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


Sarah
2012 ford fusion SE. Diving on the highway yesterday when my steering locked up and almost caused me to get in an accident. My service advancetrac and service power steering now then began flashing. I would like to get in on this.

Caesar
2014 Ford Fusion- 57k miles- Power Steering Assist Failure- how can I join. No longer under warranty and not included in the original recall issued. Car is financed and now undrivable.

Harlan
Power steering assist fault light camp on this morning in my wife’s 2010 Ford Fusion. Lost all control of the vehicle. Recall for the same thing on the 2011 and 2012 but not 2010. Makes no sense, don’t have that kind of money to fix it. Would like to be included in the lawsuit.

Danielle
I have a 2010 Ford Fusion & is having the same problem. I would like to be added

Amanda
I was driving home from work and my car over steered as I turned a corner causing me to almost go off the road. 2010 Ford Fusion 106xxx miles powersteering failed. How can I get in on this?

David
I just had power steering fail while driving with my daughter and wife. I suddenly got a message that said to “service power steering now,” and I lost electronic power steering on my 2010 Ford Fusion. I am going to contact a shop for repairs as the vehicle is no longer safe to drive. I wish to be included as a plaintiff in the class action suit.

irena
2012 fusion power steering went out in June 2016. Now between Oct. And Nov. 2016 power steering has gone out 3 times. Dealership never has loaners.

Penny
I have a 2011 fusion and the power steering quit working while taking my kids to school. Drove the car straight to ford and they said the steering gear unit was bad and replaced it under the recall. Drove the car home which was about 10 miles and the same light came back on. The car is back at ford again for the third time and they are telling me they don’t know what is wrong with it.

Edward
2011 Ford fusion is at the shop now and they cant seem to fix it. Power steering and advance trac light on . I went into a ditch trying to turn when I lost power steering. Replaced the unit but still same problem. This is like driving a time bomb around just waiting for it to go off .

Dethra
I was driving home and the steering became stiff. Luckily I pulled into the garage. I went back out to my 2012 fusion and couldn’t turn left or right. I have 48,659 miles on it. Had it towed to Ford a

Joey
2014 ford fusion. 75k miles steering not gone out fully but while driving it will get tight off and on and in the middle of a turn it will feel like the wheel starts fighting me. How can I get added to this?

Charles
My power steering went out at 77,000 miles on my 2010 Ford Fusion. Had to have my car towed. An expensive repair.

Carly
I have 2010 fusion power steering fault Ford says it 1537.00 to fix!

Jackie
Just over 100,000 miles the steering went out for the 5th time on my way to church. The ford dealer said they fixed it. The car is not derivable. I really don’t know what to do with the car at this point and now our warranty is up back and forth to the dealer a patch butt no fix..

Tammy
I have a 2012 Ford Fusion, I bought it used, I received the recall letter about the power steering assist fault msg, and went to dealership and had the software updated, after this fix, I received a power steering assist fault msg when starting my car, I turned the car off and restarted, msg hasn’t come up since, also to note I received a msg of low tire pressure and since found through research that this is connected to the power steering assit fault

sarah
Just over 110,000 miles… the power steering just recently started squealing. I don’t know what to do

Amanda
2013 Ford Fusion steering failure as well..Still no recall as if 10/26/16

dean
2012 fusion just paid ford 1900$ to fix the electronic steering assist replaced. After of course I realize there’s a lawsuit on my porblem

Dan
I have a 2010 Ford Fusion and the power steering assist fault code has come up several times and then stayed on. What I think is crazy is that there is a recall for the same problem on the 2011 and 2012, but not the 2010. Makes no sense at all.

Jeannine
Have a 2012 Ford fusion and first reset the power steering, then had to replace the whole assy 30 days later again my power steering goes while driving home from work I can’t afford this and something needs to be done why are they replacing faulty parts with faulty parts never had so many issues with a car before in my life will never own another ford

Vicki
2012 Ford Focus power steering went out on my 19 year old daughter when she was driving from work. She almost ran into another car. Took it to local ford dealer in Augusta Georgia cost given to fix is over 1700.00. What 19 year old has this kind of money???? This is a known problem and FORD WILL NOT FIX IT. This is unsafe for anyone to drive.

