2010 Mercury Milan Owner Complaints

While driving at low speed performing a turn in a residential area, the vehicle suddenly displayed a “Steering Assist Fault” warning message and the steering wheel became completely locked with essentially no movement possible. I attempted to turn the wheel with extreme force but it would barely move, creating a serious safety hazard. I was fortunately driving slowly at the time. If this had occurred at higher speed or in traffic, it could have caused a crash, serious injury, or even death. Prior to the incident, there had occasionally been a slight amount of unusual tension/resistance felt while turning the steering wheel, although it was minor and inconsistent before the complete failure occurred. The failure happened suddenly while driving normally. The issue appears related to the electronic power steering (EPAS) / steering assist system. Similar steering assist failure complaints and recalls/investigations have existed on related Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan vehicles involving sudden loss of steering assist and steering control concerns. The vehicle is also currently affected by brake recall 19S54/19V904 involving braking performance concerns, increasing overall safety concerns regarding the vehicle. At the time of filing this complaint, the steering issue has not yet received a complete repair or confirmed diagnosis because the manufacturer and dealer stated the VIN is not currently included under steering recall coverage.

NHTSA ID

11738608

Incident

May 16, 2026

I was driving on the freeway and the steering began to stiffen. I got to my destination and decided to check the tires for any ice or snow, thinking that might be why it was difficult to drive but there was no buildup. I made it home and parked the car. The next day, I can't even turn the steering and a warning comes up that says service power steering and advancetrac.

NHTSA ID

11717622

Incident

Jan 30, 2026

Bought this car less then a year ago with 38k miles and just last week after coming back from vacation my power steering system went while on the expressway. The advancetrac warning light came on and then the service power steering now. The steering wheel was impossible to turn and to make matters worse it was snowing out.

NHTSA ID

11704889

Incident

Dec 1, 2025

The electric power steering has failed again this will make it twice in 18 months the last time it cost 1800 dollars to fix it know that only some of the 2010 Mercury Milans are on a recall list unfortunately mine is not on that list why because it is absurd that I should I have to make this repair for 1800 dollars again you cant safely drive this car it takes everything I have to turn the steering wheel

NHTSA ID

11689597

Incident

Sep 22, 2025

The safety recall 19S54 is affecting my vehicle. It was made at the same plant at the approved date range as the other vehicles on the recall list but it seems my vehicle wasnt added to the list because it is a hybrid but it has the same exact issue as the non hybrid models

NHTSA ID

11689311

Incident

Aug 20, 2025

The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Milan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the "Service Traction Control" and “Power Steering Sensor” warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn to the left or the right. The contact was able to drive the vehicle back to the residence. The local dealer was contacted and sent an agent to the residence to drive the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the power steering assist had failed, and the steering gears and rack, and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 60,562.

NHTSA ID

11679284

Incident

Jul 16, 2025

Mileage

60,562 mi

I collided with three parked vehicles and my airbags did not deploy causing me to hit my head

NHTSA ID

11678528

Incident

Sep 13, 2021

The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Milan. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to immediately stop. The vehicle was taken to the local brake service center, but the cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11671729

Incident

Jun 23, 2025

Mileage

140,000 mi

Check engine light is on mechanic says it's a fuel tank issue

NHTSA ID

11655144

Incident

Apr 17, 2025

I experienced a loss of power steering while driving and a dash display "Service Power Steering Now" and "Service Advancetrac". The messages started just before the failure. The lack of power steering was a risk to everyone as the car could only be turned with significant effort and not respond to quick movement. The dash messages are still on after a restart and the car cannot be driven because of safety. My independent mechanic confirmed the issue and fix to be a bad rack. He noted the rack part number is the same as the 2011 Milan, currently under recall for this issue. However, the 2010 is not included.

NHTSA ID

11640467

Incident

Jan 25, 2025

Whenever the car engine isn't warm and I slam on the brakes, they barely respond. I have replaced the master cylinder, abs hydraulic module, brake booster, calipers, pads, and rotors, and it still has about 20% normal braking power when the engine is cold. Just got it back from the dealership again. Dealer said no vacuum leak found, no leaks found, abs module checks out fine, and said the check valve passed diagnostics. The problem remains. This has been ongoing for several years now. May have contributed to an accident in 2023. Not sure as my wife was driving. When the engine is warm, the brakes work perfectly.

NHTSA ID

11639152

Incident

Jan 3, 2025

The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Milan. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 30-35 MPH, the steering wheel seized inadvertently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contacted depressed the brake pedal and pulled over to the side of the road and parked the vehicle. The contact stated that upon returning to the vehicle, the vehicle was restarted, and the steering wheel was no longer seized, but the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact was able to drive the vehicle; however, the failure recurred while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11625230

Incident

May 14, 2024

The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Milan. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH while turning the steering wheel to the right, the steering warning illuminated, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stopped and turned off the vehicle and the power steering function returned. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

NHTSA ID

11623168

Incident

Nov 1, 2024

Mileage

126,000 mi

The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Milan. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the "Check Brake System" and "Service Advance Track" messages remained displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact indicated that the failure had occurred days after the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 240,000.

