What 2,604 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Fusion Hev

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The electronic power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the power steering control module. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign 15V340000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 205,000.

NHTSA ODI 11628926

I was driving to my drs appointment and as I was pulling up to the hospital I saw a message from my dash and my steering wheel locked up and I had to get it towed and then sent to the dealership but since I had made a few of previous attempts to get it fixed with u guys it wasn’t getting no response, so I had to go get it fixed force and I ended up with a bill..

NHTSA ODI 11628578

3 times now the electronic power steering has quit while driving the car leaving the car very difficult to steer. Turning the car off and restarting brings the power steering back. Ford previously had a recall 15S18 and 15N01 for this issue but the recall period has expired. Under 15S18, my car was apparently "reprogrammed" in 9/2015 but is now experiencing the symptoms the recall was originally released to repair.

NHTSA ODI 11628350

Ford issued Program #15N01 EPAS STEERING EFFORTS in 2015 (information sent to PRIOR OWNER). Prior owner had PCM reprogrammed 02/15/2017. November 2024 - Power Steering Assist Fault Notice came on. Power Steering completely locked up and vehicle inoperable. Unable to steer vehicle and potentially cause accident and harm to self or others. Current owner (me) had vehicle towed to Ford dealership. Service tech advised that a new steering gear required and would submit request to have covered by Ford recall. Service tech advised that it SHOULD be covered based on info in their system. Per FORD Safety Recall Notice 15S185 Supplement #3, "This safety recall involves reprogramming the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM), or replacing the steering gear only if there is evidence that certain Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) exist or were previously set, but are no longer present, regardless of vehicle mileage or warranty start date. If the steering gear is not replaced, the owner will be provided extended coverage of the steering gear under program code 15N01. This extended coverage provides for one-time replacement of the steering gear if certain DTCs are present, for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. If a vehicle has already exceeded the mileage limit, this program will last through December 31, 2015 for eligible owners. The extended coverage is automatically transferred to subsequent owners". Ford denied the coverage and the cost was $3,100.00 to replace steering gear. The recall clearly states that the coverage exists if the reprogramming was done and the issue continued, regardless of the time frame.

NHTSA ODI 11628362

The contact's daughter owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop at a traffic light, the steering wheel was significantly difficult to turn. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact received a ride from her father. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the residence, where it was diagnosed by an independent mobile mechanic. The mechanic determined that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired after the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.

NHTSA ODI 11627949

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized with the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated the steering wheel became difficult to operate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11627751

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle was started, the gear shifter was shifted into drive and the vehicle rolled forward. In addition, the power steering assist fault warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to steer. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed as a failed electronic power steering module. The contact was informed that the electronic power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ODI 11627773

Same issue as others have stated with the power steering just stopping all of a sudden. The car randomly starts yelling about service power steering now and service advancetrac, you put the car in park or turn it off and then the power steering goes out. Had it cleared by a mechanic who said it is a sensor issue. We didn’t get to replace the sensor but power steering came back when he cleared the codes. About a week later it happened again. And like others, there isn’t a recall listed for it with my vehicle just something about the air bags.

NHTSA ODI 11627004

The vehicle’s power steering failed on a major roadway with a [XXX] driver at the wheel. This is a defect in the power steering that is known to Ford, the recall was supposedly fixed but it failed again so the fix is also very unsafe. Ford needs to find a way to actually make the steering safe. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11626170

The power steering went out. They had a recall for it but its no longer available. I never had an issue til now so if it was a danger then it should still be a recall no matter what year it is now

NHTSA ODI 11621774

Power steering was repaired under recall warranty about 3 years ago. The replacement part failed. This part should have outlasted the car, this it's a known issue

NHTSA ODI 11620502

I am the original owner of this 2012 Ford Fusion. It currently has 122,000 miles. The power steering went out on my car last week. SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW light came on. Had the car towed to the Ford dealership in Sandusky. I was advised the repair would be $2100.00. In doing research I found that while there was not a recall on the car there was the following that was put out by Ford. 15s18 Supplement 3. I contacted Ford customer service and was advised that my car was 2 months out of the build date for the service advisory from Ford. From what I have read this is not an uncommon problem for this model year. Please feel free to contact me. My cell number is [XXX] . Thanks! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11620352

This is an open recall that I'm sure has been stated many times, but the dealerships are not accepting the recall or granting it. The power steering aka. Steering assist system failed. Which is an ongoing issue with my vehicle model and year. It has caused me so many "almost" bad accidents and making it so I have lost an incredible amount of income due to my vehicle being down for repair and unsafe to drive and too expensive to fix. Especially when there is a recall about said thing. I need help.

