Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2017 Ford Focus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 20 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
Power steering without warning turned off, and the dash displayed a "Power Steering Assist Failure - Service Required" message. The steering was difficult to manage and would not turn almost like it was locked. Was in the neighborhood when this happened, so was able to get the vehicle back to the driveway There was no warning prior to this happening.
The vehicle shutters and has stalled while trying to cross an intersection, almost causing an accident while my children were in the car. It will shutter at take off from a complete stop and will randomly change gears while driving at a constant speed on a level road. When it stalls the wheel locks up as well preventing you from steering off the road and to safety
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The contact also stated the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed, and the front driver’s side tire experienced a blowout. The high engine temperature and the TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
On MANY multiple occasions the vehicle has undergone a transmission/clutch failure. The worst of which was when passing a vehicle on a busy section of interstate and the car effectively put itself in neutral, unable to accelerate, at which point the vehicle behind us had to swerve to not collide with us or cause an accident. After the third time bringing it back to the dealership for repairs, I looked into it. We have only been able to drive this car LITERALLY HALF of the time we’ve owned it, and poured thousands in repairs for obvious and negligent manufacturing defects that YOU KNOW ABOUT. This is a well known issue, and FAR FAR beyond the reasonable requirements for a recall. I am stuck with this vehicle and am mounting debt because I cannot afford another car. The NHTSA has outright failed in its duties to protect people from Fords clear fraud and negligence. I’m unsure if it’s political pressure to not oust them, or because you’re corrupt. Either way, I’ve decided to mount a campaign to bring light to this issue, and your complete lack of response. Ford is at fault for fraud and endangerment. YOU are at fault for willfully ignoring an issue that has, ON THOUSANDS OF WELL DOCUMENTED OCCASIONS, caused real financial and/or physical harm. Which is literally the exact opposite of your institution’s purpose. I will not be including the paperwork or screenshots of our (currently) 10+ shop visits and bills, because you already have thousands (if not literal millions) of examples. You make me a sick as Ford. Shame on you.
I was driving home from my mother's home and the car swerved and was hard to keep control of. The next day I was headed to work and the warning came on that the transmission was too hot. I let it cool down for 15 minutes and the message said it was safe to drive, but the process repeated 4 times.i called for tow to the mechanic and he said it was a transmission control module. The part was on backorder for se eral weeks. When they tried to do the repair it did not work.
2017 Ford Focus with only 6400 miles on it - Power steering without warning turned off, and the dash displayed a "Power Steering Assist Failure - Service Required" message. The steering was difficult to manage. Was in the neighborhood when this happened, so was able to get the vehicle back to the driveway however, if this occurred in an intersection, freeway, etc risk of an accident would have been high. There was no warning prior to this happening. Reading forums, this appears to be a common issue with Ford Focus's steering, so was very surprised not to see a recall already issued on this major safety concern.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while parked or while driving approximately 5 MPH, the power steering malfunction warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with power steering rack failure. The vehicle was then taken to a local independent mechanic and the failure was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 65-70 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the power steering functionality returned. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
ON FEB 1ST 2021 THE POWER STEERING FAIL WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ON CITY STREET. A COLLUSION WAS AVOID THANKS TO OTHER DRIVERS SWERVING OUT OF THE WAY. A ERROR MESSAGE APPEAR ON THE DASH REPORTING POWER STEERING FAULT. WE PARK THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT FOR SEVERAL HOURS UNTIL TRAFFIC WAS CLEARED UP IN THE HOPES WE COULD GET THE CAR HOME. WHEN WE WENT BACK THE ISSUE WAS RESOVLED AND WE DROVE TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE. THE DEALER WAS ABLE REPRODUCE THE ISSUE AND REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING RACK.
WHILE DRIVING MY 2017 FORD FOCUS SE, I RECEIVED A MESSAGE ON THE DISPLAY INDICATING STEERING FAILURE. THE MOMENT THE MESSAGE DISPLAYED, I LOST STEERING IMMEDIATELY AND THE CAR PULLED DRAMATICALLY TOWARDS THE RIGHT EDGE OF THE ROAD. UP TILL THIS POINT, THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A STEERING ISSUE. THANKFULLY, I WAS DRIVING EARLIER IN THE MORNING ON A RURAL ROADWAY WITH A VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC AND ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF THE ROAD. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE SYSTEM AFFECTED IS THE EPAS. AFTER CONTACTING MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR IT WAS MENTIONED THAT THEY HAD JUST REPLACED THE SAME SYSTEM IN A SIMILAR VEHICLE. I ALSO SPOKE WITH MY LOCAL GARAGE WHO CONTACTED A DIFFERENT DEALER THAT ALSO INDICATED THEY HAVE REPLACED THIS PART ON NUMEROUS VEHICLES (NO SPECIFIC NUMBER WAS GIVEN).