NHTSA ID

11622282

Incident

Oct 22, 2024

Mileage

240,000 mi

started vehicle, "power steering assist fault" message appeared on dash message center, unable to turn steering wheel. Turn car off, waited, turn back on, message appeared again. tried an additional 3 times, same results. Had to leave the car where i was visiting.

NHTSA ID

11617343

Incident

Sep 30, 2024

My power steering light came on and then immediately the wheel got tight. I was unable to turn the wheel and then eventually the car is un drivable. There is a lot of complaints about this happening to thousands of cars and it is still under investigation. Imagin someone jumps out in front of you and you are stopping and unable to maneuver your car out of the way. By the grace of God I was able to do so. Please advise me when this recall is open.

NHTSA ID

11614194

Incident

Jul 31, 2024

The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Milan. The contact stated that the power steering assist became inoperable. The driver was unable to turn the steering wheel. The contact stated that the steering wheel had seized. The vehicle was restarted, and the steering wheel operated as designed. The power steering assist fault and service power steering soon messages were displayed. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the Ford Warranty Department for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

NHTSA ID

11610808

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

Mileage

38,000 mi

The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Milan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the electronic throttle body and the throttle body injectors failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

NHTSA ID

11609523

Incident

Aug 19, 2024

Mileage

153,000 mi

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ID

11608152

Incident

May 29, 2024

My name is [XXX] and I own a 2010 Mercury Milan. I bought it on [XXX] from an 84 year old woman who take good care of it. It had 91,000 miles which were mostly hwy miles. She kept records of all her oil changes. After having it for almost 3 years and keeping up with it myself, on February 27,2024 in the morning I put brake fluid in the car. I had brake pads and rotors done on the car in August 2023. On the evening of [XXX], my son and I took a ride to the local 7/11 which is 5 minutes away. While driving home and coming to the traffic light at the beginning of my neighborhood the light turned red. As I proceeded to stop my foot went all the way to the ground and I had no brakes. I had to go through the light because i could not stop. The car was flying down the road because it is a very steep hill. I tried to pull the emergency brake and nothing happened. I was nearing the end of the road going 40 MPH due to the hill. I thought I was going to hit my neighbors house at the bottom of the hill. My son grabbed the steering wheel to turn it and I went up on my curb, across my lawn and crashed into a storage tent on my driveway. My car was wedged inside the tent which was filled with furniture and other belongings. I called Ford Corporation in reference to this recall from December 2019 for 2010 Mercury Milans. Then I spoke with a Ford dealership in Smithtown where they were rude and said the car was 14 years old and I may have to pay if they didn't find my car was part of the recall. I tried calling several other numbers in Washington and was finally told to upload the horrible situation that had occurred due to my brakes not working on this website. Someone needs to look at my car to make sure this will not happen to others. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11600649

Incident

Feb 27, 2024

Upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel is firm and very difficult to manouver. It requires a great amount of strenght to just turn. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer and by a mechanic and both said there was a problem with the steering wheel.

NHTSA ID

11597355

Incident

Jun 2, 2024

After turning the car on one morning, an alert displayed on the dash saying "Power Steering Assist Fault" and "Service Advancetrac". I turned the car off, and back on, but the same message appeared. When driving, there is no power steering and it is difficult to turn the steering wheel. The Milan only has 110,000 miles. Ford needs to issue a recall as this is obviously a defect affecting many customers.

NHTSA ID

11597185

Incident

Jun 10, 2024

The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Milan. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was firm and difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

NHTSA ID

11595655

Incident

Jun 1, 2024

Mileage

69,000 mi

On May 10, 2024, as I was rounding a sharp curve, I applied brakes to slow down, but there were no brakes. In fact the brake pedal went to the floor. I had to use emergency brake to stop and gain my wits. I turned around and slowly drove home (about 0.5 miles) and used e-brake to stop and park in front of house. On May 21 I had vehicle towed to dealer. They found that the brake pedal was still against floorboard, but when they started vehicle, it came back up to normal position and was working fine. They could not duplicate the loss of brakes. My vehicle was manufactured within the date range of a TSB regarding hydraulic control unit and DOT3 brake fluid corrosion, but dealer says VIN not applicable to TSB. I am thinking of paying for new HCU anyway, just for my family's protection. I would like my VIN to be included in TSB repair.

NHTSA ID

11590317

Incident

May 10, 2024

The brake lights on my vehicle are constantly illuminated while my headlights are on, regardless of whether or not the brakes are compressed. This is a huge safety concern for me, as other motorists can no longer see when I am braking. I was pulled over for this and given a fix it ticket.

NHTSA ID

11584072

Incident

Apr 5, 2024