On two occasions the power steering on our 2012 Ford Fusion has failed with no warning. Each time the speed has been under 35 mph, after completing a turn, and it was not difficult to get out of the way of traffic while coasting to a stop. Each time the advance track warning light came on along with a similar message followed almost immediately by an engine shut down. On restarting the engine every thing returned to normal. The Ford dealer said they did not know what was wrong but could replace the steering gear ($1575 for parts). This is a dangerous issue with a major component of the vehicle that Ford should except responsibility for. If this had happened at hi way speed with our grandchildren in the back seat the incident may have ended differently.

- Downingtown, PA, USA

Power steering failure while driving.

- Morrilton, AR, USA

While accelerating onto highway, the steering wheel locked up and lights on dashboard came on saying "power steering assist fault" and "service advancetrac." Car was pulled over to side of road, turned ignition off and restarted car. This has happened 4 times total, twice within the last 48 hours. The other times were at lower speeds while turning into parking spots. Each time once the car was restarted, the steering began working again.

- Geneseo, IL, USA

I was driving to work this morning, going 65mph when a chime goes off. There is an amber light on the dash and words are under the speedometer saying "power steering assist fault" and then "service advancetrac". I was on a straight stretch of I-35, so I didn't realize how bad it was until I came to my exit ramp. It was very stiff. At the bottom of the ramp I needed to make a series of much sharper turns and that's when I realized how bad it was. I stopped at a light and pulled out my phone and took pictures of what it was showing. When I got into work, I sent the picture to my dealer, who said they could look at it, but that was as far as they would commit. I have owned the car for 20 days and of course the 3/36,000 expired 2000 miles ago. I turned to the internet and found quite a few complaints about this same thing with numerous years of the Fusion. It appears that a short term fix is to shut off the car and when started again, the problem disappears, but may or may not pop up again. Not exactly reassuring, Ford Motor Company. How many complaints does it take for something to be done about this" a car with 38,000 miles having an issue that could be life threatening seems completely unacceptable in this day of car companies knowing about problems, yet doing nothing and then paying the consequences later. Do the right thing, Ford Motor Company, and fix this for those of us who chose to buy your product and put our faith into you delivering a quality, reliable and safe vehicle. I owned a 2005 Hyundai that I put over 270,000 miles on and the only issue was to replace a clutch. I was going to go with Hyundai again, but I thought since Ford didn't participate in the bailout, I would go american. Am I going to regret that decision"

- Kansas City, MO, USA

I was driving on the highway heading home from work. And out of no where the power steering on my car went bad. The advance trac light came on and power steering service light came on. It was nearly impossible to steer to safety. I almost got into an accident and slightly hit the side of the highway wall. Its a big problem and I am no longer feeling safe to drive in my car ever again. It was a big scare!

- Hammond, IN, USA

I bought the car with 59000 miles on it used so in the course of 10000 miles I've had this persistent problem happen multiple times. The steering wheel locked up and an alert sounded and lighted up saying "advancetrac" and "power steering assist fault" everything I've researched has indicated alot of work and money shoved into this very dangerous issue. There's so many complaints I've seen with this one problem that it needs to be recalled. It's incredibly dangerous, it's locked up on an off ramp multiple roadways and my driveway. I have a 1 year old baby in the car at all times as well. Get this problem fixed Ford. I shouldn't have to fork over two grand in a brand new car because of an issue this big. My warranty has expired less then a year ago and as soon as it did I had multiple problems.

- Fort Bragg, NC, USA

While highway driving as I was attempting to switch lanes on a congested area, the steering wheel locked up and a warning saying electric power steering fault lit up and I was unable to turn the wheel. After I managed to make it onto the shoulder and turned the car off and then on again, the fault had reset and I was able to once again turn the wheel. Took to dealer and was told there was no code and that I had to come back if it happened again.

- Newark, DE, USA

We had just purchased the car in March. We were driving home one evening from the store, within a couple of weeks of the purchase, and the power steering just went out. We were able to get the car to the house. When we turned it off and back on later the power steering was back. This has happened 3 different times. Took it to the dealership they said there was nothing they could do because it had been reset. Now again this morning the steering is completely out again and will not reset. We purchased extended warranty, thinking we had peace of mind, but was told that it does not cover this, as we were only sold the powertrain warranty, which again we were not told. Dealership said that's all we could afford. This is appalling and needs to be recalled before someone gets hurt due to an accident. I would not have been able to steer the car due to a bad arm. Someone needs to do something.

- Artesia, NM, USA

The advance trac power steering on my 2012 Ford Fusion cut out in the middle of a left hand turn leaving a traffic light. It had done this once before, a year prior at around 34000 miles while it was still under warranty, and the dealership sent me away telling me it was an isolated incident as the steering recovered when I turned the vehicle on and off. This time, when I reset it, it cut out again driving through the parking lot at the shopping center I was at less than 500 yards traveled later. This time when I took the vehicle in for repair they acknowledged the issue was real and claim the entire steering column needs replaced or this will continue to happen. They will not cover it under warranty despite the fact I had made a claim related to this exact issue while it was under warranty previously. The steering has thankfully only cut out for me at low speeds and in places I was able to quickly and easily pull over even without power steering. If this were to occur at higher speeds or in places I was less able to pull over I am not sure I could have maneuvered the vehicle safely for any extended amount of time.

- Elkridge, MD, USA

Driving down a busy highway one evening, an indicator recommending service on the power steering system lit up. There were no extreme speeds or accidents. Car became too difficult to steer. Ford dealerships have mentioned that this is a common issue, requiring a replacement rack and pinion system. Should be a recall- since steering is essential in order to avoid accidents, damage and injury.

- Fayetteville , NC, USA

I was coming to a stop at a traffic light and the power steering fault came on and also the advance trac service light leaving me with no power steering. This has happened numerous times over the course of about a month now. Turning the car off for about 15 seconds and restarting seemed to reboot and fix the problem for the time being whereas other times I would have to turn my vehicle off 2-3 times and restart before the problem was fixed. Now the power steering has gone completely out and turning the car off and restarting does no good. I only had the car about 7 months and was not informed about this. Power steering is a very important component to driving a car and with this being faulty is very dangerous as if I were on the highway going at a much higher rate of speed and the power steering go out could have been fatal bit only to me but my daughter and gradson as well. This certainly is a huge problem that the manufacturer needs to correct as they are putting many families lives at risk. So this should be the responsibility of the company to correct this issue free of charge to their customers and really get the ball rolling on doing a recall on the power steering in all 2012 Ford Fusion's. this is so dangerous and I don't drive if I don't have to until I can afford to get it fixed and again these expenses shouldn't be coming out of my pocket!

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

The car lost power steering while merging with traffic on the freeway. A "power steering assist fault" & "service advancetrac" error showed up on the dashboard. Very dangerous situation losing power steering in traffic. Took to dealer and was informed they needed to replace the entire electric power steering rack for $1,813. Did some research online and it seem this is a common problem with this vehicle. Several other models were recalled for this same problem but not the Fusion. Seems like this is a major problem that should be the manufacturer's responsibility.

- Jordan, MN, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was unable to be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,000 and the current mileage was 61,000.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

Driving on freeway at 65mph and suddenly power steering warning light came on with message saying service required. Drove home safely, but after stopping and restarting, power steering did not work at all. Took it into mechanic and was told power steering gear needs to be replaced. Had the same work done last year as well as replacing control arms for the same issue. Car nearly impossible to drive when power steering shuts down.

- Kaysville, UT, USA

I purchased my 2012 Ford Fusion about 4 months ago from a family member who had no problems with the car since owning it new. Since that time I have had an alert come on when I am driving that reads "power steering failure" and the steering wheel becomes really hard to turn. It has happened to me twice and my wife once. When I stop the car and turn the ignition switch off and then start the car back up the system is reset and the warning is not displayed any longer and the power steering works once again. This is very dangerous as my wife had a very hard time turning the wheel to get the car off the interstate when it happened to her. I took the car into my regular mechanic who could not diagnose the problem (he drove it around a long time) and he recommended that I take it in to the Ford dealer. The Ford dealer told me that it was a problem with the rack and pinion and that it would cost $1700 to get it replaced. I refused the repair because I read on this board that this has been a problem with the 2012 Fusion and that others that have taken their car in to get this problem fixed, paid the money for the repair, but still had the same alert come on after the "repair." It sounds like an electrical problem to me that is reset when the car is turned back on. I expect there to be a recall on this problem as this could be very dangerous. My car only has 81,000 miles on it.

- Jefferson, GA, USA

When I was driving my 2012 Ford Fusion, I lost control of the steering wheel suddenly. A message showing "power steering assist fault" popped up on the dashboard. The wheel became stiff and unable to turn. I had to stop my car and restarted it. The message was gone and I was able to drove it back home. Luckily it happened when there was no other cars. I probably would have been killed if it had happened on an expressway. It is definitely a major safety issue and requires a recall!

- Arlington, MA, USA

Well I bought this car in April of 2014 and the power steering will shut off while you are driving it happened on the interstate while I was driving at 65 mph and it is hard to control.it has happened 4 times since then once when my wife was driving and she was turning into a parking lot and she is a small woman and she was scared to death to drive it anymore. I bought this car for my 17 year old daughter but I have not let her drive it yet due to this I have looked at some forums with complaint's and there are hundreds of them I think this is a safety issue at least for me it is I don't want my daughter in a crash for it please help us. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Disputanta, VA, USA

I was approaching a red light, when I heard a "pop" and suddenly I could not steer my car anymore. I was able to stop the car, but I was stranded in the middle of the road blocking traffic. The car could only be moved by a tow truck. After accessing the situation, it turned out to be my power steering unit had just snapped into. The good lord was with me!!!! had I been on the interstate where I would have been moving at a higher rate of speed, my wife and son might possibly be attending my funeral right now!!!!

- Valley, AL, USA

I was driving on the highway and my power steering went out. I drove with no power steering for about 8 miles and then turned the car off and back on and the steering came back.

- Norristown, PA, USA

Was driving the wheel sudden went stiff out of no where had to shut the car off and start again. That was the first incident. A couple days later the car did the same thing and it says power steering assault failed and I cant drive the car at all it says that as soon as I start it.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA