2012 Ford Fusion Other / unspecified Problems

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his son was driving at 65 MPH, he had to pull over to the side of the road due to a flat tire. The contact's son had a difficult time removing the lug nuts. The lug nuts could not be removed with the tire iron. The contact called AAA, and it was difficult for the Roadside Assistant to remove the lug nuts. The contact was informed that the lug nuts were swollen due to the aluminum or chrome material. The contact stated that the Roadside Assistant had to drill the lug nuts to remove the lug nuts. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11665808

Incident

Jun 2, 2025

This is an open recall that I'm sure has been stated many times, but the dealerships are not accepting the recall or granting it. The power steering aka. Steering assist system failed. Which is an ongoing issue with my vehicle model and year. It has caused me so many "almost" bad accidents and making it so I have lost an incredible amount of income due to my vehicle being down for repair and unsafe to drive and too expensive to fix. Especially when there is a recall about said thing. I need help.

NHTSA ID

11619507

Incident

Apr 10, 2024

The power steering system is currently non-functional, resulting in significant difficulty in maneuvering the vehicle, particularly at low speeds. This poses a substantial safety risk not only to myself and my loved ones but also to other motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and their pets. I am deeply concerned about the well-being of all individuals involved. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I have reached out to the dealership regarding the car's issues, providing them with the necessary information and VIN number. However, they have informed me that the repairs are not covered. Despite highlighting the safety implications of the problem, their response lacked concern or interest. It is worth noting that numerous online sources indicate that 2010 to 2012 Ford Fusions should undergo repairs and reprogramming as part of safety recalls. The dashboard warning light specifically indicates a need for steering service, yet Ford Motor Company has failed to take responsibility and address this widespread safety issue. This situation exemplifies the lack of priority Ford places on their customers' safety.

NHTSA ID

11608102

Incident

Aug 9, 2024

When I took the car in for "the Works" they did not rotate the tires as the 'lug nuts were swollen and would not come off.' I percieve this as a safety issue if I have tire issues on the road. There was no incident- just a precautionary report.

NHTSA ID

11539603

Incident

Aug 19, 2023

The stainless steel coverings on the wheel lug nuts swells up and BJ's tire center in Fairfax, Va. has a box full of the defective parts. If I had a needed tire repair on the highway, I would not have been able to change tire because lugs were swollen and mishapen and wrench would not fit. Koon's Ford in Sterling, Va. was notified and I was given a contact number to Ford mfg. Ford refused me and are not standing by their product. I had taken vehicle in for tire rotation and balance on 1/5/2023 and ended up buying new lugs all around for 140.00.

NHTSA ID

11500461

Incident

Jan 5, 2023

at approximately 58,000 miles, Ford dealer told me the lug nuts were swollen and not safe and needed to be replaced. No warning signal prior to this event.

NHTSA ID

11496534

Incident

Dec 8, 2022

The lug nut issue that has been creating issues with Ford vehicles. They swell and can’t be removed to change a tire. Something has to be done!

NHTSA ID

11496341

Incident

Dec 6, 2022

The external portion of the lug nuts on the front driver-side wheel are malfunctioning. When I try to loosen the lug nuts to remove the wheel because of a flat tire, they turn but do not loosen. There seems to be a separation between the external and internal portion of the lug nuts. I am unable to take the wheel off. This same problem is occurring on all 5 lug nuts on this wheel.

NHTSA ID

11437295

Incident

Oct 18, 2021

THE LUG NUTS HAVE SWELLED WHERE THEY CANNOT BE REMOVED WITH A 19MM SOCKET (AS DESIGNED) NOR THE ACTUAL JACK WRENCH THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11342888

Incident

Aug 2, 2020

Mileage

105,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR SERVICE AT HOLMAN FORD TURNERSVILLE LOCATED AT 3641 RT 42 SOUTH TURNERSVILLE, NJ 08012, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE LUG NUTS ON ALL FOR WHEELS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE WHEELS FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LUG NUTS WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11326281

Incident

Dec 27, 2016

Mileage

80,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SETH WADLEY FORD LOCATED AT 333 N BUTLER RD, PAULS VALLEY, OK 73075, (855)857-4746, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11298205

Incident

Dec 26, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT AND ADVANCE TRACK MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,300.

