Ford Fusion Steering Problems
Owners have filed 5,775 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the Ford Fusion across 15 model years. The 2010 model year has the most (1,662). The words owners use most often: “steering assist” (28% of reports).
- 5,775steering complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 171mention a crash
- 65mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- $2,500typical repair cost reported by owners
- 24%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Steering assist: mentioned in 1,595 of 5,775 complaints (28%)
- Service power: mentioned in 655 of 5,775 complaints (11%)
- Difficult turn: mentioned in 364 of 5,775 complaints (6%)
- Wheel became: mentioned in 346 of 5,775 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical steering repair on the Ford Fusion at $2,500, and half of them between $2,150 and $2,800.
Based on 512 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2011–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 4,492 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 5,775 complaints, 171 mention a crash, 8 a fire, 65 an injury.
Ford Fusion steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Fusion | 12 | 7% | 81,000 |
| 2019 Fusion | 7 | 2% | — |
| 2018 Fusion | 19 | 4% | 53,000 |
| 2017 Fusion | 52 | 5% | 36,545 |
| 2016 Fusion | 176 | 11% | 73,720 |
| 2015 Fusion | 163 | 16% | 64,950 |
| 2014 Fusion | 327 | 25% | 73,000 |
| 2013 Fusion | 389 | 22% | 74,045 |
| 2012 Fusion | 1,473 | 59% | 83,243 |
| 2011 Fusion | 1,435 | 51% | 89,500 |
| 2010 Fusion | 1,662 | 32% | 101,054 |
| 2009 Fusion | 16 | 2% | 65,000 |
| 2008 Fusion | 11 | 1% | 81,000 |
| 2007 Fusion | 21 | 2% | 92,000 |
| 2006 Fusion | 12 | 2% | 73,063 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Steering:electric power assist system
Model years: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
Risk: If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear motor bolts and apply a wax sealer. If any of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed in the vehicle. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S26.
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.
Risk: A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S08.
Steering:electric power assist system
Model years: 2011, 2012
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.
Steering:electric power assist system
Model years: 2013, 2014, 2015
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to March 20, 2015, and 2015 Ford Edge vehicles manufactured February 26, 2015, to February 28, 2015, and originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, snow or water containing road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
Risk: If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist. Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply sealer and replace the steering gear motor bolts as required. If one or more of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed in the vehicle. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S14.
Steering
Model years: 2013
Problem: Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Fusion vehicles manufactured April 19, 2013, through April 23, 2013. The steering gears may be missing an internal retaining clip. If the clip is missing, components inside the steering gear may become dislodged inside the gear assembly.
Risk: This could result in impaired steering, including the loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2013. Ford's recall number is 13S06. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
On XXX I was driving my 2014 Ford Fusion to [XXX] from [XXX]. About 20 miles before my destination I received a warning on my dash "Power Steering Failed. Service Now". I continued to my destination in [XXX]. Turned off my car and the power steering stopped working, making it difficult to turn. I…
My momâs 2011 Ford Fusion SEL experienced a loss of electric power steering assistance. I cannot determine the exact moment the failure occurred. When I started the vehicle and attempted to drive away, I noticed that the steering wheel was extremely stiff. The dashboard displayed a âPower…
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly lost power steering assist, nearly causing the contact to lose steering control as the steering locked up, and an audible warning chime sounded. The contact safely maintained…
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 35 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle almost crashed into the neighbor's lawn because the steering wheel had seized. The contact's daughter stated that the steering wheel was firm and required extra effort…
The automatic transmission failed at approximately 59,000 miles. The vehicle was delivered to an authorized Ford dealership on 09/04/2025 for warranty repair. The transmission was replaced. The vehicle remained at that dealership approximately eight months and was returned to me on or about…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Fusions have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 5,775 owner complaints about steering for the Ford Fusion. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Fusion steering?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix steering problems on the Ford Fusion?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,500 (half paid between $2,150 and $2,800), from 512 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about steering problems on the Ford Fusion?
The most frequent phrase is “steering assist”, in 1,595 of 5,775 complaints, followed by “service power” (655).
Other Ford Fusion problems
- Air Bags problems (3,530)
- Engine problems (3,369)
- Power Train problems (3,138)
- Service Brakes problems (2,191)
- Electrical System problems (1,665)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (1,414)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (1,167)
- Structure problems (854)
See all Ford Fusion problems.