Electric power steering failed. Hard to steer. Risk of accident

- Graham, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was significant play and vibration in the steering wheel, and the vehicle was pulling to one side. The contact stated that the traction control warning light illuminated when the steering wheel was completely steered to the right or to the left. The contact also stated that The TPMS warning light remained illuminated even though the tires were fully inflated. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the steering gear had failed. The mechanic determined that both the steering gear and the ball joint needed to be replaced. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Covington, KY, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the Power Steering Assist Fault message was displayed, and the steering wheel was stiff. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the fault codes were reset. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 124,354.

- Auburn, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact had to use an excessive amount of force to steer the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The failure was self-corrected; however, the failure reoccurred and became more consistent. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed the failure might be related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and it was confirmed the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 160,000.

- Glenfield, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH, a message indicating a power steering failure was displayed, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed. The dealer determined that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced, and the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

- Tooele, UT, USA

There is a defeat in my Ford catalytic converter. I would like I sent the part to the NHTSA.DOT.GOV for research. I am attaching pictures of the defective product.

- Miami, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle a "Warning: Electrical Power Assist Failure" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact used excessive force to drive the vehicle home. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact determined that the failure was related to the rack and pinion. The dealer and an independent were notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not include in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The contact was referred to the NTHSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

- Horton, MI, USA

Power steering assist went out with a warning light while I was in -20F weather, Ford had recalls on this problem before I bought the car and it shows no recall information.

- Canton, SD, USA

Please allow submission of additional information regarding issues with my 2013 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor. As stated on the previous complaint filed on 1/9/2024, I got my car service at AutoNation Ford Service Center on 12/16/2023, and I brought it back to the service center on Saturday, 12/23/2023 because of the car-??s poor performance and engine had laminated on 12/17/2023. I went to pick up the car on Thursday 12/28/2023 in the morning, the Ford representative said the car is fine, and there is nothing wrong with the car. I say thank you and drive off. So, I am driving the car for about 5 minutes, it feels sluggish. Then the engine light comes on, I make a U turn and return the car to AutoNation Ford for service. As things stand now, my car is still AutoNation Ford service center, due to the defects which are causing poor performance while driving the 2013 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor, issues such as: Rough Steering, Bad Ignition Switch, and braking issue. Per my previous statement, I drove the car for about on 12/28/2023, it felt extremely sluggish. The hard shifting in vehicle, and steering wheel was rough. The brakes have more issues than normal. The engine light came on.

- Miami, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway, the steering wheel seized. The message "Power Steering Adjustment Fault" was displayed. The contact used physical force to steer the vehicle while driving to her destination. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the power steering functional returned. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving 40-45 MPH with her niece and nephew in the rear seats. The contact stated that she pulled to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that she turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the power steering became functional. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The contact stated that the failure persisted after turning off and restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the steering gear box had failed, and the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 233,114.

- Snellville, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while attempting to pull out of a parking space, the steering wheel seized. The traction control warning light was illuminated, and the message "Steering Rack Assembly" was displayed. The contact stated that she turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the steering wheel operated as needed. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while attempting to drive or reverse from a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering rack assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Bardstown, KY, USA

My car steering locked up. The warning read power steering assist fault check. I called local garage and they stated this was a recall. Only dealers can fix. Called Dorsh Ford in Green Bay and they stated no recall was issued. I need to get this straightened out so I can safely drive my car without it locking up.

- Mishicot, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Assist Failure" was displayed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring increasingly, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 188,800.

- Spanaway, WA, USA

Power steering assist fault error code on dash and car is hard to steer. Big safety concern

- New Port Richey, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning as needed. The contact stated that the power steering assist fault message was displayed, and the EPS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic power steering. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 282,000.

- Madison, TN, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. A message indicating that the power steering had failed was displayed. The contact parked the vehicle. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- New Braunfels, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The Power Steering Assist Fault message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering gear assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 123,454.

- Zimmerman, MN, USA

Started car got a light power steering assisted failed sterring wheel won't turn ! yes could put me and my family or other at risk! had more times started car an no code, steering was hard to turn

- Prescott Valley, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle inadvertently lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while making turns and while starting the vehicle. A message indicating that the Power Steering Assist was inoperable was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 65 MPH and making a turn with his child in a car seat in the rear seat, the failure recurred. The vehicle fishtailed and was nearly rear-ended by a semi-truck. The contact used physical strength to steer the vehicle to the side of the road and slammed on the brake pedal. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the steering wheel responded as needed. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

- Belen, NM, USA

Power Steering Assist fault light came on in dash with loss of power steering. Ford has recalls for Ford Taurus from 2/2012 and 9/2012 recalling for this exact issue. Ford advises my car was not covered due to being manufactured 3/2012 despite coming from same assembly area, Chicago, as other covered vehicles. Repair shop I brought my vehicle to diagnosed issue and vehicle will be towed to Ford dealership for repair.

- Durham, NC, USA