Ford Focus, Fusion Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over Power Steering Issues

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A class action lawsuit has been filed against Ford Motor Company, alleging that the power steering system in some Ford Fusion and Ford Focus vehicles is defective and could increase the risk of drivers getting into auto accidents. 

The complaint (PDF) was filed late last month in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California by several plaintiffs, including William Philips, Phillip Clay Cecil, Robert Halsey, Temple Halsey, Performance Fire Protection, LLC and Jason Wilkinson. The lawsuit seeks class action status to represent anyone who purchased a 2010 through 2014 Ford Fusion or the 2012 through 2014 model year Ford Focus.

According to allegations raised in the lawsuit, all of the Ford cars targeted by the class action claim use the Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system, instead of traditional hydraulic-assisted power steering pumps. The EPAS system uses a steering control motor, electronic control unit, torque sensor and steering wheel position sensor to help the driver navigate.

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“The EPAS system, however, suffers from systemic defects,” the lawsuit claims. “The multitude of defective elements in the EPAS system renders the system prone to sudden and premature failure during ordinary and foreseeable driving situations.”

Plaintiffs claim that the system seeps conforming coating onto the ribbon cable, causing loss of connections, the ribbon cable pins are misaligned, causing loss of connections and breakage of critical wiring, the contact plate can corrode, and there are defects in the system’s sensors and gear assembly.

The lawsuit indicates that the Ford steering problems result in significantly increased effort needed to control the vehicle, and can cause drivers to get into an accident.

Ford is allegedly aware of hundreds of complaints, according to the lawsuit, but has failed to act appropriately to ensure consumer safety. The complaint accuses the company of intentionally concealing the problem. None of the plaintiffs claim to have been in an accident caused by the steering system.

The lawsuit points out that not only has Ford received complaints, but so has the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The lawsuit claims that the agency has received about 450 complaints of sudden failure of power steering loss regarding the affected vehicles. A number of those resulted in crashes and injuries.

The claim accuses Ford of violating consumer protection laws, fraudulent concealment, unfair competition, false advertising, breach of warranty, negligent misrepresentation, negligence, unjust enrichment and fraud.

Photo Courtesy of noelweathers / C.C. by 2.0


589 Comments


Chris
My 2012 Ford Fusion was on the recall list. number 15S18, Received a letter in November 2016. The auto was taken to a local dealer in March 2017 to service the recall. I have had continuous steering problems since then. The car has had a tendency to continuously steer left requiring a firm hold on the steering wheel to track straight on the highway. Thinking, that something might have been damaged from hitting a pothole, I planned to check front alignment later on. On Tuesday, June 5, 2017, the car was taken to my local Ford Dealer for routine service check and oil change. While driving away from the dealer I experienced an acute tendency for steering to the right, much more effort required to keep the car from darting toward the right. (Opposite from before). A scheduled appointment was made to check the front alignment two days later, on Thursday. While driving to this appointment, the Power Assist System suddenly failed with a warning “Service Power Steering System Now”. I had to have the car towed to the Ford Dealer garage where it still remains until something is resolved to have Ford Motor Company replace the complete steering linkage and electric/electronic module at their cost. Tentative cost amounts to over $1,000 for the repair. I can not afford this, being on a retirement budget.

Linda
I have a 2010 Ford Fusion and the Power Steering Shift warning came on. Took it to dealership and $1400 to fix. I am a senior citizen and on a fixed income. What to do???

Samina
I have a 2010 Ford Fusion and my power steering went out. We changed the bad battery we had and thought the problem would be fixed. Diagnosing the vehicle cost $75-140. The repairs are between $1200-1800. I can’t​afford this, I live on a monthly income, after paying my bills including my car note I don’t have anything left especially to fix something like this with Ford being aware of the problem.

Andria
My daughter just bought a 2012 ford Focus and her power steering assist fault went out. Now I am extremely concerned because anything could of happened to my baby and my grandchild. Ford Company you guys need to hear us with these complaints before someone get killed or badly hurt. You know that this is a dangerous situation just fix the problem.

