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. After the vehicle was shifted into the drive or reverse positions, the steering wheel failed and became difficult to maneuver. The power steering default warning message displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,600. The vin was unavailable.
ODI 10954542
Steering
Intermittent power assist steering malfunction over the past 6 months. Power assist malfunction on starting car would reset after restarting car. Ford garage checked and could find nothing wrong. Went out to start car today and power assist steering now out completely. Unable to turn steering wheel. Restarting car does not help. Fortunately car was parked in garage when this happened. Will be calling ford tomorrow.
ODI 10954082
Steering
It used to be that upon starting my car, a warning prompt reading "steering assist malfunction" popped up and my steering wheel would be very diffcult to turn. Usually, i would turn off the car, turn it back on, and voila--it would work fine. But now, the steering wheel malfunction has developed while driving the car with no patter or warning of it happening. Again i would turn off the car and turn it back on once i…
ODI 10954570
Power Train · Service Brakes · Steering
I got in my car, but it in reverse and began backing out of my parking space when my suddenly car lost power. The car was in motion but the steering wheel and brake pedal locked up and i could not steer or stop my car from going backwards and i hit a parked car in the parking deck at school as a result. The code on my dash was (i) steering assist fail. I turned the car off and on several times before the steering…
Crash reported
ODI 10950343
Steering
I bought my car last year at carman ford, with about 91,905 miles in an "as it is" contract. I also purchased an additional guarantee for up to 24,000m. I took the car to regular inspections to the dealer, no damage was reported. Then, i hit 117,609 miles, and my steering wheel needed to be replaced completely, and i had no guarantee. A few months after i bought the car, while driving, i felt that the wheel was…
ODI 10949571
Power Train · Seat Belts · Steering
When i start the car initially i can't turn the wheel of the car. I have to tug on it to get it to turn eventually. I'm afraid that i'll be driving in the power steering will go out. Also have been having troubles with the transmission slipping. They say my car has too many miles to qualify for the clutch recall that ford has put out. I don't see what this has to do with a malfunction saying i've had troubles with…
ODI 11035991
Steering
Electric assist steering failed after 116,000 due to manufacturers placement of electronic box location 3" (three inches) away from exhaust manifold, thereby destroying electronics inside sealed box. Makes steering extremely difficult. Failure in parking lot and almost caused me to hit a parked car while trying to turn into a parking space.
ODI 11162218
Electronic Stability Control · Steering
The car needs now a replacement of the steering gear. The price is over $1500. The car didn't let me turn right or left and i just bought it at a certified carman ford dealership. It showed problems at 117650 miles. This is a scam, i paid for insurance and i brought the car to change the oil earlier ans they didn't find any defect. Now, i cant use my car. I was in motion, the car seemed to move to one side, then at…
ODI 10949547
Steering
The power steering has gone out on my vehicle and the repair cost is very high. Other vehicles were recalls for this exact issue and i don't understand why mine has not also been recalled. It went out while i was driving nearly causing me to crash. *tr
ODI 10948806
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. When the vehicle was started, the steering assist warning indicator illuminated. The steering wheel seized and was unable to move. Once the vehicle was shut off and restarted, the vehicle was driveable. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed, but the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure the vin was unknown. The…
ODI 10981059
Steering
For a few weeks when starting the car and backing out of parking space the power steering (eps) does not immediately work. After a minute it engages and works. However, it currently is not working at all. I turned the car on and received the warning "steering assist fault" and then had to drive about 5 miles home on city streets with no power steering. It was very dangerous. My concern is the possibility of this…
ODI 10948570
Steering
On 2 seperate occassions when the car was started after hours of non use, the power steering failed. The indicator message in the car states no steering assist. The car could be manually steered with great difficulty.the car was in front of my house on a residential street, so it could be manuevered safely and parked. When taken to the ford dealership for service after the first event, no problem could be found. One…
ODI 10950202
Electrical System · Service Brakes · Steering
I started my car this morning, put it in reverse and began to back out of my driveway when the car locked up and lost power. I could not steer or brake and the car continued rolling backwards until it hit my garage and stopped. The lights came on my dash read "(i) steering assist fault". I turned the car off and on several times before the lights went out, the steering wheel unlocked and i was able to depress the…
Crash reported
ODI 10948117
Steering
While driving suddenly was unable to steer the car. Thre is no power steering. Luckily was traveling at a minimal spped. Had my daughter and 2 small grandchildren. Took car to local dealership where it was purchased paid to put the car on the computer and was told to take it to a ford dealership 45 minutes away. Was told the car was dangerous. *tr
ODI 10948338
Steering
The car randomly looses power steering function and becomes very hard to steer, everything else seems fine. This can happen at any time but usually when first starting the car and can self resolve in a few seconds or not at all. This should be a recall. I'm pretty strong and a big guy and i still struggle to keep this thing on the road when it happens.
ODI 10948382
Steering
Power steering has been failing intermittently. Car drives like there is no power steering. So far it has always happened immediately after car has been turned on and not while in motion. The problem sounds common based on online searches.
ODI 10946902
Steering
Loss of steering power assist ,violent lane changing on freeway
ODI 10947675
Steering
In january, 2017 i had my 2012 focus hatchback checked out for an ongoing grinding noise only present when turning. My local mechanic diagnosed this as a failing rack and pinion which needed complete replacement to avoid a catastrophic failure while driving. A $1700 repair for a major component on a 5 year old car with only ~40k miles. Very disappointed in ford, currently looking at other brands for a new purchase.
ODI 11010555
Steering
I was driving my 2012 ford focus with 83244 miles on interstate 81 suddenly the power steering stopped working and the message power steering assist fault appeared on the dash it was very dangerous but i pulled over in a rest area and towed the vehicle to my house i called ford dealer hoping the it has safety recall but the person i talked to at ford service said there is no recall for power steering fault . Now i…
ODI 10948370
Air Bags · Steering
Metal on airbag assembly/steering wheel cover cracking and peeling. Causing multiple finger lacerations while driving.
ODI 10954030
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that while driving at 45 mph, the power steering malfunction light illuminated and the steering wheel became very hard to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the power steering rack needed to be replaced but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,255.
ODI 10945925
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that while driving at 50 mph, the steering wheel seized. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was restarted and functioned normally. The contact stated that the failure was periodically. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for a diagnostic test or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact…
ODI 11207204
Steering
After starting the focus i would get a power steering fault alarm. Turning the car off and on would fix the issue. Now it stays off no matter what. This makes maneuvering extremely hard and dangerous.
ODI 11006150
Steering
Steering fault light and locked steering wheel - recurring in my driveway, unable to diagnose & fix - what if it happens on the freeway?
ODI 10965924
Steering
On several occasions, i have received notice that the electronic power-assisted steering (epas) system has a fault and that service would be required. The remedy, as provided in the manual, is to turn off the vehicle then restart the vehicle to reset the module. While i was fortunate that this had not occurred while driving, this is an extremely dangerous issue, particularly because the steering locks up when the…
ODI 10939160