On January 13, 2020 at approximately 5:30 am I, [xxx]., was driving East bound on interstate 40 located in North Carolina. I was traveling from exit 47 to exit 123 for work. I was traveling at a speed of approximately 71 mph (posted speed of 70 mph). While driving along interstate 40, just West of exit 86, my 2011 Ford Fusion hybrid's steering system locked up. At the moment the steering system locked up it forced me off the highway. I was able to prevent the vehicle from receiving any damage by easing on the brakes. It was hard to correct the direction in which the vehicle had began traveling once the steering system locked but I did manage to get it safely stopped. I then got the vehicle turned around and drove it straight to asheville Ford. They performed a multi-point inspection in which they determined that the steering system would have to be replaced. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Asheville, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel ceased with the power assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to mike raisor Ford 2051 sagamore pkwy S, lafayette, in 47905 (765) 447-9444, where it was determined that the power steering control module software needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred intermittently. The contact mentioned NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 ( steering) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.

- Frankford, IN, USA

The power steering just went out saying that it needed to be check and it had just been at a mechanic for another problem with the breaks

- Romulus, MI, USA

I was driving on the highway and then a indicator appeared saying 'service power steering now.' I then realized that my steering wheel had become stiff and it had locked up. Luckily I was close to home however, it became very difficult to make turns once I got off of the highway. There is currently no recall on my 2011 Ford Fusion regarding this matter. This is obviously a safety issue and it needs to be dealt with.

- Paterson, NJ, USA

There where recalls awhile back. And one it had to do with the fuel system when I did the recall for it a year later I had the same issue took it to Ford an they want me to pay over 500 for it when it was a recall the fuel light came on it says check fule inlet. It has disappeared now an the check engine light went away. There was a recall for the power steering. My steering wheel is locking it said that power steering locked. And they said that I cant do the recall. I have a 2011 Ford Fusion SE. And the only recall they said was there was for the air bags. I want to know why I cant get these things fixed. I only have one car on a fixed income I own the car. An now I need answers

- Cedar Crest, NM, USA

I was driving into a left turn at a green light and the power steering went out, luckily I was going slow enough to fight with the steering wheel to make the turn. It could have easily been an accident if I was not aware of cars and how they function. That was about a week ago and now today the same thing happened except I was making a right turn and I was not able to stay on my side of the street because of how tough it was to turn, no cars were around so I just stopped and turned the car off for a min then when I started it back up it was like nothing happened.

- Alorton, IL, USA

Two times in the past week my power steering assist fault has popped up on my dashboard and my steering wheel has been locked up. After turning it off and leaving it for a few hours and trying again it's fine like it never happened. But being it is electrical I can not just put fluid in it. This issue concerns me because I do not know if I will be driving down a highway and all of a sudden it will pop up and lock my steering up or I will be stranded somewhere. Since it just pops up and goes away eventually this is a major issue!

- Keysville, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (steering). The recall repair was completed by an unknown dealer in woodstock, va. While the contact's friend was driving at an unknown speed, the steering lost power and the steering wheel seized. In addition, the traction control indicator illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the recall repair was previously performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. The VIN was not provided.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

Getting code "power steering assist fault " on the dash board read out. The steering stops working and can't turn the steering wheel. If I turn off the car and restart the car, the steering starts working again. This happened while the car was moving (driving the car) on a city street.

- Saratoga Springs, UT, USA

Hard to turn the wheel when driving. Didn't start till I was taking a trip.

- Arcadia, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. While attempting to turn left from a stopped position, the power steering seized and nearly caused a head on collision. Afterwards, several warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was able to be steered to the side of the road and the contact managed to drive home. George coleman Ford (47 plaza dr, travelers rest, SC 29690, (864) 834-6090) scheduled a loaner vehicle for the contact and discovered that the vehicle exceeded the warranty by 1,000 miles. The manufacturer was not going to cover the repairs and the entire steering rack and pinion system needed to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that they would not cover the failure even though it did not appear before the warranty expired. The failure mileage was 151,088.