Bryon
Ford EPAS failures are caused by thermal stress in engine compartment. Ford engineers implemented EPAS assembly in close proximity to high-temperature heat sources. Problem has nothing to do with internal conformal coating or connector misalignment. EPAS failures are not associated with single vehicle model or year; units are installed across various Ford models since 2008 with millions of identical failure dispositions. Replacement EPAS units do not address real failure disposition, and thus will fail in future. Ford and NHTSA inner circles are fully aware of issue, and have intentionally misrepresented nature of engineering defect for years. You as a Ford consumer are being defrauded and placed at risk of death or serious injury, Just read the hundreds of complaints concerning EPAS failures, and the associated vacuum of action from Ford and the NHTSA.

Jon
Same issue as everyone above. Can someone please post links so that all of us can submit complaints, the more the merrier!

Desire
Steering assist fault message appeared as I was backing up and the wheel locked up. I was so scared to have my kids in the backseat and such a thing happens. We almost backed into a deep ditch! Good thing I tried the wheel when the message appeared otherwise I would have brake too late & would have slip all the way down. The repairs for this steering assist fault issue is $1,400

Patricia
“Power steering assist fault” light came on my 2010 Ford Fusion; I could not move the wheel. My car is in the shop now to get fixed, is going to cost $1800 to repair. Not sure why Ford will not issue a recall, it is obviously a major problem for Ford car owners!

EDWIN
2012 Ford Fusion SE. This morning while driving my son to school the SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW (ADVANCETRAC) warning came on, steering the car was nearly impossible, “Almost got into accident…with my son in the car…” I dropped car off at the ford dealer, i have read that there are recalls due to this steering power issue, but on certain fusions? If this is not fixed by ford there will be legal action..

Eric
Just had “power steering assist fault” light come on my 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Could not move the wheel. Turned car off and on and then steering was back to normal. Though from what I am reading, it is just a matter of time until it fails. Maybe we ought to do a class action lawsuit.

Chase
That’s crazy this just happened to me today on my 2010 fusion. I changed the battery last week and today my power steering goes out along with advance Trac warning light on.

Jay
sudden loss of power steering last night in my 2011 Ford Fusion. 114,000 miles. There should be a recall

Devon
My 2013 Ford Fusion SE did this late thursday 3/9/17. There’s a recall for the steering bolts on it but they said my steering gear is shot. They’re saying it’s going to cost $1600 to fix. So they cleared the codes and my power steering is back but they said eventually it will happen again. I’m not happy with how much it’s going to cost especially if they knew about this issue for so long

Devon
My 2013 Ford Fusion SE did this late thursday 3/9/17. There’s a recall for the steering bolts on it but they said my steering gear is shot. They’re saying it’s going to cost $1600 to fix. So they cleared the codes and my power steering is back but they said eventually it will happen again. I’m not happy with how much it’s going to cost especially if they knew about this issue for so long

Elizabeth
My power steering service light came on and then the adbance trac system. I was driving on a highway in a snowstorm last night. I am a single mother. I would like more information to assist my family.

Tracy
after changing the battery on my 2012 Focus, I started getting the steering assist fault message when starting. so far, I am able to turn it off then back on and all is well. waiting for the day when that trick doesn’t work.

Jan
Just had my 2010 Ford Fusion towed yesterday because the steering wheel was frozen and I had a “Power Steering Assist Fault” message! The local Ford dealership ran the diagnostics and told me it failed the test. . .that I need new steering gear. And, I can have it fixed to the tune of $1,700 for parts and labor!

tasha
I HAVE 2010 FUSION AND I ALSO HAD THE MESSAGE OF POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. GO TO WORK AND COULDN’T GET HOME.. NO POWER STEERING. I HAD THE CAR FOR MAYBE 3MONTHS AND THATS CRAZY.. $1,500-2,400 TO GET FIXED. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AFTER READING SO MANY COMPLAINTS. I HAD NO IDEA… AND THE CAR WAS A GIFT!

cassandra
i have a 2010 ford fusion and my power steering used went out with no warning do they have a recall on the power steering i am seeing a lot of complaints about the same problem i am having.

