The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While traveling approximately 30 mph, the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel was extremely tight and difficult to turn. The vehicle was turned off and on to reset the computer due to the failure, but it progressed randomly. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

After starting car a warning bell sounded and notification on dash said "steering assist failure". called Ford and spoke with service and explained the issue. I gave him my information. He told me that my car was out of warranty and this would be a out of pocket expense for them to even diagnose. He also acknowledged that he has seen a "few" Focus's with the same issue. After researching online there are numerous complaints of the exact same nature. I have called Ford and am awaiting a return call from them. There has been a class action lawsuit filed in California (phillips et al vs Ford Motor Company) on this same issue. Ford does have a recall on the Fusion #15S18 concerning this same malfunction.

- Joliet, IL, USA

While backing out of the driveway there was a complete loss of power steering along with a warning in the information center: "steering assist fault -service req'd". the vehicle was steered to the curb. After the car was turned off and back on, the power steering worked normally. The car was taken to a local Ford dealer the next day to see if any computer codes were registered. No codes were found and the dealer had no advice on what caused the problem and whether or not it would recur.

- Naperville, IL, USA

63000 miles on car. Power steering rack needs replaced. 1800 dollars to fix.

- Mars, PA, USA

On August 4, 2015 I was driving my vehicle and when I went to turn at the red light, my steering wheel locked up and then I heard a beeping sound. I looked down at my dashboard and a messaged appeared. I was unable to read the message right then because I was having to jerk my steering wheel to get the car to make the left turn and not run up on the curve. Traffic was coming so I couldn't just stop in the middle of the intersection. Once I got to the parking area I read the message on the dashboard and it displayed, "power steering assist fault." As of today Aug 14, 2015 I have not been able to drive my vehicle and I am very afraid to drive it. I have called the local dealership and they want me to pay for diagnostic because they said that there's no recall on theses vehicles. I refuse to pay for any service because my concern is that this is a safety issue that the Ford company should be responsible for. When I called Ford to report the issue and to see if there's a recalled, I was told that this is the first that they have heard of this problem but when I researched the issue, I found plenty of complaints about the 2012 Ford Focus. Can someone address this issue before there's a fatal accident. I will be willing to allow someone to come drive my vehicle, see the message that appears on my dashboard still and investigate the vehicle in order to save my life and someone else's life. Ford dealership says that they have not been able to duplicate the issue, well, my vehicle is more than available for someone to duplicate it because it is totally a locked steering wheel sitting in my parking lot. I had to have my male friend to drive my vehicle 2 miles home because it scared me so bad that I couldn't drive it on top of a torn rotator cuff and not being able to turn the wheel. Please help all of us having this problem.

- Simpsonville, SC, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to steer and the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle did not regain steering capabilities. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,362.

- Mobile, AL, USA

Electronic power assist failed and I have no power steering

- Parma Heights, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact started the vehicle and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was then able to operate normally. The failure recurred two times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,520.

- Hampton, VA, USA

While driving down the highway the steering started to act weird. It would give a lot and go tight then give again. A lot of play in the wheel, when it was perfectly fine before. Then after 30 seconds or so of this, the information light popped up and said "steering fault stop safely". I pulled over to side of road and stopped. Then it turned red, locked the steering wheel and said "steering loss stop safety". now the car is stuck and I am on the side of the road calling a tow truck. It went to the mechanic who did something to get the car to work again, and 15 minutes of driving the car again this cycle repeated itself. It has happened to me 3 times as of the writing of this message. I am scared to get back in the car at this point as I have a newborn and don't want to risk it. I don't know what to do. I have to drive in order to get to work.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

In less than a week, the power steering on my 2012 Ford Focus has failed three times. The first time occurred on Tuesday, July 28, 2015, at 7:45 a.M. I had been driving for about two minutes when the following error message appeared on my instrument cluster: "steering assist fault/service required." I was just about to take the ramp onto the highway, but my gut told me to pull over to the right of the road (I had a child with me and did not want to take any risks). Just as I was doing so, my steering wheel locked, and I could not rotate it. As I pulled up next to the curb, I placed my car in park and turned on my hazards. I waited a few moments, but the steering wheel still would not budge. I turned my car off and on again, but the steering wheel still wouldn't move. I turned the car off again and waited about 5-10 minutes. Upon starting the car this time, the steering wheel was back to normal. I left my hazards on and made right turns all the way home (in case it went out again). This incident happened again on Wednesday, July 29 at 4:50 P.M. and Monday, August 3 at 5:05 P.M. both times I turned off my car, waited about 5 minutes, and then started it again. The power steering would then be working. This problem is extremely frustrating and I worry about my safety because I drive on the highway to and from work. While this has happened on the side roads, there is now a constant fear of this happening while I'm on the highway. I've read other complaints on online forums about this exact problem, so I would like to also file mine. It is also frustrating because I have had other problems with this car, such as with the moonroof, ac, and compass. I feel like Ford sold me a lemon. I purchased this car from a Ford dealership as certified pre-owned only a year and a half ago, so I shouldnt have this many problems with it.

- Chicago, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 30 mph, the warning chime sounded and the power steering warning light illuminated. The steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was restarted and functioned normally. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was unable to be duplicated. The failure recurred numerous times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 3,000. MA 10/16/15

- Norwood, MA, USA

For the past few weeks I occasionally get the "steering assist fault" message while driving and power steering stops working. Usually, when I restart the car it resets and works again. Today I got the message while at a stop light, restarted the cars a few times and it did not reset. I have contacted my dealer and they said they've never heard of this, despite my reporting it to them last fall as well. Update 9/15/15 update: I took the car into the dealership for repair, and the steering gear was replaced. So far, at 49,800 miles, the problem has not happened since the repair. The repair qualified to be covered by my extended service plan, and I paid 4100 deductible for the work. The repair was done at the same dealership where I purchased the car. Updated 09/29/15.... updated 09/30/15 updated 11/10/15.

- Arlington, MA, USA

The Ford Focus 2012 SE hatchback, sport suspension. The chrome surface on the steering wheel began to peel off and flake soon after purchase. The shards are metallic and sharp, and have cut my finger while driving. The problem is a major irritant since this problem is located on surfaces that have buttons and are used to control various features. I attempted to make a warranty claim on the issue but ourisman Ford, alexandria va declined the claim. Many other Ford owners seem to have similar problems based on online research. Ford should offer to replace this inexpensive part which affects daily driving.

- Pasadena, MD, USA

Chrome surface of steering wheel trim begins to peel without contact and is exceedingly sharp when it does so. I have now caught my finger on it twice, drawing blood on a highway traveling 70mph.

- Phenix City, AL, USA

While driving the vehichle the steering locks up and is very hard to steer to even get it off the road. The indicator in the car came on and warned of steering malfunction. Lost all power steering in the middle of driving down the road multiple times. Had to turn vehicle off to see if it would help, did momentarily but continues to malfunction after driving it. I can no longer drive my vehicle because it is not safe to do so, nor can I let my teenage daughter drive it because of the risk it poses if it happens to her while she id driving. If it was her, she would propbably wreck, because she would not know what to do. Ford refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem......!!!!

- Knoxville, TN, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving at approximately 45 mph, all the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel and the steering seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

- Canton, GA, USA

Lost steering control, warning light came on to bring vehicle in for service. Steering became very stiff. Was passing an accident on the highway when this happened, scared me, was not sure what was happening. Brought it in for service, found out I needed to replace my steering rack and pinnon, electronic components, will cost me $3,400 (cdn). Warranty ran out one month prior. One month earlier my transmission seal went and now this, not very happy with Ford at all. First new car I have bought and may be the last.

- Stony Plain, AP, USA

Power steering assit pops up the day after purchasing and restarted car. Issue went away until after used car lot warranty runs out. Issue seemed to only happen in the warmer months of the year. Has happened approximately 40-50 times. Finally completely went out on June 10th 800 miles away from home while my wife and kids we on a tripped to see her parents. Had taken car to dealership numerous times over issue since we purchased and they finally acknowledged that there is an issue but their hands are tied til I pay the $1850 or a recall happens. So right now im stroking a car not on one bigass paper weight. Hopefully they will do a recall before they meet their"bloodshed quota"! its sad profit margins are more important than the safety of their customers. Hey Ford you might want to take care of your customers before you kill off client base!!!!

- Auburn, AL, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 65 mph, the steering wheel seized and excessive force was required. The steering assist fault service required warning light illuminated. The contact managed to merge the vehicle to the emergency lane and shut off the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted, but the failure recurred multiple times on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000.

- St Paul, MN, USA

Driving 2012 Ford Focus on highway July 29,2015. Mileage 41,100. Warranty just expired. While driving 55mph, steering wheel locked, almost impossible to steer car over to roadside. Dash message read steering assist fault, service required. Once stopped turned car off, then started car again; steering returned to normal. After first occurrence of faulty steering, others began 3 days later: July 2, 2015; steering locked after pulling into parking lot, slow speed; turned car off, started up, steering worked again July 6, 2015, steering locked on start-up; this occurred twice after turning off/on. July 6, 2015, took car into dealer(northstar Ford in duluth mn), where I bought car new. Northstar took care of another recalltransmission, reportedly reprogrammed. Upon northstar inspection, dealer said power steering was working fine, but further inspection revealed car needs a whole new steering rack, to cost me $2,300 to repair (stated that warranty expired, no recall on this model). I declined repair, after paying $100+ for diagnosis. I felt strongly that this is a clear defection in 2012 Ford Focus. After researching I found numerous complaints of 2012 Focus steering malfunctions, as well as reports of NHTSA closely following the 2012 Focus steering issues and California class action lawsuit filing for Ford Focus 20102-2014. Driving little as possible hoping NHTSA will issue recall on the steering problem soon. July 7, 2015; after parking, steering locked up when pulling out. Turned off and on twice before steering worked. Haven't driven since July 7. worried about my safety, as well as drivers and passengers of other Ford on the road, taking lives into their hands in event of on-road emergency, requiring quick action, operational steering. Hopeful NHTSA takes urgent messages seriously, & issues steering recall on the Ford Focus 2012.

- St Paul, MN, USA