Ford Fusion power steering loss problems

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Steering · NY

Driving my car and the error message flashes "service trac now" and "service power steering". I got home, but the next morning I had no power steering. This is the second time this has happened. This first time Ford reset some codes and it was fine for 2 month but it happened again. Apparently my car was made about a month after the cut off date for the recall for the power steering issue 15S18 (the federal safety agency Campaign ID 15V340000). I do also want to note that it could be a coincidence, but the low tire pressure came on, I was on my way to fill it up and then all these error started flashing. That happened both times but I'm not sure if it is related. Ford has refused to fix this issue even though it is the same issue that is included in that recall. I cannot drive my vehicle without power steering, it will be very costly and seem like it should have been included in the recall.

Filed Oct 20, 2026 · Engine · FL

While driving, the vehicle suddenly lost engine power (it shut off) and displayed "auto start stop shift to P, then restart engine". The vehicle has never done this before, and thank goodness my wife did not have the kids in the car at the time. She was able to pull over safely only because she was on a small road with light traffic, and not at highway speed. Clearly, this put not only our vehicle at risk, but others as the brakes and steering became very hard to use when the engine just shut off out of nowhere. Since it happened today, I have not taken it in to be inspected as of yet. Upon my wife getting the car restarted she came the few miles straight home, where I did test the battery and it read good at 12.57 volts with the engine and accessories off. So the Motorcraft battery is good and as such should not be a cause in this case. To say the least, we have now lost confidence in this vehicle as being a safe mode of transportation.

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · NE

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).

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · NE

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.

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · Steering · NJ

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)

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Steering · 100,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly lost power steering assist, nearly causing the contact to lose steering control as the steering locked up, and an audible warning chime sounded. The contact safely maintained control of the vehicle and observed that a power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Steering · KS

My mom’s 2011 Ford Fusion SEL experienced a loss of electric power steering assistance. I cannot determine the exact moment the failure occurred. When I started the vehicle and attempted to drive away, I noticed that the steering wheel was extremely stiff. The dashboard displayed a “Power Steering Assist Fault” warning. The steering assistance has not returned, including after replacing the vehicle’s battery. I diagnosed the vehicle using FORScan, which identified the following diagnostic trouble codes in the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM): U3000:96-C8 — Control Module, Component Internal Failure. C200C:2F-48 — Steering Shaft Torque Sensor 2, Signal Erratic. Both codes were recorded as previously set and not present at the time of the diagnostic request. However, the power steering warning remains displayed and the steering wheel remains extremely difficult to turn with the engine running. This vehicle was previously included in Ford Safety Recall 15S18 / the federal safety agency Recall 15V340, addressing loss of electric power steering assistance. Ford confirmed that the recall was completed in 2015 through reprogramming the Power Steering Control Module only rather than replacing the steering gear. The current diagnostic codes are specifically identified in Ford’s original recall service instructions as codes associated with steering gear replacement under the recall procedure. I contacted Ford customer service regarding the recurrence of loss of steering assistance. Ford opened a case for internal review but did not confirm repair coverage or provide a decision timeline. I am reporting this because the vehicle has lost power steering assistance despite having previously received the recall remedy. I am concerned that the original safety-related condition may not have been permanently resolved.

Filed Oct 9, 2026 · Steering · 56,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became stiff and excessive force was needed to make a left or right turn. The power steering assist and Advancetrac warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and confirmed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to a local independent mechanic; however, the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

Filed Sep 24, 2026 · Steering · WA

Our 2012 Fusion suffered a sudden loss of power steering, was diagnosed with code U3000 at a Ford dealer, and that the dealer confirmed it matches the 15S18 recall symptoms despite being built two months outside the window. Our vehicle was manufactured at the Hermosillo plant in 2012, just two months outside the 15S18 recall window. It suffered an identical, sudden loss of power steering assist while driving, indicating Ford's recall parameters failed to capture all vehicles fitted with the defective component.

Filed Sep 23, 2026 · Steering · 98,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering assist, causing the steering wheel to be significantly difficult to turn. The contact was able to drive to the nearby residence and parked in the driveway. The message "Service Power Steering Assist" was displayed after the failure. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.