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.
Electrical System · Steering
I started my car ignition, began to back out of my driveway. After about 2 - 7 seconds, the power steering froze up and a caution light lit up on my dash. It reads: power steering assist malfunction, check manual. Or words very close to that effect. This has happened about 10 - 15 times since approximately september !8, 2014. I took it to ford dealer and they changed the battery. They showed low voltage to the…
ODI 10643404
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving approximately 5 mph, the steering wheel seized and excessive force was required to maneuver the vehicle. The hydraulic steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact had to shut off the vehicle and restart it in order to stop the failure. The failure occurred multiple times. The dealer stated that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…
ODI 10644522
Steering
On multiple occasions, i have had the power steering fail on my car. I've had it happen while driving at speeds ranging from 25mph-70mph. While driving i will hear the alert chime and i will receive the message power steering fault appear on screen, about 2 seconds later the steering becomes stiff and very difficult to control. I've been blessed to be able to get the car to the side of the ride and or freeway.…
ODI 10683800
Electrical System · Steering
I was driving in a residential neighborhood when an error message displayed on the dash computer indicating that there was an issue with the power steering. I was in the middle of a turn onto another street when the power steering went out. This was not the first time that the power steering went out. I have experienced the same issue at least 5 times. On the most recent occasion noted here, the power steering…
ODI 10631005
Steering
Steering looses power (no power steering). After a restart or two power steering comes back only to go out again after a little while. *tr
ODI 10641856
Electrical System · Steering
My first encounter started in march with a warning condition indicating a default in my steering assistance only when i would turn on the ignition, i called ford dealership and was told it would go away by turning of the ignition and turning it back on.,and it did go away. Now in august, i was driving on freeway and the warning light came on again while driving and the steering wheel became very hard to steer, i was…
ODI 10648389
Steering
Driving on freeway and my steering wheel locked on me. Almost caused an accident. Luckily a tow driver was by me and he was able to steer traffic away from me and he helped me move my car to safety. *tr
ODI 10630085
Accelerator Pedal · Power Train · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle stuttered and rolled backwards, the steering wheel shook and failed to turn, and the accelerator pedal failed to respond and traveled to the floorboard when it was depressed. In addition, the "transmission ready" indicator illuminated. After the vehicle was restarted, it operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer…
ODI 11124402
Steering
I see you are investigating power steering problems with the fusion. I have a 2012 ford focus and the power steering is out. I would leave the car parked and running during the summer, if i was on my cell phone. The power steering assist light would come on, while in park and if i tried to move the car, the power steering would not respond. I could turn the car off for a few minutes, then back on and the problem…
ODI 10653957
Steering
At first the power steering would go out in reverse when i was trying to back out of a driveway. It then started to act up when i would start the car. I would have to turn off the engine and restart it. Now it doesn't work at all. I have found this to be unsafe to drive when going around curves and corners. Also very hard to maneuver in parking lots around people and other cars. *tr
ODI 10678934
Electrical System · Engine · Power Train · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated slowly on occasion. Other times, the rpms would race and the vehicle would jerk forward. The dealer stated that the body control module needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer was not able to reprogram the computer to install the new part and had to re-install the old part. The manufacturer was notified and the…
ODI 10641774
Steering
While driving the vehicle the steering failed fortunately i was at my own street and finally got it home by getting my grandson to help me turn the wheels. Took to aamoco they scanned for codes and updated the pcm/tcm. It broke again in 3 days. I was fortunate again i had not left my driveway. This is a safety issue if yo are on a freeway or other roadway where traffic is moving fast. This whole endeavor cost over…
ODI 11165349
Steering
I bought a 2012 focus as a certified used car, trusting ford and having peace of mind with a warranty. Within a few months of ownership i started the car and a message saying "steering assist malfunction" displayed. After turning the car off and back on it went away. I have complained about it about 3-4 times while at dealers for transmission "fixes". Every time they said they could not duplicate the problem so even…
ODI 10609492
Steering
After sitting in neutral waiting for construction to allow us to proceed, started out and then power steering went out. Turned off at next red light and started again and began working. A few miles later stopped for gas and when started vehicle, no power steering and is still out. *tr
ODI 10609681
Engine · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that while driving at 50 mph, the power steering became difficult to turn and the engine stalled. The contact also stated that the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced and the pcm failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure…
ODI 10615331
Steering
Total unexpected loss of power steering. Unable to safely steer vehicle. Power steering assist fault light came on. After stopping and re-starting the vehicle the warning light went off and normal steering was possible. This has happened twice to date.
ODI 10763933
Power Train · Steering
The transmission is knocking when it shifts gears especially the lower gears. It stutters really bad as well. *js
ODI 10616699
Steering
The steering wheel has sharp metal edges protruding from the top of the wheel. While driving on the highway, i sliced my finger on the edge. Not a major incident... But upon reviewing the internet this is apparently a common issue with the ford focus. I have read on the internet that the metal edges can slice the airbag upon deployment. I am not sure if this is true but for the sake of my sliced finger and my air…
ODI 10606877
Engine · Power Train · Steering
On two occasions the vehicle stopped running while in motion. In incident 1, this occurred at highway speed (65 mph) and incident #2 in local traffic (15 mph). In both cases all power was lost including the acceleration, power steering, etc. After incident 1, the car restarted and driven to the dealer - extensive repairs were made "to the transmission" (per the dealer). In the second incident after dealer repairs…
ODI 10611194
Electrical System · Service Brakes · Steering
The steering wheel would not move, there is an error message, steering assist fault. It happened before, but i turned the car off and back on again and it would turn. Before this incident there would be times when the a/c fan would adjust itself, by going higher or lower and the radio volume would increase or decreases without any help from me. This particular time it would not move and i was forced to leave it in a…
ODI 10598438
Steering
Upon starting the car a message appeared that stated 'steering malfunction assist'; then driving/steering was almost impossible. Shut the car off; then re-started and it was ok. Next day the message appeared again. The car is now parked with plans to take it in. *tr
ODI 10597982
Steering
Was leaving my destination when the steering wheel locked and sensor light came on stating steering assist fault service required. Brought car to gus machado ford of kendall was told needed new power steering gear and that i would have to pay $1778.81 to replace. After researching complaints about the 2012 ford focus, i could not believe how many consumers had the same problem. Obviously there must be a defect in…
ODI 10597718
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving approximately 75 mph, the power steering malfunctioned and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. The steering assist warning sensor illuminated. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 50,000.
ODI 10616896
Steering
Loss of steering at 55 mph on two lane highway. Crossed center line and hit by oncoming truck
Crash reported · 2 injuries · 1 death
ODI 10958036
Steering · Suspension · Wheels
We had a problem with ford motor company over our 2012 ford focus . As background, while my wife was driving 40 mph on a straight road the car steering locked and pulled her into a curb causing a broken wheel, rim, and tie rod (estimated at $1500 to repair by bob tomes ford in mckinney texas). After the car setting at the dealership waiting for word from ford's corporate office for seven weeks we just found out they…
Crash reported
ODI 10588610