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
Power steering cuts out while vehicle is on. Steering becomes almost impossible. So far, it has only happened while stopped. Concerned it could happen while moving.
ODI 11004827
Steering
My car had absolutely no warning signs of any steering issues. I drove to the tanning bed with no problem and when i came out and started my car the "service alert" came up saying "steering assist fault service required." my car had been stationary for maybe 20 minutes. I tried backing out of my parking spot and it was extremely difficult to turn the wheel. I was able to drive home- my arms were very sore by the…
ODI 11002088
Steering
I lost power steering without warning while driving my son to son to school. You can still steer the car but barely and i am a 200lb maintenance man. Brought it to the ford dealer and it is going to costs 1700 to fix. I have read many other 2012 focus owners have had the same problem. Very surprised it is not covered under a safety recall as it happens without warning and makes maneuvering the car almost impossible.
ODI 11000949
Steering
Power steering failure, upon starting car dash lights warns of power steering failure. At first we could turn car off and restart car and then it would function. This was last year when fall and winter came we had no more problems, as summer came this year with high heat it would not function at all now.
ODI 11015580
Steering
While stationary, the steering power assist failure warning light came on and the car was almost impossible to pull out of the driveway. This is the second time this has occurred.
ODI 11000477
Steering
Vehicle looses steering assist when backing up or moving forward (intermittent problem). Vehicle has only 35,000 miles. Concerned about safety and lack of steering back up system. Took vehicle to dealer and they charged us $2,000 to replace the electric steering gear. Many owners of this model/year vehicle are experiencing same complaint and are concerned about potential safety and exposure to accidents.
ODI 11000293
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving approximately 40 mph, the power steering ability seized and the power steering assist message remained illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic (joe miller modern garage in mankato, minnesota) where it was diagnosed that the power steering rack failed and needed replacement. The failure occurred on may 13, 2017, but went away after turning…
ODI 11000282
Steering
I've had my ford focus for 6 months. I've experienced recalls on the transmission which i have fixed. Now my steering assist fault light is on and my power steering went out completely while turning into my driveway. This is a major issue. I have noticed that other people have the same issue and many people have been in horrible accidents. What if this was to happen to me and my children? It wouldn't just affect our…
ODI 11000726
Steering
I was driving down the highway at about 70 mph and the steering assistance malfunction message suddenly showed up on the display and the steering wheel became extremely tight to turn. Restarting the car did not fix the issue.
ODI 11000036
Steering
My car was parked. When i tried starting it up. The wheel locked and i received a message that stated "steering assist fault, service required". I tried to restart the car many time and the message continued to appear,
ODI 10995628
Electrical System · Steering
The steering wheel locks up and won't turn this has happened while driving and when i just start the car. I can put my key in the ignition and all the lights, radio, and chime works, but the car won't start. I had it checked when i got it started and the battery was fine and the altenator was fine and so was my starter. I have been having problems with my car for the past 4 years please help.
ODI 10995438
Steering
For the last 2 years this car stops steering and has an error message that reads steering assist fault service required. The car stops steering when in motion and when parked and first started. The steering wheel is close to impossible to turn when this occurs and is very dangerous especially when this happens in motion. I have had it in for service at least 6 times regarding this issue and ford will motor corp is…
ODI 11005037
Steering
Car gives a code that steering assist has failed when starting car. Sometimes would reset if key turned off and turned back on. This started while under warranty but ford's techs claimed there was no problem, despite technical service bulletins on the problem. Car will start, but won't steer. Problem was brought to attention of ford dealer when car was still under warranty, but they have ignored the problem.
ODI 10993029
Electrical System · Steering
The electrical power steering malfunction light will illuminate, when this happens this is a sudden complete loss of power steering making it impossible to steer vehicle. This occurred when the vehicle was in park stationary and also while in drive moving. It occasionally would happen. After the third or fourth time, the malfunction light remained illuminated and power steering loss remained despite try to restart…
ODI 11022751
Steering
There was a power steering failure when backing out of parking spot. Dealer indicated that there is a power steering issue that could impact safety (stranding the vehicle in parking lots or loss of control at speed).
ODI 10993710
Steering
Electical power sterring malfunction. Power sterring failed while driving on highway. Was able to stop. But couldn't turn sterring wheel.
ODI 10992999
Steering
There was a power steering failure when backing out of parking spot. Dealer indicated that there is a power steering issue that could impact safety (stranding the vehicle in parking lots or loss of control at speed).
ODI 10993709
Steering
Power steering failure at 83,320 mi. It failed while starting the car. The power steering failure light/warning came on.
ODI 10986341
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that the power steering assist failed. While attempting to reverse the vehicle, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The power assist indicator illuminated after the failure occurred. The dealer diagnosed that the steering rack failed. The vehicle was repaired and the steering rack was replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage…
ODI 10986120
Steering
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 ford focus. While driving approximately 30 mph, there was an abnormal noise and the steering seized. The contact crashed into a telephone pole. The driver's side air bag deployed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the arms, a broken nose, and black eyes. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was destroyed.…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 11013505
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While stationary and driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized without warning on several occasions. Don sanderson ford in glendale, arizona was made aware of the failure and stated that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. *tt consumer…
ODI 11075101
Steering
When the vehicle was started, the power steering assist malfunction indicator light was illuminated. The steering wheel seized and was unable to be maneuvered. Once the vehicle was shut off and restarted, the vehicle was driveable. However, this has been an ongoing reoccurrence. Each time the vehicle is shut off and restarted it seems to be resolved and driveable. Vehicle was taken to mechanic, no issues could be…
ODI 10985055
Steering
POWER STEERING WENT OUT
ODI 10980961
Power Train · Steering
1 the power steering stops working and hard to steer 2. The transmission shutters after getting it repaired for the third time
ODI 10980355
Steering
On april 22 , 2017 while my daughter and her 5 years old child was driving from a cheerleader meet in maryland to sterling virginia, she stopped to retrieved a snack pack out of the trunk, when she got back in and started the vehicle the vehicle steering seized up and the light came on she was luckily able to maneuver the vehicle back to sterling va goons dealership . The vehicle as been at the dealership for 25…
ODI 10986030