About this problem
Most newer cars use electric power steering, where a motor on the steering column or rack helps turn the wheel. When the motor, its sensor or its control module fails, the assist switches off suddenly and the steering becomes very heavy. That usually happens while driving, often during a turn, which is why it is one of the most common serious complaints and the subject of several recalls.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Ford Focus since 2012, 1,243 (9.8%) describe power steering failure, the second most reported problem we track on the Focus. The reports cluster on the 2012, 2013 and 2014 model years, and the 2012 drew the most, with 759. It tends to show up in the middle years of ownership: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 50,000 and 97,000 miles. 32 reports describe a crash or fire linked to it. No recall covers it, but Ford has sent dealers service bulletins about it, listed below.
What owners report
Owners describe the Focus's electric power steering suddenly failing, so the wheel becomes very heavy, often with a 'power steering assist fault' warning. It can happen while turning or at low speed. Most reports come from the 2012 to 2014 cars.
How it gets fixed
The usual fix is replacing the steering rack and motor assembly. Ford extended coverage on some cars and issued recalls for related steering parts on others.
Typical cost: A replacement steering rack costs about $1,000 to $1,800 at an independent shop and more at a dealer.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"In less than a week, the power steering on my 2012 Ford Focus has failed three times. The first time occurred on tuesday, july 28, 2015, at 7:45 a.m."
2012 Ford Focus, 61,250 miles
"POWER STEERING ASSIST, FAILURE: ENGINE FAILURE TO START: POWER BRAKE ASSIST, FAILURE: TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, FAILURE: CLUTCH FAILURE AND SHIFT ROUGHNESS:."
2014 Ford Focus, 169,097 miles
"Bought this car - had less than 2 years and the transmission failed twice. The transmission issues were covered under a recall. Steering assist fault/malfunction was happening. You'd shut the car off and turn it back on and it would fix itself."
2013 Ford Focus, 100,000 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Service bulletins
Ford has sent dealers 2 bulletins that mention this problem on the Focus. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
Ford: at low speed driving or parking lot maneuver, vehicle may experience low power steering assist and this condition can be reprogrammed to latest calibration software.
Ford: there may be steering assist warning lights as well as well as a stored trouble code.
Before you buy a Focus
- Turn the wheel from lock to lock with the car stopped and while parking; it should feel even and light.
- Watch for a power steering warning on the dash during the drive.
- Check by VIN for open steering recalls.
Questions
Which Ford Focus years have power steering failure?
Complaints are highest for the 2012, 2013, 2014 model years. The 2012 drew the most, with 759 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 75,000 miles, and half reported it between 50,000 and 97,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
A replacement steering rack costs about $1,000 to $1,800 at an independent shop and more at a dealer.