FORD: SOME VEHICLES BUILT ON OR AFTER 10/3/05 MAY EXPERIENCE A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF THE POWER STEERING (P/S) SYSTEM LEAKING AND/OR SYSTEM NOISY.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Ford Focus steering problems
severe Owners of the 2007 Ford Focus have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 75,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 Focus | 18 |
| 2006 Focus | 5 |
| 2007 Focus (this page) | 13 |
| 2008 Focus | 12 |
| 2009 Focus | 9 |
| 2010 Focus | 13 |
| 2011 Focus | 10 |
2crashes
3injuries
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
POWER STEERING IS LEAKING AND MAKING NOISE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a range of steering failures, some life-threatening. The loosest category is the steering wheel itself coming loose at the hub with up to an inch of play, which owners have documented on videos across the internet. More severe are unresponsiveness and erratic control—vehicles veering without driver input, steering wheels not responding to correction, then abruptly turning sharply. Two incidents resulted in collisions causing serious injury and vehicle total loss. One owner's wheel assembly completely disconnected at 80,000 miles.
Power steering failures include extreme stiffness accompanied by scraping sounds and pump condensation, sometimes paired with fluid leaks. One pump was diagnosed twice at independent shops as needing replacement but failure persisted after repair. A fractured belt tensioner caused sudden power steering loss at 45 mph.
A unique but critical failure involves alternator malfunction: three separate sudden alternator failures—each one cutting all electrical power, eliminating power steering control, brake lights, and hazard flashers while driving at highway speed. The first two were replaced; the third burned out the battery as well. The owner claims this is a safety-critical, recall-worthy defect, but Ford declined warranty coverage after the second failure and offered no recall.
Other reported issues include steering column defects (wheel felt like it would pop off in turns) and alignment problems causing premature tire wear and vehicle drift.
Same Ford Focus steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2008 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Steering Wheel Looseness
The steering wheel becomes loose at the hub with excessive play (up to one inch reported). Owners report the wheel nut that holds the steering wheel in place comes loose without obvious cause, even at relatively low mileage (100,200 miles). The looseness persists while driving, parked, and with the engine off.
When: Around 100,200 miles in one documented case; reported as sudden onset
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel moves excessively back and forth; One inch of play in steering wheel; Looseness in all directions; Wheel nut comes loose
Repairs/costs cited: One owner consulted dealer who denied knowledge of the issue; internet forums show others with same problem. No specific repair costs cited in narratives.
Steering Unresponsiveness and Loss of Control
Steering becomes completely unresponsive or erratic during normal driving, causing the vehicle to veer unexpectedly. In one severe case, the vehicle veered right, then would not respond to correction, then abruptly turned left sharply on a highway with no curves or distractions. Another case involved veering to the right at 20 mph with complete loss of steering control. These are emergency-level failures occurring at highway and moderate speeds.
When: Reported at 20 mph, 45 mph, and highway speeds; mileages range from 80,000 to higher miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle veers to right or left without driver input; Steering wheel does not respond to correction; Abrupt sharp turns despite light steering input; Complete loss of steering control; Inability to maneuver vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: One incident resulted in multi-vehicle collision with severe injuries (broken collarbone, ribs) and vehicle total loss. Another resulted in collision with injuries to brain, neck, and back. No pre-failure repairs documented.
Steering Column Defect
The steering column itself has developed defects. One owner reported the steering wheel felt as if it would pop off while making left or right turns. A dealer inspection found a defect with the steering column and replaced the component. The issue occurred within a year of a prior unrelated repair.
When: Discovered around 31,000 to 53,786 miles; within one year of prior steering-related service
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel feels as if it will pop off during turns; Sensations of instability in steering column during left or right turns
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column was replaced by Ford dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer service manager stated there may be an issue with air bags for a plethora of reasons (noted in context of concurrent air bag light issues, not directly addressing column defect).
Power Steering Failure and Stiffness
Power steering becomes extremely stiff and difficult to operate. One owner reported the steering wheel became very stiff while turning, accompanied by scraping sounds from the engine compartment and condensation on the power steering pump. Another owner at 45 mph experienced extremely stiff power steering that made the vehicle difficult to steer. Fluid leaks and pump issues documented in inspections.
When: At 45 mph in one case; around 198,000 miles in another case with multiple prior service attempts
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes very stiff; Difficulty steering the vehicle; Scraping sounds from engine compartment; Condensation on power steering pump; Ground wet beneath vehicle (indicating fluid leak); Power steering fluid low
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering fluid added as temporary measure. Power steering pump diagnosed as needing replacement at three independent mechanics (diagnosed twice). Replacement performed but failure persisted. One owner had to replace power steering unit (narrative #12).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified of failure but no recall or warranty support provided in one case (owner at 198,000 miles, beyond warranty). In narrative #12, owner received no response regarding recalls.
Belt Tensioner Failure
The belt tensioner fractured, causing loss of power steering function and vehicle power loss. The belt had been replaced two years prior to the failure, suggesting the tensioner may not have been addressed at that time or is prone to early failure.
When: At 81,000 miles; belt had been replaced two years prior
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering becomes extremely stiff; Vehicle loses power; Vehicle independently decelerates
Repairs/costs cited: Fractured belt tensioner identified; belt was replaced. Dealer advised vehicle was out of warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer advised vehicle was no longer under warranty. Manufacturer would not provide assistance.
Wheel Assembly Disconnection
The wheel assembly completely disconnected from the vehicle while driving at low speed, causing an immediate loss of steering control and vehicle stability. County deputy documented the disconnection in an accident report.
When: At 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle suddenly veers to the right; Wheel assembly completely disconnects from vehicle; Total loss of steering and vehicle control
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was destroyed. No pre-failure repairs documented in narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was made aware of failure but no response documented in narrative.
Steering Electrical Failure Secondary to Alternator Failure
When the alternator failed suddenly while driving at highway speeds, the electrical system completely failed, resulting in loss of power steering control. The owner could not steer the vehicle, activate hazard flashers, or signal other drivers. This occurred three times: initial failure replaced, same failure recurred approximately 3 years later, and third failure occurred in 2013 burning out the battery as well. Owner states this is a safety-critical issue but no recall was issued.
When: Initial failure at unknown mileage, second failure approximately 3 years later (2012), third failure in July 2013
Symptoms owners cite: Alternator suddenly fails while driving; Complete electrical system failure; Loss of power steering control; Unable to turn on hazard flashers; Brake lights non-functional; No ability to signal other drivers; No way to warn traffic of vehicle slowdown
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replaced after first failure. Same failure recurred. Third alternator failure also burned out battery. Owner states the web has multiple complaints about sudden repeated electrical system failures in 2007 Focus.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford Motor Company apologized for the inconvenience and stated the failure was owner's problem because it was out of warranty with no recall. Manufacturer refused to acknowledge this as a safety issue despite owner's claim of recall-worthy defect.
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2007 Ford Focus?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2007 Ford Focus?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 31,000 and 81,000 miles, with the median around 75,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 31,000; a quarter make it past 81,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Ford/Focus.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.