What 1,049 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Ford Fusion

Knocking sounds started happening when turning steering wheel. Confirmed by independent mechanic and Rodman Ford dealership to need power steering rack/electric motor. Recall for this problem on other 2015 Ford fusions but my VIN is not included. I have been told this is a serious safety issue and it should be covered.

NHTSA ODI 11504535

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon acceleration, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The power steering assist fault warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under a recall. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V6320000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

NHTSA ODI 11503210

Drove the car last on 1/18/2023, no issues with steering whatsoever; never saw a warning light on dash. Then on 1/19/2023, I had to go to work and attempted to make the trip. Upon turning the key the car started but the dash illuminated two warnings. [STEERING-ASSIST FAULT-SERVICE REQUIRED] [SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC] I had not experienced any issues prior to this. Now the cars steering is very difficult to steer. Apparently, some drivers have experienced this while driving, this could be very dangerous and investigated as this could be lethal in certain circumstances. There was a recall for bolts, to my best of knowledge this was fully completed by a local registered Ford dealership. This causes me worry and I think Ford should look into this or at the least perform a complimentary assessment of what is going on and offer some solutions to such an issue that apparently is not uncommon.

NHTSA ODI 11502757

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, a knocking noise was present coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the steering gear motor had completely separated from the rack and pinion. The contact indicated that the bolts securing the electric power steering gear motor attachment had failed due to corrosion. The power steering gear motor and bolts were replaced, and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V632000 (Steering). The failure mileage was 102,000.

NHTSA ODI 11498331

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering and the steering wheel seized. The "Power Steering Service” message was displayed. The contact stated that she was able to drive the vehicle back to the residence. The contact made a local dealer aware of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V632000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was advised to file a complaint with the NHTSA hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.

NHTSA ODI 11496781

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel at slow speeds, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was under recall prior for the power steering failure; however, the recall had previously been repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled to service vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

NHTSA ODI 11485659

Brake line delaminated - had to replace after brakes went out completely. Paid out of pocket for repair after tow. Power assist steering stopped working abruptly. Had bolts replaced for earlier recall related to salt in states with winter conditions which could cause this exact issue of the power steering to fail. Hill assist is also not working.

NHTSA ODI 11483926

Even after earlier repair for recall for potential steering failure, exact same problem occured while driving. Significant loss of control. Rack and pinion steering required to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11479236

The electric steering motor mounting bolts to the steering rack corroded and snapped off causing the vehicle to loose steering. This is a huge safety concern! If this would happen at freeway speeds it would cause a serious accident or even loss of life. Ford Motor Company had a recall for this concern for the same model year we own but Ford Customer Service told me that by the vin number our Ford Fusion was not included in the recall. What had happened is the exact same concern for the recall. At the present time this vehicle we own can not be driven ! I believe Ford’s recall number is 19S26. There is lots of information on the internet about this concern. I can’t understand why Ford Fusions from 2013 thru 2016 are involved in this recall but not all of them since all the steering racks on the Ford Fusions are of the same design. It’s a very costly repair if the owner can not get assistance from Ford. Please look into this matter. Thank you

NHTSA ODI 11473572

Steering Rack was faulty in the car, causing there to be no powersteering which makes the vehicles extremely hard to maneuver while in motion. hill assist and traction control warnings popped up and vehicle makes electronic like noises as you turned the wheel. Vehicles has been taken to an independent service center and issue has been confirmed. Looking at various forums, message boards, and speaking with my mechanic this is not an uncommon issue with Ford vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11462213

Driving along around town and the power steering suddenly went out causing the car to steer very hard.

NHTSA ODI 11457396

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving and making a turn in the driveway, the steering wheel locked. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering gear box bolt was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

NHTSA ODI 11457259

My car has approximately 97,000 miles on it. For the last 6 months, I've been getting alerts on my dashboard ("Service Advance Trak", "Hill Start Not Available", and one or two others). This happens at slow speeds and fast also when turning. When these alerts start, I lose power steering. I've also noticed that when I apply brakes at slow speeds, the ABS engages for a few seconds. I was told by the dealer that I needed a new battery but that was not the issue. I was driving with my kids in the car and it happen mid driving on the highway. I almost got into a serious accident but was able to gain control in enough time to steer out the way. This is a very dangerous issue and I see that it has been recalled but only on vehicles up North due to possible salt and water erosion with the snow. Now the dealership is suggesting to replace it costing 1800. This is absolutely ridiculous.

