NHTSA Complaint #10483523 — 2012 FORD FOCUS

THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE ERROR MESSAGE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. DURING THIS INCIDENT, I WAS DRIVING THE CAR THROUGH A PARKING LOT AT APPROX 10MPH WHEN THE STEERING MALFUNCTION OCCURRED. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS APPROX 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS BUT I HAD JUST STARTED THE VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE SAME SYMPTOMS OCCURRED. IN BOTH CASES, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN BOTH CASES, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SHUT OFF THEN RESTARTED TO GET THE STEERING WORKING AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALER FOR SERVICE AND OPENED A CASE WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON THIS MALFUNCTION, BUT AFTER BEING AT THE DEALERSHIP OVER A WEEK, THEY SAY THEY CANNOT FIND ANY ISSUE. *TR