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

Written by: Irvin Jackson

Senior Legal Journalist & Contributing Editor

Irvin Jackson is a senior investigative reporter at AboutLawsuits.com with more than 30 years of experience covering mass tort litigation, environmental policy, and consumer safety. He previously served as Associate Editor at Inside the EPA and contributes original reporting on product liability lawsuits, regulatory failures, and nationwide litigation trends.

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590 Comments


Austin
My 2012 Ford Fusion went into the shop today and now they want 2k to fix a gear in my steering column. This is exceptionally confusing because while they said the part was not under warranty, my BaseCare warranty says under the steering section that “Gear Housing, Manual and Power (Including All Internal Parts)” are covered. Before I bought the car, I asked if it was a good car and they agreed. They did not mention that I would have to pay 1/6 the cost of my car to fix defective parts in 6 months from purchase.

Micheal
The power steering/advance trac in my 2010 Ford Fusion SE quit on me also, thank GOD my wife wasn’t driver. I’m very patriotic…. I’m a veteran of the US NAVY and before this car I was all about MADE IN THE USA cars. I can’t see myself buying another US CAR after this. Between this problem and the throttle body failure that I had on a car that was less that 3 years old. Ford doesn’t care and neither does chevy(wife’s old car). I want in on this lawsuit. Ford should be ashamed.

DEANNA
I have a 2012 Ford Focus. It has had constant problems with the transmission since I purchased it. Ford has replaced the clutches 3 times . It constantly feels like the clutch is slipping and makes grinding noises. I had to have the transmission control module replaced at 60,000 miles also. Last week the steering wheel started locking up when I put the car in gear. The service reps at Ford looked “puzzled” when I explained this . They called the next day to tell me that the whole rack and pinion unit needed to be replaced ~ $1700. !! I called Ford and filed a claim but had to pay for the repair until Ford has a recall . I found out on your website that this is another well known problem with this LEMON ~ FORD IS DELIBERATELY BLOWING THIS PROBLEM OFF!

LINDY
I have a 2010 ford fusion SE .well I was driving my car to my brother shop when to turn and park it on side of the fence and I lost control of the car and hit the fence. Mess up my car on the right.bumper.I note that the steer wheel was hard to turn.so now I can’t get my car fit.I am very hurt about this.ford want 1700 to fit it.no way it not my fault.

Chris
We had a 2012 Ford Fusion that we had the same problem with the power steering going out. The ” Steering assist warning ” along with the advance trac warning would come on. If you shut the car off and restarted it, it would be fine for awhile. The warnings would go away. This happen about 3 of 4 times in about 6 month period.I took it to the local Ford dealership. They said they could not get the problem to repeat. The car went in with a full tank and came back with 50 miles let to the tank! We decided to get rid of the fusion because I felt that it was no longer a vehicle I could trust or rely on. i was a Ford fan before having an uncle that had retired as an engineer. I decide to go with a GM Product.

Megan
I have a 2012 Focus that I bought brand new. It had 5 miles on it when I took it home. I’ve had to have the transmission replaced twice. I’ve needed a new wiper motor. And now I need a new steering gear assembly because my EPS went out on me yesterday while driving. Of course now I’m no longer covered by warranty and will have to pay the $1500 out of pocket. The dealership told us to call Ford and raise a stink. That unless the owner actually calls and make a fuss they won’t do anything. So here’s the number to call 1-800-241-FORD. The more people that call and report EPS failure the more likely they are to have a recall or extend the warranty like they did on the Power Tran. You can also report your problems to the National Highway Traffic Saftey Administration, http://www.nhtsa.gov. They can push things along as well. Ford should be embarressed by all the issues these vehicles are having.

Lillian
2011 Ford Fusion with 23,500 miles Three days ago my power steering failed on a sharp curve and my Ford Fusion failed to negotiate the curve. Fortunately, I was on a rural two lane road going only 25 mph, but I did end up going off the road. The accident could have been disastrous if I was on a highway curve in the center lane. I, too, want in on this lawsuit. I cannot believe Ford is going to jeopardize the reputation they have been building by ignoring the legitimate complaints of their customer base.