NHTSA ODI 11456620

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the power steering assist failed and the contact had to manually steer the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V632000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 70,100.

NHTSA ODI 11450789

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH and attempting to make a right turn, power steering failed to cause him to be unable to turn properly. The contact stated that the loss of power steering caused him to slide off the road, however, he was able to brake and avoid a crash. The dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V250000 (Power steering) as a possible solution. The failure mileage was 53,000.

NHTSA ODI 11450390

My car has approximately 110,000 miles on it. For the last 6 months, I've been getting alerts on my dashboard ("Service Advance Trak", "Hill Start Not Available", and one or two others). This happens at slow speeds and when turning. When these alerts start, I lose power steering. I've also noticed that when I apply brakes at slow speeds, the ABS engages for a few seconds. I was told by the dealer that it was the engine control module. I had it replaced and reprogrammed. However, the alerts and loss of power steering still happens though not as much.

NHTSA ODI 11439311

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired under an unknown recall for the steering wheel attachment bolt failure. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH and making a turn, the steering wheel inadvertently locked. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rack and pinion steering had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 176,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ODI 11436633

The car was being driven 30-40 MPH. There were no warning lights on and no prior issues. Power steering failed preventing the car from being steered. Luckily the road was straight and no cars were around. Car was stopped blocking the lane it was in. If the road was curving or traffic was around a crash would have been unavoidable. At time of failure lights started to flash including the message 'POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". Car was towed to dealer. Steering gear replaced at a cost of $2,997. Mileage on the car was 53,000 miles

NHTSA ODI 11430885

THE EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE RECALL 15S14 HAPPENED TO MY 2015 FORD FUSION ENERGI. FOR SOME REASON MINE IS NOT LISTED EVEN THOUGH IT FITS THE DATES, MAKE AND MODEL OF THE RECALL AND THE EXACT PROBLEM AS THE RECALL. I HAD TO HAVE THE STEERING GEAR MOTOR REPLACED BECAUSE THE BOLTS CORRODED OFF. CAN WE GET MY VIN ADDED AND REIMBURSED.

NHTSA ODI 11415560

FOR NO REASON AT ALL THE STEERING ASSIST FAULT NEEDS SERVICED CONTINUOUSLY COMES ON WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING STILL MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. HAS NOTICED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG FORD VEHICLES MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 100000 MILES ON IT. THERE'S NO RHYME OR REASON WHEN IT HAPPENS OR ANY WARNING. COULD MAKE A CAR CRASH A VERY REAL POSSIBILITY.

NHTSA ODI 11406743

WHEN STEERING THE CAR IN A TURN, SUCH AS ON AND OFF RAMPS, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL JERK IN THE DIRECTION OF STEERING AND THE (TCS) TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON. THIS BEGAN HAPPENING AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A RECALLED STEERING BOLT REPLACED. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THREE FORD DEALERSHIPS, AND NONE OF THEM CAN FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP RECENTLY ON 2-26-2121 AND WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $610.00 WHICH I FOUND ABSURD.

NHTSA ODI 11399248

2015 FORD FUSION WITH 85,000 MILES HAD STEERING GEAR FAIL. VEHICLE ALREADY HAD RECALL FOR CORROSION ON STEERING BOX BOLTS. STEERING GEARS ARE BUILT FOR 10/12/15 YEARS AND THIS FAILED IN UNDER 6 YEARS. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. MY SON WAS DRIVING AND THE POWER STEERING SHUT DOWN AND THE VEHICLE DRIVES AS IF IT DOESN'T HAVE POWER STEERING. THE TSC OFF AND TSC INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE LIT UP ON THE DASH.

NHTSA ODI 11399318

SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD SCREEN

NHTSA ODI 11398211

POWER STEERING MAKES LOUD THUNKING SOUNDS WHENEVER I TURN RIGHT OR LEFT, WHETHER CAR IS MOVING OR STOPPED. IT'S COMING FROM THE STEERING RACK MECHANISM ITSELF.

NHTSA ODI 11397547

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 5 MPH, THE STEERING ASSIST FAULT, SERVICE REQUIRED AND SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC WARNING LIGHTS FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AS THE VEHICLE SIMULTANEOUSLY LOSS POWER STEERING FUNCTIONALITY. THE CONTACT'S WIFE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V250000 (STEERING) WHICH HE LINKED TO THE FAILURE. NIELSEN FORD (375 NJ-23, WANTAGE, NJ 07461) WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

NHTSA ODI 11396514