As of September 2, 2016, 3 times within past 2 weeks after starting vehicle get error message "steering assist fault" and there is no power steering. After turning off vehicle and restarting the error has been cleared. Concerned of total failure which looks to be ~$2000 to repair or failure while driving, on NHTSA webiste there are 254 steering complaints for 2012 Focus, around 50 for 2013 Focus and 50 for 2014 Focus. There were 5 complaints for 2011 Focus which is last model that did not have epas steering. Clearly there is a design problem with this epas steering system, am hoping Ford does the right thing and recall this to alleviate unhappy customers and potential safety problem.

- Lake Orion, MI, USA

Power steering failure- started with everyonce in a while id get the error notice of power steering failure so I would turn off the car start it back up and fine, it started to happen more frequently to the imbarrassing point of having to turn on and off the car 5-10 times just to have power steering, then I got a letter to update my car's software to help fix the power steering issue, I got the software update and 3 months later total failure, I now have zero power steering and now Ford wants me to pay $2200 to fix it, when it failed I almost crashed into another car with my kids in my car on the freeway, needless to say we are greatful to be alive, sad thing is all other models from 2011-2012 with the same exact power steering system get a recall why not the Focus? I wish I would have known before I would have never bought the car, Ford is a scam and doesnt back up its product, the power steering is broke because of their defective product

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

On August 17, 2016, I was driving my Focus and while turning a corner, my steering seemed to lock up. I couldn't turn the wheel. I braked hard because I was headed into parked cars. I was able to reverse and park good enough until tow truck arrived. I had it towed to Ford dealer in santa monica, ca. The service agent told me that my battery was low and caused my steering issue. I informed him the battery was only one year old. He replied that it had a bad cell. He told me if I put a new battery, it will fix issue. I authorized replacement and picked up my car the next day. On August 26, 2016, I was in my car and a warning popped on my dash, "battery low, check manual." I drove it straight to Ford. The service agent checked my battery and alternator and said they both were good. He first told me that warning always comes on when you turn key on but don't start engine. I told him it had never popped on before in the four years I've had the car. He insisted I just hadn't noticed it before. I told him I'm sure that it never happened. So when he test drove it, he switched up his opinion that the warning was referring to the key remote. I asked how because it showed a symbol of the car battery. I told him I hope you're correct and it is just the remote because I was worried that the steering would lock again after he previously said that it went out because of low battery. So I proceeded to drive back to where I was staying and when I turned into a driveway to turn around, my power steering went out. I was not strong enough to steer it well, but was able to reverse as close to curb as possible and again waited to be towed back to Ford. End result: They had it for four days, drove it for 72 miles and hooked it up to a diagnostic machine. They could find nothing wrong. I'm afraid to drive my Focus. I feel like the steering could go out or lock up at any given moment.

- Lemoore, CA, USA

Power steering failure. Happened 4-5 times when I start the car. Power steering will not work and I get a message that "steering assist service" needed. Turning the car off, restarting usually fixes the problem but I worry what might happen if it fails at 70 mph in traffic. I see many complaints of the same issue on the web. I am surprised Ford has not addressed this very common problem.

- Mcfarland, WI, USA

When I am in park starting the car, . the steering wont work. A message comes up saying the power steering asst system is out. Does not steer at all. I turned the car off and on about 3 times then it went away there is an electric motor no pump..I called to complain and Ford says there is not recall. They do however recall other models with the same problem. If..this is not a safety issue I don't know what is" the steering motor goes out" what if it happens when I am on the road. They already told me they wont fix it. It is clearly a recall issue and they wont fix the lesser models

- Summerfield, FL, USA

My car's steering wheel got stuck with a notice saying "power steering assist fault". the first time the problem occurred the car was backing up, and the problem went away when I parked and restarted the car. The second time the problem stayed... the cost to fix the problem was estimated at about $2000 (parts and labor) at the dealership. The mileage was around 60,000 at the time. Last week (08/12/2016, at about 72,000 miles), a warning came on about a door being open while I was parking. It was the one at the back on the driver's side. The door would not lock, so I tied it with a seatbelt to keep driving. Since then the car goes into panic mode now and then when I leave it locked, probably because the door moves and it feels like someone mechanically forced the latch open. I somehow feel lucky that none of the problems occurred while driving in traffic, but I am now concerned about something else failing (like a door flying open) in worse conditions.

- Denton, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering and the power steering assist failure warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the diagnostic results were not provided.the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering). The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

- Lambert, MS, USA

Power steering doesn't immediately come one when car starts, the yellow information light appears, have to restart the car to get it on. This was the first week it started. It went out on a nasty curve going 55 mph and almost caused a major wreck and also on the interstate a few hours after that. I had to leave it set a while and restart it before I had power steering. This is very very dangerous!

- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the power steering failed when the engine started. The power steering would not perform correctly until the engine was restarted. The failure occurred often and the contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 117,000. Updated 09/28/16

- Hampton, VA, USA

My daughter was leaving a friends house and when she tried to back out the electric power steering light came on. The steering wheel was very hard to turn. She restarted the car and it was fine. She was leaving the ice arena and the same thing had happened again..I have an appointment with the dealer but he wasn't aware of any recalls.. very dangerous id the steering fails while driving.120,000 miles

- Frisco, TX, USA

While driving on the highway 65mph the auto steering went out. Very hard to turn the wheel. Pulled car over to the side of the road, turned car off and then restarted it steering fine. Started back on the highway went a little distance and the same thing happened.

- Elysburg, PA, USA

I purchased a used 2012 Ford Focus hatchback in October 2012 that had 29,000 mile on it at the time. I drove the vehicle up to 39,000 and the power steering failed as I was initiating a left turn across traffic. I looked down to see the power steering assist fault error message. The car was out of warranty at that point, and I was out 2,000$ in repairs. I have seen that Ford has recalled other vehicles for the same issue, just not the 2012 Focus yet. In October 2014, I found the hard stuttering upon accelerating and then I received my first recall notice. A new tcm was installed, reprogrammed, along with a new clutch. About two weeks after that the clutch failed and I had to bring it back in for repairs. About 6 months after that I was driving on the highway at around 70 mph and the dashboard lit up with a transmission malfunction, service now error. I took it to the dealership and they replaced the tcm again and reprogrammed. In August 2016, the car is now at around 65,000 miles. I was driving around 40 mph on a busy city street when I received the transmission malfunction, service now error. I just got the car back from the dealership yesterday, the 4th time, with a new tcm that has been reprogrammed. This car is unsafe, and Ford is aware. The technicians I have dealt with all know the exact issue before I explain it to them. I asked for a complaint line, or any options for consumers in my position and was told by both the dealership and the Ford customer service hot line that there are none. I asked the technician at the dealership if they knew they were handing me an unsafe vehicle, and he shook his head then stated he wished there was something they could do but I am out of luck.

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

The steering gets loose and tight and when you try to correct for lane drift it takes a second for the steering to respond, this is very dangerous and I called Ford and of course they wont do nothing or help in anyway. Car only has 74,000 miles on it and of course its not covered.

- Burlingame, CA, USA

2 major issues: Transmission would sudden drop out of gear while driving. Several times I was on the highway and it would drop into neutral, leaving me no way to control my vehicle. This was fixed with a Ford warranty extension and replacement of the transmission control module (tcm). Now, at 74000 miles, I am having a malfunction of the electronic power steering (eps). Usually right when I start the vehicle and am backing out of my garage, but occasionally also while driving, a warning code appears on the dashboard saying "malfunction: Power steering" and the wheel locks in place. This is very dangerous and the 2012 Focus seems to have lots of major issues.

- Woods Cross, UT, USA

Driving at highway speeds the steering wont respond wants to drift into other lanes of traffic.the steering gets loose and tight and when you try to correct for lane drift it takes a second for the steering to respond, this is very dangerous and I called Ford and of course they wont do nothing or help in anyway. Car only has 42,000 miles on it and of course its not covered but they can fix it for $2000. First transmission problems now this.

- Bridgeton, NJ, USA

An alert comes up on the dash board claiming that steering assist fault service required. It is very difficult to drive although the faster I go the easier it is to steer' bit turns remain difficult this started happening in 2015, powering off the car would temporarily fix it. The issue was intermittent but is now very consistent and happening every time I drive the car.

- Grayslake, IL, USA

Cannot hardly turn the steering wheel at stop and when driving. Very dangerous when driving in busy highways. The error message came on says that the steering assist failure. I took it to honolulu Ford where I purchased the vehicle they said since my vehicle is out of warranty I have to pay for a rack and pinion system for $2500 dollars to fix it. Unacceptable from a major company.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

Vehicle was parked and when started displayed the epas warning/service required message. No injuries since the vehicle was parked, but had the system gone out at speed it might have been a different story. Vehicle is driven by my 24 Y/O son, and his generation have no experience driving w/O power steering. Internet research has highlighted that this is a known issue, as well as a class action lawsuit filed against the manufacturer. Early repair cost estimates put the dollar value between $1500 and $2000.

- Mulvane, KS, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While attempting to reverse the vehicle, the power steering failed without warning and the steering assist warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 09/20/16

- Willow Spring, NC, USA

Power steering failure, causing the car to loose power steering while the car was in motion on a highway. The problem was intermittent and was initially resolved by restarting the car. However, a week after the problem first started (and less than 50 driving miles later), the car completely lost all power steering. This all started about a month after an update for a transmission recall. According the Ford dealership, a gear had broken in the steering column resulting in the failure. When discussing the issue with a mechanic at a different shop, he said that type of damage typically is the result of significant crash force. The car had not been in an accident. Barring an accident, the mechanic said that it was more likely the result of a defective part or component.

- Haddonfield, NJ, USA