Inez
My grandaughter has a 2011 Fusion and her power steering has gone out at least 4 times but this time her car won’t bounce back.Ive called Ford and they claim that their is a recall but not on her car due to the Vin number.A replacement on her steering rack would cost $1200 .What are they waiting on to fix this problem? An accident and a lawsuit.

Sherry
I paid $2000 to fix the rack on my 2010 fusion.Now its happening again.! How do I enter in this lawsuit?

Chris
Ours needed a pressure sensor, 3 weeks in for repair! Got it back and 5 days later and got in the car, started, tried to turn the wheel to pull out of driveway and is grinding horribly. Turned off and back on and couldn’t turn. Flatbed to the dealer. The service is poor, parts 2-3 weeks out, and we’re making payments on a vehicle we don’t have. Sign me up.

Amanda
I, too, have had my power steering go out. I have a 2012 Focus SE, has 67,000 miles. I purchased the car in January of 2013. This car has been nothing but a headache and every time I’ve needed something fixed Ford makes me pay out of pocket for a rental while they have my car for over a week. My car is still sitting at work because I could not move it since the steering is now out. I get the “steering assist failure, service required” I’m a single mother and getting laid off my job. I sure dont have 2000 to fix, no one does. I want in on the lawsuit.

Jon
I have 2012 Ford Fusion with just over 24,000 miles and all of sudden my electronic steering just gave out and my Advanctrac warning light came on, went to the dealership said they could fix it but since it was over the 3 year warranty was going to cost me 1800 to fix

Jonathan
I have a 2010 ford fusion. As i was leaving the heb parking lot the service power steering now message came on power steering was still working. I drove to pick up my sister with the message still on and power steering working fine untill i turned it of to wait on her. As soon as i started it lights came back on this time my power steering wasn’t working. Someone help me with some advice thanks

Linda
This is Linda from April 25th, the dealership is telling me it’s because my battery needs replacing that sounds like bull—- I only have 20,000 miles on the car and battery.I feel as though Ford is covering up a very big problem, there are to many complaints on the same problem, I’m picking my car up today,let’s pray it doesn’t happen again, if so I’ll get rid of it and never buy another Ford! This issue is so dangerous!!

Rob
2012 Fusion with 63000 miles, power steering went out April 9, repair cost over $2000. Would like to be a complainant on this suit.

linda
my 2011 ford fusion se power steering locked on me without a warning that suppose to let you know to have it service when suddenly while driving it on April 17 2015 it was hard for me to turn the steering and thats when the service light appeared on the steering column the first time i ever saw that i put less than 20,000 miles on this vehicle i been reading a lot of complaints about the fusion which i wasnt aware of this problem till i did some research on this vehicle this is very dangerous and deadly this is a definite recall a major problem before someone is killed in a deadly accident i just bought this car February 2014

Linda
I have a 2012-ford fusion the power steering went out on me for the first-time about 3 wks. ago and again yesterday ,how crazy ,so,dangerous there’s got to be enough complaints by now after all I’ve read for Ford to issue a recall .I have the extended warranty ,hope they fix it.

Doug
I have a 2010 Fusion and my steering went out yesterday while my wife was driving the car with my 10 mo old son in the car. She said it was all she could do to control the car and get it to a safe place off the hwy. My older son then had to meet her and drive the car home. It appears this is a wide spread problem that needs to be addressed before someone is hurt really bad.

Danecqua
My car wheels locked up on.me coming iff the expressway yesterday morning i had my car towed to the ford.dealership its a 2013 ford fusion se i bought the car in October of 2013 the dealership call me today i told.me its gon cost me 2200 to fix my car because the steering gear broke… I need help o called both the dealership n ford corp n their telling me there is no recall which is really messed up because i almost got into a accident

Christian
Yup, power steering went out last night. Thank god i didnt hit anyone or anything. Ford needs to fix this. I have a 2010 ford fusion SEL.

