10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 23 / 2
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 25 / 5
- Average Mileage:
- 85,634 miles
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« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the steering assist warning light illuminated and the vehicle became difficult to steer. Blake Ford located (1011 armory dr, franklin, va 23851, (888) 338-4988) was contacted and an appointment was made to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 57,496.
- Franklin, VA, USA
I have had this vehicle for three days (10-28-18) when the steering assist stopped working when it was started. The car was stationary and the message on the display said steering assist fault. When the car was turned off and restarted it was ok. This car has 71100 miles on it and was purchased as a first car for my son who is 17.
- Hillsborough, NJ, USA
:steering assist malfunction" error on dashboard at start up. Power steering is not working -- steering wheel is locked up. This happened 3 times at startup. Car has 79,399 miles. Took to dealership and they informed me that electronic steering gear mechanism and rack need to be replaced at a cost of $1,800 and alignment for $99.95. I agreed to have dealership do the work as I was too scared to drive the car. This seems like a widespread and dangerous issue that is very common with this model, why isn't there a recall?
- Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, USA
On 9/25/18, after driving two hours and then making a brief stop, when I turned the car on I received the following warning: "steering assist fault. Service required." When I started backing out of the parking space, I discovered the car had lost power steering. I turned the car off and then back on but received the same warning and still had no power steering. I was able to drive the two hours home very carefully but obviously this posed a safety risk, especially if it had gone out while I was driving or if there was a need for me to make a turn quickly. Here are the facts we learned from doing some online research and contacting our local Ford dealership: Several other Ford family models with similar years have been recalled for steering assist issues and the only way to fix the problem was to replace the entire steering system which costs over $2100. In conclusion, why am I now $2100 poorer after replacing power steering in a vehicle with less than 60,000 miles when clearly there is an issue with Ford's power steering that should warrant a recall on the Focus as well? thank you for your consideration of this complaint.
- Williamsport, PA, USA
Power steering fault has been coming on and off for several months. An engine restart normally resets light. On October 23, 2018, the power steering light came on while in motion and completely disable my ability to control the car. The vehicle is now park and cannot be driven.
- Saginaw, TX, USA
When starting the car, before driving, "steering assist malfunction" comes on the screen and the steering wheel will not turn. This happens a couple of times a day and I fear this will impair the ability to turn during driving or when starting my commute. I found restarting the car a few times eliminated this error.
- Kenmore, NY, USA
Power steering would fail unexpectedly. At times while driving. Only remedy was to replace.
- Ferndale, MI, USA
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
- Millilani, HI, USA