RoadVitals

2018 Ford Fusion Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
19
Latest Jul 3, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 434 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2018 Ford Fusion submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 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.

Owner reports naming steering

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalSteering
Filed Jul 3, 2026

The electric power steering went out and locked my steering cannot figure out why and traction control light on and service light

NHTSA ID
11748136
Incident
Jun 30, 2026
EngineSteering
Filed Apr 30, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH on the highway, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power steering functionality while decelerating. The vehicle jerked, and a driver assistance system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 157,017.

NHTSA ID
11734771
Incident
Apr 30, 2026
Mileage
157,017 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Mar 30, 2026

Transmission is now not shifting out of park and this is after having issues with the engine allowing coolant to get in and causing damage with the cylinders. Would not pass the pressure test. When calling ford customer service and headquarters telling me there is no way they can help with good will. Find this troublesome when they already know the EcoBoost causing issues to the car and my car is not at 120,000 miles yet. After seeing the 2013-2016 models already have a recall for the exact same thing and you're going to say this is not related is beyond ignorant on the company's behalf.

NHTSA ID
11727929
Incident
Mar 23, 2026
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Mar 28, 2026

My vehicle has been throwing codes that the shifter cable is misaligned or misadjusted for a long time now. The dash flashes between neutral and drive while im driving. It says shift system fault all the time. I have to shut the car off and turn it back on to get it to work. I stalled out on a hill the other day and was almost rear ended by someone behind me. The steering wheel has physical play. It feels like it wobbles or sways while im driving and it shakes. I just had new tires put on and balanced so it's not that. The manufacturer website is claiming the recall is "complete" in their database, but the safety hazard still exists on the vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11727694
Incident
Mar 1, 2021
Steering
Filed Jan 23, 2026

The steering wheel is coming loose and is making it hard to drive. The car is becoming seriously dangerous. Others are having issues with this. Please let's fix these cars. I have children!

NHTSA ID
11713032
Incident
Dec 8, 2025
EngineOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Jun 11, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from the vehicle while depressing the accelerator pedal. The failure persisted, and the contact stated that the steering wheel was loose while operating the vehicle. The contact stated that the traction control warning light flashed on the instrument panel during one of the failures. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the VIN related to the failure of the vehicle. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

NHTSA ID
11666258
Incident
May 11, 2025
Mileage
41,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 5, 2025

I was driving as normal I went to make a turn and out of nowhere my car would not turn and almost got smashed on the side of the car would not have swerved out of the way. There was no warning signs lights symptoms or anything one minute it was normal the next was what could have been a deadly situation. After getting a mechanic to diagnose it after removing the steering wheel, because initially was thought the steering column went out or broke, it was found out to be the middle of the steering wheel where it connects to the column that is suppose to be the shape of an Alan wrench was almost completely worn down to almost a flat circle. I cannot stress enough how scary and deadly this could have been to me and other motorist. This was verified by mechanics this is not normal wear and tear this has to be a defect.

NHTSA ID
11659115
Incident
May 2, 2025
Steering
Filed Feb 11, 2025

No power stearing, Steering Gearbox malfunction. Power steering going out while driving is a major safety issue. Yes dealership confirmed issue and ordered parts for repair Ford dealership inspected issue and said that it needed repaired. Power steering went out while driving almost causing an accident. No warning, lights came on when the power steering went out saying that there was a power steering fault.

NHTSA ID
11642006
Incident
Feb 8, 2025
Steering
Filed Feb 3, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. the contact stated that there was excessive movement in the steering when the steering column was making a clicking sound while turning to the left. The contact stated that while turning to the left, the steering wheel was seized, and the contact had to use excessive force to turn the steering wheel to the left. While pulling out of a parking space, the advance track mode and power steering loss messages were displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the steering had failed and replaced the lower control arm, tie rod, and rack and pinion on the driver's side of the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

NHTSA ID
11640307
Incident
Jun 3, 2024
Mileage
111,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 24, 2024

Shift system fault

NHTSA ID
11632267
Incident
Dec 24, 2024
Steering
Filed Sep 26, 2023

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR HOME FROM DINNER AND I MADE A LEFT TURN. AS MY STEERING WHEEL WAS RETURNING TO CENTER FROM MAKING THE TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY LOOSE AND IS STILL LOOSE AT THIS PRESENT TIME

NHTSA ID
11546534
Incident
Sep 22, 2023
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed May 23, 2023

While navigating a corner, suddenly vehicle became difficult to steer, numerous warnings became came active on dashboard for Steering Assist Failure, AdvanceTrac Failure, Hill Start Assist Failure. A collision into a ditch was narrowly avoided.

NHTSA ID
11523394
Incident
May 20, 2023
Steering
Filed Mar 16, 2023

The steering wheel has become loose and unstable. And was told my vehicle wasn’t on the recall list for the same problem as the other vehicles.

NHTSA ID
11512189
Incident
Jan 11, 2023
Steering
Filed Feb 27, 2023

Steering wheel is loose and wobbly

NHTSA ID
11509303
Incident
Feb 27, 2023
Steering
Filed Aug 17, 2022

I just bought my car almost 2 months ago. It has 32,000 miles. Having steering issues.

NHTSA ID
11479697
Incident
Jun 10, 2022
Steering
Filed Aug 12, 2021

I just recently purchased my 2018 Ford fusion SE and about 2 months after I purchased it I noticed clanking noise coming from the front driver side tire area. I took it to Mavis and have them look at it and they said that the bolt that held on to the steering control arm had gotten loose and they tightened it it did not make a noise for maybe a day or so and then it just started clanking and the steering and controlling is a lot looser now. I have not been in an accident I am filing this safety report and I am contacting Ford dealership to look at it to see if it could possibly be due to the recall that these cars have on them for the steering I don't know why if it is my VIN number wasn't included but I'm going to have Ford dealership check it out. There were no lights that came up flashing no warning signals but the car's steering has gotten extremely loose and I want to get the problem fixed before there is an incident

NHTSA ID
11428805
Incident
May 19, 2021
Steering
Filed Aug 24, 2019

STEERING WHEEL LOSE

NHTSA ID
11246222
Incident
Aug 10, 2019
Mileage
35,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 31, 2018

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE GOES OVER 70 DEGREES, THERE'S CREAKING NOISES UNDERNEATH, SOMETIMES VERY LOUD WHEN TURNING, EVEN WHEN PARKED, MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT IT MAKES THE NOISE. LOOKING ONLINE, THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS THAT REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM, MY CAR HAS ONLY 72K MILES AND IT FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS GOING TO BREAK. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING ALL SUMMER THIS YEAR AND IT'S GETTING LOUDER. THIS HAS TO BE A RECALL.

NHTSA ID
11123622
Incident
Jul 1, 2018
Mileage
65,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 7, 2018

SOLD CAR WITH OPEN RECALL FROM MAC HAIK FORD , GEORGETOWN, TX

NHTSA ID
11083746
Incident
Apr 2, 2018
Mileage
200 mi

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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .