10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 23 / 2
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 25 / 5
- Average Mileage:
- 86,290 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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« Read the previous 20 complaints
Power assist steering fault comes and goes, as well as steering. This is extremely dangerous, needs to be addressed.
- Marietta, GA, USA
Steering assist malfunction on Ford Focus 2012 model. This error would come up periodically over the last 6 months, but would go away when restarting the vehicle. Now the error comes on every time the vehicle is started. The power steering is completely out. Driven about 2000 miles since error first noticed. Mileage now 116,895.
- Round Rock, TX, USA
Upon ignition a message 'steering assist fault svc required' sometimes appears and the steering wheel is extremely difficult to turn. Problem is usually remedied by turning off the engine and restarting but can sometimes take three tries. Problem was intermittent but is becoming more frequent. So far it only happens when the vehicle is parked on level ground and slightly inclined driveways. Online research suggests bad placement of the steering module is causing internal electronics to overheat and develop faults.
- Levittown, PA, USA
On 3 occasions while driving down a side street with a speed limit of 35mph, a power steering assist fault notification appeared. On one occasion it prevented my brake pedal from engaging the brakes. The parking brake still worked. The vehicle has a 3rd party warranty through the dealer I bought it from, when taken to their mechanics it was stated that they could find no trace or cause of the issue and could not replicate.
- Westland, MI, USA
Steering assist malfunction-service required keeps coming on. When is a recall coming. Scared this is going to cause an accident. I have to turm the car off and on then wait til it decides it wants to move. Afraid the steering will lock while driving. So far it has only happened while stationary but has caused problems when driving in reverse to get out of a parking space.
- Murfreesboro, TN, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. After starting the engine, the message "steering assist malfunction" displayed on the instrument panel and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.
- Lewis Port, KY, USA
Power steering is disabled upon starting vehicle. I thought this was just a random error because I would turn vehicle off then on and then it was fine. Now the error will not turn off and I do not have power steering at all.
- Pearl City, HI, USA
For the past 6 months, every time I start up the car the steering column is almost locked. I start backing out and it loosens up. This morning I started my car up and it was locked again, but I got the message on the dash steering assist malfunction, and it never loosened up. I was a little nervous driving it ot work, but I had to get there. I have seen a lot of people with the same issue. This needs to get fixed.
- White Bear Lake, MN, USA
Takata recall well I went to turn on my car and I put it in reverse and when I was back in up I notice the screen say steering malfunction service requiere and the steering wheel dindt want to move
- Fall River, MA, USA
Received "steering assist malfunction" error on dashboard at start up. Power steering is not working and very hard to turn car. Took to dealership and they claim electronic steering mechanism and rack need to be replaced at a cost of $2300. Seems like a widespread and dangerous issue that is very common with this model, wonder why there isn't a recall?
- Hawthorne, CA, USA
My Focus when being turned on the steering wheel locks in place and does not want to turn in any direccion. This has happend multiple occasions for about 3 months. The problem used to be resolved by turnig the car off and then back on but is not the case anymore. This last time that it happend I was in motion coming to a stop sign and it seized on me. Luckyly I was already stopping or I could have wrecked. It took multiple attempts of turning the engine on and off to get it to work again. For now we are not driving the vehicle because we feel that it is dangerous. The warining that turned on on the dash read "steering fault". this car is a 2012 with 130 thousand miles.
- Porterville, CA, USA
Power steering has been going "in and out" for about a year. Resolved temporarily typically by restarting engine. However, power steering permanently failed 9/24/18. T called customer care stating Ford knew about the issue (2017 dismissed lawsuit). The vehicle was stationary in a parking lot. Mileage @88,000. Ford needs to take responsibility for their issues they have with their vehicles. Cost to replace the rack and pinion was $2,200!
- Schaumburg, IL, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving at a low speed, the steering column seized without warning. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 67,000.
- Lexington, KY, USA
This car has had problems since purchasing it as a certified used vehicle for my daughter. The stereo went out completely and had to be replaced. The transmission has been having issues but Ford says the problem is not bad enough when hooked up to the computer for it to be replaced under their extended warranty which Ford has put in place an extended warranty up to 100,000 miles and 7 years. Lastly twice while my daughter was starting to drive the car the steering wheel locked up and brakes stopped working. The second time the car was in reverse and continued to roll forward. Its a good thing she knew to use her emergency brake or she could have been hurt. The car is at the dealership to be diagnosed and repaired. Never buying a Ford again.
- Grants Pass, OR, USA
My 16 year old was driving and the steering assist fault made the steering go out for her. This part is extremely pricey I feel that as many complaints there are about this plus the high cost this should have a recall on this. Very dangerous
- Hays, KS, USA
The power steering has gone out. Research shows this to be a common problem with this car. The car was stationary at the time, but mid-trip. My son was driving and had difficulty getting home.
- Rosenberg, TX, USA
Power steering assist stopped working while driving car. Steering became very hard to turn. Took to dealer, required entire steering gear to be replaced.
- Canton, MI, USA
Power steering has been going "in and out" for about 1-2 years. Resolved temporarily typically by restarting engine. However, power steering permanently failed 9/9/18. Took my car in multiple times prior to this with no resolution. Looking at a $2100 bill to replace whole steering gear. Multiple electrical issues with cars computer. Called customer care stating Ford knew about the issue (2017 dismissed lawsuit)-- but warranty was relied to get out of the cost responsibility. Mileage around 94-96,000.
- Waterford, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving 5 mph, the steering wheel seized and the steering service default warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to norris Ford (901 merritt blvd, baltimore, md 21222, (410) 285-0200) where the contact was informed that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
- Annapolis, MD, USA
- Ferndale, MI, USA