What 1,455 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Fusion Hev

While at a stop trying to make left hand turn steering assist disabled appeared and steering wheel locked up.

NHTSA ODI 11522770

The contact's fiancé owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became firm, with the ABS, power steering assist, and traction control warning lights illuminated. On one occasion, the contact stated that the vehicle slid into a ditch as a result of the failure. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA ODI 11519760

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became still and difficult to maneuver. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact’s wife was able to maneuver the vehicle off the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the EPS system failed and needed to be replaced. The unknown dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 31,156.

NHTSA ODI 11519483

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while making a right turn the steering wheel became dislodge and loosened. The contact stated that the steering wheel was not functioning correctly. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V167000 (Steering) and offered no additional assistance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the bolt in the steering column was worn. The steering column bolt was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11507387

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel loosened and wiggled from side to side. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11485187

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, he became aware that the steering wheel was loose. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V167000 (Steering) which he linked to the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA ODI 11477101

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving on the highway at an undisclosed speed and attempting to shift to the next lane, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact was able to get to the side of the highway and turn off and restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the Hill Start Assist Not Available message was displayed. The contact called the dealer to schedule an appointment however, there was no available appointment for at least a week. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.

NHTSA ODI 11471390

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while pulling into a parking space the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated there were several unknown warning lights illuminated with unknown messages displayed. The vehicle was towed to the contact’s daughter's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted and stated that the VIN was not under recall. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11471423

The power steering goes out randomly, mostly when it is hot outside or on the interior. It is not included in the current recall for this issue, however it needs to be. It happened in 2021 and now is still happening in 2022. No issues prior to the failure until power steering alert goes off. I have almost crashed multiple times due to this failure.

NHTSA ODI 11464254

While I am driving, the "Service AdvanceTrac" light comes on and flashes between these two error messages: "Hillside Start Assist Not Available" "Check Rear Park Aid" While these lights are flashing, the ABS light, airbag light, and the stability control light all come on and stay on, as well as the power steering goes out. This happens at random times, driving on expressways, in local stop and go traffic. In addition, the times the lights are not blinking and power steering is out, the brake pulses when you use it as if the ABS system was triggered- but for no reason. The road is fine, driving conditions are perfect--- no reason at all for it to happen. I bought the car from Dana Ford in August 2020 and brought it in over 6 times for this problem. Dana Ford had my car for well over 6 of the first 9 months I had it, and it was never fixed while under warranty. They claimed when they took it on a test drive, there was no problem, even though they told me they can see all the error messages the car gives on their computers and even though I have many many pictures and videos of the problem. I"m driving around with kids in the car, and my steering goes out, and if that isnt happening, my brakes are pulsing and skipping. Dana Ford jerked me around until my warranty was up---never fixing it.

NHTSA ODI 11462377

AdvanceTrac System Malfunctioning 3 times while driving the AdvanceTrac system has malfunctioned while turning. Each incident, the Service AdvanceTrac light has come on mid turn, causing steering wheel to feel tight, not sure turn able in the moment, everything happens in a second or two. Two of the 3 incidents of AdvanceTrac abruptly disabling itself resulted in close calls with me almost not completing my turn safely and coming close to colliding with other vehicles on the roadway. Hill Assist and AdvanceTrac turn off causing multiple dash lights and warnings. I took the car today to Ed Morse Ford, Lebanon MO for diagnosis. I was told by the service department that because I had turned the car off, no error code could be scanned on the AdvanceTrac. In addition, a mechanic drove the vehicle and could not duplicate the issue. Service department indicated the "probable cause" was a steering assembly needed to be replaced at the cost of $2700. No explanation of how the mechanic made this determination without being able to duplicate the issue. I was told the AdvanceTrak system is not connected to the check engine system (the system that does store codes and errors) so there was nothing they could verify without duplication, yet again, wanted $2700 for a major component switch out. AdvanceTrak is Ford's proprietary property, yet is has no consumer safe guards to monitor any system defects- completely unacceptable and unsafe.

NHTSA ODI 11460169

Power steering suddenly failed during left turn at low speed. "Steering Assist Fault", "Service AdvanceTrac" warnings as well as hill decent Dash has the two Stability Control Lights illuminated. There is no check engine light

NHTSA ODI 11459804

Hello, I was driving towards the hotel I was staying at when I heard some squeaky noises when I was turning my car (this was at night). The next day, I was leaving the parking garage, about to drive onto a main road when my power steering went. I got the car towed to the auto dealership and it turns out that there are three recalls out on my car. One of which has to do with the steering bolts becoming corroded and the steering gear detaching and the the power steering going as a result. Yet the dealership is saying that the bolts are not corded so it is an internal issue. My car only has 66k miles on it … for the power steering to go while you are driving is very scary. It seems like this is a common issue and Ford is avoiding the issue with the steering gear by blaming it on just the bolts to the steering gear. The codes that the dealer said were being thrown are as follows: u0420:00 u0420:86 C102d

NHTSA ODI 11458289

steering wheel attachment bolt came loose

NHTSA ODI 11456941

While we were driving all dashboard lights came on and the power steering stooped working. This car had only 37841 miles, the shop had to replace complete steering gear/electronic

NHTSA ODI 11452249

On Saturday Feb 5th, while driving our vehicle on the highway, the steering wheel started coming loose. By the time we parked the car in our driveway, the steering wheel was rocking in all directions at an inch. We had the steering wheel bolt replaced in 2018, because of this part being recalled. After being towed to a dealership, their claim is that it was caused by the bolt not being properly torqued during the recall. That seems unlikely, due to the time that has passed.

