I replaced the starter battery after the original battery reached the end of its life. Upon installing the new battery, I had dashboard messages showing -€œElectric Power Steering Assist failed-€ And other cascaded systems offline because of no steering. Without the steering assistance, the safety of driving the car is questionable. It is more difficult to steer than a vehicle without power steering. It takes all the strength to turn the wheel, even when the vehicle is moving. This vehicle had been serviced for a previous related recall in which the steering bolts would fail. Perhaps the replacement bolts have also failed. Whatever the root cause, the resultant failure mode has a high severity (lack of steering capability by a normal strength person). This could cause an accident.

- West Peoria, IL, USA

At times when i put the car in gear & other times when i am actually driving, all of the warning lights & alarms (Rear Park Aid, ABS, Hill Start Assist Not Available, Service Advance Trac, & Stability Control Off), come on all at the same time. When these lights & alarms pop on, the steering gets a little harder, not losing all power steering, but again, the steering is a little harder & i don't think that's a good thing to have happen. Also while driving, the Anti-Lock Break System starts clicking. And sometimes when i start to mash on the break peddle, the peddle kind of drops down a little. Not to the point where it has caused the breaks to lock up, but i'm still not comfortable with that. If you were to do an online search of this problem you will see that several people are complaining about this same problem. I have reported this problem to my Ford Service Center, Southworth Ford in Marion, IN, as early as March of this year & the latest report 10/4/21, but they say they can't find anything wrong right now, but for me to document every time it happens, even after i have tried to show them the videos of this problem stored on my phone. I also contacted the Auto Safety Center, & they were the ones who directed me to you. I wish that i knew how to share the videos that i have with you, but i have not learned how to do that as of yet. Thank you for your time & all that you all do to keep us safe on the road. God Bless you all! Have a Blessed weekend!

- Marion, IN, USA

I'm just wondering how it is even remotely legal to sell a vehicle, whether used or new, with current open recalls. When I purchased my vehicle through Triple J Auto in Guam, they never informed me of any open recalls when I purchased the vehicle. Technically the car was in a used status, but, coming from the Department of Highway SAFETY, it seems preposterous that you would allow any vehicle to be sold with open recalls against the vehicle. I am just looking for any information as to how this could have gone unresolved for over three years, without me just looking up the VIN on a random day. Thank you

- Lake Forest, CA, USA

I drove the vehicle 2 miles to a nearby shopping center. I came out 15 minutes later and tried to start the car. Immediately flashing on the console was a large yellow wrench, message telling me to stop the vehicle immediately, pull over, errors with steering system, errors with side impact system and various other errors flashed. I tried to put the car in drive and it automatically went back into Accessory mode and flashed the same error messages telling me to stop driving. The steering was locked and unable to steer. Had it towed to the Ford dealer. They let it sit for 4 hours and then called to say they could see no issue as it started just fine. The next day they called and said they saw the issue 3 different times and saw communication errors in the car computer. They cleared the errors and let it sit over the weekend. They called several days later and said they had driven it 25 miles with no errors seen. I do not trust this car as safe on the road. If I had been on the highway, I would have locked up the steering and lost all power. It's not safe to drive until Ford finds the cause. I filed a complaint with Ford headquarters and was given a case number with high priority. The regional service manager is being enlisted to figure this out. I've alerted the sales director that I won't be buying another Ford until we find the problem. I've alerted other dealer executives to get involved.

- Aldie, VA, USA

I can be driving and/or stopped and ABS, stability control and steering wheel indicator lights come on. Once I stop car and turn off for a few seconds and then turn back on, errors go away. Nothing may happen for a week but then the next week it may happen every time I drive. For me, this is a safety issue because once steering wheel has no power it is very, very hard to turn. I am attaching a -€œvehicle diagnostic report-€ that shows 2 of 18 systems had errors.

- Leander, TX, USA

My car steering wheel is very tight and I'm wondering what could it be if I fixed everything

- Miami Gardens, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle loss power steering assist with unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway, waiting approximately ten minutes and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle restarted and temporarily resumed normal driving before the failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was not safe to be driven. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 19V632000 (steering) as a possible solution however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and transferred the contact to NHTSA to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

- Wappingers Falls, NY, USA

February 19th, 2021 (Friday) when the vehicle was parked the dash lights for check engine, stability control, emergency brake, airbag light, advance track and steering assist fault became illuminated. When the lights came on, the driver was unable to use turn signals and steering became stiff. The driver turned off the vehicle and turned it back on, the lights were no longer illuminated and was able to drive home (20 miles) without further incident. The following day (Saturday) the driver was driving at 70mph on the high way when the lights came on again. They immediately exited the highway (this is when it was learned that the turn signals would not work). The driver again turned off and turned back on the vehicle. The driver drove the vehicle another 50 miles without incident and scheduled a service appointment with the Ford dealer. Sunday, while the vehicle was in operation on the highway at 70mph, the vehicle lights again came on. The driver exited the highway and powered off/on the vehicle again. And was able to complete their trip without further incident. The vehicle was not operated again until Tuesday, Feb 23rd when it was brought to the dealer (5 mile trip at 40mph). No lights were illuminated when brought to the dealer for service appointment. The vehicle was taken to beechmont Ford, cincinnati oh for assessment and repair. It was found that the rack assembly needed to be replaced. The owner had the vehicle less than 3 months and purchased from this dealer. Current mileage is 45K

