Some 2011 - 2014 Mustang vehicles equipped with a 3.7L V6 engine and MT82 manual transmission may exhibit a vibration felt in the shifter, and/or the seat track and steering wheel, on deceleration between 3500 and 2000 engine RPM. This an operating characteristic of the vehicle and no repairs should be attempted.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Ford Mustang steering problems
severe Owners of the 2012 Ford Mustang have filed 16 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 38,232 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
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 Mustang | 6 |
| 2009 Mustang | 3 |
| 2010 Mustang | 3 |
| 2011 Mustang | 25 |
| 2012 Mustang (this page) | 16 |
| 2013 Mustang | 10 |
| 2014 Mustang | 21 |
| 2015 Mustang | 16 |
| 2016 Mustang | 12 |
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 16 steering complaints filed for the 2012 Ford Mustang, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report the 2012 Mustang's steering system is prone to sudden, catastrophic failure in multiple ways. The most common complaint involves the electronic power steering (EPAS) rack losing all assist without warning—sometimes at highway speeds, sometimes during low-speed turns, sometimes at startup. When it happens mid-drive, owners have no power steering and must muscle the wheel or crash. Dealers have confirmed the EPAS steering rack internally fails and cost $1,600–$2,000 to replace; one dealer kept EPAS parts in stock specifically for repeat 2012 Mustang failures.
A second failure mode involves steering column fasteners breaking or loosening—owners have found broken bolts on the floorboard and, in one case, the entire steering wheel detached from the column after the bolt failed at highway speed.
A third involves defective suspension and control arm components that produce grinding noises, cause loss of control, and recur days after dealer repair with OEM parts deemed defective.
An electrical short that kills the engine, steering, and brakes occurs when passengers sit in the rear seat, creating a dangerous condition owners have duplicated repeatedly.
One early 2012 also suffered a control module malfunction tied to the traction control system that disabled steering; the dealer's cross-year parts substitution and alternator replacement never fixed it.
Same Ford Mustang steering reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Power Steering (EPAS) Complete Failure
The electric power steering system loses all assist function mid-drive or at startup, leaving the driver with no power steering control. The steering wheel becomes immovable or requires excessive force to turn.
When: 13,000–48,000 miles; some failures occur at startup, others mid-drive on highways and local roads
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power steering assist; Steering wheel immovable or very stiff; Service AdvanceTrac warning light comes on; Steering wheel does not respond to input or keeps turning when turned; Intermittent failures followed by spontaneous recovery
Codes mentioned: U3000:49 (Internally Failed EPAS Steering Rack), Electronic Power Steering Failure code
Repairs/costs cited: EPAS steering rack or steering assembly replacement; cost estimates range from $1,656 to $2,000. Dealer noted EPAS parts were kept in stock due to repeat failures on 2012 Mustangs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer diagnosed but not initially covered under powertrain warranty. 2015 Mustang steering recalls mentioned by owner; Ford has issued similar recalls on Focus and F-150.
Mechanical Steering Column / Fastener Failure
Bolts or fasteners connecting the steering wheel or column come loose, break, or fall out of place, causing loss of steering control or the steering wheel to detach from the column.
When: Occurs without specific mileage threshold noted; one failure at low speed, another found after 50 mph vibration
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration in steering wheel at highway speeds; Loud rattling or loose noise in steering wheel when shaking it; Broken or missing bolt from steering column; Steering wheel becomes free and detaches from the column; Loose bolt falls onto floorboard or into driver's hands
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of broken fasteners and steering column repair required. One owner took pictures of the broken bolt head and damaged steering column.
Steering Rack Mechanical Noise and Control Arm Defect
Loud metal-on-metal grinding or clunking sounds emanate from the steering system during turns. Dealer diagnosis indicates defective control arms, ball joints, and bushings that require replacement but later recur within days of repair.
When: 24,000 miles; failure recurred three days after repair
Symptoms owners cite: Loud metal-on-metal grinding noise; Clunking sounds while turning; Progressive noise over time; Loss of vehicle control, leading to curb collision
Repairs/costs cited: Passenger-side ball joint, bushings, suspension, shocks, and both control arms were replaced, but control arms were found to be defective OEM parts and were not replaced with original equipment. Failure recurred within three days; vehicle not repaired after second visit.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer arranged field engineer inspection but did not complete repairs. Noted that OEM control arms were defective.
AdvanceTrac / Traction Control System Malfunction with Collateral Electrical Effects
The AdvanceTrac traction control system malfunctions repeatedly, disabling steering control and triggering unrelated electrical anomalies such as the blower fan running at full blast. The vehicle becomes undriveable during these episodes.
When: Starting at approximately 13,000 miles; fourth occurrence by 2013
Symptoms owners cite: Traction Control light flashes; Complete loss of steering control during malfunction; Blower motor on air conditioner engages at full blast unprompted; Recurring failures after multiple repair attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Control module was on national backorder (6–8 weeks wait). Dealer replaced 2012 control module with 2013 part (different part number) at tech support direction. Alternator found to be sending 'crazy waves' to electrical system; alternator and battery replaced. Vehicle remained unsafe to drive after all repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tech support directed dealer to install 2013 part in 2012 vehicle despite different part numbers. Dealer provided no lasting fix and advised customer to return when failure occurred again.
Electrical Short Triggered by Rear Seat Occupancy
A passenger sitting in the rear seat triggers an electrical short that causes the engine to die and the steering and brake systems to fail simultaneously.
When: Freeway driving; failure duplicated multiple times by owners
Symptoms owners cite: Engine dies when rear seat is occupied; Steering wheel jerks; Brakes lock up; Failure does not occur with rear seat empty
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
We were driving on the freeway and the car started acting like it was running out off gas. The steering wheel jerked and the brakes locked up. We now know the problem occurs only when someone sits in the back seat behind the driver. We have duplicated the problem numerous times. Sitting it the back seat causes something to short out and the car dies. This was very dangerous in real driving…
Had steering trouble with your 2012 Ford Mustang?
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 2012 Ford Mustang?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 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 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 30,200 and 48,000 miles, with the median around 38,232. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,200; a quarter make it past 48,000. 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/2012/Ford/Mustang.
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.