NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
138 reportsClear category filter109,910 miles · Sep 8, 2016
Steering
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN LOS ANGELES ON A ONE-WAY STREET IN THE HILLS AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE RIGHT BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON HER. THE 'SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW" RED LIGHT CAME ON BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CAR WAS TOWED INTO GALPIN FORD. GALPIN QUOTED $2200.00 TO REPAIR AND SUGGESTED THA…
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MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN LOS ANGELES ON A ONE-WAY STREET IN THE HILLS AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE RIGHT BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON HER. THE 'SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW" RED LIGHT CAME ON BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CAR WAS TOWED INTO GALPIN FORD. GALPIN QUOTED $2200.00 TO REPAIR AND SUGGESTED THAT I CALL FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. A COUPLE OF CALLS INTO FORD YIELDED TWO APOLOGIES AND SAID THAT THE CAR IS NOT PART OF THE MAJOR RECALL AND THEREFORE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THIS YEAR AND MODEL HAS THE WORST NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FOR STEERING WHEEL
NHTSA ODI #10904719
61,634 miles · Jul 11, 2016
Steering
OCCASIONAL STIFF STEERING FEEL WHEN CORRECTING FOR STRAIGHT TRACKING
NHTSA ODI #10883905
115,000 miles · May 11, 2016
Service BrakesSteering
WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY STREET (WITH 2 SMALL CHILDREN) WE LOST ALL POWER STEERING, ON A BUSY STREET CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE SERVICE ADVANCETRAC (AVS) AND SERVICE POWER STEERING ERRORS CAME ON AS THIS HAPPENED.
NHTSA ODI #10864473
137,500 miles · Mar 7, 2016
Steering
I WENT TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE AND IT SHOWED 2 ALARMS ON THE DASH. A TRACTION CONTROL WARNING AND A POWER STEERING NEEDS SERVICE. I DROVE THE CAR 5 MILES TO CHURCH. UPON COMING OUT OF CHURCH AND GETTING BACK IN THE VEHICLE, THE SAME 2 ALARMS WERE ON THE DASH, BUT THE POWER STEERING CHANGED TO SERVICE NOW. THE POWER STEERING IN T…
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I WENT TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE AND IT SHOWED 2 ALARMS ON THE DASH. A TRACTION CONTROL WARNING AND A POWER STEERING NEEDS SERVICE. I DROVE THE CAR 5 MILES TO CHURCH. UPON COMING OUT OF CHURCH AND GETTING BACK IN THE VEHICLE, THE SAME 2 ALARMS WERE ON THE DASH, BUT THE POWER STEERING CHANGED TO SERVICE NOW. THE POWER STEERING IN THE CAR WAS GONE. I STRUGGLED TO GET THE CAR OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND BACK TO MY HOME. IT IS NOW SITTING IN THE YARD. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT IF THIS WOULD HAVE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, THAT I COULD HAVE EXPERIENCED AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #10840325
118,000 miles · Feb 13, 2016
Steering
STEERING GEAR MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THERE WERE 2648 OF THESE PARTS ON BACK ORDER. IT HAS BEEN TWO MONTHS SINCE THIS CAR HAS BEEN SITTING AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WITH NO ACTION BEING TAKEN. STILL WAITING ON THE PART FROM FORD. THE PART MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING ON …
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STEERING GEAR MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THERE WERE 2648 OF THESE PARTS ON BACK ORDER. IT HAS BEEN TWO MONTHS SINCE THIS CAR HAS BEEN SITTING AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WITH NO ACTION BEING TAKEN. STILL WAITING ON THE PART FROM FORD. THE PART MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, GOING STRAIGHT. WARNING ALERTS APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD WITH NO INITIAL INDICATION OF ANYTHING GOING WRONG WITH THE PART. DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME 30 MILES, NO CHANGE IN ORIGINAL CONDITION OF STEERING. WHEN TAKING THE CAR OUT THE NEXT DAY, THAT WAS THE FIRST INDICATION THAT THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING.
NHTSA ODI #10825989
135,000 miles · Sep 30, 2015
Steering
WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY CAR THE POWER STEERING FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY AND SHE WAS LUCKY SHE WAS NEAR OUR HOME. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE PART WILL COST $1500 AND IT IS ON BACKORDER FOR OVER TWO WEEKS! I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AND FOUND OUT THE SAME PART WAS REPLACED AT 65,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD …
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WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY CAR THE POWER STEERING FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY AND SHE WAS LUCKY SHE WAS NEAR OUR HOME. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE PART WILL COST $1500 AND IT IS ON BACKORDER FOR OVER TWO WEEKS! I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AND FOUND OUT THE SAME PART WAS REPLACED AT 65,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT'S COMMON TO HAVE TO REPLACE THAT PART EVERY 65,000 MILES! I HAVE HAD MANY CARS AND I HAVE NEVER ONCE HAD TO REPLACE A STEERING GEAR, NEVER MIND TWICE. I THINK FORD HAS FAULTY PARTS AND SHOULD TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR IT!! RIGHT NOW I AM OUT OF A CAR FOR OVER TWO WEEKS AND THE DEALERSHIP THEY CAN NOT GIVE ME A LOANER EVEN THOUGH IT'S FORD WHO DOESN'T HAVE THE PART. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN AFTER THIS. THE CARS ARE UNSAFE AMD NO ONE IS DOING A THING ABOUT IT! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *JB
NHTSA ODI #10778613
75,000 miles · Aug 31, 2015
Steering
DRIVING HOME ABOUT 55MPH WHEN STEERING GOT STIFF AND "POWER STEERING FAILURE" FOLLOWED BY "ADVANCETRAC FAILURE", THEN "SERVICE ADVANCETRAC SYSTEM" WARNING MESSAGES AND CHIMES APPEARED. MANAGED TO GET HOME WITHOUT THE POWER-ASSIST BUT UPON STOPPING ON DRIVEWAY AND RESTARTING CAR, STEERING WAS GONE ALTOGETHER AND I COULD NOT TURN …
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DRIVING HOME ABOUT 55MPH WHEN STEERING GOT STIFF AND "POWER STEERING FAILURE" FOLLOWED BY "ADVANCETRAC FAILURE", THEN "SERVICE ADVANCETRAC SYSTEM" WARNING MESSAGES AND CHIMES APPEARED. MANAGED TO GET HOME WITHOUT THE POWER-ASSIST BUT UPON STOPPING ON DRIVEWAY AND RESTARTING CAR, STEERING WAS GONE ALTOGETHER AND I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. SPOKE TO FORD CUST. SERV. NEXT MORNING WHO SAID THERE WERE NO ISSUES REPORTED ON THIS CAR AND NO SAFETY RECALLS (ALTHOUGH HE ADMITTED THERE WERE SAFETY RECALLS ON ALL SUBSEQUENT MODEL YEARS OF THIS CAR FOR STEERING ISSUES) AND HE SUGGESTED TAKING IT TO THE DEALER. I TOLD HIM IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE SO HE ARRANGED (AND COVERED THE COST OF) A TOWTRUCK TO TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THEY TESTED THE CAR AND FOUND ONLY A BLOWN POWER STEERING SYSTEM FUSE. AFTER REPLACING FUSE AND TESTING THE CAR THEY SAID IT WAS NOW FIXED. THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE FUSE TO BLOW. I EXPLAINED THAT I WAS NOW SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR IN CASE IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND WHAT IF.... IT HAPPENED AT HIGHER SPEED AND THE CAR WON'T STEER? THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER IS CONTACTING FORD TO SEE WHAT SHE CAN DO. TOTAL COST TO FIX THE FUSE AND DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS $111.
NHTSA ODI #10760381
68,000 miles · Aug 18, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FUSION HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE WARNING MESSAGE FOR SERVICE POWER STEERING AND SERVICE AUTO TRAC ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND THE SYSTEM RESET ITSELF. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC PO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FUSION HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE WARNING MESSAGE FOR SERVICE POWER STEERING AND SERVICE AUTO TRAC ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND THE SYSTEM RESET ITSELF. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
NHTSA ODI #10749579
97,000 miles · Aug 17, 2015
Steering
WHEN STARTING THE CAR I GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE "SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW" AND SERVICE ADVANCETRAC. NOW I CANNOT TURN THE WHEEL ON THE CAR AND I CANNOT DRIVE IT. I'VE SEEN OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I TIRED TO RESTART THE CAR AND HAD THE SAME ISSUE. ALSO UNPLUGGED THE BATTERY AND TIRED AGAIN AN IT STILL HAD THOSE ERRORS.
NHTSA ODI #10749016
34,982 miles · Jul 17, 2015
Steering
WHILE DRIVING ALONG AT 35 MPH THE "SERVICE POWER STEERING" AND "SERVICE ADVANCETRAC SYSTEM" WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. LOST POWER STEERING. STOPPED TO SEE WHAT OWNER'S MANUAL HAD TO SAY. IT SAID IT WAS OKAY TO DRIVE, BUT TO TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST DEALER. TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER IN FRANKFORT, KY. THEY SAID IT WAS A FUSE THAT HAD PO…
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WHILE DRIVING ALONG AT 35 MPH THE "SERVICE POWER STEERING" AND "SERVICE ADVANCETRAC SYSTEM" WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. LOST POWER STEERING. STOPPED TO SEE WHAT OWNER'S MANUAL HAD TO SAY. IT SAID IT WAS OKAY TO DRIVE, BUT TO TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST DEALER. TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER IN FRANKFORT, KY. THEY SAID IT WAS A FUSE THAT HAD POPPED UP OUT OF ITS SLOT IN THE FUSE BOX. SINCE THE POWER STEERING IS AN ELECTRICAL ASSIST MOTOR THE CIRCUIT TO THE MOTOR WAS BROKEN WHEN THE FUSE POPPED UP OUT OF ITS SLOT. THE FUSE WAS NOT BLOWN, JUST LOST CONTACT IN THE CIRCUIT. CAR WAS FINE UNTIL 10,000 MILES LATER. SAME PROBLEM, LOSS OF POWER STEERING. FORD DEALER IN DAYTONA BEACH, FL SAYS THEY FOUND AN OVER TEMP CODE AND RESET CODE. THEY COULD FIND NOTHING ELSE WRONG WITH THE CAR THAT WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. DROVE ANOTHER 1,000 MILES AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING AGAIN IN VIRGINIA. TOOK CAR TO NEAREST FORD DEALER IN PRINCE GEORGE, VA. THEY REPLACED FRONT CONTROL ARMS. DROVE ANOTHER 600 MILES AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING AGAIN. WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FIRST FORD DEALER IN FRANKFORT, KY AND THEY SAY THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE RACK ON IT, BUT IT IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NEXT OR WHERE TO TAKE THE CAR. NO ONE REALLY KNOWS WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM....UPDATED 10/01/15*BF
NHTSA ODI #10734704
NHTSA investigations
6DP26004 · Anti-lock Brake System (abs) Malfunction Indicator Lamp (mil) Illuminated
Opened Apr 9, 2026 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition on December 22, 2025, requesting a defect investigation into the hydraulic control unit (HCU) for the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) on the MY 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The petition alleges that an illuminated ABS MIL is associated with a failure of the ABS HCU, resulting in ABS malfunction, loss of traction and electronic stability control functions, and reduced braking performance, particularly on slippery road surfaces. A defect petition has been opened to evaluate the issue and determine whether to grant or deny the petition.The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11647929.
DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
EA17004 · Power Steering Failure
Opened Nov 20, 2017 · Closed Feb 9, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:electric Power Assist System; Steering:rack And Pinion; Steering:rack And Pinion:rack
On September 28, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE16-011) to investigate claims of power steering assist loss on model year (MY) 2010 Ford Fusion vehicles. During the PE, ODI received 718 unique claims related to the alleged problem with 598 reports indicating the power steering assist failed while driving at various speeds with no warning. Ford Motor Company (Ford) provided 1,851 unique reports and 1,720 warranty claims related to the alleged problem. It should be noted that as the result of investigation PE14-030, Ford conducted a safety recall (15V-340) ofMY 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and other vehicles using the same electric power assist steering unit to rectify incidents of loss of power steering assist. On November 20, 2017, PE16-011 was upgraded to this Engineering Analysis (EA17-004) to further assess the scope, frequency, and consequence of this failure. This was based on an analysis of the subject vehicle complaint data that had indicated an increased likelihood of failure as the vehicles age. At the time, the rate of occurrence of this failure was comparable to previous investigations involving loss of power steering assist including the previously mentioned PE14-030. During the EA, ODI’s analysis of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles identified the following: testing showed minor steering effort changes between “assist” and “no assist”, no root cause identified, a declining failure trend, the ramp-down or reduced assist provided when a DTC is set, a lower failure rate than the recalled Fusion vehicles, and the high age of the vehicles. A safety-related defect trend has not been identified. Accordingly, this Engineering Analysis is closed. See the attached Engineering Analysis Closing Report for details. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety defect does not exist, and ODI will take further actions if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Steering:electric Power Assist System
On September 28, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE16-011) to investigate claims of power steering assist loss on model year (MY) 2010 Ford Fusion vehicles. During the PE, ODI received 718 unique claims related to the alleged problem with 598 reports indicating the power steering assist failed while driving at various speeds with no warning. Ford Motor Company (Ford) provided 1,851 unique reports and 1,720 warranty claims related to the alleged problem. It should be noted that as the result of investigation PE14-030, Ford conducted a safety recall (15V-340) ofMY 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and other vehicles using the same electric power assist steering unit to rectify incidents of loss of power steering assist. On November 20, 2017, PE16-011 was upgraded to this Engineering Analysis (EA17-004) to further assess the scope, frequency, and consequence of this failure. This was based on an analysis of the subject vehicle complaint data that had indicated an increased likelihood of failure as the vehicles age. At the time, the rate of occurrence of this failure was comparable to previous investigations involving loss of power steering assist including the previously mentioned PE14-030. During the EA, ODI’s analysis of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles identified the following: testing showed minor steering effort changes between “assist” and “no assist”, no root cause identified, a declining failure trend, the ramp-down or reduced assist provided when a DTC is set, a lower failure rate than the recalled Fusion vehicles, and the high age of the vehicles. A safety-related defect trend has not been identified. Accordingly, this Engineering Analysis is closed. See the attached Engineering Analysis Closing Report for details. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety defect does not exist, and ODI will take further actions if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Steering
On September 28, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE16-011) to investigate claims of power steering assist loss on model year (MY) 2010 Ford Fusion vehicles. During the PE, ODI received 718 unique claims related to the alleged problem with 598 reports indicating the power steering assist failed while driving at various speeds with no warning. Ford Motor Company (Ford) provided 1,851 unique reports and 1,720 warranty claims related to the alleged problem. It should be noted that as the result of investigation PE14-030, Ford conducted a safety recall (15V-340) ofMY 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and other vehicles using the same electric power assist steering unit to rectify incidents of loss of power steering assist. On November 20, 2017, PE16-011 was upgraded to this Engineering Analysis (EA17-004) to further assess the scope, frequency, and consequence of this failure. This was based on an analysis of the subject vehicle complaint data that had indicated an increased likelihood of failure as the vehicles age. At the time, the rate of occurrence of this failure was comparable to previous investigations involving loss of power steering assist including the previously mentioned PE14-030. During the EA, ODI’s analysis of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles identified the following: testing showed minor steering effort changes between “assist” and “no assist”, no root cause identified, a declining failure trend, the ramp-down or reduced assist provided when a DTC is set, a lower failure rate than the recalled Fusion vehicles, and the high age of the vehicles. A safety-related defect trend has not been identified. Accordingly, this Engineering Analysis is closed. See the attached Engineering Analysis Closing Report for details. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety defect does not exist, and ODI will take further actions if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Steering:rack And Pinion
