2012 Ford Fusion
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 2,616 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 15 Fusion model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 111 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 66 people were injured and 3 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMar 10, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.
Campaign 21V158000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalFeb 16, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
Campaign 21V081000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleFeb 16, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also includes certain passenger-side air bag inflators and/or modules designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang, 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion, 2010-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2011 Ford Ranger, and 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX vehicles. Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers. These parts may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Ford will notify dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
Campaign 21E013000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleDo not drive until repairedJan 7, 2019
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19S01.
Campaign 19V001000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleDo not drive until repairedJan 10, 2017
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
Campaign 17V024000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemJun 2, 2015
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 15V340000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: steering
1,511 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Dec 1, 2021
The power steering assist failed while driving on freeway. Steering all but locked up. Power assist failure code presented itself beforehand, pretty much from the week I purchased it, and the owner's manual instructed to pull off road, turn off engine and restart to stop code (??), which always worked, until 2 weeks ago. It was a very scary and unsafe situation when it failed while driving. After research I found out Ford used shoddy and faulty parts for the power steering modules. I never received any correspondence from Ford or NHTSA for my vehicle, yet when I called a Ford dealer they said my car was affected and could be fixed if under 150,000, which it is not. But, had I k own this was an issue, I would have had it repaired from the beginning, and not followed what the FORD MANUFACTURER OWNER'S GUIDE SUGGESTED each time. I want my car repaired by Ford and they are refusing stating NHTSA was responsible for recall informing, which again I was not informed.
Steering, Nov 23, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Focus. The contact stated that upon the start of the vehicle, the power steering assist failed to operate without warning. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where he was informed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The mechanic also informed him that since the power steering was electric, the vehicle had to be serviced and programed by an authorized dealer. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer and it was confirmed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. He was provided an estimate for the repair but was declined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided the contact a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Steering, Nov 9, 2021
My 2012 Ford Fusion experienced a loss of power steering assist. I received a message on my dashboard stating "power steering advance fault, service Advancetrac system". I was driving back from a nearby store and could not move the steering wheel without using all of my strength. The component was not inspected by the dealership from which I bought it. I was not informed about this issue. The dealership was Motormax Of Gr.
Steering, Nov 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the service power steering now and advancetrac warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to her home. The dealer and the manufacturer were both notified of the failure and both informed her that her vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer had referred her to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 173,200.
Steering, Nov 5, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while seated in the vehicle the contact turned the steering wheel to the left and the right and heard a loud clicking sound. The contact stated that there was an abnormal vibration in the steering wheel while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.
Steering, Nov 5, 2021
The power steering went out. We have had a child in the car. The inability to steer is a huge safety concern and could have been catastrophic. The issue was allegedly "fixed" 5 years ago. Now it has gone out again, and the "CSP" warranty has expired. Dealership does not acknowledge that this is a safety issue. They acknowledge the common problem and have diagnosed the issue as a software replacement issue needing $2500 to repair. This could have caused deaths should it have gone out at the wrong moment.
Steering, Nov 5, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and making a turn at an intersection, the power steering assist fault warning light illuminated. The contact simultaneously lost power steering. The contact switched gears to reverse and she reversed, then she forcefully steered the steering wheel to make the turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the EPAS gear was internally faulty and needed to be replaced; however, the dealer advised the contact that they could not repair the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) because the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 140,116. After filing the initial complaint I have had no other choice but to borrow the money from a relative and have a relative and have a private party repair the vehicle to make it safe for my use.
Steering, Nov 4, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the power steering became inoperable without warning. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on multiple occasions however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000. The VIN was not available.
Steering, Oct 15, 2021
this is in reference to recall15s18. The Ford garage fixed this problem in 2017, but the steering has gone out again. They are saying that it is not covered by the recall. That I am 5 weeks too late to be covered. Do I have any recourse but to pay for it myself.
Steering, Oct 12, 2021
PARKED CAR WHEN RETURNING TO GO HOME THE STEERING WOULD NOT TURNI COULD NOT STEER THE CAR , I COULD NOT MOVE THE WHEEL,I BELIEVE THAT THIS YEAR FORD WAS RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM
Steering, Sep 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the service power steering now warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to his residence. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.
Steering, Sep 23, 2021
Driving the car August 29, 2021 and the power steering stopped working, this car was recalled in 2015 for the same issue but the dealer reset the computer and did not repair the problem, called Ford and they said the warranty expired July 19, 2021 and would not repair the problem, I explained they should have fixed the problem in 2015 and the only response is the warranty expired nothing thy will do, how are they not responsible for a recall that they did not fix
Steering, Sep 7, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon returning home and parking the vehicle, the power steering assist failed without warning. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle and reset the battery; however, the failure persisted. The contact called the dealer and the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
Steering, Sep 3, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle and reversing, the steering wheel failed to turn. The service power steering message was displayed. The contact called the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
Steering, Sep 2, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that at start-up, the power assist fault warning message appeared on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to his home. The contact called a dealer and was informed that his vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
Steering, Aug 24, 2021
Driver was turning a corner and lost power steering causing car to go into oncoming traffic lane. Luckily there was no traffic in the lane. The message “power steering assist fault”appeared on the dash of at that time. I’ve never had any issues with it before. Contacted Ford and was told my VIN was not included in current recall of 12 fusions. This is a dangerous issue that should cover all fusions before someone is killed.
Steering, Aug 18, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the power steering would fail to operate while driving at various speeds. Excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle as the power steering assist warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where he was given an estimate for the diagnostic which the contact declined. The contact then called Conroy Motors (1457 NY-78, Java Center, NY 14082) where he was given the same information as the previous dealer. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.
Steering, Aug 4, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 1 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,841.
Steering, Aug 3, 2021, crash
I was driving and went to turn steering wheel locked made me hit concrete and damage front bumper cover now power steering assist is not working i see this is a common problem
Steering, Jul 27, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while her husband was pulling into a parking space, the power steering message appeared on the instrument panel causing her husband to have to use excessive force to steer the vehicle. Her husband had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where a temporary fix was performed however, the failure returned soon after repair. The contact called the dealer and she was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred her back to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 99,759. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED CODES C1277 AND C1963. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS MADE.
Steering, Jul 26, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the electric power steering failed, and the steering wheel stiffened up and became difficult to steer. Check power steering now and advanced track warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the power steering was repaired in 2019, under an unknown recall however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to another dealer Courtesy Motor (3100 Pleasant Valley Blvd, Altoona, PA 16602) and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that a recall repair was only performed one time free of charge. The failure mileage was 129,000. Vin was unavailable. THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED 4 TIMES. REPAIR ATTEMPTS WERE MADE BUT, THE FAILURE PERSISTED.
Steering, Power train, Jul 12, 2021
A recall was issued in 2015..15S18.. It seems my Vin number isn't included in the recall because it was manufactured in New Mexico. My power steering at 70 mph goes out without any warning. The above recall is exactly what's happening with my vehicle. Now I am obligated to pay 2k to fix a manufacturing flaw. This is a huge saftey issue to be on the road and while your driving your power steering goes out. I am asking for further investigation as my car is a 2012 Ford Fusion with the same problem you issued a recall for. I can be reached at [XXX]. [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Steering, Jun 25, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering assist and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact stated that the traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the power steering needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
Steering, Jun 21, 2021
Power steering unit is faulting. A recall exist on the make and model but not on my VIN#. Was at Ford dealer two weeks ago for a message that read "service power steering soon" and they were unable to find issue. Now Power steering is locked up and message " POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" appears. When you turn the car off and back on the message disappears and steering moves.
Steering, Jun 20, 2021
I recently bought this car and one morning I get up and the power steering assist fault indicator warning light and a chime sound was flashing in my dashboard. I have family and a busy life style which is putting them and myself in danger. I have a appointment with Timpton Ford on the 22nd of June 2021 for this issue. Also not even 3 days later my car would not stay cranked due to the fuel pump I would turn the key over it would start and a few seconds later it would die. I need to know if my car can be fixed.