- Taylors, SC, USA

Why driving my car I lost my power steering and almost got in bad accident. Took to dealer and cost me $200 just diagnose to find out going cost $2200 to fix. The power steering assembly. Look up on recalls to find out 2011-2012 Ford Fusion has recall for that. But find out that my 2011 Ford Fusion not covered by VIN number look up. This car very unsafe to drive any more with out fixing and if I get fixed is it going happen again because investigating the problem the exhaust on cataleptic converter is 3' inches from electric steering assembly and makes it get to hot fry's the module for steering.

- Fairfield, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. When the contact's daughter started the vehicle, the power steering assist warning indicator illuminated and the power steering ceased to operate. When the contact restarted the vehicle, the warning indicator was not illuminated and the power steering began to operate. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Hopkinsville, KY, USA

One night I was driving in the city to run some errands. The vehicle was in motion approximately 30 to 35 miles per hour in a main street when I suddenly hear a sound coming from my vehicle alerting me that the wrench light detected a malfunction. At the moment I was alert and viewing my dash regarding the illumination it threw until I suddenly felt my steering gear become really stiff and pulling me to the side near the curb really fast. I had lost control of my vehicle to steer that resulted in my vehicle jumping up the curb and colliding with a light pole damaging the passenger side of my front bumper and passenger front and rear door. The majority of the damage happen to my vehicle which left scratches, dents, and paint and body damage to pretty much the right side of my vehicle. The light pole considering the impact from jumping up the curb assisted in not causing any street damage toward the street light. I reported the incident immediately to my insurance company to file a claim. Eventually I was informed by a few of my coworkers that there was a recall issued about the steering gear on the 2011 Ford Fusion. I took it to my Ford dealer in which was a really horrible experience since they automatically closed there door in my face when I informed them about the steering gear issue and recall. There excuse was my VIN did not match the recall issued so there was nothing they can do. Ford then quoted me over $2000 for parts and labor and programming. I was so pissed and left empty handed since down the road I had no choice but to purchase the steering gear and yet to still sell me a defective one that I had an outside shop perform the work twice. After my repairs I spoke to the service manager for a reimbursement in which till this day, they do not want to issue me one.

- Gardena, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. While the contact's granddaughter was driving 70 mph, the steering wheel became inoperable and veered into the median. All the instrument panel indicators were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to bradford fairway sales (472 E main St, bradford, pa 16701, 814-368-7166) where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion module needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to NHTSA. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Salem, WV, USA

Power steering assist fault was displayed and the power assist was disabled leaving me with manual steering which could lead to a crash. Ford motor customer service said that there was no recall on my vehicle. Fortunately my vehicle was stationary when this occured.

- Brownstown Twp, MI, USA

While I was driving I got a warning message saying that I power steering failure and service advancetrac. My steering wheel was too tight to even a make a turn.

- Chapel Hill, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. While driving 25 mph, the steering wheel seized and the service power steering now warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that extra strength was needed to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. Ron tirapelli Ford (4355 w jefferson St, shorewood, il 60431, (815) 725-3033) and rod baker Ford sales Inc. (16101 S Lincoln hwy, plainfield, il 60586, (815) 436-5681) were notified and informed the contact to bring the vehicle in to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 186,000.

- Romeoville, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. While the contact's wife was driving 55 mph, the steering lost power and the service power steering now indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to york Ford rentals (781-231-1945, located at 1481 broadway, saugus, MA 01906) where it was diagnosed that the gear assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

- Saugus, ME, USA

Sporadically upon startup I would get a power steering assist failure warning with car reverting to manual steering. Rebooting the car would clear the fault. Took it back to the dealer I purchased it from, they pulled codes and said they could not find a problem. This happened every few weeks for the next year. Last week the fault reappeared accompanied by warning that advance trac needed servicing and did not clear with reboots of the vehicle. Car was still drivable with manual steering. Made appointment with jack madden Ford in norwood, mass to have them repair the issue on 26 Nov 2019. I see that this exact set of failures matches recall #15V340000, but when I look up my VIN, mine is not included in that recall. Sounds like the recall needs to be expanded.

- Sudbury, MA, USA