2013 FORD FOCUS Steering Problems

During recent freezing weather, upon starting the car and attempting to turn, I realized that the steering wheel was frozen solid. While researching what could have happened, the war warmed up enough to melt the water in the electric power assisted steering motor, allowing the vehicle to turn. Now, the EPAS is seized up completely. If I had been driving when it locked up completely, it could have proved fatal. The problem has not been reproduced, as it just happened in the last couple of weeks. I never got any check engine light pertaining to this issue. OBDII showed not errors for the EPAS.

While driving, the electric power steering went out. I purchased this vehicle on Aug 15 2025 and the Carfax report did not have any information pertaining to an issue with EPAS. To have this repaired will cost me over $3k which I was not prepared for. Being that other Ford vehicles have this EPAS recall, shouldn't a recall be made on the 2013 Ford Focus as well.

The vehicles power steering assist has failed and there are active recalls from the same manufacturer and year but not my specific VIN.

Power steering malfunction. Wheel not working on low temperature.

Electrical Power Steering. While driving the steering suddenly locked up. There was no prior indication. Upon having a Master Mechanic check the vehicle, it was stated that it is a common problem seen by mechanics and after researching online searches, the Ford Focus vehicles from 2010-2014 have experienced the same issue. This is an absolute hazard. The cost to repair will be close to $4, 000. I am requesting that an immediate recall she be mandated by Ford. This was a close call for me on a main Freeway.

Power steering assist pump stopped intermittently, than stop completely

UNKNOWN

My Ford Focus has a Steering Assist Fault. It failed in October 2022, and now I'm having to pay for replacement of the system because there is no recall on it for the Focus, unlike other models.

The intermittent power steering issues are now permanent and it is extremely difficult to turn the wheel.

I was driving when my power steering went out on the highway. Ford knows this is a problem. That was the first time I seen the warning light while driving

The steering wheel wants to lock up as you make a turn either left or right

Electric power steering goes out without any warning. I took my car to the dealership to get rotors and tire rods put on.Go pick up my car, soon as I pull off the lot get down the road my car is pulling to the pulling to the right. I keep driving, it's pulling to the left. I took the car back and told them my car is doing something weird. The tech gets in the driver seat and I get in the passenger seat. We driving and he said yeah that is weird. Now, when I took my car there for repairs, it wasn't doing this. They do some testing and they tell me my Electric power steering is going out. Without any warning.I don't know if they did something to it or it just went out. It's a safety hazard because there was no warning light or anything. That's...

The power steering randomly fails (it was raining each time) making it difficult to control the car. It lasts from 2-15 seconds.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 10 MPH, the power steering became inoperable. The message to pull over safely was displayed. The red critical warning indicator light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering control module (PSCM) needed to be replaced but the parts were back ordered. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred him to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

I have a 2013 Ford Focus Titanium with 92k miles and have been experiencing problems with my electric steering rack. It’s making noises when turning the steering wheel. I have not had it replaced yet as I fill this something that should recalled and covered through Ford. It has not locked on me yet but this is something that should be recalled and fixed as I’m hearing multiple ford owners are experiencing the same issue.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000. The VIN was unavailable.

A few times i have been driving, or sometimes just started my car to drive and my steering would be hard. Contacted Ford and was told that was normal. I Was driving a couple months with everything working properly and suddenly the Electronic steering is gone. Nearly caused an accident with my grandchildren in the vehicle. I was fortunate enough to be able to get to the side of road without getting hit.

Power steering assist failure. On the freeway. Hard to steer. Then when I made it home (thankfully) turned into the driveway, turned the car off. Then when I tried to start it later, the wheel had completely locked up. Couldn't move the car. If it would have done that on the freeway, I would have died.

Steering rack failed while driving. Leaving parking lot steering started to make a grinding noise and almost immdeiatly locked in place when on the road.

I’ve seen multiple recalls on the electric power steering with ford and recently I lost all power steering in my 2013 Ford Focus SE and know it’s been a problem for other fords like mine. My vehicle has 119,000 miles. I want to know why there are recalls for other ford cars for the exact same issue but not the 2013 focus

Power steering assist failed while driving on the highway. I pulled over and turned off the car to investigate and the steering wheel locked up.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering assist fault warning message was displayed. The vehicle lost power steering and the vehicle was difficult to steer. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the failure was corrected. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with steering control module failure. The steering control module and rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

- Steering rack and pinion failed while driving and is currently being repaired at dealership - Safety was out at risk due to the malfunctioning occurring while car was being driven. Steering became extremely difficult and felt as if wheel was locking-up. - Car was taken to dealership twice regarding the malfunction. First resolution was updating the power steering control module software. Steering was fixed for one week before the issue re-appeared while driving. During second visit at the dealership, it was determined that the steering rack and pinion will need replacing. - There was no warning messages or symptoms prior to the malfunctioning occurring.

On September 25, 2021 around 11:30pm, I was driving and the steering wheel happened to lock out of nowhere and I’m not able to turn correctly. It was a very dangerous situation and I couldn’t turn and the car was going straight. I was very close to get into a car accident. I bought car without any issues and I’ve been taking good care of it and out of nowhere the steering wheel locked on me and gave me a signal saying “steering loss stop safely” i went to advanced parts to have it tested on a Sunday and they said I needed to replace my catalyst system efficiency which I was aware of that needed to replaced but nothing else showed besides the code they gave me P0420. The vehicle hasn’t been Inspected or component by a insurance company or others.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Focus. The contact stated while reversing out of the garage, the power steering malfunctioned causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering rack and pinion was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000. Vin was not available. Consumer stated mechanic has custody of the old rack and pinion needs to evaluate it.

STEERING FELT A LITTLE STICKY. LAST NIGHT I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND AN ALERT CAME UP THAT SAID 'STEERING FAULT SERVICE NOW' AND THIS MORNING I STARTED IT AND IT SAID 'STEERING LOSS PARK SAFELY' AND THE STEERING WHEEL DOESN'T MOVE AT ALL. ALMOST WENT OFF THE ROAD WHEN I LOST POWER STEERING LAST NIGHT

I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET WHEN MY STEERING GOT REALLY HARD AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO A POLE. UNABLE TO STEER SAFELY.

STEERING ASSIST ON VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT. THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED TO ME WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE COLD. DASH READ "STEERING ASSIST FAULT. SERVICE REQUIRED." THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST. FORD HAS CLAIMED IT IS SOFTWARE RELATED. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. I AM WORRIED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN WHEN I AM DRIVING. I AM AFRAID OF BEING STUCK OUT SOMEWHERE WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO STEER. I HAVE READ REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO MOTORISTS. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE THAT IS WELL KNOWN TO THE ONLINE COMMUNITY. FORD HAS HAD STEERING ASSIST RECALLS ON OTHER VEHICLES IN THE PAST. THIS IS AN ISSUE WHICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.

WHEN I FIRST START MY CAR. THE STEERING FAULT MESSAGE COMES ON AND I CAN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF THEN BACK ON. THEN IT WORKS.I'M AFRAID THAT IT MAY LOCK WHILE DRIVING.

WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE TO PARK THE CAR IN MY GARAGE, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THERE IS AN ERROR MESSAGE ON THE CONSOLE THAT SAYS 'STEERING ASSIST FAULT SERVICE REQUIRED'. I CHECKED IT THE FOLLOWING DAY, AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS.

I HAVE SEEN MANY VIDEOS ON YOU TUBE ON WHAT COULD OF BEEN WRONG AND THEY ALL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH WAS THE STEERING RACK AND PINION VERY EXPENSIVE AND UNSAFE FIX MY CHILD WAS IN THE CAR WHILE WE WAS DRIVING WHEN MINE BROKE ONLY 28 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR NOT VERY HAPPY

THE STEERING LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING AND IS VERY HARD TO TURN. THERE IS NO LIGHT OR CODE. IT'S VERY UNSAFE ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT FORD WILL BE HEARING FROM OUR LAWYERS. THIS SHOULD'VE HAVE BEEN RECALLED ALONG WITH THE OTHER MODELS AND YEARS THAT HAD THE SAME ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PROBLEMS.

WHEN I GO AROUND CURVES IT'S JERKY AND HARD TO GET TO TURN. COULD BE DANGEROUS AND I'VE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT.

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY USING MY CRUISE CONTROL AND THE MOTOR REVVED UP REALLY HIGH AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. I TOOK IT OFF CRUISE CONTROL AND THE TRANSMISSION WASN'T GOING INTO TO ANY GEAR. I HAD TO START OFF IN LOW GEAR AND WHEN I GOT TO 15-20MPH PUT IN DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION JERKS SO HARD IT FELT LIKE SOMEONE HAD HIT US FROM BEHIND IVE BEEN READING UP ON THIS AND I FEEL THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. ALSO THE POWER STEERING HAS SHOWED 2 TIMES THERES SOMETHING FAILING ON IT TURNING AROUND IN A PARLING LOT AND ALL THE SUDDEN IMA NOT ABLE TO TURN ALMOST HIT 2 PEOPLE. IT WAS HORRIBLE.

MY POWER STEERING WONT WORK AT ALL. I JUST BARELY GOT THE CAR AND HAD IT FOR 3 WEEKS AND THIS HAPPENED. I WAS LITERALLY DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND NOW FORD WANTS TO CHARGE ME $2200 THAT I CANNOT AFFORD RIGHT NOW.

CAR IN MOTION IN A STREET AND SUDDENLY STOPPED AND MY WIFE COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL. UNTIL SHE MANAGED SOMEHOW TO PARK IT. (POWER STEERING PROBLEM). SPEED PROBLEM WHEN ACCELERATING, CAR SLOWED DOWN IN HIGHWAY SUDDENLY WHILE OTHER CARS BEHIND ME. IT DID IT 5 TIMES IN DIFFERENT DAYS. (TRANSMISSION PROBLEM). NOW CAR IS PARKED SINCE 3 MONTHS IN PARKING LOT. SINCE 2016 I REPORTED 5 TIMES TO FORD DEALERS THE DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I FILED ONLINE REPORT. I REPORTED IN 2019 POWER STEERING PROBLEM THEY DIDN'T FIX IT. I FIXED IT. NOW I CAN NOT DRIVE MY 2013 FOCUS FOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS DUE TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEM SINCE 3 MONTHS. THEY REFUSE TO ADMIT RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM PAYING A LEASE FOR NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR.

POWER ASSIST FAULT FAILED. IT HAS BEEN RECALLED ON ALL OTHER FORD MODELS EXCEPT 2013 FORD FOCUS. I STARTED MY CAR AND POWER ASSIST FAULT APPEARED NEEDING SERVICE. I COULD NOT MOVE MY STEERING WHEEL. LUCKILY THE CAR WAS PARKED AS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IF I WERE DRIVING. SINCE OTHER FORD MODELS WERE RECALLED WHY NOT THE MAKE AND MODEL OF MY VEHICLE? IT IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO FIX.

I WAS DRIVING INSIDE TOWN WHEN I BEGAN TO FEEL THE STEERING GETTING STIFF. I STOPPED TO GET GAS TO ONLY FIND OUT THAT THE STEERING GOT MUCH STIFFER AND WAS MAKING SQUEAKY SOUND. AFTER THAT IT WAS VERY TOUGH TO DRIVE BACK HOME. AFTER REACHING AND STOPPING THE CAR THE STEERING WHEEL HAS COMPLETELY GONE STIFF. THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING.

STEERING FAULT ALERT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING IN COMMUNITY TO PICK UP MAIL I.E APPROXIMATELY 15MPH. WENT TO FORD DEALERSHIP VIA THE HIGHWAY AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED ALMOST CAUSING A PILE UP!! THAT'S AT 60MPH! DIAGNOSTIC DONE SHOWED THE ENTIRE STEERING UNIT, GEAR, COMPUTER UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL OR WARRANTY PER FORD COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE AND LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. COST 2146.50 OUT OF POCKET! NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSSUE BUT RATHER A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. SO WHY ISN'T FORD RECALLING OR EXTENDING WARRANTY?! THEY NEED TO. IT IS VERY UNSAFE AND A COMMON FIND IN THESE CARS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HIS DAUGHTER STARTED THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE MESSAGE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER MAX MOTORS FORD LOCATED AT 2502 CANTRELL RD, HARRISONVILLE, MO 64701, WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *DT *TR

I STARTED THE CAR AND THE STEERING ASSIST FAULT ALERT CAME UP AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED IN PLACE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND THERE WAS NO LONGER AN ISSUE. THE CAR ALSO JERKS WHEN ACCELERATING QUICKLY. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS TO HAVE REPAIRED.

THE STEERING ASSIST KEEPS FAILING ON THIS CAR THAT I BOUGH FOR MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER MAKING IT NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. LUCKILY THE ONE TIME IT HAPPENED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING IT WAS ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES ON START UP. FOR HAS RECALLED THIS SAME STEERING ISSUES ON OTHER MODELS WITH THE EXACT SAME ELECTRONIC STEERING WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. BUT NOT THE FORD FOCUS! SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED FROM THIS IF THERE IS NO RECALL. MANY PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD 2K TO FIX IT THEMSELVES. SHAME ON YOU FORD!