On September 28, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE16-011) to investigate claims of power steering assist loss on model year (MY) 2010 Ford Fusion vehicles. During the PE, ODI received 718 unique claims related to the alleged problem with 598 reports indicating the power steering assist failed while driving at various speeds with no warning. Ford Motor Company (Ford) provided 1,851 unique reports and 1,720 warranty claims related to the alleged problem. It should be noted that as the result of investigation PE14-030, Ford conducted a safety recall (15V-340) ofMY 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and other vehicles using the same electric power assist steering unit to rectify incidents of loss of power steering assist. On November 20, 2017, PE16-011 was upgraded to this Engineering Analysis (EA17-004) to further assess the scope, frequency, and consequence of this failure. This was based on an analysis of the subject vehicle complaint data that had indicated an increased likelihood of failure as the vehicles age. At the time, the rate of occurrence of this failure was comparable to previous investigations involving loss of power steering assist including the previously mentioned PE14-030. During the EA, ODI’s analysis of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles identified the following: testing showed minor steering effort changes between “assist” and “no assist”, no root cause identified, a declining failure trend, the ramp-down or reduced assist provided when a DTC is set, a lower failure rate than the recalled Fusion vehicles, and the high age of the vehicles. A safety-related defect trend has not been identified. Accordingly, this Engineering Analysis is closed. See the attached Engineering Analysis Closing Report for details. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety defect does not exist, and ODI will take further actions if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Steering:rack And Pinion:rack
On September 28, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE16-011) to investigate claims of power steering assist loss on model year (MY) 2010 Ford Fusion vehicles. During the PE, ODI received 718 unique claims related to the alleged problem with 598 reports indicating the power steering assist failed while driving at various speeds with no warning. Ford Motor Company (Ford) provided 1,851 unique reports and 1,720 warranty claims related to the alleged problem. It should be noted that as the result of investigation PE14-030, Ford conducted a safety recall (15V-340) ofMY 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and other vehicles using the same electric power assist steering unit to rectify incidents of loss of power steering assist. On November 20, 2017, PE16-011 was upgraded to this Engineering Analysis (EA17-004) to further assess the scope, frequency, and consequence of this failure. This was based on an analysis of the subject vehicle complaint data that had indicated an increased likelihood of failure as the vehicles age. At the time, the rate of occurrence of this failure was comparable to previous investigations involving loss of power steering assist including the previously mentioned PE14-030. During the EA, ODI’s analysis of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles identified the following: testing showed minor steering effort changes between “assist” and “no assist”, no root cause identified, a declining failure trend, the ramp-down or reduced assist provided when a DTC is set, a lower failure rate than the recalled Fusion vehicles, and the high age of the vehicles. A safety-related defect trend has not been identified. Accordingly, this Engineering Analysis is closed. See the attached Engineering Analysis Closing Report for details. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety defect does not exist, and ODI will take further actions if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
PE16011 · Power Steering Failure
Opened Sep 28, 2016 · Closed Dec 25, 2017
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:electric Power Assist System
On September 28th, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE16-011 to investigate claims of power steering assist loss on model year 2010 Ford Fusion vehicles.ODI has received 718 unique claims related to the alleged problem with 598 reports indicating the power steering assist failed while driving at speed with no warning.During the PE16-011 investigation, Ford Motor Company (Ford) provided 1851 unique reports and 1720 warranty claims related to the alleged problem.As the result of investigation PE14-030, Ford previously conducted a recall (15V-340) of the 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and other vehicles using the same electric power assist steering unit to rectify incidents of loss of power steering assist.An analysis of the subject vehicle complaint data indicates an increased likelihood of failure as the vehicles age.The rate of occurrence of this failure is comparable to previous investigations involving loss of power steering assist including the previously mentioned PE14-030.Therefore, the Preliminary Evaluation (PE16-011) has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis to further assess the scope, frequency and consequence of this failure. ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls#vehicle under the identification (NHTSA ID) numbers found in the attached list.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering:electric Power Assist System
On September 28th, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE16-011 to investigate claims of power steering assist loss on model year 2010 Ford Fusion vehicles.ODI has received 718 unique claims related to the alleged problem with 598 reports indicating the power steering assist failed while driving at speed with no warning.During the PE16-011 investigation, Ford Motor Company (Ford) provided 1851 unique reports and 1720 warranty claims related to the alleged problem.As the result of investigation PE14-030, Ford previously conducted a recall (15V-340) of the 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and other vehicles using the same electric power assist steering unit to rectify incidents of loss of power steering assist.An analysis of the subject vehicle complaint data indicates an increased likelihood of failure as the vehicles age.The rate of occurrence of this failure is comparable to previous investigations involving loss of power steering assist including the previously mentioned PE14-030.Therefore, the Preliminary Evaluation (PE16-011) has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis to further assess the scope, frequency and consequence of this failure. ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls#vehicle under the identification (NHTSA ID) numbers found in the attached list.
Steering
On September 28th, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE16-011 to investigate claims of power steering assist loss on model year 2010 Ford Fusion vehicles.ODI has received 718 unique claims related to the alleged problem with 598 reports indicating the power steering assist failed while driving at speed with no warning.During the PE16-011 investigation, Ford Motor Company (Ford) provided 1851 unique reports and 1720 warranty claims related to the alleged problem.As the result of investigation PE14-030, Ford previously conducted a recall (15V-340) of the 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and other vehicles using the same electric power assist steering unit to rectify incidents of loss of power steering assist.An analysis of the subject vehicle complaint data indicates an increased likelihood of failure as the vehicles age.The rate of occurrence of this failure is comparable to previous investigations involving loss of power steering assist including the previously mentioned PE14-030.Therefore, the Preliminary Evaluation (PE16-011) has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis to further assess the scope, frequency and consequence of this failure. ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls#vehicle under the identification (NHTSA ID) numbers found in the attached list.
PE14030 · Electric Power Steering Failure
Opened Oct 2, 2014 · Closed Sep 10, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate complaints of the loss of power steering while driving. The subject vehicles are equipped with a rack mounted Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) unit.Some of the complaints alleged that the steering assist failed and resulted in increased steering efforts that contributed to a loss of control and in some cases a crash.The EPAS system was manufactured by TRW Automotive for Ford and was designated as Generation I.These units were first produced and put into vehicle production in July 2008 beginning with the model year (MY) 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan.The system is comprised of a mechanical steering rack-and-pinion gear with torque sensor, electric assist motor, motor position sensor and a power steering control module (PSCM). The PSCM is self-monitoring and designed to detect faults within the system and can store diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) if a problem is detected.There are 29 potential DTCs the system can detect.Many of these allow the system to go into reduced-assist steering mode by using the default vehicle speed signal should the live speed signal be lost, if voltage to EPAS system falls below 10.7 or goes above 17 volts, the temperature at the PSCM goes above 105C (221F), or if high friction is detected.Some DTCs will cause the system to go into manual steering mode (no assist). On July 1, 2015, Ford filed a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a safety related defect in TRW GEN I EPAS systems installed in some of the subject vehicles (NHTSA Recall 15V-340, Ford No. 15S18).The DIR indicated that intermittent electrical connections caused by quality issues associated with conformal coat contamination and ribbon cable pin misalignment within the steering gear motor may lead to a loss of the motor position sensor signal, resulting in a sudden loss of power assist while driving.The recall covers approximately 393,623 vehicles built from September 2010 through February 2012:2011-12 Fusion built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012; 2011-12 Lincoln MKZ built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012; 2011 Milan built SEP 2010 - DEC 2010; 2011-13 Taurus built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012; 2011-13 Flex with 3.5L GTDI engine built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012; and 2011-13 MKS, MKT with 3.5L GTDI engine built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012.The repair consists of updating the PSCM software to prevent a loss of steering assist while driving. The revised software will provide audible and visual warnings to the driver. If one or more of the following DTCs are stored, C1B00-62, C200B-2F, C200B-61, C200B-62, C200C-2F, C200D-49, U0300-00, U2011-49, U2011-61, U3000-46, U3000-49, U3000-61, U3000-72, U3000-96, P07AE-09, the dealer will replace the EPAS system at no charge to the owner.ODI's analysis of failure data for this PE identified a total of 2,584 complaints to ODI and Ford and 9,967 Ford warranty claims related to the alleged defect.The recalled vehicles account for 1,634 of the complaints and 7,311 of the warranty claims.ODI's analysis identified 40 complaints alleging crashes that may be related to loss of steering assist while driving, 20 of which involved vehicles included in Ford's recall.The information available for the alleged crashes were not sufficient to assess specific causes of the incidents or to verify EPAS malfunctions in each case.Most of the crashes were low-speed impacts with curbs or roadside objects resulting in wheel or minor body damage.None of the injury claims indicated medical attention was required.In addition, statistical modeling of the failure data by NHTSA's National Center for Statistics and Analysis projected 10-year failur
