The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving, the power steering failed and the steering assist indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering fluid needed to be flushed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 38,000.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

My car had absolutely no warning signs of any steering issues. I drove to the tanning bed with no problem and when I came out and started my car the "service alert" came up saying "steering assist fault service required." My car had been stationary for maybe 20 minutes. I tried backing out of my parking spot and it was extremely difficult to turn the wheel. I was able to drive home- my arms were very sore by the time I pulled in the driveway. I called Ford this morning to inquire about this issue and was advised it sounds like a leak in my steering system but the car is safe to drive. My biggest concern, aside from how much this is going to cost me, is that they said it was safe to drive?! if someone or something were to pull out in front of me or I needed to swerve out of the way for any reason it would literally be impossible to do so.

- Pittsford, NY, USA

I lost power steering without warning while driving my son to son to school. You can still steer the car but barely and I am a 200lb maintenance man. Brought it to the Ford dealer and it is going to costs 1700 to fix. I have read many other 2012 Focus owners have had the same problem. Very surprised it is not covered under a safety recall as it happens without warning and makes maneuvering the car almost impossible.

- Sherburne, NY, USA

I've had my Ford Focus for 6 months. I've experienced recalls on the transmission which I have fixed. Now my steering assist fault light is on and my power steering went out completely while turning into my driveway. This is a major issue. I have noticed that other people have the same issue and many people have been in horrible accidents. What if this was to happen to me and my children? it wouldn't just affect our lives but also our loved ones. I would love to know if there is a recall on this or there is an ability to get my money back on the car.

- Atoka, OK, USA

While stationary, the steering power assist failure warning light came on and the car was almost impossible to pull out of the driveway. This is the second time this has occurred.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

Vehicle looses steering assist when backing up or moving forward (intermittent problem). Vehicle has only 35,000 miles. Concerned about safety and lack of steering back up system. Took vehicle to dealer and they charged us $2,000 to replace the electric steering gear. Many owners of this model/year vehicle are experiencing same complaint and are concerned about potential safety and exposure to accidents.

- Lake Worth, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 40 mph, the power steering ability seized and the power steering assist message remained illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic (joe miller modern garage in mankato, Minnesota) where it was diagnosed that the power steering rack failed and needed replacement. The failure occurred on May 13, 2017, but went away after turning the vehicle on and off. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Mankato, MN, USA

I was driving down the highway at about 70 mph and the steering assistance malfunction message suddenly showed up on the display and the steering wheel became extremely tight to turn. Restarting the car did not fix the issue.

- Appleton, WI, USA

My car was parked. When I tried starting it up. The wheel locked and I received a message that stated "steering assist fault, service required". I tried to restart the car many time and the message continued to appear,

- Sunnyvale, CA, USA

The steering wheel locks up and won't turn this has happened while driving and when I just start the car. I can put my key in the ignition and all the lights, radio, and chime works, but the car won't start. I had it checked when I got it started and the battery was fine and the altenator was fine and so was my starter. I have been having problems with my car for the past 4 years please help.

- Lagrange, NC, USA

There was a power steering failure when backing out of parking spot. I was unable to turn the wheel, resulting in blocked traffic, and disruption to other drivers in the parking lot. Managed to drive car (in straight line, back to earlier parking space). Dealer indicated that there is a power steering issue that could impact safety (stranding the vehicle in parking lots or loss of control at speed).

- Menlo Park, CA, USA

There was a power steering failure when backing out of parking spot. Dealer indicated that there is a power steering issue that could impact safety (stranding the vehicle in parking lots or loss of control at speed).

- Menlo Park, CA, USA

There was a power steering failure when backing out of parking spot. Dealer indicated that there is a power steering issue that could impact safety (stranding the vehicle in parking lots or loss of control at speed).

- Menlo Park, CA, USA

Car gives a code that steering assist has failed when starting car. Sometimes would reset if key turned off and turned back on. This started while under warranty but Ford's techs claimed there was no problem, despite technical service bulletins on the problem. Car will start, but won't steer. Problem was brought to attention of Ford dealer when car was still under warranty, but they have ignored the problem.

- Daytona Beach, FL, USA

Electical power sterring malfunction. Power sterring failed while driving on highway. Was able to stop. But couldn't turn sterring wheel.

- Williamston, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. Within two weeks of purchasing the vehicle, it failed to start and the key was not recognized in the ignition. Also, the 6 speed automatic transmission failed to shift appropriately and the contact had to turn the vehicle off and back on due to the failure. There was also a sudden loss of eps and the steering assist fault warning indicator flashed. The vehicle became difficult to steer intermittently. The dealer (dave knapp Ford Lincoln, 500 wagner ave, greenville, oh 45331, (800) 717-3673) was unable to diagnose the cause of the failures. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V643000 (latches/locks/linkages) and two manufacturer service campaigns (transmission clutch shudder/transmission input shaft seal - 14M01, transmission control module extended coverage). The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 08/03/17

- Greenville, OH, USA

Power steering failure at 83,320 mi. It failed while starting the car. The power steering failure light/warning came on.

- Greenville, SC, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the power steering assist failed. While attempting to reverse the vehicle, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The power assist indicator illuminated after the failure occurred. The dealer diagnosed that the steering rack failed. The vehicle was repaired and the steering rack was replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 59,000.

- Bridgeville, PA, USA

On April 22, 2017 while my daughter and her 5 years old child was driving from a cheerleader meet in Maryland to sterling Virginia, she stopped to retrieved a snack pack out of the trunk, when she got back in and started the vehicle the vehicle steering seized up and the light came on she was luckily able to maneuver the vehicle back to sterling va goons dealership. The vehicle as been at the dealership for 25 days; Ford Motor Co offered an X-pin to purchase a new vehicle which they tried to intimidate my daughter into buying. The vehicle is in my name and I have since retired and live in fl. The vehicle is at koons Ford very arrogant bunch and today I received a call that they wanted their loaner back and that for me to make a decision right away and authorized the payments for repair he did not offer any coupons or breakdown of the same. I told him to call me back and that's where it is now. Ford know very well that there is a problem with the vehicle steering system and are playing games with people lives. Please address my name is [xxx] thanks information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA

When the vehicle was started, the power steering assist malfunction indicator light was illuminated. The steering wheel seized and was unable to be maneuvered. Once the vehicle was shut off and restarted, the vehicle was driveable. However, this has been an ongoing reoccurrence. Each time the vehicle is shut off and restarted it seems to be resolved and driveable. Vehicle was taken to mechanic, no issues could be diagnosed at that time. Owner called to check for any open recalls under vehicle VIN search, but no recalls apply to this ongoing steering problem.

- Levittown, PA, USA