POWER STEERING ASSIST, IN-OP. VEHICLE HAS 60K MILES. SERIOUS INJURIES MAY OCCUR, IF VEHICLE WAS TO LOOSE ASSIST WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY ASSIST GAVE UP IN THE PARKING LOT. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW, THEIR ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. NHTSA SHOULD FORCE FORD TO REMEDY THIS ISSUES.
STEERING ASSIST FAILURE ON 3 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 6600 MILES. THIS OCCURRED AT THE END OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. CAR WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER FOR REPAIR ONE WEEK AFTER WARRANTY ENDED, DUE TO QUARANTINE. DEALER STATES REPAIR NOT COVERED AND IS TRYING TO CHARGE $2700 FOR THE REPAIR. I SEE RECALLS ONLINE FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT NOT FOR MY SPECIFIC CAR. I NEED TO GET REPAIRED, BUT I BELIEVE IT IS A VEHICLE FAULT AND FORD SHOULD COVER COST.
WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT SUDDENLY AND BECAME VERY HARD TO DRIVE HOME. SECONDS AFTER THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT A NOTICE OF POWER STEERING FAULT CAME UP AND SERVICE IS NEEDED. NO SIGN OF THIS GOING OUT OR ANY PRIOR STEERING ISSUES.
WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA, THE STEERING LOCKED UP AS IF THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. AFTER SAFELY STOPPING AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE A NOTICE CAME UP INDICATING 'STEERING ASSIST FAULT - SERVICE REQUIRED'. *TR
CAR HAS 71000 MILES AND JUNE 3RD 2020, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WAS HARD TO TURN (LIKE POWER STEERING WITH NO FLUID), TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR 30 SECONDS AND BACK ON AND IT WORKED FINE. STOPPED FOR FOOD AND TURNED CAR BACK ON AND A WARNING CAME UP "STEERING ASSIST FAULT". TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THERE'S NO LOOSE WIRES OR BAD FUSE. WILL REQUIRE TO HAVE THE STEERING MOTOR REPLACED. *TR
ON OUR WAY BACK FROM FLORIDA I SMELT BURNING COOLANT I LOOKED AND IT WAS LOW SO I FILLED IT UP AS WE WERE DOWN THE STREET FROM OUR HOUSE THE SMELL GOT WORSE I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR SHOOK, THE TRANSMISSION WARNING THEN CAME ON AND I LOST STEERING CONTROL AND POWER I PULLED OVER SAFELY AND TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WOULD NOT START. I POPPED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS COOLANT ALL OVER THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION. 2 HR LATER THE VEHICLE STILL WON'T EVEN TURN OVER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE AND RANDOMLY DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER SUNSET FORD (11700 GRAVOIS RD, ST. LOUIS MO) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE TRANSMISSION CLUTCH WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. RECENTLY WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.*DT*JB*DT*TP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
THE 2017 FORD FOCUS S WITH UNDER 26,000 MILES HAS A STEERING ISSUE. THE STEERING WHEEL GETS STUCK AND IS HARD TO STEER, WON'T RETURN TO NEUTRAL POSITION WITHOUT BEING FORCED BACK, AND IS UNSTABLE AT MID AND HIGH SPEEDS. THERE IS A SOUND THAT IS STARTING TO PRESENT ITSELF, SIMILAR TO A ROOFER HAMMERING NAILS, THAT COMES FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL AT LOWER SPEEDS. FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM SUDDENLY WHEN PULLING OUT FROM MY STREET PARKING. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STUCK IN ITS NEUTRAL POSITION, AND STEERING HARD TO THE LEFT THERE WAS A POP WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL RELEASED FROM ITS NEUTRAL POSITION. PRIOR TO THIS EVENT AND SUBSEQUENT STEERING ISSUES, WHEN EXITING THE HIGHWAY AT 15-25 MILES PER HOUR, THERE WAS A ROLLING AND SWIRLING SENSATION GOING INTO THE TURN, ALMOST LIKE SOMETHING WAS NOT ENTIRELY CONNECTED IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THIS SLIGHTLY DETECTABLE ISSUE WAS NOTICED 100% OF THE TIME, EACH TIME I EXITED THE FREEWAY. IT FELT LIKE I WAS LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS THE CAR ENTERED AND EXITED THE TURN, WHICH WAS NOT ATTRIBUTABLE TO TIRE SLIPPAGE. FELT LIKE IT WAS FROM THE SUSPENSION.
STEERING FAILED AND LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT 35MPH ON A TOWN MAIN STREET, DURING A SLIGHT LEFT TURN. WHEN THE STEERING DID TURN VERY LITTLE IS WAS JUST A JERK, WITH IT LOCKING BACK UP, LEADING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND BEING UNABLE TO CORRECT THE CAR BACK INTO ITS LANE. WITH ALL OF AN.INDIVIDUALS STRENGTH AND AT 2MPH, THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN INTO A CLOSE PARKING LOT AND PARKED.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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