No issues with steering at all and then stopped for gas and when restarting the car got multiple messages regarding steering assist fault resulting in an inability to properly be able to control/steer the vehicle. Left stranded 5 hours away from home.

- Hickory, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the message "Steering Assist Fault. Service Required" was displayed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that he would be charged a repair fee. The contact also stated that the hatchback had opened independently while driving and while the vehicle was parked. The contact stated that the failure occurred on several occasions. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V698000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages, Structure). Additionally, the contact stated while driving 60 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine revved to 4,000 but the vehicle failed to accelerate. Additionally, the transmission was slipping. The contact stated that the failure recurred increasingly, and the vehicle was downshifting unexpectedly while driving, nearly causing a crash. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to respond while shifting into reverse (R), and while shifting into drive (D). There was no warming light illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V845000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

- Baraboo, WI, USA

Car turned off while driving three times. Once when put in park it locked on a busy road. Replaced fuse to battery, still turned off while driving. Lights stay on and its a pretty new battery so thats nit the issue, when turning the key there is no noise, no clicking or grinding. Main issue is the fact it turns off while driving and the fact it locks up when put in park. That's helpful to no one. Windows can't be rolled up either which meant being trapped guarding a vehicle in 92 degree weather. Anti theft is literally so dumb and in annoying. Great thought, terrible in practice. Am currently waiting on tow truck. Open invention on what caused this now.

- Bettendorf, IA, USA

The car worked fine in the first couple months and slowly declined. The rpm will shoot up and down causing the car to jerk and not able to surpass certain speeds. It works sometimes, so when going to work in the freeway it was fine then it started acting up again, causing other cars to almost crash into me. I had to drive with hazards and luckily i was able to safely pull to the side. Instances like this occur a lot more now because the car doesn-??t act normal anymore. I took it to a mechanic and it was a gear issue and a module error. I had asked how i was to fix it, and they said only main dealerships can fix a module board. It-??s making my transmission overheat and now my steering wheel is stuck and won-??t move.

- Philadelphia , PA, USA

On my way to the gas station to fuel up. Turned off car and when turned back on power steering malfunction light came on making steering a lot harder. Ran codes to find out it was a water damage fault based off manufacture design after doing research

- Fort Johnson, LA, USA

Driving down the windy mountain road and all power steering fails and the steering locks up and cause it to jerk hard. Can-??t control vehicle at any speed. Not inspected but put on computer and it says steering module failure. 06/20/2023.

- Alpine, AZ, USA

Electric steering rack failed while driving, making steering almost impossible.

- Albany, OR, USA

Car stalled at stop sign after filling up on gas. Completely shut off. Would not start back up for 30 seconds. No check engine lights on. It has done this multiple times and I have taken it to the shop but they can-??t find a problem. I know there was a recall on the 2.0 but this is a 1.0

- Houston , TX, USA

The transmission started failing in 2020 and part of it was repaired on a recall and part we had to pay out of pocket. The entire steering rack failed in July of 2022 requiring replacement. Reports suggest this is a known issue yet Ford offered nothing. Now the transmission is slipping and failing again less than two years since being repaired by Ford. This is a critical safety issue and they can't diagnose the car for 4-6 weeks and are offering no rental assistance for a known factory defect. These cars are dangerous and the fact that Ford won't do anything to jump on the problem when it happens means more liability for the drivers of these vehicles.

- Dallas, TX, USA

While driving my 2016 Ford Focus, the electric power steering suddenly failed. Instantly, it became extremely difficult to steer and fortunately, I was able to get the car off the road without causing an accident. A -€œsteering assist fault-€ appeared on the information screen as well. This car has only 24300 miles on it. I firmly believe this is a serious safety issue and a recall is in order.

- Valparaiso , IN, USA

Power steering failed while driving making it difficult to steer car.

- Newport , NC, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated while reversing into the driveway, the power steering assist warning light illuminated, and the steering became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 26,500.

- Fairfield,, OH, USA

The contact owned a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 mph, she made a left turn and the steering wheel seized. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle crashed into the side of a house. There were people inside the house, however, they were not injured and medical attention was not received. The contact did not have her seat belt on and her face hit the dashboard upon impact. The air bags deployed. The contact did not receive medical attention on the scene but later went to the hospital for injuries sustained to her face. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the tow yard and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 43,720.

- Greenville, OH, USA

Returning home when a red warning about total power steering loss. Could not steer the car while going about 25mph. Narrowly missed parked cars and eventually went onto the sidewalk where some kids were playing before I stopped. Pushed the car onto the street and towed it to my driveway. Very very lucky! cannot steer car

- Fairfield, OH, USA

No recalls where repaired on my vehicle

- Tuskegee, AL, USA

29,000 MILES - CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF STEERING SYSTEM VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN STEERING ASSIST FAULT LIGHT CAME ON. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP. STEERING GEAR/RACK & PINION ASSY REPLACED BY FORD DEALERSHIP. FORD CASE #[XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Burnsville, MN, USA

I have had the clutch in this vehicle replaced 3 times and it currently has 37014 miles. I have had the steering wheel replaced because the heated steering wheel didn't work. I had the transmission module reprogrammed 3 times. And now my backup camera suddenly turns pitch black. It's random. I could just go into reverse and it is already pitch black. Or I could be reversing with a clear screen and then it turns pitch black.

- New Smyrna Beach, FL, USA

The electronic steering rack has locked up and the vehicle will not turn with out forcing the steering wheel. This happened luckily as we made a sharp turn into a parking spot and not driving down the highway.

- Willington, CT, USA

Hello, my car lost the ability to steer while driving at highway speeds and in a turn. It went out like a light bulb would. No warning. I was luckily as no traffic was coming when this happened and the arch of the curve was favorable for this situation. I noticed the warning light came on power steering assist fault. God forbid if I would have had my grandchildren with me and there was traffic!! this has been identified as an issue before with earlier models and a recall was issued but the issue still remains with the newer models as well. Someone will have a terrible accident soon with the possibility of loss of life. Please look into this as it is just a matter of time before something unfortunate happens. Thank you! :-) [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Hamlet, NC, USA

2016 Ford Focus SE. Consumer writes in regards to crooked steering wheel and defective charging ports and bluetooth.

- Elmer, NJ, USA