After making right turn out of driveway, traveled straight for approximately 300-400 yards and power steering failed. Warning light came on. Had to stop at stop sign...could not steer car - very difficult to steer without assist. I managed to turn it around, got back to my driveway. Power steering did not return. Called Ford roadside assistance - tow truck driver had difficulty steering the car to get it on truck...power assist returned. Dealer was not able to duplicate, researched with Ford technical assistance and found "no cause." They called it a fluke and returned car to me. Second incident occurred in same fashion on Feb. 14, 2012. After returning to my driveway the second time, the power assist returned to function. Dealer is not sure that bringing the car in will help them find or fix the problem. Ford customer service agent stated in email that "it could very well be a fluke" and is not offering any further solutions. I need help in getting this fixed.

- Coopersburg, PA, USA

The Ford Focus 2012 has problem starting at 556 miles - the engine would not even turn over. The warning light "steering assist fault service require" come on, and the front power windows do not work too. Hope the dealer would fix this soon.

- Fountain Valley, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact was driving 20 mph when the power steering function failed and the steering wheel seized abnormally. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who reprogrammed the computer. The contact stated that she no longer felt safe driving the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,106 and the current mileage 4,160.

- Canton, OH, USA

While driving steering fault service immediately and an exclamation mark appeared on the dashborad. At the same time the car would barely steer and I had a very hard time getting it off the road. I called for roadside assistance and they took it to the dealership.

- Floyd, VA, USA

While backing out of a driveway the steering system failed, I rolled down a hill and into a wooded area. The system gave an indicator light of steering system failure and also the braking system did not engage. I lost complete control of the vehicle.

- Huntington, WV, USA

Power steering failed, with dashboard warning messages.

- New York, NY, USA

Power steering failed while driving new Ford Focus SE, making it difficult to steer the car. Failure of steering was accompanied by "steering assist fault - service required" message in dash and warning chime. On restart of car, steering returns to normal operation and fault message no longer displays. This has occurred twice at random two weeks after purchase of car.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

Inadequate clearance between steering wheel mounted controls for cruise control and sync and stalk mounted controls for signals and wipers result in fingers getting caught between wheel and stalks. During a test drive, this caused accidental flashing of bright lights and wiper activation. In a worst case scenario, this could prevent turning the steering wheel at a critical moment and cause a crash with injuries or fatalities. I believe this is a serious safety issue. Please investigate this design problem and consider mandatory recall and redesign of all vehicles so equipped.

- Elida, OH, USA

I purchased a 2012 Ford Focus hatch. As soon as we drove the car we noticed the difference in the transmission. The sales man said he didn't feel it and that the car had to learn our driving habits. Don't think a car learns 2 different driving habits as there are 2 of us driving it. But at low speeds either accelerating or decelerating the car shutters and shimmies way too much for our comfort. It seems this is an electronic problem but we thought we'd bring it in to have a trained tech look at it. The first attempt was a new module and that should fix it.... it didn't... so in a second time for a remapping of the computer...didn't help.....in for a third time and the tech says Ford is not allowing any fixes on this car... we have to wait! really" wait? I bought a brand new $21,000 car...... an automatic car! I been told it has to learn how I drive... I've been told it needs broke in...it has 5000 miles on it now how long does it take to break in? I'm told that it's as if I am driving a manual and this is normal.........hello!!!!! not a manual. I'm told this is just how this transmission reacts... and along with the shuttering is the hesitation upon accelerating that could cost me my life on a busy highway............... the remote key lock has confusion issues. It doesn't always recognize the signal and it has to be opened or locked manually. All I want is a fix and if there is no fix I want to be able to implement the lemon law on this car........ I expected more from Ford for my 30 plus years of loyalty. After all isn't that what has kept Ford going? all of us loyal customers that stayed with them thru the hard times" my family has bought over $100,000 in new Ford cars and trucks and plenty of used ones as well. I really am sad that Ford hasn't stepped up on this one and I am so sure I am not alone. Listen Ford execs..... we are paying attention!!! thank you!

- Chalk Hill , PA, USA

I just bought my brand new 2012 Ford Focus less than 2 weeks ago. The first time I drove it on hwy in speeds excess of 60mph, I noticed it was very difficult to keep the car driving straight without constant adjustment to the steering wheel. Since it was storming that night, I assumed it was the wind knocking my little car around. I was very wrong. It happened every time after that...even on clear, sunny days. Several times I almost side-swiped cars in other lanes trying to maintain control of my car. This is extremely unsafe and I'm hoping a recall has been made on the steering issue. I'm taking the car in to the dealership today with printouts of numerous complaints for this exact issue.

- Palm Coast, FL, USA

The power steering failed as I made a turn at low speed. The warning lights came on indicating a power steering failure. I was able, with great difficulty, to steer the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle is brand new.

- New York, NY, USA

In my brand new 2012 Ford Focus while driving at speeds above 50mph it is incredibly hard to keep the car in it's lane without constant adjustment of the steering wheel. It feels like you're being buffeted by strong winds on both sides of the vehicle. I'm afraid to drive faster than 60mph due to the fact the vehicle acts like a snake going back and forth so much. I'm not alone in this, the online Ford Focus community "focusfanatics.com" has reported many cases of this occurring. The thread of complaints is here www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?T=261200 the solution appears to be having the entire power steering rack replaced. I'm worried a problem such as this could cause a severe accident if someone isn't expecting to fight with their steering wheel. I almost hit a car adjacent to me because of this. If he hadn't been paying attention things could have been bad. I realize you are very busy but I sincerely hope you take the time to review this issue and the thread I posted in order to prevent possible injury's or deaths in the future. It would be to the benefit of many if Ford were to recall and fix affected models.

- Hockessin, DE, USA

Wile driving at 60 mph the steering went to manual, warning display read "steering malfunction stop safely" contact authorized dealer. This has only happen once and still not sure what fixes it. Still at dealer.

- Plant City , FL, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle would pull to the right and she would have to use excessive force to continue steering straight. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the vehicle was operating as intended, and there was no remedy available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA