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. When the contact started the vehicle in the morning, the steering lost power without warning. The vehicle was taken to sill-terhar motors [redacted], located at [redacted], broomfield, co 80020) where it was diagnosed that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
ODI 11176289
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While the contact's son was driving 35 mph, the steering wheel failed and was difficult to turn. In addition, the power assist warning indicator illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 113,000.
ODI 11172472
Steering
The steering intermittently cuts out making it nearly impossible to steer. The steering went out while i was driving and i nearly hit another car. I was driving on a local city street when the issue occurred. The error steering assist fault, service required upon loss of steering control. Upon research, i have determined that ford has recalled other cars within the same model year for the same issue. I am concerned…
ODI 11182902
Steering
Came on after i was attempting to repair the heat/ac fan as it has failed after unhooking the battery post to atemp to reset computer to see if the code would reset it did not. Steering is hard and unsafe if it happens to fail while driving the speed limit on interstate or parkways. It may cause possible accidents if not recalled and a fix happen. Stationary when this issue happen
ODI 11171531
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that the power steering failed. While steering, the contact had to use excessive force to turn and the steering wheel seized frequently. The contact stated that "service steering" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to koons ford ([redacted], annapolis, md 21401, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that a new power steering system needed…
ODI 11171585
Steering
Tried to start car this morning and couldn't turn steering wheel when trying to back out with warning light coming on. Has happened one other time. Worried it will happen while driving and i have to drive daily on a one lane highway that is off the edge of mountain. Afraid of going over edge if it happens while on it. Will be calling dealershiip about it. Car has 135,000 miles.
ODI 11170364
Engine · Latch · Power Train · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that the power steering was faulty and the steering wheel seized, which made it difficult to turn. Also, when the vehicle was started and the contact shifted into drive, the vehicle automatically went in reverse. The contact had to immediately engage the parking brake. Also, while the vehicle was parked on the street, it rolled backwards due to the parking…
ODI 11171480
Steering
Vehicle was stationary at the time. Steering assist warning check manual came on the dash and i was unable to turn the steering wheel. Luckily i was stopped. I turned the car off and back on and it worked. Kind of scared to drive it now though, what if that happens when i'm in motion????
ODI 11166208
Steering
Steering assist fault; loss of power steering in the vehicle
ODI 11165202
Steering
Power steering failure at startup. Initially, this was intermittent and restarting the car would solve the issue. Eventually, the power steering failed completely despite restarting the car. The power steering failed only on startup, not when driving.
ODI 11229445
Steering
Started car up ,steering locked up,turn car off,restart steering worked,car was stationary
ODI 11164163
Steering
The electronic rack and pinion failed when driving. The car started displaying a power steering assist error on the display. All power steering was lost and car nearing lost control and caused an accident. Speed was 55 mph on shug jordan. After diagnosing the issue, a replacement power steering unit needed to be installed. Ford made a defective part.
ODI 11166206
Steering
Upon starting my 2012 ford focus on two occasions in the past 2 months, my steering wheel would not turn. The "steering wheel assist: fault" message alerted on my steering wheel screen on both occasions. The car was parked on the street and upon turning the car on and seeing the message, i attempted to drive out of the parking spot and could only go straight or backwards. After finding multiple complaints online…
ODI 11164873
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving approximately 8 mph, the vehicle lost all power steering ability and the steering assist failure warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate…
ODI 11163418
Steering
Steer assist fault error message with total loss of power steering while driving, causing low speed impact into curb in neighborhood. This is a known power steering system failure and yet ford has failed its customers and continue to put them in danger and life's as risk. This is my 16year old daughter car and it is an absolute disgrace that this issue has significant documentation & complaints confirming this…
ODI 11163303
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. When the vehicle was started, the power steering indicator illuminated and the vehicle could not be steered. The dealer (verner-cadby ford, [redacted], fairfield, nj 07004, [redacted]) stated that the failure was due to age and the repair would cost approximately $1,700. The manufacturer stated that there was no recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.
ODI 11163249
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that the power steering assist was faulty and the steering wheel was extremely difficult to turn. The contact had to use excessive strength to turn the steering wheel. The contact observed that "steering assist malfunction" was displayed on the instrument panel, malufunction warning light came upon. The vehicle was taken to wayne akers ford (2000 10th ave n,…
ODI 11208256
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. When the vehicle was started, the steering wheel failed and became difficult to turn. In addition, the steering assist warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to wayne akers ford (2010 10th ave n & i-95, lake worth, fl 33461, [redacted]), but was not diagnosed or repaired due to the fees. The manufacturer was contacted via mail and did not assist. The failure…
ODI 11166301
Steering
With increasing frequency the power steering fails at startup. I turn the car off and back on again, seems to be a quick fix, but i worry something is actually broken.
ODI 11166399
Steering
While i was driving the whole stearing column starts to vibrate then it tightens up and the light comes on saying stearing assist fault, service required. When this happens the stearing wheel locks up and you can't turn. I've had this happen three times, luckily not in a curve or at a higher rate of speed. I have to stop the car, turn it off and back on to reset. I know i will crash if i am going around a curve or…
ODI 11163255
Steering
70k miles, steering assist failure. Leaving my 19 yo daughter stranding out of town. Car was parked and malfunction would not reset with restarting or disconnecting battery. $2000 to repair... I own four fords and my patience is wearing thin from all the recalls on all four vehicles that i own.
ODI 11162912
Steering
Steering wheel locking up when i start car, ford denies any issue.
ODI 11173628
Electrical System · Steering
Electronic power steering failure light keeps going on and no power steering is available. Does reset upon restarting car. There are over 10000 online forum complaints about same issue. Ford was aware of issue and continued to sell the vehicle with this issue and the transmission control fault.
ODI 11162106
Steering
7 years ago i purchased a brand new 2012 ford focus from a local dealership. The car currently has 36,600 miles only, but so far had 3 recalls(!). 1 for transmission issues (got it to the dealership, they said they fixed it but to this date it is still stalling when accelerating), 1 for defect door latches, and 1 for the fuel pump. On top of these 2 days ago while trying to back out from a parking lot the steering…
ODI 11161055
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. When the contact started the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.
ODI 11160519