EA12009 · Floor Mat Interference With Accelerator
Opened Dec 12, 2012 · Closed Jun 12, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
On May 27, 2014, Ford Motor Company submitted recall 14E-028 (Ford recall #14S07) to correct a safety-related problem with certain driver's side Ford optional all-weather floor mats sold for use in model year 2006 through 2011 model year Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr, and Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant (HAP) from November 9, 2007, to October 31 ,2010.NHTSA testing determined that the original accessory all-weather mat with a single retention clip (Figure 1), may interfere with accelerator pedal return to idle with the mat retained by the clip and rotated clockwise.Both the single- and double-clip (Figure 2) all-weather floor mats may interfere with the accelerator pedal return to idle when the mats are not secured by the retention clip(s).Testing showed that this can occur if the mats are moved forward from the clipped position approximately two inches into a position in which the rear edge of the mats will abut the retention clip(s) when installed singly and align with the clip(s) when stacked on another floor mat.The pedal interference incidents reviewed by the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) include 1 crash and 9 incidents with allegations of brake friction materials smoking and/or requiring repair for heat related damage.The crash incident occurred after the parking brake was applied at speed, resulting in loss-of-control vehicle yaw event caused by lock-up of the rear tires.The spin-out resulted in a side impact collision with an oncoming vehicle in an opposing lane of traffic. For the 29 incidents with sufficient information available to make an assessment; 23 (79%) were controlled by the driver either shifting to neutral, turning the engine off, or both; 4 (14%) were ended by the driver either kicking the pedal free (2) or pulling the mat away from the pedal (2); and 2 (7%) were ended by the pedal freeing itself from the mat with no apparent driver action.None of the drivers who reacted to the incident by shifting to neutral or turning the engine off reported any difficulties with either action.The subject mats were sold by Ford and Lincoln dealers directly to customers as an optional accessory equipment item or, beginning in November 2007, the mats were also available as a factory installed accessory if ordered with a new vehicle.Ford estimates that approximately 82,579 affected driver's side all weather floor mats were sold worldwide; either over the counter through Ford dealerships or as original equipment.Owners that purchased the subject all-weather floor mats as a factory installed accessory with their new vehicle will be notified to return their all weather floor mats to their Ford or Lincoln Dealership in exchange for replacement mats.Owners of all other potentially affected vehicles will be notified that, if they have an affected Ford driver's side all weather floor mat, they should return their mats to the dealership in exchange for replacement mats.The VOQs associated with the closing of this investigation are: 10327597, 10332233, 10334211, 10335336, 10339330, 10348772 (and duplicate 10342572), 10372674, 10379562, 10415911, 10426255, 10434107, 10521053, 10554966.This investigation is hereby closed.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
On May 27, 2014, Ford Motor Company submitted recall 14E-028 (Ford recall #14S07) to correct a safety-related problem with certain driver's side Ford optional all-weather floor mats sold for use in model year 2006 through 2011 model year Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr, and Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant (HAP) from November 9, 2007, to October 31 ,2010.NHTSA testing determined that the original accessory all-weather mat with a single retention clip (Figure 1), may interfere with accelerator pedal return to idle with the mat retained by the clip and rotated clockwise.Both the single- and double-clip (Figure 2) all-weather floor mats may interfere with the accelerator pedal return to idle when the mats are not secured by the retention clip(s).Testing showed that this can occur if the mats are moved forward from the clipped position approximately two inches into a position in which the rear edge of the mats will abut the retention clip(s) when installed singly and align with the clip(s) when stacked on another floor mat.The pedal interference incidents reviewed by the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) include 1 crash and 9 incidents with allegations of brake friction materials smoking and/or requiring repair for heat related damage.The crash incident occurred after the parking brake was applied at speed, resulting in loss-of-control vehicle yaw event caused by lock-up of the