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

I was pulling out across two lanes of traffic on a flat city street going approximately 15 mph, and as I was holding the wheel, maintaining my drive line, the steering dropped out and I was rotating the wheel left and right desperate for the steering wheel to grab control again. It finally regained some control but the steering is not consistent, it doesnt seem like, its in constant control of the vehicle, almost like its shorting out.

- Salem, OR, USA

As I was driving the wrench symbol came on (see manual), then ABS, traction control, engine fluid temp, no directionals, no heat or directionals, no dash lights, low tire pressure, and hill assist lights all came on and off. I was doing highway speeds. While this is a new to me car I have always had Ford including an Excursion and more recently an 07 Focus that died at 300,000. I never had any issues with them albeit they were both new. I am totally disappointed in this vehicle and it really has me thinking about never buying a Ford again.

- Templeton, MA, USA

I was driving and the steering became stiff and very difficult to turn next morning I started the vehicle and could not turn steering at all ! power steering assist fault !

- Collingdale, PA, USA

A few weeks after having recealls performed for the steering and airbag issues, I was driving on the freeway and got a warning light(attached) that said "steering fault service now". the steering bacame slightly sticky but still drivable. After reacbing my destination and restarting my car, I then received the same fault light as well as traction control, and airbag lights. I have had zero issues with this vehicle as long as I've owned it prior to it being at the dealer for the recalls. The steering was now almosy inopperable and required alot of strength to make any turn left or right. While luckily the steering got very bad on side streets, this could have resulted in some serious injury or problems if it happened on the highway I feel. This vehicle is just only 4 years old and I have a hard time believing that the steering mechanism should be faulty already. I unfortunately do not have warranty on this part of the vehicle so I am now left with a $2500 bill to repair a sealed rack and pinion assembly that doesn't (to my knowledge) require any maintenace. Hopefully there are enough of this issues to warrant an investigation and possible recall. Thank you,

- Syracuse, UT, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the power steering failed while driving. The power steering assist, the advance trac, and hill assist warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to bergey's Ford (700 N bethlehem pike, ambler, pa 19002) and was diagnosed that the torque sensor and the steering rack needed to be replaced. An alignment was also recommended. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

- North Wales, PA, USA

No power steering assist, this is 3rd time this has happened. Previous repairs have been to wire connections. This time we were informed module is not communicating. Cost of repair estimated at $2,100. Shop informed me that dealer says there are over 900 modules on backorder. Obviously there is a problem. The car was being driven when this occured. Steering absolutely very difficult. Feel fortunate that didn't have to make any evasive manuvers to avoid an accident. Very unsafe.

- North Platte, NE, USA

Steering wheel is locked and no power steering. I think it's due to recalls on Ford Fusion. My car doesn't have one but I think it should. The recall is the electric power assist system. My car is only four years old I shouldn't have this problem. The car was parked when this happened but what if we were on the highway.

- Iron Mountain, MI, USA

My vehicle would not shift into drive (Ford Fusion 2016 2L 5speed automatic). It shuddered and crawled forward but the transmission would not engage. I braked to a stop put it park and the car was still shuddering. I turned ignition off and attempted to restart engine and engage from park to drive. It did not shift to drive but shuddered. I had to repeat this process 4-5 times and then it finally moved from park to drive and drove somewhat normal 1 day prior the car was jerky as it engaged. This jerky behavior of the transmission at low speeds I was experiencing yesterday returned. The car became driveable but now a I am very supsect and I cannot find a recall for this issue that matches my VIN number. Eventhough many Ford Fusion made during the same year as mine have experienced this issue

- Gainesville, GA, USA

Power steering suddenly failed

- Omaha, NE, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at 65 mph, the steering wheel randomly shifted from left to right. The contact stated that extra effort was needed to keep the steering wheel straight. There was no warning light illuminated. Belk Ford Inc, (447 ms-6, oxford, ms 38655) was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,500.

- Oxford, MS, USA

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.

- Santa Clarita, CA, USA

The vehicle was stationary in my garage. I was attempting to leave for work and the vehicle wouldn't start. I checked the fluids and checked battery cable and finally the vehicle started with hesitation. Warning lights 'sterring asist fault' 'low battery feature' an 'service advance trac' appeared. Could not turned the sterring wheel at all to back out of garage. Battery is 1year old should not be low.

- Montgomery, AL, USA