2014 Ford Focus Steering Problems

The bolt that holds the steering wheel is not tight which causes the steering wheel to wobble and eventually come off

NHTSA ID

11773123

Incident

Oct 19, 2026

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the "Steering Wheel Alert Malfunction" message displayed on the instrument panel, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was rendered inoperable. Upon research, the contact associated the failure with Customer Satisfaction Program: 15N01 (EPAS Steering Efforts); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 145,145.

NHTSA ID

11771302

Incident

Oct 15, 2026

Mileage

145,145 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that upon reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a blank screen. The message "See the Dealer" was displayed, and the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a slight loss of automotive power while driving uphill and the steering became very loose. The contact stated that while turning to the left or the right, the steering wheel failed to return to center. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact associated the failures with NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 26V369000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) and 14V514000 (STEERING); as possible causes for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,000.

NHTSA ID

11756250

Incident

Dec 1, 2021

Mileage

83,000 mi

When I turned on my car the power steering said at fault and normally I could turn it off then turn it back on and it worked but after that time it never turned back on

NHTSA ID

11755369

Incident

Nov 1, 2025

I was driving down the road when the car dinged and a yellow light came on the bottom of the dash and it said steering loss please pull over for safety reasons so I pulled over shut the car off waited a couple minutes and then turned the car back on and the light turned red and I had no power steering at all.

NHTSA ID

11743118

Incident

Jun 5, 2026

Lost steering

NHTSA ID

11742008

Incident

May 24, 2026

My power steering just suddenly stopped working

NHTSA ID

11704965

Incident

Nov 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel fractured. The contact stated that the steering wheel independently moved back and forth. The contact stated that the failure was persistent and a safety issue. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic with a fractured steering wheel bolt. The contact was informed that the steering wheel bolt, nut, and seal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact was advised to contact the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure description; however, the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.

NHTSA ID

11687433

Incident

Sep 1, 2025

Mileage

156,000 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the steering wheel seized. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V514000 (Steering). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the steering wheel gear needed to be replaced. The DTC: P3000 was retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.

NHTSA ID

11653593

Incident

Apr 4, 2025

Mileage

32,000 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while her son was driving 10 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff. The contact stated that a dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the electrical steering module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.

NHTSA ID

11646516

Incident

Mar 2, 2025

Mileage

125,000 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, an unknown message was displayed on the instrument panel, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic and the steering rack, steering gears, and the stabilizer bar were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 81,000.

NHTSA ID

11639063

Incident

Dec 2, 2024

Mileage

81,000 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff. The contact stated that an unknown message was displayed. The vehicle was steered into a parking lot. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to another independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle as not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

NHTSA ID

11637279

Incident

Jan 8, 2025

Mileage

81,000 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel becomes very difficult to maneuver as the "Steering Assist Fault, Service Required, Service Now" warning message was displayed. The local dealer was contacted, however, the vehicle was not diagnosed as the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,643.

NHTSA ID

11634926

Incident

Dec 20, 2024

Mileage

87,643 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized, and felt very stiff. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 167,000.

NHTSA ID

11626602

Incident

Nov 21, 2024

Mileage

167,000 mi

Car failed to turn

NHTSA ID

11622015

Incident

Sep 2, 2024

The contact's daughter owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at approximately 45 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel, the steering became tight. The contact was unaware of any warning lights being illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent and the contact was informed about a recall. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V514000 (STEERING). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact there was no recall coverage on the VIN. The vehicle was diagnosed and determined that the steering gears needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11619142

Incident

Oct 3, 2024

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at approximately 5 MPH and pulling up to the fuel pump at a gas station, the steering wheel was turned to the right, and the contact could not release the key from the ignition. The contact turned off the vehicle and waited a while before restarting the vehicle. The contact attempted to turn the vehicle and noticed that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact checked the diagnostic app for the vehicle and noticed it had stated that the power steering assist had failed. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) but not in any recall regarding the power steering. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in a steering recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.

NHTSA ID

11612990

Incident

Sep 5, 2024

Mileage

145,000 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the "Steering Assist Fault" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic also made the contact aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V514000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,520.

NHTSA ID

11610207

Incident

Aug 16, 2024

Mileage

96,520 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while the contact's mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering assist fault warning light illuminated. In addition, the steering wheel did not function as intended. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently at first; however, the failure became persistent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. In addition, the contact was advised to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

NHTSA ID

11586815

Incident

Feb 3, 2024

Mileage

62,000 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while turning the steering wheel in either direction there was a grinding noise coming from the steering column. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V514000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 107,000.

NHTSA ID

11582678

Incident

Mar 1, 2024

Mileage

107,000 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shake uncontrollably, and the vehicle was hesitant to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact also became aware that the clutch was slipping. Additionally, the vehicle occasionally failed to start with a clicking sound coming from the engine compartment. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 135,610.

NHTSA ID

11555141

Incident

Sep 22, 2021

Mileage

135,610 mi

The power steering went out while driving it. She could hardly turn the vehicle to get it to a parking spot. Vehicle needs a new steering assembly. My daughter drives this. So many other concerns about steering issues on this type of vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11552289

Incident

Oct 18, 2023

Unable to control vehicle in light rain conditions. Steering took me straight off the highway into a steel wire fence. Totalled the car with massive front end damage. Seat belt did not lock. Knocked window out with head during impact. The ONLY airbag to deploy was the knee airbag, shooting the hard plastic straight into my kneecap.

NHTSA ID

11548551

Incident

Sep 27, 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 10-15 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 48,700.

NHTSA ID

11545271

Incident

Sep 15, 2023

Mileage

48,700 mi

Steering gear box failure. Open recall 14s18 for same month and year manufactured but Ford declines to repair.

NHTSA ID

11542070

Incident

Sep 1, 2023