NHTSA ODI 11619507

The contact's father owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Service Now" was displayed, and an excessive effort was needed to steer the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11618456

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the wheels were shuddering. Additionally, the contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the steering wheel was locked. The message "EPAS System Inspection Required" was displayed, and the Advancetrac warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with power steering failure. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ODI 11616632

The driver power steering system message goes on every so often and I have to turn off and on to reset the light, but my concern is that it’s going to go off as I’m driving, and the fuel mileage as I’m driving it says mileage to empty and one time I was trying to get to the gas station and it hit 0 and it was still going the car, and the suspension makes noise when I go over the bumps and also when I’m reversing and turning the wheel there’s a popping sound from the front it sounds like,

NHTSA ODI 11616647

My 15 year old permit driver was driving the car and a power steering message flashed. The car became very difficult to steer and very difficult to pull to the side of the road. This could have caused a major accident. I was told when I called there was a recall for this in the past but had been fixed on this particular car. It must not have been fixed well. The car is not technically high mileage by today’s standards.

NHTSA ODI 11615929

My power steering failed and caused me a great deal of grief financially and left me without a vehicle. This was a known issue with my car and a recall was not brought to my attention. I spoke with a representative at Ford and was informed to ask for an investigation: 15V340. I wish to be reimbursed by Ford for the inconvenience and failure to be notified about this recall.

NHTSA ODI 11616065

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that when the vehicle started, the steering wheel seized. The power steering assist fault warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with electronic steering rack failure. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed electronic steering rack. The contact was informed that the electronic steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 144,277.

NHTSA ODI 11615495

Power steering assist fault failed, should have been covered under NHSTA forms but was not honored.

NHTSA ODI 11614322

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering gear box had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

NHTSA ODI 11613701

Last few years I have advance trac, steering assist, steering locks up intermittent issues documented by dealer, not abke to find anything wrong when i still had extended warranty, now they suspect it no recall / no warranty it's 2400 $ It's a safety issue many people have documented .

NHTSA ODI 11613801

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the message “Power Steering Assist Fault” was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering rack had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the Extended Warranty had past the 10-year limitation and was expired; therefore, there would be no coverage on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was no longer covered under the Extended Warranty. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11612207

One week ago I started experiencing a grinding noise when steering my vehicle, at any speed. The steering also catches in certain positions and becomes difficult to turn. The issue can be isolated to the electronic power steering gear in my vehicle: the grinding persists after disconnecting the tie rods, but disappears after disconnecting the steering column. I have a 2012 Ford Fusion with 104,000 miles on it. It has been well maintained and driven carefully for its whole life with zero accidents or failures. The steering issue appeared suddenly and spontaneously. There are no warning lights, or service codes, but the steering is clearly failing and making the vehicle unsafe to drive. Power steering failures at speed are unsafe and can cause accidents. Recall 15S18 and extended warranty 15N01 specifically address this faulty part in 2011-2012 Ford Fusions and many other vehicles. Because my vehicle is 2 months outside of the manufacture date range, it is not covered by this recall. However, it is built in the same plant with the same faulty part number. This leaves me with either a $2000+ repair, or I can drive with faulty power steering which is not only a major safety issue but one that is known to Ford as well as the NHTSA. Ford is refusing to cover the cost of this repair and additionally want to charge me diagnostic labor which I don't think I should be responsible for. Please look into this issue further and hold manufacturers accountable for replacing their faulty parts. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11612295

When getting my car I started the car the steering was stiff and a Power steering assisted fail came across my dash so I turned of the car and restarted the car and it was find. I have had to repeatedly do this on several times.

NHTSA ODI 11612162