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2018 Ford Fusion Steering Problems

17 owner-reported steering complaints from NHTSA data

17
Complaints
1
Recalls
Jan 2026Dec 2024
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Steering Recalls (1)

RECALLCampaign #18V167000

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S08.

Owner Complaints (17)

criticalSTEERING
Filed: Jan 2026

Your steering wheel is becoming loose, making it difficult to control the car safely. This is a serious issue that affects your ability to steer properly. The fix will likely involve tightening or replacing the steering wheel attachment hardware and fasteners.

NHTSA #: 11713032
mediumSTEERING,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Mar 2026

Transmission is now not shifting out of park and this is after having issues with the engine allowing coolant to get in and causing damage with the cylinders. Would not pass the pressure test. When calling ford customer service and headquarters telling me there is no way they can help with good will. Find this troublesome when they already know the EcoBoost causing issues to the car and my car is not at 120,000 miles yet. After seeing the 2013-2016 models already have a recall for the exact same thing and you're going to say this is not related is beyond ignorant on the company's behalf.

NHTSA #: 11727929
mediumSTEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2026

My vehicle has been throwing codes that the shifter cable is misaligned or misadjusted for a long time now. The dash flashes between neutral and drive while im driving. It says shift system fault all the time. I have to shut the car off and turn it back on to get it to work. I stalled out on a hill the other day and was almost rear ended by someone behind me. The steering wheel has physical play. It feels like it wobbles or sways while im driving and it shakes. I just had new tires put on and balanced so it's not that. The manufacturer website is claiming the recall is "complete" in their database, but the safety hazard still exists on the vehicle.

NHTSA #: 11727694
mediumSTEERING,TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Jun 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from the vehicle while depressing the accelerator pedal. The failure persisted, and the contact stated that the steering wheel was loose while operating the vehicle. The contact stated that the traction control warning light flashed on the instrument panel during one of the failures. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the VIN related to the failure of the vehicle. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

NHTSA #: 11666258
mediumSTEERING
Filed: May 2025

I was driving as normal I went to make a turn and out of nowhere my car would not turn and almost got smashed on the side of the car would not have swerved out of the way. There was no warning signs lights symptoms or anything one minute it was normal the next was what could have been a deadly situation. After getting a mechanic to diagnose it after removing the steering wheel, because initially was thought the steering column went out or broke, it was found out to be the middle of the steering wheel where it connects to the column that is suppose to be the shape of an Alan wrench was almost completely worn down to almost a flat circle. I cannot stress enough how scary and deadly this could have been to me and other motorist. This was verified by mechanics this is not normal wear and tear this has to be a defect.

NHTSA #: 11659115
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Feb 2025

No power stearing, Steering Gearbox malfunction. Power steering going out while driving is a major safety issue. Yes dealership confirmed issue and ordered parts for repair Ford dealership inspected issue and said that it needed repaired. Power steering went out while driving almost causing an accident. No warning, lights came on when the power steering went out saying that there was a power steering fault.

NHTSA #: 11642006
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Feb 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. the contact stated that there was excessive movement in the steering when the steering column was making a clicking sound while turning to the left. The contact stated that while turning to the left, the steering wheel was seized, and the contact had to use excessive force to turn the steering wheel to the left. While pulling out of a parking space, the advance track mode and power steering loss messages were displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the steering had failed and replaced the lower control arm, tie rod, and rack and pinion on the driver's side of the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

NHTSA #: 11640307
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Dec 2024

Shift system fault

NHTSA #: 11632267
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Sep 2023

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR HOME FROM DINNER AND I MADE A LEFT TURN. AS MY STEERING WHEEL WAS RETURNING TO CENTER FROM MAKING THE TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY LOOSE AND IS STILL LOOSE AT THIS PRESENT TIME

NHTSA #: 11546534
mediumSTEERING,LANE DEPARTURE
Filed: May 2023

While navigating a corner, suddenly vehicle became difficult to steer, numerous warnings became came active on dashboard for Steering Assist Failure, AdvanceTrac Failure, Hill Start Assist Failure. A collision into a ditch was narrowly avoided.

NHTSA #: 11523394
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Mar 2023

The steering wheel has become loose and unstable. And was told my vehicle wasn’t on the recall list for the same problem as the other vehicles.

NHTSA #: 11512189
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Feb 2023

Steering wheel is loose and wobbly

NHTSA #: 11509303
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Aug 2022

I just bought my car almost 2 months ago. It has 32,000 miles. Having steering issues.

NHTSA #: 11479697
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Aug 2021

I just recently purchased my 2018 Ford fusion SE and about 2 months after I purchased it I noticed clanking noise coming from the front driver side tire area. I took it to Mavis and have them look at it and they said that the bolt that held on to the steering control arm had gotten loose and they tightened it it did not make a noise for maybe a day or so and then it just started clanking and the steering and controlling is a lot looser now. I have not been in an accident I am filing this safety report and I am contacting Ford dealership to look at it to see if it could possibly be due to the recall that these cars have on them for the steering I don't know why if it is my VIN number wasn't included but I'm going to have Ford dealership check it out. There were no lights that came up flashing no warning signals but the car's steering has gotten extremely loose and I want to get the problem fixed before there is an incident

NHTSA #: 11428805
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Aug 2019

STEERING WHEEL LOSE

NHTSA #: 11246222
mediumSTEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Aug 2018

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE GOES OVER 70 DEGREES, THERE'S CREAKING NOISES UNDERNEATH, SOMETIMES VERY LOUD WHEN TURNING, EVEN WHEN PARKED, MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT IT MAKES THE NOISE. LOOKING ONLINE, THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS THAT REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM, MY CAR HAS ONLY 72K MILES AND IT FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS GOING TO BREAK. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING ALL SUMMER THIS YEAR AND IT'S GETTING LOUDER. THIS HAS TO BE A RECALL.

NHTSA #: 11123622
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Apr 2018

SOLD CAR WITH OPEN RECALL FROM MAC HAIK FORD , GEORGETOWN, TX

NHTSA #: 11083746

Other 2018 Ford Fusion Issues