Brandie
Same issue with my vehicle. I have also went to the department of transportation to file a complaint to trigger the recall for the power steering assist fault. Add me to the list as well! https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

Tim
Drove my wife to work and service advancetrac along with service power steering came on. We stopped for gas and when i turned the car back on power steering was completely gone and it said service power steering now. Thank god it happened at the gas station and not while driving. I don’t have the money to fix it though. Why isn’t the 2010 Fusion i have part of the recall?

Patricia
We have a 2010 Ford Fusion and the power steering assist fault code has come up twice. My college age daughter drives this car. Two weeks ago while she was out of town, the power steering went out. She drove the car 2 hours home with no power steering. No warning it is about to happen. Is it too late to join this suit!? We know the 2011-2012 were recalled. Why wasn’t the 2010 with the exact same problem?

Sheila
2010 Ford Fusion. “Service Power Steering”, “Service Advancetrac” , and the yellow car sliding light came on then power steering went out. Thank GOD I didn’t get in an accident with my son. How do I get in on this lawsuits?

Colleen
My power steering went out after low tire pressure light can on lost all control have power steering indicator light as well as advancetrac indicator light how do I get include in lawsuit. My car is 2010 Fusion

J. Keagan
2010 Ford Fusion, same thing. Power Steering failure just this weekend (8 October 2016).

Tim
52,000 miles 2012 Ford Fusion SEL “Power Steering Assist Fault”, “Service Advancetrac” , and the yellow car sliding light. Happened as I left work for a 1 hour 40 minute commute home this morning. I am glad I made it with no power steering, slowly.

Dawn
Is it possible to join this lawsuit? I’ve had this occur to me when I start up my car and it’s like driving through concrete. Not a pleasant experience.

Colton
I had to just go pick my wife’s car up because this just happened to her driving to work. Thankfully she already had dropped are kids off. Also I am a mechanic of many years and I will no longer let her or my children in this car and demand she get rid of this death trap

Lisa
I have a 2010 fusion and the light reads “power steering assist failure ” it comes on at random times and the power steering goes out. I get scared! And they sent me a recall for the passenger airbag!

Lisa
I have a 2010 fusion and the light reads “power steering assist failure ” it comes on at random times and the power steering goes out. I get scared!!

Jeff
My fiancée experienced total power steering loss. 2010 Ford Fusion. She barely navigated off the road safely.

Jon
Power steering failure at 53,000 miles while driving the car and saved by the grace of God that I did not crash!!!

Jerry
I almost had a. Head on Collison. When I turned to the left for a store with on coming traffic and the steering stopped working . Very scarey

Donald
Steering assist failure, came and went intermittently since about 60k miles now at 152k it’s completely gone. I’m seeing 1500-2000 repairs online. I can’t afford that.

Jerry
2011 fusion steering control stops at 70mph I pulled over, very scarey

Roger
2014 Ford Fusion Steering failure

Latosha
2010 Ford Fusion 68K miles, power steering recently went out. No warranty. How can I join?

Nadine
I have a 2010 Ford Fusion that isnt on the recall list and yet its gonna cost $2200 after tax to fix…I would like to join the lawsuit action.

Ruben
I have a 2010 Ford Focus my steering went out and almost cause an accident. I had to have my racking pin replaced at Midas which cost me over 1,100 not even a year later it happens again. I work and go to school and I have a family but now I”m scared to drive this car. What do I need to do to join this lawsuit.

Shannon
Steering went out on my 2012 Ford Focus almost causing an accident. After many transmission issues and now this I’m scared to drive this car. I would like to know what I need to do to join this lawsuit.

Monica
i would like to join the lawsuit also..my 2011 fusion power steering went out as i was going to my mom’s house the scarest thing ever

Brendan
My 2010 Fusion’s power steering went out while my wife was driving. By the looks of things I might need to be apart of this lawsuit. What do I need to do?

P
I just had mine repaired, and today, 3 days later it happened again. I want to join lawsuit also, I can’t afford another $1400.

William
I would like to join this lawsuit to mine went out in may 2015 and was fixed. and now mine is back at ford for the same thing in 9/2016 something needs to be done

Carolina
I’m having the same issue and I would like to join this lawsuit as well. Electronic steering went out and I’m being told that the rack and pinion needs to be replaced plus an alignment for a total repair estimate of about $1800.

nicole
JUST PAID 1900$ TO GET POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. 2010 FORD FUSION. THIS IS INSANE. HOW CAN I JOIN???

Joshua
I am having the same issue right now Ford told me It will be over 2000 to fix. How can I join?

Tracy
How do I join the Lawsuit?

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