Some 2010-2012 Fusion/Milan and 2011-2012 MKZ vehicles equipped with a 2.5L or 3.0L engine and electronic power assist steering (EPAS), a remanufactured replacement steering gear (MU2Z-3V504-ARM) is available which is significantly less expensive than a new replacement gear. When conducting repairs that are customer pay, offer the customer a remanufactured gear when possible. This would include vehicles not included in field service action (FSA) 15N01 (built on or before 7-Sep-2010) or vehicles included in FSA 15N01 that have exceeded the 10 year/150,000 mile terms of the program.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Mercury Milan steering problems
severe 263 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
263
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
15crashes
13injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 263 steering complaints filed for the 2010 Mercury Milan, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Mercury Milan we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 263.
Owners have filed 263 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
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.
SOME 2010-2016 EPAS EQUIPPED VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT STEERING RELATED NOISES. THE WORKSHOP MANUAL (WSM) DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN UPDATED IN SECTION 211-02. WHEN DIAGNOSING AND REPAIRING EPAS STEERING NOISES USE THE UPDATED PROCEDURES.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD: THERE MAY BE A STEERING DRIFT WHILE DRIVING ON A FLAT OR UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. 2010-2011 FUSION/MILAN/MKZ. THIS COULD BE NORMAL.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Power steering failure dominates 2010 Milan complaints. Drivers report the steering wheel suddenly becoming rock-hard or locking up while driving, sometimes mid-turn on busy roads or highways. The failure often happens with no warning, though many catch a "Service Power Steering Now" or "Service Advance Trac" message on the dash seconds or minutes in. A restart sometimes resets the issue temporarily; other times the steering stays gone.
Owners consistently report that 2011 and newer Milans received a recall (NHTSA 15V340000) for this identical electronic power steering system defect, yet 2010 models—using the same hardware—were excluded. Repair costs cited range from $1,250 to $7,000, most commonly $1,600–$2,800 for rack-and-pinion or control module replacement. Several owners describe dangerous near-misses: loss of control mid-freeway merge, near head-on collisions, hitting parked vehicles, curbs, and bicycles. A handful report actual injuries (whiplash, neck and wrist pain). One owner claims the vehicle was involved in a crash that totaled it. Multiple owners state they've replaced the system only to have the same failure recur within months or years. Ford dealerships consistently tell owners their VINs aren't covered under the recall, and corporate responses have been dismissive or unhelpful.
Same Mercury Milan steering reports on nearby years: 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Power Steering System Failure
Complete loss or severe degradation of power steering assist, rendering the steering wheel extremely difficult or impossible to turn. Often triggered by an internal control module or actuator malfunction. Owners report the steering wheel locking up, becoming rock-hard, or providing no assist at all.
When: Occurs at any speed or while parked; many failures happen during turns, highway merges, or parking maneuvers. Some failures are intermittent, clearing after restart; others are permanent until the system is repaired.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes extremely difficult to turn or locks completely; Loss of power steering assist with no force feedback from assist motor; Vehicle pulls to one side during or after failure event; Grinding or vibration noise in steering wheel before or during failure; Steering assistance returns momentarily after vehicle restart, then fails again; Steering fails mid-turn, causing vehicle to veer or swerve unexpectedly
Codes mentioned: C-1963, C-1277, Service Power Steering Now (dashboard warning), Service Power Steering Assist Fault (dashboard warning), Service Advance Trac System (dashboard warning)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite replacement of steering rack and pinion ($1,250–$2,800), entire electronic power steering control module replacement ($1,600–$2,100), and steering actuator replacement. One owner received a $7,000 quote for complete steering rack replacement. Dealerships state individual components cannot be repaired; the entire rack assembly must be replaced.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall NHTSA 15V340000 issued for 2011–2015 Mercury Milan and related Ford models (Fusion, Focus, MKZ), but 2010 Milan excluded despite using identical power steering hardware. Ford has refused warranty coverage on affected 2010 models, citing lack of recall coverage. Owner attempts to contact Ford corporate have resulted in dismissive or rude responses. Multiple owners mention a 2015 class-action lawsuit against Ford over this defect.
Intermittent Power Steering Assist Fault with Self-Reset
Power steering assist fails intermittently but often restores functionality after the vehicle is turned off, waited a brief period, and restarted. The owner's manual reportedly advises this reset procedure, indicating Ford was aware of the issue. Over time, resets become less effective and failures become permanent.
When: Occurs sporadically over weeks or months before becoming permanent. Failures may happen at startup or mid-drive at any speed.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering assist fault warning appears on dashboard; Steering wheel becomes hard to turn when fault occurs; Fault clears after turning vehicle off and restarting; Fault recurs increasingly frequently over time; Eventually fails to clear, leaving steering inoperable
Codes mentioned: Power Steering Assist Fault (dashboard warning), Service Advance Trac (dashboard warning)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report dealerships and independent mechanics diagnosing the failure as a faulty power steering control module with a stuck-open actuator. No repair quotes provided by owners experiencing only intermittent failure; most eventually replace the control module ($1,600–$2,100).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner's manual includes instructions to turn ignition off, wait, and restart as a workaround—an implicit acknowledgment by Ford that the control module fault exists. No recall issued for 2010 models.
Steering Wheel Seizing at Low Speed (Parking/Low-Speed Maneuver)
Steering wheel suddenly seizes or becomes immovable while the driver is reversing out of a parking space, parking lot, or driveway, or making a low-speed turn. Often occurs without prior warning and can result in the vehicle hitting parked cars, curbs, bicycles, or pedestrians.
When: Occurs during low-speed maneuvers (under 45 mph, often under 15 mph) such as parking, reversing, or exiting parking lots. Some incidents reported in driveways or parking spaces.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel suddenly becomes immovable or extremely stiff; Vehicle veers or pulls unexpectedly during the turn; Service Power Steering Now and Service Advance Trac warnings illuminate; Driver must apply extreme force or abandon the maneuver; Vehicle may strike curb, parked vehicle, or pedestrian property
Codes mentioned: C-1963, C-1277, Service Power Steering Now (dashboard warning), Service Advance Trac System (dashboard warning)
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs documented include steering rack and pinion replacement ($1,700–$2,800). One owner cited hitting a bicycle and curb, requiring the repair of both the steering system and the bicycle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued for 2010 models. Dealerships confirm the vehicle does not fall under NHTSA Campaign 15V340000.
Synthesized from 263 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
I have a 2010 Mercury Milan with only 60000 miles on it and the electric power steering went out. It happened while i was driving causing the car to hard right. The part costs $900 and then it has to be programmed at a dealership. I know there was a recall for this but only for the 2011 model. After researching and reading other safety complaints, it's pretty clear that a recall should be done…
My wife was backing out of a parking spot at a shopping center when the power steering went out on our 2010 milan. There were no previous warning notifications prior to this incident. The warning lights indicated to service advance track and service power steering now. I have read that there are recalls for this problem with 2011 milan's and above but not the 2010. Were the same steering…
Tl-contact owns a 2010 mercury milan - --- contact stated power steering that went out - a few weeks ago ago - going 35 MPH when steering failed ---contact had called Ford/mercury dealership and dealership stated 0 recalls on vehicle .... 0 recalls associated with this VIN
While driving to work this morning on the highway. The power steering assist and the advanced traction control functions both alarmed and stopped working. I was able to get to work, but now I cannot steer at all. Both warning lights are illuminated and both functions continue to not work.
Pulling out of driveway to enter street steering locked couldnt turn car light came on and it read power steering assit.default.
Power steering assist failure message and service advancetrac message
Approximately 3 months ago I got into my car to go to work. I drove the vehicle on the city side streets to get to the highway that I travel to work. The trouble light indicator came on indicating poor steering and the vehicle did seem to be steering incorrectly. I returned home and drove my wife's vehicle to work. Next day I went out to check to see if there was a problem. I started up my…
Had steering trouble with your 2010 Mercury Milan?
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 2010 Mercury Milan?
It's a meaningful issue. 263 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 206 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 74,900 and 130,000 miles, with the median around 96,583. A quarter of owners report trouble before 74,900; a quarter make it past 130,000. 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/2010/Mercury/Milan.
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.