rear tires.The spin-out resulted in a side impact collision with an oncoming vehicle in an opposing lane of traffic. For the 29 incidents with sufficient information available to make an assessment; 23 (79%) were controlled by the driver either shifting to neutral, turning the engine off, or both; 4 (14%) were ended by the driver either kicking the pedal free (2) or pulling the mat away from the pedal (2); and 2 (7%) were ended by the pedal freeing itself from the mat with no apparent driver action.None of the drivers who reacted to the incident by shifting to neutral or turning the engine off reported any difficulties with either action.The subject mats were sold by Ford and Lincoln dealers directly to customers as an optional accessory equipment item or, beginning in November 2007, the mats were also available as a factory installed accessory if ordered with a new vehicle.Ford estimates that approximately 82,579 affected driver's side all weather floor mats were sold worldwide; either over the counter through Ford dealerships or as original equipment.Owners that purchased the subject all-weather floor mats as a factory installed accessory with their new vehicle will be notified to return their all weather floor mats to their Ford or Lincoln Dealership in exchange for replacement mats.Owners of all other potentially affected vehicles will be notified that, if they have an affected Ford driver's side all weather floor mat, they should return their mats to the dealership in exchange for replacement mats.The VOQs associated with the closing of this investigation are: 10327597, 10332233, 10334211, 10335336, 10339330, 10348772 (and duplicate 10342572), 10372674, 10379562, 10415911, 10426255, 10434107, 10521053, 10554966.This investigation is hereby closed.
Vehicle Speed Control
On May 27, 2014, Ford Motor Company submitted recall 14E-028 (Ford recall #14S07) to correct a safety-related problem with certain driver's side Ford optional all-weather floor mats sold for use in model year 2006 through 2011 model year Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr, and Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant (HAP) from November 9, 2007, to October 31 ,2010.NHTSA testing determined that the original accessory all-weather mat with a single retention clip (Figure 1), may interfere with accelerator pedal return to idle with the mat retained by the clip and rotated clockwise.Both the single- and double-clip (Figure 2) all-weather floor mats may interfere with the accelerator pedal return to idle when the mats are not secured by the retention clip(s).Testing showed that this can occur if the mats are moved forward from the clipped position approximately two inches into a position in which the rear edge of the mats will abut the retention clip(s) when installed singly and align with the clip(s) when stacked on another floor mat.The pedal interference incidents reviewed by the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) include 1 crash and 9 incidents with allegations of brake friction materials smoking and/or requiring repair for heat related damage.The crash incident occurred after the parking brake was applied at speed, resulting in loss-of-control vehicle yaw event caused by lock-up of the rear tires.The spin-out resulted in a side impact collision with an oncoming vehicle in an opposing lane of traffic. For the 29 incidents with sufficient information available to make an assessment; 23 (79%) were controlled by the driver either shifting to neutral, turning the engine off, or both; 4 (14%) were ended by the driver either kicking the pedal free (2) or pulling the mat away from the pedal (2); and 2 (7%) were ended by the pedal freeing itself from the mat with no apparent driver action.None of the drivers who reacted to the incident by shifting to neutral or turning the engine off reported any difficulties with either action.The subject mats were sold by Ford and Lincoln dealers directly to customers as an optional accessory equipment item or, beginning in November 2007, the mats were also available as a factory installed accessory if ordered with a new vehicle.Ford estimates that approximately 82,579 affected driver's side all weather floor mats were sold worldwide; either over the counter through Ford dealerships or as original equipment.Owners that purchased the subject all-weather floor mats as a factory installed accessory with their new vehicle will be notified to return their all weather floor mats to their Ford or Lincoln Dealership in exchange for replacement mats.Owners of all other potentially affected vehicles will be notified that, if they have an affected Ford driver's side all weather floor mat, they should return their mats to the dealership in exchange for replacement mats.The VOQs associated with the closing of this investigation are: 10327597, 10332233, 10334211, 10335336, 10339330, 10348772 (and duplicate 10342572), 10372674, 10379562, 10415911, 10426255, 10434107, 10521053, 10554966.This investigation is hereby closed.
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