Tom
2012 Ford Fusion power steering (EPS) went out while driving 70 MPR on freeway. Huge recall on this issue by Ford but our car is not included. ~$2k to fix. Shame on Ford for not taking responsibility for their safety defects. Will NEVER buy another Ford. Called Ford and they say it’s not a safety issue because it’s not covered under their safety recall. Unbelievable.

Victor
Same issue happened with my 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid this week — power steering, braking is not working — upon looking at all the available information online, these incidents are entirely too common and there should be a recall or fix ASAP

Dionte
My car just locked up on me while on my way to work smh I just started this job and now I can’t get to work wtf… I’m waiting for the shop to open now.

Jeff
Same issue on my 2015 fusion with 46,000 miles. I’ve called and emailed the dealer, still waiting for a response.

Richard
The EPS went out in my 2012 Focus too. Summer of 2016, I was backing out of my driveway, and it just totally went out. Got an error on the dash and no power steering. If it’s been recalled in other ford vehicles…why not the Focus? It cost me over $1500 and the dealership (in a rather small town) told me they had already done 4 others with the same problem….and that was just one small dealership in one small town and last summer!!!! Hope the class-action gets em!

Angelina
I had a code low tire pressure light checked tires and they were fine. Yesterday, other than my light for the tires I started my car after work and my cars steering was really hard I had a code power assist default steering indicator light as well as advancetrac indicator came on. My car is a 2010 Ford Fusion.

Greer
Was on the freeway interchange last week and the power steering warning indicators came on as well as the power steering went out on our 2010 Ford Fusion. Disheartening that Ford is not assuming any responsibility in this situation.

Gabbie
This morning, I put my 2012 Ford Focus 88K miles) in reverse to back out out of my driveway and my steering wheel and brakes just locked up while my car was IN REVERSE! The dash showed “(i) Steering Assist Failure” The Ford dealership said they couldnt assist unless the car DUPLICATED the error message. WHAAAAAT!!? Can you imagine the TERROR I was in watching cars go by not knowing I’m heading for them and theres NOTHING I can do about it?? My mom filed complaints with Ford and the NHTSA today. There was a recall in 2015 for sudden power loss (EPAS) in nearly 400K 2010-2012 Fords, but they didnt recall the Focus.

Darek
I was driving. And there was no warring anf the car tride to shift its self from anty shid and shid capabilities and the power stering pump broke.

Sherri
My light for power steering came on just this past Sunday. I shut off my car and restarted it and I had my steering back. I took it in today to have the dealership look at it and they said its the Steering gear. 1800 to fix. HELP! I am a single mom of one in college I cant afford that.

Diana
I drive 2010 Ford Fusion Dec 9th, 2016 without warning, the service power steering now AND service advancetrak message came on. Lost all power steering. Ended up at the Ford Dealer after taking it to another repair shop that could not fix it. $1800 bucks later it was “fixed”. One month later, Jan 12th, 2017 the SAME THING is happening, the car is back at the ford dealer being repaired again, this time at no charge. Shame on Ford for not stepping up and recalling these cars for a no charge repair

Audrey
I have a 2010 Ford fusion my service system light came on and soon after my power steering went out while I was on the highway and it kept jerking to the left and right luckily I wasnt in a car accident considering I was going 70 mph there’s no way I’m paying $1200 to have this fixed I don’t have $1200 laying around

Alberto
My “service advancetrac system” light came on, then later that day, “service power steering now” came on and i had no power steering. If the bill is $1k+, thats ridiculous. If this is a known problem, why wouldn’t they fix this.

Brooke
My 2010 Ford Fusion stated that I had low tire pressure went and had all my tires checked and filled, they pulled it out for me and POOF no power steering at all. Had to have it towed to the Ford dealer, and now I’m looking at a $2,000 repair bill as a college student. You think that your buying a quality car being a hybrid and better for the environment and then it bites you square in the butt!

