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

problem #581

Sep 252018

Focus

  • 67,000 miles
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

problem #580

Sep 242018

Focus

  • 68,000 miles
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

problem #579

Sep 222018

Focus

  • 124,000 miles
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

problem #578

Sep 072018

Focus

  • 92,700 miles
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

problem #577

Aug 122018

Focus

  • 74,650 miles
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

problem #576

Sep 102018

Focus

  • 94,000 miles
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

problem #575

Sep 052018

Focus

  • 95,000 miles
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

problem #574

Aug 012018

Focus

  • 117,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 35 mph, the power steering assist malfunctioned and caused the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. During the failure, the "steering fault" message displayed on the instrument panel. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer (san tan Ford, 1429 E. motorplex loop, gilbert, AZ) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 117,000.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #573

Aug 012014

Focus

  • 77,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle stuttered and rolled backwards, the steering wheel shook and failed to turn, and the accelerator pedal failed to respond and traveled to the floorboard when it was depressed. In addition, the "transmission ready" indicator illuminated. After the vehicle was restarted, it operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (camelback Ford, 1330 E camelback rd, phoenix, AZ 85014, (602) 635-7551) where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failures recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 77,000. The VIN was not available.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #572

Aug 132018

Focus

  • 135,000 miles
Occassionally when first starting this vehicle an alert will appear on the dash, saying power steering assist has failed, contact Ford service dealer and the power steering will not work. If I shut the engine off and restart the power assist will work, so far.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #571

Apr 182018

Focus

  • 42,406 miles
In April of this year I started the car from the garage and the power steering was not working as it was very difficult to turn the wheel, maneuver, and steer the car. I managed to get it to my local automotive repair shop where they assessed the situation. They found failure with the power steering control module. In order to fix it they needed to replace the electronic steering rack and pinion assembly which contains the steering module. This cost $3,377.56. I am filing this complaint in the hopes that it prompts a recall and that I may be eligible for some form of refund for this extraordinary failure and expense for a car that is not that old with low mileage. I kept the repair invoice with all the details but do not wish to post it as it contains my personal information.

- Santa Barbara, CA, USA

problem #570

Aug 242018

Focus

  • 123,550 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving 65 mph, the steering wheel seized and the steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact immediately slammed on the brakes and exited the freeway. The contact stated that the steering wheel never unlocked and the vehicle was not driveable. Paul cerame Ford (11400 new halls ferry road, florissant, mo 63033, (314) 838-2400) was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,550.

- Hazelwood, MO, USA

problem #569

Aug 132018

Focus

  • 66,500 miles
Car lost steering assist while driving making the car had to steer to avoid collision. The car was in motion, alarm came on the steering assist failed.

- Brentwood, TN, USA

problem #568

Aug 092018

Focus

  • 50,000 miles
Sudden loss of power steering. Electronic power steering failure while driving.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #567

Aug 042018

Focus

  • 51,169 miles
While driving, steering wheel assist malfunction light came on and made it difficult to control the steering. Look online and there are recalls to other Ford models, but not for the Focus although there are numerous complaints about this happening and a serious car crash could happen because of it.

- Mililani, HI, USA

problem #566

May 152018

Focus

  • 43,700 miles
The car losses steering assistance on the road occasionally. The light saying "steering assistant fault" also comes on. Then typically after 1day or 2, the system resumes itself. When it happens, wheel becomes really heavy and not possible to turn at 60-79mph on highway. At lower speed, it needs very hard pulling to just make a normal right or left turning. I also have to decrease speed when making the turn and causing vehicles after to decrease speed also. The Ford manufacturer mechanic have made full diagnostic of the steering part. They couldn't find a reason and also said there could be no reason. The electricity system of related part could just be out of order some time and then became normal again--told by the mechanic. It's also confirmed such disorder is not caused by car wash or cosmetic damage on car's surface. The part is also not repairable but have to be replaced to solve the issue, which appears to be a fault of design or manufacturing. I searched online and found over hundreds of such issue for Ford Focus 2012-2014, discussed on forum and also reported by media. Today, before writing this, the fault just happened on my car again. I think it begins to happen more and more frequently ever since the first time. The first time was May 13th, 2018; second was July 19th, then today: Aug. 1st. It is terrifying how frequently it may happen on road in future. And what's more, my car's odometer is only 44K miles. Hope the complaint could be valid and measurement done towards Ford. Thank you

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #565

Jul 282018

Focus

  • 100,000 miles
Steering wheel lock up on me while I was drive and been locked up for some days now and it is hard to turn the wheel and dont have the money fix it had the car for about a year now this just a shame.

- Grand Blanc, MI, USA

problem #564

Jul 212018

Focus

  • 107,000 miles
While driving through a parking lot and attempting to turn left across an intersection, the power steering went out completely, jerked the wheel out of my hand, and kept the car moving straight forward. I narrowly missed hitting another car as my husband helped me tug on the wheel to get the car out of the intersection and to the side of the road. The power assist light was on. I turned the car off and back on, and the problem went away. This is the second time that this problem has happened, and I am afraid of it happening on the highway or in traffic and causing an accident.

- Mckinney, TX, USA

problem #563

Jul 222018

Focus

  • 95,430 miles
About to drive to work, I turned my car on and shifted from park to reverse after about 5 minutes of waiting. While reversing out of my parking spot, I realized the steering wheel would not turn and I was going straight towards an apartment building that borders the parking lot. I parked the car and noticed a warning on the screen in the car that stated 'power steering assist malfunction.' I turned the car off and the steering was no longer difficult to control when I turned the car on again. The warning was no longer present. Around two weeks later, the same power steering assist malfunction occurred while leaving a gas station; the car was in drive in the parking lot when the issue occurred. My intention was to turn and exit to a street, but I realized that the steering wheel would not turn. Turning the car off and on again seemed to allow the steering to become normal and the warning was no longer present. The power steering assist malfunction makes it near impossible to steer the car, which could result in an accident if the warning is not seen soon enough.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #562

Jul 192018

Focus

  • 77,000 miles
Takata recall - power steering malfunction. Steering wheel locks up while turning on or driving there have been several complaints and would really like for something to be done it's dangerous

- West Columbia, TX, USA

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