Steering assist fault: At mileage 84209 the power steering suddenly stopped working. After completing research this is a known issue that Ford has not recalled. It stopped working at the gas pump, with some luck I was able to get to a parking spot and leave the car stranded until arranging for a tow truck. Ford would not reimburse the $2,000 expense to fix one of their known issues. Very fortunate no one was hurt. Very dissatisfied with the quality of work and customer service to remedy this known issue associated with a class action lawsuit www.aboutlawsuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2014-06-27-complaint.pdf.

- Severn, MD, USA

Power steering failed when backing out on the first incident along with an error message display. On second occasion, when starting the car, the same error message regarding the steering was displayed. Turning the engine off and then back on seemed to get the car operational.

- Mayfield Heights, OH, USA

Started my car this morning and immediately my "steering requires assist" alert came on and I found I had no power steering. My car showed no signs of any issue when I parked it last night 12/14/16 around 7pm but when I went to leave for work at 12/15/16 at 5:30am the alert came on. I had my car towed to the dealer and dealer has informed me that 1) a car with less than 70K needs the entire steering column replaced to the tune of $2000 and 2) that this failure is so commonplace they stock the steering assembly for this repair. I'm just thankful I wasn't commuting on the interstate when this occurred whereas many others were not.

- Louisville, KY, USA

I could handle the studder and handle the being held hostage by my seat belt, but now I have to pay $1,800 to get my steering fix after almost hitting a tree with my family in the car. I was just about to upgrade to a escape, I will never buy Ford again after this because I have 89000 on my car they will help with nothing. Nor do they care about the safety of me and my family or the other people around me ! I have never been so disappointed. I truly loved this little car until it tried to kill me.

- Penfield, NY, USA

Started car and steering wheel froze - power steering completely incapacitated. Error notification displayed "steering assist fault." I turned the car off and when I restarted it was gone. This also happened a year ago and now again intermittently. This is a safety hazard that has been reported by many others. Ford needs to recall these models before a serious event happens.

- El Cerrito, CA, USA

I was turning into my apt complex powe sterling went out light said malfunctions powe steering. I was trying to control hit a pole. Seat belt tighten around my neck. I had just had a procedure did two weeks pryor injection in my neck went to doctor he told me I was so informed he could not tell gave me five different mess I go C him on 8th Dec should been back sooner I have no car in shop no money get it out.

- Humble, TX, USA

At 49000 miles got " service power steering now " light and steering was locked up at start of car. Has happened 4 times in 8 days at start up of car. Restarting fixes steering but afraid problem will escalate and cause accident or worse...please investigate before someone is hurt or killed from loss of control of steering.

- Louisville, KY, USA

Driving at night on county road approx 25-30 mph dry pavement went to turn the wheel of the car to follow the road and there was no response from the steering wheel or the brakes. Car went off the road headed for a tree. Went into ditch before steering became available again. In investigating this issue on my own prior to taking to dealer. I have found this to be an issue and even a noted investigation listed or awareness of the highway safety administration. I can tell you there was absolutely zero control of this car at that time. These cars are very dangerous on many levels as they have multiple defective parts. Just call jim O'neal in sellersburg Indiana as they have all the records of showing they have almost rebuilt my entire car since I bought new in 2012. Upon being evaluated and driven, with this occurring to the technician as well at jim O'neal Ford, it was found that the entire steering component had failed and needed to be replaced. Ford is aware of this concern as there have been 2 bulletins sent to their dealership service departments. Documented in research if you look and also told to me verbally by [xxx] the service manager at jim O'neal Ford. At no time in the many visits to the repair shop at Ford has anyone mentioned the fact that this could possibly occur or has there been any preventive checks of the system. I really would like this investigated as I do see I am not the only one that has had this issue and was just lucky enough to have not had a serious accident with my children in the car during this latest failure in this car. Ford should be held accountable for producing and not upholding their end of this car as people are being seriously injured. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Otisco, IN, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving various speeds, the power steering failed without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 01/31/17

- Awendaw, SC, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving 2 mph, the power steering seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to be repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.

- Athens, GA, USA

On Friday, 12/2/16, when pulling out of on-street parking space, warning "steering assist fault service required" came on, and I completely lost steering control. Turned off car, then turned on again, with same warning. Called Ford dealer, was told they couldn't do anything till Monday. Had to call tow. After 20 minutes, I tried car again, and everything was fine. I am afraid to drive, especially if my steering goes out again.

- San Jose, CA, USA

I started getting this on screen error "steering assist malfunction" a couple of months ago, but it would disappear after a few minutes. Today when I went to start the car the message appeared only this time it stayed. I turned the car off and back on and still had the issue. I had to drive my children to school with no power steering. I'm filing the complaint because after searching the entire day it turns out this is a pretty common issue with the 2012 Ford Focus. Some dealers lie and say they have "never seen it before." They charge on average $1700 to repair it. They recalled several other Ford models from 2012, but not this one. They should have. Had I already been driving with my children when this went out I would have wrecked. Had I not driven an older car that doesn't have power steering I probably wouldn't have known what to do or how to react. This is a dangerous issue and Ford needs to take responsibility for the problem.

- Monroe, TN, USA

No power steering at all after starting my car. Power steering fault assist light on dash was on. Vehicle was parked in my driveway. The steering fault assist light had come on several times a couple of weeks before when starting the car and I had no power steering but when I turned off the ignition and then back on several times the power steering would work and the steering fault assist light would go off. Had to have vehicle towed to dealer for repair.

- Gilroy, CA, USA

Randomly, when starting the car, I receive a steering assist fault error causing the steering wheel to freeze. The only remedy is to turn the car off, wait a few minutes, and restart. The error should go away and the steering wheel can easily move.

- Wheaton, IL, USA

Power steering completely went out. Error notification on dash says "steering assist fault." This was an intermittent problem for the last couple months that was fixed my turning the car off and restarting it. But it has completely gone off and it will not reset with turning the car off and on. Replaced 80amp megafuse that others online said may be the issue, this did not correct the problem. My only other idea is that it is the power steering rack that everyone else online has needed replaced.

- Montgomery, IL, USA

Power steering assist fault when driving. No power steering at all. Difficult to drive the car.

- Folsom, CA, USA

On a wet pavement in the rain while attempting to make a right turn into a shopping center the power steering locked up and would not turn or respond. The vehicle continued into an island curb breaking off the front left tire causing over $4,300 in damage. The problem with the power steering locking up during wet weather was confirmed by the repair shop. Ford Motor Company (customer service) was contacted but would not send a representative to look at the vehicle. This issue is ongoing as everyone who drives the vehicle has experienced the steering locking up during wet conditions. The vehicle also has a shuddering issue where the vehilcle bucks when moving forward.

- Cherry Hill, NJ, USA

Power steering assist failed while pulling out of driveway. Ford is aware of this issue and has failed to issue a recall on this model, but has on other models with same issue. There are many other complaints of this problem you can find online, even news articles about this happening with this model. Even the service technicians at the Ford dealer knew of the problem.

- Mount Juliet, TN, USA

Car had been parked overnight. Went to start up and the "faulty steering assist" warning light came on. I called the dealer and they said to check the battery. Took it to a mechanic and he had to replace the electronic steering gear and rack and pinion. Total cost $2500.

- Victoria, TX, USA

When the car is turned on and stationary, it will display "steering assist fault, " and the power steering will not turn on, greatly reducing the capacity to steer. Upon turning the car off and back on, the power steering re-engages. It has been doing this for about one year now.

- Orlando, FL, USA