Stephen
I own a 2010 Ford Fusion, I lost my power steering while driving, luckily, there was no accident. I took my Fusion to a Ford dealership and it cost me around $1,900.00 to have it repaired. It’s my understanding that Ford is aware of this malfunction and they have changed the design of this part multiple times. If this is the case, I certainly believe they should recall all vehicles with this particular steering mechanism. I would like for Ford to reimburse me for the costly repair. I’m grateful that no one was injured .

Lon
My 2010 Ford Fusion power steering completely failed. Contacted both the dealer and Ford, neither are willing to help, leaving me to pay a $1300 repair of a problem that is obviously a mnfr defect. Never buying another Ford.

sharon
has anybody have problems with brakes on 2008 fusion

Mike
We have a 2104 Fusion and were driving to Chicago from FL when the power steering went out. We managed to get the car to a dealership in Knoxville…..needs an $1800 fix…..since we are “stuck” have authorized the repair. But certainly not happy with a car out of warranty…..

Debbie
Went to start our 2010 Ford Fusion and same issue as above. Power steering light came on and could not go anywhere. This occurred out of the blue. No warning, nothing. We don’t have 1800+ dollars to shell out for this type of repair.

john
I have a 2010 ford fusion and the stering went and couldn’t turn the wheel.Called ford company to no avail.they would rather you get killed then spending the billions they make.all I want them to do is fix the problem.i don’t care about any extra just fix it.I don’t have the money too fix it because its expensive .john

Nick
How do I get involved? 138k, not a good experience myself. 2010 fusion 3.0

Jessica
Power steering went out almost causing me to wreck. Service power steering now and traction light came on

genc
I start using ford fusion to training novice drivers and bum power steering lost its such shame we build vehicle like this no wonder all driving schools use Toyota

Joanie
I had just had a procedure an injection in neck two weeks before. Driving from store turn into apt complex power steering went out I hit post have to have procedure over I am in a lot of pain I hirt so bad. Death trap

Melissa
2012 Ford Focus, power steering goes out on occasion. After reading all of these posts I don’t understand why this isn’t recalled! Please tell me how to join this lawsuit.

Kathy
I bought a 2012 Ford Focus for my 16 year old son and the power steering assist malfunction light came on. I took it into the shop and they could not diagnose the problem because the code disappeared after the car was restarted. Now the light in on all the time and the dealership says 1700 dollars to fix and recommend I trade in my paid for car for a new one with a payment. Not sure how they figured I would buy another defective car with no guarantees to they would ever fix a problem that come. I would like information on joining this class action suit. It makes no sense for them to leave out the ford focus when they recalled cars for this same problem.

Joseph
After 5 year ownership and 100k miles driven, I am experiencing what feels like a locking steering when the car first turns on. Is this the beginning premature steering failure associated with the EPAS unit? I was thinking of passing this car to my 15 year old daughter but after reading about all the failures maybe not!

Jerome
I was trying to google tracking malfunction…because my wife just had a low speed accident she ran into the back of a fed ex truck. She stated that the breaking started making this rough noise and a orange sign popped on saying advance tracking car wouldnt slow down all the way causing her to run into the back of that fedex vehicle. There is some front in damage to our 2012 ford fusion just some scrapes on the fedex truck. I came across this class action lawsuit by accident. How do we move forward in going on with the lawsuit or get added to the complaint!!!!

Stephanie
I have 2010 Ford Fusion as well. On Thanksgiving I went to leave and when I went to back up a service power steering now and a advancetrac service light came on. I have to get it towed to the Ford dealership on Monday. After reading all these comments I am really nervous about the outcome.

Sheila
I have a 2010 Ford Fusion SE 4cyl and the power steering went out suddenly. Thank GOD my son and I had just pulled into our apartment complex. Can I join or add my name to the list of dissatisfied customers with Ford. No warranty what am I going to do? How am I going to get back and forth to work? Tell me what I should do FORD??

john
its not just the 2010 and on cars a lot of uk cmax modals from 2003 on had electric steering and get the locking steering you have to yank on it to get it to move from the center position, not always with the warning message people have been told rack or pump or wiring is at fault but what some people have found is change the steering angle sensor and it sorts itself out

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