NHTSA Complaint #11657572 — 2011 FORD FUSION

The power steering failed. The message display keeps indicating that there is a power steering system fault which results in a loss of my ability to steer the car, increasing the risk of being involved in a crash. The first time the message appeared was around the beginning of March. When I consulted the Owners Manual, it instructs the driver to stop the car, turn off the engine for at least ten seconds and reset the system to restart the engine. It happened infrequently a few more times, but functioned again each time until around April 24th. According to the manual, there should have been a message reading "service power steering now". I don't remember ever seeing that message, just the one that's still displayed (POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT). I haven't had the car towed to the dealership yet, but I have called to ask about a 2015 recall of 2011 Ford Fusions for such a defect. Both Ford Company and the dealership tell me that there was no recall for such a hazard related to my specific VIN so the diagnosis and repair will be at my expense.