John
My 2010 fusion lost power steering and the wheel actually locked up causing me to hit a parked car…..how is it possible there isn’t a recall!! If I can’t get into the class action I will sue ford on my own. My insurance doubled, hit my head on dash, and now they want $2100 to fix the power steering. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN!

Ben
My 2010 Fusion is always leaking power steering fluid. I have to keep feeling every week. This is an accident waiting to happen! A recall would be nice. Any update on the lawsuit?

Steve
My daughters 2011Fusion is now having the problem for the third time. First time was replaced under warranty after a two week wait. Second time cost us well over $2,000.00, had to rent a car.Part of the jacked up charges were returned to me after I filed an official complaint with the factory. My daughter is going to Ford tomorrow to see if they will stand behind this.

Danielle
My 2012 Ford Focus just started this problem, my power stearing is out as of 4/12/15, and I drive around with my 2 year old son hoping this doesnt cause an accident.

Brenda
Same exact thing happened to me as hundreds. Ford claiming its a wire or wiring. Im assuming its to the EPAS system. How do i join this lawsuit. Upon emailing ford they say they cant diagnose from what i read on the web. So they are saying we all are liars. ….we will see…

Randy
My 2011 Ford Fusion power steering has completely gone out. A car this new shouldn’t have that kind of major problem. I could have been in a horrible accident. Ford needs to take responsibility.

Gerrianne
How can we get in on this law suit. Our 2011 started having power steering issues in December. It finally “lost” it completely today! $2100 was the quote at a mechanics and suggested “maybe” Ford could give us a better quote. I highly doubt it. This is very frustrating and I’m so thankful it happened in our garage and not while my husband was driving it! What can we do folks?

Kyle
2011 Fusion just had this issue. Dealership quoted $2,200 to repair. Power steering went out while driving 30-40 mph on a busy road…Power steering and advance trac failure

Adam
My wife got stranded at the shopping mall lucking I was working night and was at home sleeping when the power steering went out. The dealership quoted us $1600 parts and labor. This is a common problem with this system and needs to be recalled.

Daniel
power steering went out need help

Briana
I agree with everyone’s comments! My 2010 Ford Fusion’s power steering went out yesterday (3/29/15) & it’s currently in a Ford Dealership’s service department in Sandy Springs, Ga. I haven’t gotten a quote yet but judging by the previous comments it’s not looking good for me! HOW DO I GET INVOLVED IN THIS CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT????

michelle
I have a 2013 Ford Fusion which I purchased in August 2014. My power steering just went a couple of days ago and they want $1700 to repair it.. Luckily for me its covered under my extended warranty for right now.. I am just afraid that it will happen again considering on some of these comments someone had it go out four different times!!! I have a young child and that is very very dangerous!!!! What do we do to fix this? Considering Ford is still making cars knowing the power steering malfunctions…!!! I really didn’t think this was much of a problem until I tried to diagnose the problem myself and seen all the suits against ford about it..

marivel
wow obviously it’s not a coincidence we all have the same issue my 2010 ford fusions power steering just went out .. I was told the same thing when I called my nearest ford shop and was told 1700 for the part only …and was also told there was no recall which seems to be incorrect as well…..

Jessica
I have a white 2013 Ford Focus and my EPS System, power steering just went after yesterday and after bringing it to Ford, they want $1,500.00 to repair it! How do I get on a class action lawsuit? I’ve called the Ford Customer Relations Center and spoke with an Aaron today who informed me that there are no recalls and yet when I look this problem up, I see so many online complaints along with Class Action Suits in California…but none in Florida. HELP! I just want my steering paid for!! http://www.aboutlawsuits.com/ford-focus-fusion-steering-class-action-67309/

Kalesh
Bought a 2014 Ford Focus in 2014 Dec. 2015 Feb, started stalling on the side of the road, took 10+days for ford to fix the issue. It is a Power Control module failure. A week later in 2015 March, power steering failed, car is back in the shop. Dealership said, the problem automatically fixed itself during the diagnosis. They are still trying to figure out what is wrong. This is very unsafe. I have warranty, but this is bad and usafe .How do I join the lawsuit?

