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.
Power Train · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled. Also, the vehicle hesitated and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was also taken to ford of murfreesboro ([redacted], murfreesboro, tn 37129, [redacted]) for unknown repairs to the transmission.…
ODI 11256171
Electronic Stability Control · Steering
Takara recall there is a "steering assist fault" message that comes randomly. The steering is really tough to move while driving, went to see if they had any safety recalls on it but there isn't. This has happened multiple times randomly while i was driving and is not very safe.
ODI 11256853
Steering · Unknown Or Other
Scraping noise coming from electronic steering component. Similar issues described on line. Seems like a widespread problem.
ODI 11268325
Steering
Power steering failed as we were pulling into a shopping center and had to have the vehicle towed to the mechanic. It started by making a grinding noise and then the steering got very hard to turn so we had it towed. We are aware that this has been a big problem on the ford focus but neither nhtsa or ford has placed recall on this issue meanwhile focus drivers have been spending an average of $1500. To $2000. To…
ODI 11254516
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While the vehicle was stopped, the power assist steering warning indicator illuminated and the power steering failed. The contact stated that the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Mcfarland ford sales inc (located at [redacted], exeter, nh 03833, [redacted]) was contacted and an appointment was scheduled to have the vehicle…
ODI 11246448
Steering
Upon starting up my vehicle immediately on the dash display it said 'steering assist fault service req'd' i am not able to move the wheel or drive my car whatsoever. The car is usually okay to drive once restarted, but this time it won't go away the first time it happened was when i just took off from the curb and was driving fine but when i went to take a right turn the same prompt appeared and the steering went…
ODI 11245464
Steering
Recently on multiple occasions when i start my car i have no steering and i see a warning message come up on the dash that the steering is not functional. When i turn the ignition off and restart, it seems to work properly again. I am scared that i am going to lose my steering while driving.
ODI 11245264
Steering
Takata recall. I was leaving the store when my steering locked up out of nowhere. Luckily i was able to pull back into my parking spot and park, instead of my 7 year old and i driving on a busy road and crashing. I have seen 1000's of the same complaints from other drivers as well. This is very dangerous and will cause accidents for people driving and can not turn the wheel once it locks like myself. This needs to…
ODI 11245095
Steering
The electric-assist power steering has begun to fail. Randomly when i start the car and i get an alert on the dash about the power steering system along with the orange safety alert icon. The car has no power steering at all. I turn the car off and then restart. Usually, this clears the error and brings the power steering back online. I have occasionally had to restart the car more than once. This has also happened…
ODI 11245411
Steering
Power steering malfunction. Warning occurred each time car was turned on for the first time during the day, but would usually reset and turn off after restarting the car while stationary. This happened for about six months when the power steering completely went out. The mechanic had said this has been a frequent problem for ford focus' as the power steering column has a bad and unusual setup that causes the wiring…
ODI 11301890
Steering
The power steering in my car went out. While i was leaving work my car prompted the following message "steering fault assist" came on and my power steering went out. I was very fortunate to be on a straight residential road when this occurred. The steering gear in my car needed to be replaced. After doing further research i found that this is a common issue with ford cars. So much so that ford has recalled…
ODI 11300788
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving approximately 60 mph, the power steering warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to matt bowers ford (located at [redacted], metairie, la 70002, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate…
ODI 11242649
Steering
Failure of the electronic power assisted steering (epas). The system has to be replaced at a cost of $3k. The steering completely failed making driving not possible. The system has been going in an out of service. Upon start up it would not work and then begin working a short time later. Finally it has completely failed. The ford dealer says that although this is a known safety defect, it is not being recalled.
ODI 11243191
Power Train · Steering
My 2012 ford focus sel has an issue where a yellow icon will come up on the dash then display another icon saying that there is a steering assist malfunction and that service is needed. The steering wheel will not move and literally takes all of your power to get it to move. After several times of turning the car on and off it will work but always comes up with that icon again. This has even happened while i was…
ODI 11240489
Steering
My wife and i were driving and had fortunately just pulled over avoiding an accident when the steering wheel assist light came on locking up the steering and making it extremely hard to steer the vehicle. We got it over to quick lane ( a ford affiliated service center by our home and as you can see by the documentation analyzed the problem and had to replace the electronic steering rack and reprogram the module.…
ODI 11266068
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving approximately 40 mph, the steering wheel seized and the service power steering indicator illuminated. The vehicle shut off and could not be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 927,008.
ODI 11233736
Steering
Power steering locks up intermittently - even when driving and it has happened numerous times. So far it has only happened at speeds of less than 45mph. The lights come on, the power steering no longer works but if you shut the car off, wait a minute and start back up it works fine.
ODI 11245203
Steering
Power steering failure at startup. Initially, this was intermittent and restarting the car would solve the issue. The power steering is failing while actually driving. The ridiculous part is i am one of over 700 complaints and nobody had required a recall to ford. This is ridiculous and this issue will cause more and more loss of life as it occurs more frequently. This should be a recall for sure. It is a obvious…
ODI 11230757
Steering
Drove my car to a destination and when leaving, i got in my car, started the engine and when trying to leave, my steering was extremely altered. Tried to go in reverse thinking it may be in a rut. Same issue, steering was next to impossible. Turned car off to explore under the hood. No power steering fluid under the hood. After searching the owners manuel and looking on line sitting in 100 degree heat i attempted…
ODI 11220796
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving at unknown speeds, the steering wheel seized and "power steering failed" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to van bortel ford, inc. ([redacted], east rochester, ny 14445, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the electric motor failed and the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified…
ODI 11220523
Fuel/Propulsion System · Steering
Power steering assist failure warning light upon cranking the car, steering wheel impossible to turn but not locked up. Car hesitates/sputters at acceleration from stop
ODI 11219418
Steering
Steering assist malfunction light came on. Steering wheel automatically locked. Huge safety issue. Should be looked at immediately. This can cause multiple accidents and even lead to death.
ODI 11219154
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While the contact was turning into her neighborhood at 15 mph, the steering wheel seized. The power steering indicator flashed right before the failure. The manufacturer stated there was no recall and stated that the contact would have to pay to have the vehicle towed to holman ford maple shade (571 nj-38, maple shade township, nj 08052, [redacted]). The vehicle had not yet…
ODI 11219182
Steering
1st time - while driving on the highway the steering wheel locked up and i was unable to turn left of right. This was dangerous as it locked up while trying to switch lanes. Staying in the lane and coming to a light i turned the car off then on, and it went back to normal. Months later 2nd time - my car was stationary in a shopping center parking lot. When turning on my car to back out an alert turned on saying…
ODI 11228397
Engine · Power Train · Steering
Takata recall started car and dash light indicated the following message, "transmission malfunction. Service now" also got power steering assist error message earlier in the month.
ODI 11217199