NHTSA ID

11298141

Incident

Jan 2, 2020

Mileage

83,300 mi

SWOLLEN LUG NUTS AS PER APPLE FORD OF RED LION. I HAD MY CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND ROTATE THE TIRES. THEY WILL NOT ROTATE FOR FEAR OF BREAKING LUG NUTS. THEY WILL SELL ME NEW LUG NUTS AND NOT CHARGE ME TO PUT THEM ON. IS THIS DEFECT CURRENTLY BEING LOOKED AT? A SEARCH ONLINE SAYS ITS A COMMON PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11271056

Incident

Sep 25, 2019

I HAD TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES WHEN MY TIRES WAS ONLY A COUPLE YEARS OLD AND I ONLY DRIVE TO WORK AND THE USUAL RUNNING AROUND (GROCERY SHOPPING, DR VISITS,ETC.). THEN I GOT A FLAT IN ONE OF THOSE AND HAD TO BUY A NEW TIRE. THIS HAVE BEEN VERY COSTLY TO ME.

NHTSA ID

11255075

Incident

Mar 9, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. ALSO, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME WITHOUT POWER STEERING ABILITY. THE CONTACT CALLED FORD OF MONROEVILLE (3696 WILLIAM PENN HWY, MONROEVILLE, PA 15146, (412) 856-0600) AND SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. *AS THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S COST AND WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ID

11234981

Incident

Jul 25, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED. ALSO, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, AND THE POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BOB THOMAS FORD WEST (5321 ILLINOIS ROAD, FORT WAYNE, INDIANA 46804, (260) 436-3673) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 16451951. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000.

NHTSA ID

11153944

Incident

Nov 22, 2018

Mileage

96,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ONE OF MY VEHICLE'S TIRES WENT FLAT. I ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE TIRE AND REPLACE IT WITH MY SPARE, BUT THE LUG WRENCH SUPPLIED WITH THE CAR DID NOT FIT THE LUG NUTS. SO I CALLED AAA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND A TECH ARRIVED. AFTER SPENDING A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TRYING TO FIND A WRENCH TO FIT THE LUG NUTS, THE TECH ADVISED THAT I SHOULD CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TOW THE VEHICLE. I THEN CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST REPAIR FACILITY. THE REPAIR FACILITY CALLED ME AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A SYNDROME THAT IS WELL KNOWN TO FORD CALLED "SWOLLEN LUG NUT SYNDROME," WHICH AFFECTS THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF THEIR VEHICLES. THE LUG NUTS SWELL OVER TIME DUE TO MOISTURE AND WILL NOT COME OFF OF THE TIRES. RATHER, THEY NEED TO BE CUT OFF AND THEN REPLACED WITH NEW LUG NUTS. I HAD NO IDEA THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN TO MY CAR. THAT I COULD BE STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF A MAJOR HIGHWAY AT NIGHT ALONE ON LABOR DAY WITHOUT ANY WAY TO CHANGE MY TIRE. HAD I KNOWN, I CERTAINLY WOULD NOT HAVE WAITED UNTIL I HAD A FLAT TIRE THAT NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE COST TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS NOMINAL - $150 ($7.50 EACH WITH 20 LUG NUTS), WHICH I AM NOW PAYING OUT OF POCKET TO MAKE SURE THIS NEVER HAPPENS TO ME AGAIN. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR INJURED TRYING TO CHANGE THE TIRE ON MY CAR. FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AS EVIDENCED BY THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND LAWSUITS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ABOUT WHICH I HAD NO IDEA UNTIL I RESEARCHED IT. I FIND IT UNCONSCIONABLE THAT FORD WAS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND NEVER BOTHERED TO SEND A LETTER OR NOTIFICATION TO ITS CUSTOMERS THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND A LETTER SHOULD BE SENT TO EVERY SINGLE FORD VEHICLE OWNER SO THAT THEY ARE NOT STUCK STANDING BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE A TIRE THAT WILL NEVER COME OFF.

NHTSA ID

11124319

Incident

Sep 3, 2018

Mileage

47,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CROWLEY FORD & LINCOLN (225 NEW BRITAIN AVENUE, PLAINVILLE, CT 06062) FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRE ROTATION COULD NOT BE PERFORMED BECAUSE THE LUG NUTS ON ALL FOUR WHEELS COULD NOT BE REMOVED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ID

11122069

Incident

Jul 24, 2018

Mileage

35,000 mi

WHEN I WENT TO ROY O'BRIEN FORD TO GET MY OIL CHANGED I REQUESTED "THE WORKS" WHICH INCLUDES TIRE ROTATION. I WAS ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT ROTATE THE TIRES UNLESS I REPLACED THE LUG NUTS. DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE LUG NUTS SWELLING, THEY WOLD NOT BE ABLE TO PUT THE LUG NUTS BACK ON. IF THIS IS TRUE I BELIEVE THIS POSES A SAFETY ISSUE IF A HAVE A FLAT WHILE DRIVING. ACCORDING TO ONLINE INFO , THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN TO FORD.