POWER STEERING WILL NOT WORK. BEGAN HAVING ISSUES SEVERAL MONTHS AGO BUT RE-CRANKING WOULD FIX ISSUE. NOW POWER STEERING IS COMPLETELY OUT. WHAT A DRIVING HAZARD THIS IS AND IT'S OBVIOUS A BIG ISSUE IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL. WHY NO RECALL? THIS IS A 2013 FORD FOCUS WITH 70,000 MILES. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN FINALLY WENT OUT.

I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT A POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING LIGHT AND ALSO POWER STEERING THAT'S COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. IT FIRST WENT OUT AND WHEN THE CAR WAS TURN OFF AND BACK ON, IT WORKED BUT WENT OUT AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS BEEN INOPERABLE SINCE THE SECOND LOST OF STEERING.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET AND AN ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED AND INSTANTLY POWER STEERING STOPPED WHILE I WAS IN MOTION. I HAD TO SLOWLY DRIVE THE CAR BACK TO THE HOUSE WHICH WAS 10 MINS AWAY AND PARK IT WHICH OBVIOUSLY WAS NOT EASY CONSIDERING THE CIRCUMSTANCES. FORD STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON ELECTRICAL OR POWER STEERING FOR THIS MODEL BUT I HAVE SEEN THAT SOME OTHER MODELS HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND ITS CONCERNING. LUCKILY, I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE CAR AND MY CHILDREN WERE NOT PRESENT. I AM ALSO THANKFUL I WAS NOT ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THIS OCCURRED AS THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS OCCURRED YESTERDAY, 8/26/2020 IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN.

STEERING FAULT CAN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM FORD SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SELL THIS KIND OF CAR. I HAVE HAD ISSUES AFTER ISSUES WITH THIS 2013 FORD I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION ISSUES THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR OUT OF POCKET AND NOW THIS LESS THAN 47K THIS CAR MODEL IS A LEMON!! AS MUCH TROUBLE THIS CAR HAS CASED ME I SHOULD GET A FULL REFUND AND FORD SHOULD BUY THIS PIECE OF JUNK BACK I HAVE 4 FORDS BUT THIS FORD IS MY LAST ONE I WILL BUY A HONDA OR SOMETHING ELSE FORD IS NOT WHAT IT USE TOO BE!

"STEERING ASSIST FAULT".. "STEERING LOSS". VEHICLE EXPERIENCED STEERING LOSS WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH AND NEARLY CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT. ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST CAN FAIL WITH OUT WARNING, WHICH RESULTS IN LOSS OF STEERING WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION POTENTIALLY ENDANGERING THE DRIVER, PASSENGERS AS WELL AS OTHER MOTORISTS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND MUST BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY.

POWER STEERING FAILED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF CITY STREET - WITH NO WARNING. THE ENTIRE STEERING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO REPLACE A FAILED SENSOR MODULE!!!! *TR

MY ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST SYSTEM FAILED, I WAS DRIVING BACK FROM DOING ERRANDS, PULLED INTO MY APARTMENT COMPLEX AND THE YELLOW LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ERROR CODE CAME ON, MY STEERING LOCKED UP COULDN'T TURN STEER WHEEL, LUCKY I WAS GOING SLOW PULLED IN PARKING SPACE..THIS HAS COME ON BEFORE BUT THEN JUST WENT OFF, I CAN'T IMAGINE GOING ANY FASTER AND THE STEERING CEASE UP, I THINK ITS DANGEROUS, I GOT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP,NOW IS ON BACKORDER AND IS GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME, THANK YOU *DT*JB

CAR JERKS DURING ACCELERATION, CPU WAS UPDATED AT FORD DEALERSHIP BUT JERKING IS PERSISTENT, TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING SIGNAL APPEARED, CHECK ENGINE SIGNAL APPEARED, CAR REVERSE GEAR FAULTY. ALL HAPPENED WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION IN A BUSY STREET. AFTER CAR SHOWED THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING SIGNAL IT SHUT DOWN AND I WAS CLOSE TO GETTING HIT BY ANOTHER CAR FROM THE REAR END AS IT SHUT DOWN SIMULTANEOUSLY. CALLED TOWING SERVICE RIGHT AFTER BECAUSE CAR WOULD NO LONGER DRIVE WHEN ON GEAR. *TR