John
How do I join this lawsuit? My 2012 Fusion failed today. Ford doesn’t give a shit.

Yasmin
My 2010 fusion had power steering go out yesterday and I am lucky I was not on the highway I don’t even know what caused it to go out my tires are good everything seems good ford needs to recall I am not paying 2,000 to get it fixed and then have it go out again waist of money, time, and it is unsafe !!!! Never will I purchase another Ford vehicle !

naomi
I had my power steering rack go out on my 2012 fusion and ford wants 2000 roughly to fix the problem. How do i find out more information about this lawsuit?

Amy
Can one of you please explain what the Fix is being diagnosed as by the mechanic? I’m getting varying opinions by different mechanics and would like to know from those of you that are being quoted $1700+ to fix the issue what the fix is? I’ve had my power steering go out 4 times now and am at a loss what to do? There needs to be a RECALL!!! This is Dangerous and Annoying!

Erik
my 2011 Fusion just had this issue and the dealer wants $2100 to fix it…..how do I get in on this class action suit?

Robert
2010 Ford Focus 37,000 miles. Power steering is leaking and going out. The car is hard to steer. Terrible.

Stephanie
How do I join the class action? My 2011 has now done this 6 documented times since I bought it in Sept. 2014. I have already reported incidents to Ford… they are no help. Today I was going over 75 on the Hwy during rush hour… had to negotiate three lanes to get to the side of the road. Once I kill it, then something resets and my power steering starts working. So dangerous!!!

jim
Same issue as everyone else. Power steering assist failure on 2011 ford fusion. The car is basically undriveable. Luckily it happened in the driveway and not on the highway. Taking it to the dealer tomorrow. Looks like I am expecting to pay $1,700 for repairs. When will Ford accept responsibility for their mistakes?

Robert
Took it into the dealer and it will cost $2500 for the repairs for the power steering issue. It is not covered by Ford, they claim there is no problem. Spoke to a regional service manager who could care less. His response was basically “what do you want me to do?” How about stand by your products?

Maggie
I’m experiencing the same problem with my 2011 Ford Fusion as many of you. I went to back out of my driveway yesterday and the Power Steering Assist Fault error message appeared, followed by the Service AdvanceTrac error, the steering is so tight I am unable to drive my car. The car in going in for repair in a couple of days, I’m afraid to hear what the cost of repair is going to be. The fact that Ford is not recalling Fusions for this well documented problem baffles me. Please let me know what I can do to join the current class action suit.

Robert
First occurred at about 60k on my 2012 Ford Focus doing 35 mph. Turned the car off and it reset. A few days later on the highway doing about 70, same thing. Scheduled service appt with ford dealer and they could not replicate the problem. Charged me 150.00 and sent me on my way. Probably happened probably 5 times intermittently since, but always reset when I turned the car off. Then at about 76k miles the power steering failed for good and would not reset. Finally ford was able to diagnose the issue, but want to charge 2300.00 to fix. The service rep said it was not covered by warranty. In order for it to be covered it would need to be under 36000 miles. So ridiculous. So it’s time to speak to an attorney. They had their chance to resolve

Steve
I’ve had this issue with my 2010 Fusion (115,000) mainly when starting the car. If I turned it off it went away for a few weeks. I’ve done this for the last year thinking I should get it looked into. Today it came on and will not reset. Now seeing everyone’s issues on these various sites makes me wonder if I have to fork out 1000 to get it repaired. I am a first time Ford owner (normally Chevy) and if they do not jump on this and correct their error I will be a last time Ford owner too.

Rayan
Same issue with my 2010 Fusion (around 60k miles). Not only is this dangerous, it implies that Ford isn’t willing to stand behind its name and products.

heather
I have a 2011,fusion same thing happened to my car yesterday going to take it to ford tomorrow so we will see what happens??

Larry
My 2013 Fusion power steering went out at a few over 5,000 miles. They are replacing the power steering rack. I was lucky that I was on a straight line interstate when it happened. Drove like a tank back to the dealership, but had it gone down in turn or completely without warning, it would have been profoundly dangerous. Ford needs to solve this problem.

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