on . I had to come to a stop on the road and turn off my car and let it sit for a few mins and restart it and everything went back to normal.

Filed Sep 22, 2020 · Acceleration, Airbags · 146,000 miles · MO · crash · 1 injury

My friend aron was having an emergency when woke up at 4:00am to come to his help. After waking up with a redbull ,I was then heading to the house at wich aron lives . I was unfortunately an to my surprise . Lost complete control of my 2016 ford fusion the steering wheel locked. As did the tires . And to my horrible experience of this car in motion then accelerated to 40 miles an hour . I was completely helpless as to redirect the car in motion to a safe path . I remember the fusion was airborne after I was off the road hitting a ditch . The ford flipped upside down. I sustained head injuries and back an as well. My arm was cutt up bad. Im now living with these scars for the rest of my life.

Filed Jun 25, 2020 · Steering · 78,000 miles · MI

Very very angry...pulling out of a parking spot and my steering wheel seized up. Could not turn left or right.the dash alerts were "service advance trac" "steering assist fault service required". Had it towed to russ milne ford ($70). Was told there was no recall on this issue for 2016 ford fusion...what!!!! This is very dangerous and ford needs to be responsible and have a recall before someone gets seriously hurt or killed. Will cost me $2040 to have fixed with only 78,000 miles on the car. Many complaints...need a class action lawsuit!! Very disappointed

Filed Dec 8, 2019 · Driver assistance, Steering · 65,000 miles · OH

While driving the car on both the highway and on city streets the steering locked and the power assist quit. The mil traction control symbol lit and the warning center said it was disabled. The mil steering assist control symbol lit and the warning center said it was disabled. In both driving instances the steering wheel was being turned from moderate (interstate highway speed) turning to sharp turning (city street speed). In both instances I was able to avoid hitting close, surrounding vehicles and in the case of the city occurrence, pedestrians. In both instances I pulled the vehicle to the side of the road and shut off the engine and accessories. I waited about a minute and performed an engine re-start. The mil's were not lit and the power steering assist returned. In both instances the same condition appeared about 20 minutes later, and a engine stop/re-start had to be performed. I have included photos of the dashboard information center. This is a 2016 fusion with 65,000 miles and I believe there is an electrical problem with the steering rack.

Filed Sep 30, 2019 · Steering · 70,000 miles · MI

This been a problem since 2016 & its 2019... Crazy it never been a recall for this situation and I read loads of comments of how people got hurt or almost got hurt from this & get rejected from ford on fixing the problem & not wanting to address it... This [xxx] not right & shouldn't be happening n be recalled immediately... If you having these problems please sign up to voice your complaint n don't just read it. More complaints the better chance of getting them to fix the [xxx] cars they [xxx] up n sell ppl... I'm scared to drive the only car & transportation I have to work because I fear me turning to hard or tight n the wheel locking up while car in motion n I get into a accident n get killed... Lucky it happened when pulling into a gas station... The steering wheel locked up and had no control over it... Message show up saying "power steering assist fault" only way to fix this is to turn the car off n restart it & by doing that it's a temporary fix into u make another hard turn & [xxx] up part about it is that once u restart the car the light go off n message and will not show back up into the problem occur again making it hard to show proof... This need to be investigated & recalled.. No one have 2 or 3k sitting around to fix this [xxx] n not our fault.. People have this problem while they car have 30k miles... Mine have 70k n have the problem... Please make a account & voice the complaint one here & national traffic safety administration so this can be investigated & recalled. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).