NHTSA ID

11113600

Incident

May 8, 2018

Mileage

100,615 mi

I WAS CHECKING THE LUG NUT TORQUE ON MY WHEELS AND THE 19 MM AND 3/4" SOCKET WOULD NO LONGER FIT. I CHECKED WITH THE TIRE SHOP THAT RECENTLY ROTATED MY TIRES, AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE LUG NUTS WERE SWOLLEN. THEY AND LATER I HAD TO USE A HAMMER TO BANG ON SOCKETS ON SOME OF THE LUG NUTS. I HAD TO BUY REPLACEMENT LUG NUTS AND REPLACE THEM MYSELF. THIS ISSUE WAS FOUND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, BUT IT COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF A CAR GETS A FLAT ON A DESERTED ROAD AND ONE CANNOT REPLACE THE SUBJECT TIRE WITH THE SPARE. THE ORIGINAL LUG NUTS SURE WERE PRETTY WITH THE TIN CAPS THOUGH.

NHTSA ID

11097073

Incident

Apr 10, 2018

Mileage

140,000 mi

DRIVING MY FAMILY HOME, MY DASHBOARD DISPLAYED A MESSAGE TO "SERVICE POWER STEERING SOON" STEERING WASN'T AN IMMEDIATE PROBLEM...HOWEVER, A FEW HOURS LATER, I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL THE STEERING WAS VERY HARD TO DO, VERY STIFF. THERE WAS ALSO A MESSAGE THAT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD THAT SAID TO "SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW". I CONTACTED A MECHANIC & THEY INFORMED THAT I COULD POSSIBLY RESET THE POWER STEERING, BY JUST TURNING THE CAR ON AND OFF A FEW TIMES. HOWEVER, THIS METHOD DID NOT WORK. COMPUTER IS HAVING TROUBLE UPLOADING THE VIDEO

NHTSA ID

11091740

Incident

Apr 28, 2018

Mileage

122,000 mi

SWOLLEN LUG NUTS DUE TO RUST FORMING UNDER CHROME OUTER SHELL. THIS PREVENTS A LUG WRENCH FROM FITTING OVER THE NUT AND THEREFORE THE WHEEL CANNOT BE REMOVED. THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHILE STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID

11074487

Incident

Feb 22, 2018

Mileage

60,000 mi

I WAS GIVEN A SMALL TIRE, CAR JACK AND LUG IT WRENCH UPON BUYING THIS CAR NEW. NOWHERE IN THE DOCUMENTATION DID IT STATE THAT THE LUG WRENCH WILL NOT ALLOW ONE TO CHANGE A TIRE DUE TO THE REDICULOUS TIN LUGNUT CAPS THAT COME STANDARD ON MY CAR. I CANNOT REMOVE A TIRE DUE TO LUG IT CAPS. THE LEAST THEY COULD DO IS SUPPLY A TOOL TO ALLOW ONE TO CHANGE A TIRE IF NEEDED. THIS IS A HORRIBLE THING TO DISCOVER WHEN YOU HAVE A FLAT ON A BUSY EXPRESSWAY

NHTSA ID

11073955

Incident

Oct 6, 2012

Mileage

1,000 mi

THE POWER STEERING ASSIST CODE KEEPS COMING ON ON THE DASH EVERY OTHEE DAY FOR WELL OVER A YEAR NOW. WHEN THAT COMES ON YOU CAN BARELY STEER THE FRICKEN THING WHEN IT HAPPENS. IVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE IT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING SLOW IN TOWN AND HAVENT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS LUCKILY. SOME VERY CLOSE CALLS THOUGH!

NHTSA ID

11047248

Incident

Nov 17, 2017

Mileage

115,476 mi

"TAKATA RECALL" I RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION CONCERNING THE AIRBAG RECALL IN THE MAIL THE DAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND WAS EVENTUALLY CONSIDERED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. THE AIRBAG IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DID DEPLOY AND PIECES OF WHAT I THOUGHT WERE GLASS WERE EMBEDDED IN MY SKIN ON MY LEFT HAND THOUGH THERE WASN'T ANY GLASS IN THAT AREA THAT SEEMED TO BE LOOSE. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG CONTINUED TO BURN FOR AN EXTREMELY LONG TIME. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AND AFTER ALL PARTIES WERE EVALUATED AND THE ROAD WAS CLEARED A BIT, THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED AND THE STEERING COLUMN STILL HAD SMOKE COMING FROM THE AIRBAG REGION WHICH THE PARAMEDIC MENTIONED SEEMED TO BE LONGER THAT USUAL FOR IT TO STILL BE SMOKING. THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE ,Y VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND HIT A STOPPED CAR WHICH THEN HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE ON A CITY STREET WHILE DRIVING IN THE FORWARDS POSITION.

NHTSA ID

11044024

Incident

Oct 30, 2017

Mileage

141,000 mi