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
Upon starting my vehicle i had a steering assist malfunction displayed on the dashboard. While driving it was as if i had no power steering and was unable to turn the steering wheel all the way right or left. I commuted 45 miles like this and upon start up the next morning the issue was gone. Intermittent issue. *tr
ODI 10667307
Steering
I was driving on i271 westbound. From where i got on to entering the express lane the notification of steering fault service now. I was able to get to where i was going which was under ten minutes away and able to properly steer it without it completely losing the steering. At my location it was when the steering went. The power steering rack is what needed to be replaced which was making it difficult to turn. This…
ODI 10664709
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that the power steering warning light illuminated continuously. Additionally, the steering wheel failed to turn after starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed 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 60,000.
ODI 10664579
Steering
I started my car on 12/6/14 and the steering wheel was locked and would not turn. I shut the car off and turned it on again and the steering wheel was operating. On 12/8/14 i started my car and once again the steering wheel is locked and my dashboard displayed a message stating steering assist service or service steering assist. I called ford to schedule an appointment and i have checked online and see there are…
ODI 10662978
Steering
Steering system completely failed. Driver could not turn car to the right. Car has only 45,000 miles. Could have resulted in serious accident if operating at higher speed. When i brought the car into ford they told me the "steering rack" was on back order, which leads one to believe this is a common issue! Ford needs to recall this issue immediately before it leads to death. *js
ODI 10661901
Steering
Steering has become unreliable and has "gone out" two times in the past three days. Once at a higher rate of speed and another at a lower rate of speed. My husband has had to use extreme excessive force (he is quite strong too) in order to control the car where he wants it to go. The light came on and he turned the car off and on and the light was no longer on the dashboard. To add, the car is up to date on all…
ODI 10661542
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving approximately 5 mph, the steering assist warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The failure recurred multiple times intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that there was a shortage in the steering gear box, and the steering gear box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.…
ODI 10779381
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and excessive force on the steering wheel was required in order to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000. Updated 12/22/14*lj
ODI 10654806
Steering
While driving the car going into a turn the power steering went out. I could not turn the wheel. Almost had an accident. When driving the car and you stop the car stalls. You can start the car go to where you want to go and when you get back in the car it doesn't start. *tr
ODI 10653609
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated the while driving at low speeds, the power steering became difficult to maneuver intermittently and excessive force was needed in order to control the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,800.
ODI 10653439
Electronic Stability Control · Steering
While driving on a busy road, the power steering suddenly stopped working and the car became very difficult to steer. When i returned home and restarted the car, the power steering worked normally again. It is being checked by the dealership today. On the phone, the dealership said it would be difficult to diagnose the problem if it wasn't still happening. This seems like a significant safety hazard. *tr
ODI 10653260
Steering
The power steering was lost and had to manually force the steering wheel to regain control. Error message came up on the dash, power steering failure. The power steering comes back after turning the car off and back on again. This has happened 4 times now, twice in the past week 12/26/14. *tr
ODI 10668503
Steering
While pulling out into the hwy my car's dashboard gave a message that stated steering assist malfunction. My cars steering wheel became tight and hard to turn. I got my car to the side of the road and turned it off. When i turned the car back on the dash information stated that all systems were normal. I called the ford company where i purchased the car for the second time and was told that if it happened again to…
ODI 10648186
Steering
When car starts power steering (electronic) does not work for an undetermined length on time from a few seconds to one hour. Stop and restart car and power steering works. *tr
ODI 10654569
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving at approximately 30 mph, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The contact was able to regain control. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the steering column assembly and the column steering cover were both replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.
ODI 10714349
Steering
On the way home going along the interstate at the speed limit of 70 mph, the steering suddenly cut out without warning. We safely made it to the side of the interstate in which a light popped up in my dash which said steering loss stop safely. I turned the car off and then started it back again in hopes that it was just a glitch, but the error was still there. By the grace of god, we made it home safely. The…
ODI 10644714
Electrical System · Power Train · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice where the transmission control module was replaced. Weeks later, there was an abnormal noise coming from the radio and it randomly failed to work. While driving, the steering wheel seized and the contact had to apply force to the steering wheel each time the failure recurred. The…
ODI 10775342
Steering
Power steering failure light came on and power-steering in vehicle stopped working. Attempted to clear out by shutting off engine and turning car back on, but it did not work. Had to have car towed to dealership. They said there is a sensor failure and entire steering system needs replaced, cost approximately $2,000. May be two weeks to repair, no word on when parts will be in. *tr
ODI 10641876
Steering
Son was driving home when the electronic steering assist failed, making car very hard to control. *tr
ODI 10641249
Steering
Randomly since we bought the car is 2014 power assist default would show up on the screen and then i would be left without power steering. I learned to pull over turn the car off and it would work normal again. Several times it happened in bad places that almost caused me to wreck. I have 3 small children and was always worried about it happening. I have ran into a ditch because of it but wasn't hurt. It will happen…
ODI 11112037
Steering
I was driving and the steering wheel started to be hard to turn. A light came on and the car said steering assist fault service required. I was able to pull the car over and restart it and it worked until today 10/11/14. Today i was in my driveway and the light came on again and said the same message. I tried restarting it four times and nothing happened so it was unsafe to drive. *tr
ODI 10644106
Steering
The victim of the fatality was driving northwest on rte 84 at 1:58 pm on 9/26/14 when she hit the medium strip at the corner of dodge rd in hampton falls, n.h.. The right front tire had a blow out and she then had a roll over accident. She went through the guard rail and into a deep ditch. The eye witness called 911 and assisted the driver who had no signs of life at the scene. When the volunteer hampton falls squad…
Crash reported · 1 death
ODI 10642016
Steering
Power steering sporadically comes in and out---usually when the car is just started and we attempt to back out---the steering has no power. *tr if this happens while driving at a higher speed----this could be bad.
ODI 10638981
Power Train · Steering
1.power steering goes out at any given time, whether its initial crank or driving at any speeds. It appears to occur more so in the warmer months of the year. 2. Transmission slips, chatters, rollbacks while in gear, hesitation, delayed response. I have taken vehicle to dealership multiple times, they said they cant get the power steering to re-occur so there was nothing wrong with car! They said the transmission…
ODI 10692993
Engine · Power Train · Steering
At a stop light car in drive brakes lock, shift gear locks. Message appears transmission not in park. Car takes at least 5 to 10 minutes to turn back over to start up. Car stalls to go into different speeds, accelerates when turning a corner. *tr
ODI 10637793