2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid Steering Problems

43 owners have reported steering problems with the 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid to NHTSA — 33% of all 132 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 81,000 miles. That ranks #2 of 11 Fusion Hybrid model years for steering complaints (a typical year has 14). No steering recall has been issued for this model year.

43complaints
81ktypical miles
0related recalls
2crashes
0fires
1injuries

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    25%
  • 25k–50k
    37%
  • 50k–75k
    1433%
  • 75k–100k
    1331%
  • 100k–150k
    717%
  • 150k+
    37%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the "Power Steering Assist" warning light illuminated and the vehicle was difficult to steer. The vehicle was restarted and the power steering functionality returned however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that recently while driving 20 MPH, the power steering assist warning light illuminated and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was driven back to the residence in manual steering mode. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure with a damaged power steering control module assembly which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

106,000 miles · Jan 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was difficult to turn and failed to function as needed. Additionally, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with steering rack failure. The contact was informed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The contact stated that the steering rack had been replaced five times starting in 2023. In addition, the contact stated that on several of the failures, the vehicle was undriveable and was towed to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,625.

78,000 miles · Jul 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving down a hill at approximately 35 MPH, the "Service Power Steering Now" and Service Advance Track" messages were displayed before the power steering malfunctioned and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 112,891.

113,000 miles · Nov 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly. The contact stated that the "Service Power Steering" message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the power steering control module. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 150,000.

150,000 miles · Nov 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized, with the steering assist failure message displayed. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the steering assembly had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

80,000 miles · Nov 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact drove the vehicle without power steering functionality downhill. The service power steering immediately message was displayed. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

170,000 miles · Aug 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electric power steering assist needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 99,847.

100,000 miles · Aug 2022

Sister was driving a 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid home from work on the freeway going about 80mph as she lost power steering. She went up an embankment and flew threw the air and hit a pillar. We know advance trac light was coming on the day before that from her google activity. She will never be able to tell us because she died in the crash that was cause from the power steering loss on 8/29/17. She was 17 yrs old. This is a tragic loss for our family and is not OK for Ford to sell cars like this. Someone do something!!!!

70,000 miles · Aug 2017 · crash

I am contacting you regarding a fatal car accident that my sister was just killed in on 8/29/17. She drove a 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid. My mother did not know about the issues many people have with these model cars. She would have never bought the car if she did. My sister was driving home from work when witnesses said that for reasons unknown to them out of no where my sisters car veered to the right onto an overpass embankment on I-580 at the 132 over pass crossing just west of vernalis, ca. She then went over the entire embankment and became airborne for 127 feet before smashing into the concrete pillar that supports the 132 bridge. She was killed instantly and pronounced deceased at 4:10 pm. In the california highway patrol collision report it says that the cause of the accident was an unsafe right turn. But there is no road to turn on, so why would someone turn there? …

69,000 miles · Aug 2017 · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle hesitated without warning. In addition, while driving the vehicle to the dealer, the steering wheel seized intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (kruse motor sales ltd, 515 broadway st, baraboo,wi, 53913) where it was diagnosed that the coolant motor and power steering failed and needed to be replaced. The coolant motor was replaced along with the spark plugs; however, the power steering was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was a recall under NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer informed the contact to have the vehicle taken to a Ford dealer for diagnostic testing. The local Ford dealer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

110,000 miles · Aug 2017

NHTSA investigations

Electric power steering failure

NHTSA investigation PE14030 · opened Oct 2, 2014 · closed Sep 10, 2015 · led to recall 15V-340

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…

Steering complaints in other Fusion Hybrid years

201020112012201320142015201620172018201920201384336191415513751
Steering complaints per model year, Ford Fusion Hybrid.

Frequently asked questions

How common are steering problems on the 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid?

NHTSA has 43 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid, 33% of the model year's 132 complaints.

Is there a recall for 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid steering problems?

No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.

At what mileage do 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid steering problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury and 2 deaths to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.