NHTSA ODI 11452110

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist failed, causing the steering wheel to make a loud screeching sound. The steering wheel then seized. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. 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 122,000.

NHTSA ODI 11451490

It’s the power steering it’s hard too turn my steering wheel at times

NHTSA ODI 11446544

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist and traction control warning lights illuminated. The power steering assists then failed. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. 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 38,898.

NHTSA ODI 11444195

I replaced the starter battery after the original battery reached the end of its life. Upon installing the new battery, I had dashboard messages showing “Electric Power Steering Assist failed” And other cascaded systems offline because of no steering. Without the steering assistance, the safety of driving the car is questionable. It is more difficult to steer than a vehicle without power steering. It takes all the strength to turn the wheel, even when the vehicle is moving. This vehicle had been serviced for a previous related recall in which the steering bolts would fail. Perhaps the replacement bolts have also failed. Whatever the root cause, the resultant failure mode has a high severity (lack of steering capability by a normal strength person). This could cause an accident.

NHTSA ODI 11443392

At times when i put the car in gear & other times when i am actually driving, all of the warning lights & alarms (Rear Park Aid, ABS, Hill Start Assist Not Available, Service Advance Trac, & Stability Control Off), come on all at the same time. When these lights & alarms pop on, the steering gets a little harder, not losing all power steering, but again, the steering is a little harder & i don't think that's a good thing to have happen. Also while driving, the Anti-Lock Break System starts clicking. And sometimes when i start to mash on the break peddle, the peddle kind of drops down a little. Not to the point where it has caused the breaks to lock up, but i'm still not comfortable with that. If you were to do an online search of this problem you will see that several people are complaining about this same problem. I have reported this problem to my Ford Service Center, Southworth Ford in Marion, IN, as early as March of this year & the latest report 10/4/21, but they say they can't find anything wrong right now, but for me to document every time it happens, even after i have tried to show them the videos of this problem stored on my phone. I also contacted the Auto Safety Center, & they were the ones who directed me to you. I wish that i knew how to share the videos that i have with you, but i have not learned how to do that as of yet. Thank you for your time & all that you all do to keep us safe on the road. God Bless you all! Have a Blessed weekend!

NHTSA ODI 11435991

I'm just wondering how it is even remotely legal to sell a vehicle, whether used or new, with current open recalls. When I purchased my vehicle through Triple J Auto in Guam, they never informed me of any open recalls when I purchased the vehicle. Technically the car was in a used status, but, coming from the Department of Highway SAFETY, it seems preposterous that you would allow any vehicle to be sold with open recalls against the vehicle. I am just looking for any information as to how this could have gone unresolved for over three years, without me just looking up the VIN on a random day. Thank you

NHTSA ODI 11432850

I drove the vehicle 2 miles to a nearby shopping center. I came out 15 minutes later and tried to start the car. Immediately flashing on the console was a large yellow wrench, message telling me to stop the vehicle immediately, pull over, errors with steering system, errors with side impact system and various other errors flashed. I tried to put the car in drive and it automatically went back into Accessory mode and flashed the same error messages telling me to stop driving. The steering was locked and unable to steer. Had it towed to the Ford dealer. They let it sit for 4 hours and then called to say they could see no issue as it started just fine. The next day they called and said they saw the issue 3 different times and saw communication errors in the car computer. They cleared the errors and let it sit over the weekend. They called several days later and said they had driven it 25 miles with no errors seen. I do not trust this car as safe on the road. If I had been on the highway, I would have locked up the steering and lost all power. It's not safe to drive until Ford finds the cause. I filed a complaint with Ford headquarters and was given a case number with high priority. The regional service manager is being enlisted to figure this out. I've alerted the sales director that I won't be buying another Ford until we find the problem. I've alerted other dealer executives to get involved.

NHTSA ODI 11432056

I can be driving and/or stopped and ABS, stability control and steering wheel indicator lights come on. Once I stop car and turn off for a few seconds and then turn back on, errors go away. Nothing may happen for a week but then the next week it may happen every time I drive. For me, this is a safety issue because once steering wheel has no power it is very, very hard to turn. I am attaching a “vehicle diagnostic report” that shows 2 of 18 systems had errors.

NHTSA ODI 11431171

MY CAR STEERING WHEEL IS VERY TIGHT AND I'M WONDERING WHAT COULD IT BE IF I FIXED EVERYTHING

NHTSA ODI 11407535