Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Ford Fusion owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 - 60 MPH, the AdvanceTrac and power steering systems became inoperable. The AdvanceTrac and power steering warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent certified mechanic, where an unknown diagnostic was made. The AdvanceTrac system was reset, and unknown power steering system repairs were performed; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic several times. The mechanic reset the AdvanceTrac system a second time. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall and the vehicle did not have warranty coverage. The failure mileage was approximately 29,104.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle at the residence, the messages "Service Power Steering" and Check Stability" were displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle steering wheel had seized and was unable to turn to the left or the right. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called a dealer and was informed about a manufacturer's recall for the electric power steering assist; however, the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was then transferred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 743,000.
"Takata recall" I received the notification concerning the airbag recall in the mail the day before the vehicle was involved in an accident and was eventually considered to be a total loss. The airbag in the drivers side did deploy and pieces of what I thought were glass were embedded in my skin on my left hand though there wasn't any glass in that area that seemed to be loose. I also noticed that the airbag continued to burn for an extremely long time. The accident occurred and after all parties were evaluated and the road was cleared a bit, the tow truck arrived and the steering column still had smoke coming from the airbag region which the paramedic mentioned seemed to be longer that usual for it to still be smoking. This accident occurred while ,y vehicle was in motion and hit a stopped car which then hit another vehicle on a city street while driving in the forwards position.
For no reason I got two warnings when driving stabilize and power steering. At the time my mom was driving. She couldn't turn as we were turning a corner and ended up in a ditch! From what I see this is a problem with a lot of other Ford fusions! And this isn't recalled? Theses shouldn't be going out already? My vehicle has 60K miles! We could have died!
Hit a deer and the air bag did not deploy. Moving at 45 MPH sometimes on start up steering assist doesn't come on - parked today (05.29.19) advancetrac light came on and the car is making growling type noises.- driving parking lots and streets
I own a Ford Fusion 2012 with about 95,000 miles on it. No other issues since its purchase in November 2014. Weeks ago I started the car, and the powersteering assist message came on, could not move car. Steering locked. Read the manual for car. Turned car off and back on. Problem went away. I thought it might be the cold weather or ice blocking a sensor. However intermittently this has happened again and again and sometimes takes several tries of on/off to get the car to become drivable. Also now it sometimes says advancetrac service and the drivers side door will not open so I, a tall person, need to try to climb over the seat and get out on the passenger side into traffic. Having ones car not start up in a city such as mine is dangerous for single women at night who might be alone. …
When driving my 2012 Ford Fusion sel AWD, the power steering will (at random) cease to function and causes extreme difficulty in steering. It is nearly impossible to pull over safely. At speed this is an extremely dangerous and terrifying event. The lights for the traction control system, the power steering system, and occasionally the advance trac system come on. It is not always all of the lights all of the time, and the errors vary. I have had it looked at and the codes read, and the problem persists. I need this fixed as I have two small children that I refuse to allow to ride in the car as I'm afraid for their safety. It strands me at random at work and at school an hour from home as well. Upon cranking the lights for power steering failures come on and I have to sit and wait on a ride. This is unacceptable. …
Last week I received a recall for the airbags on my vehicle. Before I called for an appointment, I checked the recall on line and noticed the steering is also being recalled. Two days later while driving, lights started going off on my dashboard. The steering and tsc lights were blinking and ringing. I had no idea what to do! I read the dashboard which said check my power steering fluid, ther is no fluid well??? I called my Ford dealer and was told ' we will fix the airbag, but have no idea about the steering issues, my car has no recall for that' I told them I was looking right at the recall notice, and since I wasn't notified, they can't fix it. I told her I cannot drive the vehicle that the car won't steer, she told me to have it towed in. I have purchased a 1990 bronco I, a 1999 Ford ranger and a 2007 escape from this same dealer. …
Electrical power steering not working (see receipt below) 8/11/2017: case # [redacted] for: $1784.00 March 30 2012 -build date Ford recall 15s18 although my car was excluded from the recall 15s18, my car did same thing that recall stated: the steering wheel locked up while driving at night alone in houston and was put in extreme harm bc it stopped completely on hwy 1314 and would not move. Also, my car meets all the requirements to the recall and is only excluded because it was built only 2 weeks outside of the recall time frame. Because I experienced the exact description listed in recall and because my car meets all the necessary requirements of vehicles included that Ford recalled (except that was built only 2 weeks outside of the date), I request remedy of reimbursement for my vehicle repair and damages. …
Unaware that my throttle control transmission was defective. My car shut off, while I was driving at approximately 35/40 MPH, on a bend entering a bridge and I was almost hit by a bus. When I started car up again, it went into limp mode and it creeped until I got to a safe area and had to have it towed. Ford repaired it for free after I made numerous calls but I had to pay for a rental which cost me $140.00. If I had been traveling down a major highway, I couldve been killed. I never received notification of this defective part. Also, my evaporator sensor went bad in my Fusion. A known defective part in earlier years up to my year car. The car is only 4 years old and I have no air conditioning. The part is a $20 defective part but the repairs cost over $600.00 because the entire dash needs torn apart. …
Traction Control complaints in other Fusion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2012 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA has 86 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2012 Ford Fusion, 3% of the model year's 2,517 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Ford Fusion traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control recall for the 2012 Ford Fusion, though it has 5 recalls for other components. 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to stability & traction control 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.