2010 Mercury Milan Steering Problems

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 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

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

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

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

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ID

11608152

Incident

May 29, 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

I have a 2010 Mercury Milan with only 60000 miles on it and the electric power steering went out. It happened while i was driving causing the car to hard right. The part costs $900 and then it has to be programmed at a dealership. I know there was a recall for this but only for the 2011 model. After researching and reading other safety complaints, it's pretty clear that a recall should be done for the 2010 model.

NHTSA ID

11562739

Incident

Dec 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Milan. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the power steering message was displayed. Later, while driving approximately 30 MPH and making a right turn, the steering wheel malfunctioned causing the vehicle to make a sharp right turn nearly causing the driver to lose control of the steering wheel. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11555123

Incident

Nov 6, 2023

Mileage

130,000 mi

The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Milan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55-60 MPH, the "Service Power Steering" warning light was illuminated. The steering wheel then locked causing the contact to veer off into a ditch on the side of the road. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to their home. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer, diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11549241

Incident

Oct 7, 2023

Mileage

120,000 mi

The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Milan. The contact stated that at start-up and while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist fault message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle due to the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were both notified of the failure and informed the contact’s husband that there were no recalls on the VIN. An independent mechanic was notified of the failure and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

NHTSA ID

11546843

Incident

Sep 13, 2023

Mileage

67,000 mi

While driving the dash displayed Service Power Steering Now & Advance Trac. The car seemed normal until we pullled off the side of the road & turned off the ignition. Restarted & there was not any power assist & the traction control was iit up. It was extremely hard to steer so we had it towed.

NHTSA ID

11527491

Incident

May 25, 2023

Power steering fault. Steering wheel locks up.

NHTSA ID

11525235

Incident

Jun 3, 2023

Steering became hard to steer. Power steering assist failure light on and 75 years old hardly could turn wheel. Many 2010 Milan's are having same problem. I cannot afford the repair. I noticed 2011-2012 Milan's are recalled for a fix not 2010??? Please help

NHTSA ID

11522849

Incident

May 19, 2023

Periodically I would receive a a steering assist fault. Now my steering is completely out with the same warning. With the steering assist out the vehicle is very hard to steer and dangerous. There is a recall for 2010 Mariner and other ford vehicles but not the mercury with the same system. Also the 2011 Milan has recalls for this issue but want me to pay thousands to repair my 2010 It’s the same system and parts for this issue

NHTSA ID

11520416

Incident

May 4, 2023

The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Milan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The "Service Power Steering" message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. 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 188,000.

NHTSA ID

11514841

Incident

Mar 31, 2023

Mileage

188,000 mi