2012 Ford Focus Steering Problems
- 791
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 791 stored complaint records:
- 20 indicate a crash
- 21 indicate injury
- 2 indicate fire
- 3 indicate a death
What owners report
- power steering · 103 records
- steering wheel · 44 records
- steering assist · 43 records
- assist fault · 15 records
- steering failed · 13 records
- failure mileage · 12 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 339 |
| 30–60k mi | 165 |
| 100–150k mi | 138 |
| 1–30k mi | 76 |
| 150–400k mi | 19 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving 40 mph, the power steering failed without warning. The contact turned the vehicle off, waited ten seconds, restarted the vehicle, and it returned to normal. The vehicle was taken to mac heik ford lincoln (located at 7201 n interstate hwy 35, georgetown, tx 78628, [redacted]) to be diagnosed. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure or retrieve a fault…
ODI 11021437
Steering
Lose power steering suddenly and without warning while in motion, causing increased effort needed for steering.
ODI 11020654
Power Train · Steering
While driving down the freeway at 60 mph the inspection light came on and a message stating the power assist has faulted and requires maintenance. When i attempted to pull off at the next off ramp the car was extremely difficult to maneuver and i almost went of the side of the ramp. I had to struggle to get the car home.
ODI 11015881
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving 10 mph, the steering malfunction warning indicator illuminated and the power steering failed and the vehicle became difficult to turn. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that an unknown local dealer scheduled a diagnostic test in the next 15 days. The contact was concerned that, due to her small stature, it would be unsafe…
ODI 11015103
Steering
I have a 2012 ford focus that without warning lost all steering control, i have contacted ford, who basically told me it's my problem. Luckily, we were not driving at the time but this is not an isolated incident and seems to be a common issue. My question to you is what if this had happened on the interstate going 70mph? How is this safe for myself or anyone else on the road near me? Why is ford not being held…
ODI 11022811
Steering
My complaint involves the power steering gear that needed to be replaced in my 2012 ford focus. The power steering would fail while parked and driving which put me into a couple very dangerous situations while driving. I am requesting a recall by ford of the power steering gear.
ODI 11022332
Steering
While backing out of our garage i noticed a strange noise when i turned the steering wheel. The same noise occurred when i had to turn the steering wheel to enter the garage.( makes the noise every time you drive it now.) i had a local mechanic friend check it and he said to take it to the dealer to run diagnostics and to drive it as little as possible. The nearest dealer is 20+ miles away. I made an appointment and…
ODI 11019157
Steering
Electronic steering failed car went into safety mode. This seems to happen alot why is there no recall for this was driving down the road and steering failed thankfully only going 35 or this could have been catastrophic
ODI 11252603
Steering
My steering wheel is locking up while i am driving. I am on the highway almost every day. I had to jerk it back because i was driving into another car in the other lane. I will try and change lanes and it locks, then pops back to able to steer. Someone is going to die from this! This needs to be a recall! It;s bad enough i have had my transmission replaced 3 times in one year....
ODI 11013558
Steering
Steering locked after starting car - indicator light on dash "i" turned car off and back on several times finally indicator disappeared and normal steering returned - looked on line for similar events and found other reports for same events . Had car towed in to ford dealership they haven't been able to reproduce event and indicate they have never seen this before - major concern that could happen when vehicle moving
ODI 11012988
Steering
The power steering is currently not working. It is like driving a car without power steering at all. Have to manually turn and maneuver the car. It is estimated that the whole steering column will have to be replaced which will cost $1,500 which should be covered by the ford manufacturer. The vehicle was stationary when the problem was detected by the computer system in the car. Checked the steering fluid to make…
ODI 11012490
Steering
Power steering assist failure, first indication of issue happened two days ago at approximately 104,000 miles. Cleared its self when car was put into gear, second indication was in drive way and a restart cleared problem. Issue has gotten progressively worse daily. I'm not risking my family driving the car until i talk to the dealer. This is a known serious safety issue and the buyers of this car deserve to be…
ODI 11011877
Steering
Steering wheel is locking up at slow speeds. Electronic assisted power steering. Recently, had the transmission recall taken care of. Soon after the steering started locking up when i would leave a parking lot and has happened several times since.
ODI 11011476
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving approximately 5 mph and making a left turn into a parking lot, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was later taken to rustyeck ford located in wichita, ks where it was diagnosed that the control motor of the steering wheel failed and…
ODI 11011667
Steering
Steering rack failure, vehicle is at 62,000 miles. Daughter lost what we thought was power steering control while driving thru a somewhat busy suburban neighborhood road. Upon driving to a safe place, it was harder to steer than the traditional old school non-power steering cars. Was $1800 to replace.
ODI 11010452
Steering
On way to local store power steering went out. Having to steer with much effort. Stopped and tried to turn ignition off several times and restart, but did not work. It initially went out while in motion on way to store after accelerating from stop sign. Noticed it when i had to make a right turn at next corner. And panel warning light came on.
ODI 11006208
Steering
Power steering gear. My college student had the check steering message. We took car to dealership. They explained that the steering gear needed to be replaced and it would cost $1900. This is the same problem with their new electronic power steering that resulted in recalls on the fusion, taurus, and mlzs but the focus is not recalled. I declined the repair and took it a local shop i use. They told me that they…
ODI 11006738
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving 75 mph, the power assist indicator illuminated and the steering wheel became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (automax ford 3301 e. Central texas expy, killeen, tx, 76543) where it was diagnosed; however, the contact was not clear on the diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was…
ODI 11006249
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving 55 mph, the steering failed and the steering assist malfunction warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to spradley ford (located at 2828 u.s. 50 pueblo, co 81088 [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no further…
ODI 11005997
Steering
My daughter was driving our 2012 ford focus on the freeway (with my 2 year old granddaughter in the car) at 65 mph when she had a complete loss of power steering. A message appeared "steering assist fault - service required"... No warning, this messaged just popped up at time of failure. My daughter struggled to get the car off the road and called me - refusing to drive the car for fear of endangering her or her…
ODI 11005879
Steering
On july 13, 2017 my sister and i were on vacation and i pulled in to fill up with gas. Got the gas, started the car and a message came up steering assist malfunction -see technician. Tried to drive the the car and it would not steer. No previous warning at all. Car was steering great until then. Had to have it towed. Was in a small town in pa. Without a ford dealer. Nearest ford dealer was half hr away and couldn't…
ODI 11024057
Steering
I purchased this car used in 2016 for my 16 yr old daughter. In the month of june 2017 the power steering would intermittently go out and make it extremely difficult to turn. On july 11, the power steering completely failed and i took it to a local ford dealership in chesterfield, mo. The dealership communicated to me that they were not aware of power steering issues with this care which is quite disappointing since…
ODI 11005935
Steering
While driving and making a left turn in front of oncoming traffic the power steering went out making it extremely difficult to steer.
ODI 11005299
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving, the power steering failed and the steering assist indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering fluid needed to be flushed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The vin was unknown. The failure mileage was 38,000.
ODI 11004086
Steering
While out of town and attempting to reverse my vehicle in a parking lot, my power steering stopped working and my steering wheel locked up. I was unable to move the steering wheel and got a message saying "steering assist fault. Service required". Fortunately, i was able to turn off my vehicle and restart it without the error message coming back. While driving home on the highway that night, i felt the car was…
ODI 11004140