Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2012 Ford Fusion — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2017 to Dec 2025
The most reported issue is steering problems (1248 complaints). 111 complaints involved crashes. 9 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (6)
NHTSA Campaign: 19V001000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19S01.
NHTSA Campaign: 17V024000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
NHTSA Campaign: 15V340000
Component: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.
NHTSA Campaign: 21V158000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.
NHTSA Campaign: 21E013000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also includes certain passenger-side air bag inflators and/or modules designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang, 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion, 2010-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2011 Ford Ranger, and 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX vehicles. Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers. These parts may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Ford will notify dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
NHTSA Campaign: 21V081000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 2592)
Steering →16 issues
While driving, your steering wheel suddenly jerked and pulled to the right, then became very stiff and difficult to turn, requiring excessive force. The steering wheel essentially seized up, though you were able to avoid hitting a curve. An unknown warning code appeared on your dashboard. You noticed this issue is similar to a known Ford recall (Campaign 15V340000) for steering problems, though your vehicle hasn't been checked by a dealer to confirm.
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Your steering wheel locked up completely, making it impossible to turn, which caused an accident and sent your car into a ditch. Even after the safety recall was completed, the same steering component failed again, requiring a $1,700 replacement, and now it has failed a third time. This is a serious safety issue that keeps recurring despite previous repairs.
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Your power steering failed while driving on January 20, 2026, even though Ford performed a recall repair (15S18) on your car back in 2015. You've reported this to your dealer in Lexington, SC, but they haven't provided a permanent solution. The fix will likely require replacing the steering gear to restore proper power steering function.
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Your 2012 Ford Fusion's power steering suddenly failed while being driven, creating a dangerous situation. Ford says a Customer Satisfaction Program for the EPAS steering system expired and won't cover repairs, but your Ford app still shows the program as available—creating confusion about what's covered. The system was only updated in 2015, not replaced, and you're now facing costly repairs for this known safety issue.
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Your car's power steering suddenly failed and displayed a "power steering assist fault" warning while parked. This is a serious safety issue because if it had happened while you were driving, you could have lost steering control and been injured. The repair was denied under warranty because your car is over 10 years old, even though you believe this is a manufacturing defect that should be covered. Fixing this will likely require diagnosis and replacement of the power steering control module or pump.
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While driving at 55 mph, your steering wheel suddenly became very hard to turn in either direction, and your dashboard displayed "Service Power Steering Assist Fault" and "Advancetrac" warning messages. A mechanic diagnosed that your steering rack had failed and needed replacement. This is a serious safety issue since it can make your vehicle difficult to control while driving.
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While driving at 20 MPH in snowy conditions, your steering wheel suddenly became stiff and hard to turn, and a "Service Power Steering" message appeared on your dashboard. You had to use significant force to maneuver the vehicle. A diagnostic scan found error codes C1963-20 and C1511 related to the power steering system. This issue may be related to a known Ford steering problem (Campaign 15V340000).
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Your power steering stopped working and warning lights appeared for "power steering sensor assist fault" and "service advance trac," making the vehicle dangerous to steer. The problem has been identified as a known defect (code 15N01) that Ford previously addressed with a recall in 2015, but your car is now outside the warranty period (150,000 miles or 10 years) for the extended repair program. The original fix in 2015 only reprogrammed the steering control module rather than replacing the faulty steering gear itself. You may need the steering gear replaced to fully resolve the power steering loss.
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Your power steering system failed while you were driving, causing a sudden loss of steering control and triggering a "Service Power Steering Now" warning light on your dashboard. This is a serious safety issue that requires immediate attention. The fix will likely involve diagnosing the power steering system—which could mean replacing the power steering pump, serpentine belt, or checking the hydraulic fluid level and hoses.
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Your power steering has stopped working, making the vehicle unsafe to drive. You found an old Ford technical bulletin (15S18-S3) that addresses this exact issue, but you never received an official recall notice from Ford. Ford is refusing to cover the repair costs, even though this appears to be a known safety issue. The repair will likely involve inspecting and replacing power steering components such as the pump, hoses, or control modules.
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Your power steering system failed without warning, making it difficult to steer at lower speeds and increasing the risk of accidents. A Ford dealership confirmed the issue. The repair will likely involve diagnosing and repairing or replacing the power steering pump, hoses, or control module.
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Your power steering has stopped working, leaving you without power-assisted steering. Ford indicated this issue was part of a recall but refused to repair it for free, citing recall coverage limitations. The repair will likely involve diagnosing and replacing the power steering pump, hoses, or control module.
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Your car's electric power steering stopped working on November 15, 2025. Ford has issued a safety satisfaction program (15V340000) for your vehicle, but your dealership refuses to repair it because your car has over 150,000 miles. According to the program paperwork you reviewed, there is no mileage limit listed for this coverage. The repair will likely involve diagnosing and replacing the electric power steering motor or control module.
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While driving at 40 MPH, your car displayed "Service Advancetrac" and "Service Power Steering Now" warning messages, and the traction control light came on. When you put the car in reverse or drive, the steering wheel became stiff and hard to turn. A dealer diagnosed the problem as a faulty power steering control module that needs to be replaced.
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Your car displayed a "Power Steering Assist Fault" message on the dashboard when you started it, and the steering became very hard to turn on two separate occasions. A dealer diagnosed the problem as a defective electric rack and pinion (the component that controls your steering). Although this issue matches a known recall, your vehicle's VIN wasn't included in that recall campaign.
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The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the message "Electric Steering Fault" was displayed. While driving out of the driveway, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn, causing the vehicle to drive across two lanes of traffic. The vehicle was driven to the local deale,r who diagnosed that the steering gear was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (STEERING); and was no longer eligible for a related Customer Satisfaction Program to address the steering failure. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 170,000.
Steering,electrical System →2 issues
Your dashboard displays a "Power Steering Assist Fault" warning, and when it appears, your power steering stops working completely, leaving you unable to steer safely. This problem has recurred multiple times even after Ford's recall attempt, requiring expensive repairs from your mechanic. The power steering failures create a serious safety hazard for you and other drivers on the road.
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Your car's power steering has become hard to turn, and warning lights for power assist and advanced traction control have come on. You discovered there's a recall for this issue, but the dealership told you they won't perform the recall work because your car has over 150,000 miles. Fixing this will likely involve diagnosing and repairing the power steering system, which may include replacing the power steering pump or related components.
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Steering,power Train →1 issue
Your car's power steering has completely failed, making it undrivable. You've noticed that your model year has known power steering issues and want to know about recalls. You also need to have the airbag system serviced. The car will need to be towed since you cannot drive it safely.
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Unknown Or Other →1 issue
Your vehicle has an open recall that needs to be addressed. You'll need to contact a Ford dealership to find out where and how to get the recall repair completed at no cost to you.
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Related Vehicles
Other Ford Fusion years: