Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the TPMS warning light illuminated. The contact stopped at a local gas station and inflated the driver's side front tire. The contact stated that after inflating the tire, the Advancetrac error and power system failure warning lights were illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and proceeded to drive the vehicle to his destination; however, the power steering seized and became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed steering gearbox. The contact was informed that the steering gearbox needed to be replaced, and the tires needed to be rotated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated a message that the "Advance-trac System Failure - Service Required" message was displayed. The contact drove the vehicle home, turned off the vehicle, and noticed that the steering wheel was locked. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure occurred on two prior occasions and was diagnosed as an Advance-trac system failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 207,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. While the contact's daughter was operating the vehicle, the steering wheel was very difficult to turn in either direction, with the message "Power Steering Malfunction" displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering rack was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 68,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no reservoir cap to check for power steering fluid. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but 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 72,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the power steering seized without warning while steering through a curve. As a result, the vehicle crashed into the side of a tree and went down into the canal. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.
Power steering first failed in the beginning of November 2013. There was 20083 miles on the vehicle. We were driving the car in our subdivision and all of a sudden alarms started and the car was very hard to steer. We were able to force steer the car back home. We shut off the vehicle and started it up again and the power steering started working again. The alarms and warning lights also went off. We brought the vehicle in to our local Ford dealer and they indicated there was nothing wrong. We then had a second event on February 21, 2015 where the power steering failed again. The mileage was 40163. We shut off the vehicle and started it up again and the power steering started working again. The alarms and warning lights also went off. We brought the vehicle in to our local Ford dealer and they indicated there was nothing wrong again. …
Today from a stop, turning right out of parking lot on to city street into right most lane, during acceleration in turn, power steering lost; followed immediately by several audible warning tones and message center reporting service advancetrac and service steering. While caught of guard, was able with effort to straighten vehicle, and recover without incident. At next light, put car in park, turned vehicle off and then back on. Immediately received warning tones and message center reporting service advancetrac and service power steering now. Vehicle as no power assist and effort is high to steer vehicle. Not clear how both systems "failed" at same time. But loss of safety feature for stability control and increased effort to steer requires more response time for routine and if required evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision. …
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to billy howell Ford Lincoln (1805 atlanta hwy, cumming, ga 30040, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V340000 (steering) and 17V024000 (air bags); however, the parts needed for the repairs were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened case number: cas15441933. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. While driving 5 MPH, the advance auto trac and power steering assist warning indicators illuminated. Also, while making a right turn, the steering wheel seized. The contact attempted to steer the wheel, but it failed to steer properly. The contact turned the vehicle off and back on, placed the vehicle in reverse, and then drive; however, the steering wheel failed. Aaa was contacted and towed the vehicle to heritage Ford (2075 edsel ln nw, corydon, in 47112, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to call NHTSA to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 166,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. While driving various speeds, the steering failed and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. Sheehy Ford of marlow heights (5000 auth rd, marlow heights, md 20746, [phone]) diagnosed that the steering sensor system needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 150,000. Consumer stated diagnosed communication had a problem and steering wheel was hard to turn. Dealer had car for 23 days month later same issue. Vehicle was never looked at. Recall was mentioned by the consumer by dealer did not acknowledge it. Consumer has contacted the manufacturer.
NHTSA investigations
Electric power steering failure
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…
Power Steering Failure
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.
Steering complaints in other Fusion Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid, 38% of the model year's 96 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2012 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 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries 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.