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 ↗2014 Ford Fiesta steering problems
severe Owners of the 2014 Ford Fiesta have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 21,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Fiesta | 26 |
| 2012 Fiesta | 13 |
| 2013 Fiesta | 4 |
| 2014 Fiesta (this page) | 11 |
| 2015 Fiesta | 8 |
| 2016 Fiesta | 7 |
| 2017 Fiesta | 3 |
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 11 steering complaints filed for the 2014 Ford Fiesta, 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
Among the 7 model years of Ford Fiesta in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 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.
FORD: DUE TO EXCESSIVE TRANSMISSION CLUTCH SHUDDERING THAT SOME VEHICLES EXPERIENCE DURING ACCELERATION, A LEAKING INPUT OF SHAFT SEALS CAUSE FLUID CONTAMINATION OF CLUTCH. MODEL 2011-14 FIESTA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Power steering failures dominate these complaints. Owners describe the system shutting down without warning while driving—sometimes at highway speed, sometimes while stationary, sometimes mid-turn—making the wheel extremely hard or impossible to steer. One driver lost steering at 50 mph on a canyon road and crashed, airborne off a cliff. Another faced immobilizer failure and simultaneous steering/brake loss crossing a busy intersection. A brand-new car with 40 miles already lost power steering during a low-speed right turn. Restarting the engine temporarily fixes the problem, but owners have no idea what causes it or when it'll happen again.
Traction control and hill start assist lights illuminate constantly in normal driving conditions, often alongside power steering loss. Dealers have replaced hydraulic control modules, steering columns, rack-and-pinion assemblies, and reprogrammed computers—with no lasting fix. One owner visited the dealer five times; a Ford engineer got involved but couldn't resolve the electrical failures. The intermediate steering shaft upper joint has also failed, severely compromising steering. Multiple owners report steering wheel vibration, buzzing noises, and one notes a dangerously sharp trim edge that cuts your hand. Warranty repairs vary wildly; out-of-warranty owners bear the full cost themselves.
Same Ford Fiesta steering reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Intermittent Power Steering Loss
Power steering system fails or becomes inoperable without warning, sometimes triggered by turns, sometimes while stationary. Owners report the steering becoming extremely difficult or impossible to control. Restarting the vehicle often restores function.
When: Throughout vehicle life; reported at 40 miles, 21,000 miles, 28,000 miles, 35,000 miles, and 42,000 miles. Instances as recent as 5 weeks in one case.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering completely stops working; Steering becomes very difficult or stuck; Can occur while turning or driving straight; Can occur while vehicle is stationary; Restarting engine sometimes restores steering function; No warning before failure
Codes mentioned: STEERING ASSIST FAILURE, STEERING FAULT MESSAGE
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have replaced hydraulic control module, steering column, rack and pinion, steering module, and power steering system components. One vehicle was not repaired despite diagnosis. One owner replaced intermediate steering shaft themselves after warranty expiration.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer visits (up to 5 separate occasions in one case) with varying results. One owner reported Ford engineer was contacted. Case number CAS-12835912 was opened but no further assistance provided. Some repairs made under warranty; later repairs owner's responsibility.
Traction Control and Hill Start Assist Light Illumination
Traction control light and hill start assist warning illuminate intermittently in normal driving conditions without any actual traction or hill start event. Often coincides with power steering failures.
When: In dry conditions and mild weather; reported at low mileage (2,420 miles) and throughout vehicle life.
Symptoms owners cite: Traction control light comes on in dry conditions; Hill start assist warning displays; Occurs in city traffic while stationary and in motion; Often precedes power steering loss; Intermittent and unpredictable
Codes mentioned: TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, HILL START ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE
Repairs/costs cited: Hydraulic control module replaced and computer reprogrammed in one case, but problem recurred the next morning. In another case with extensive repairs, traction control and hill assist lights were not rectified despite replacement of power steering module, sensors, steering wheel, and main computer reprogramming.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple dealer visits without resolution in most cases. In one case, dealer could not recreate issue on first two visits.
Steering Wheel Vibration and Buzzing Noise
Steering wheel vibrates and produces buzzing noise from the steering column. Reported as a separate issue from the primary power steering failures.
When: At low mileage (2,420 miles in one report)
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel vibrates; Buzzing noise from steering column
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced NVH tape and steering wheel. Issue not fully rectified.
Sharp Steering Wheel Trim Edge
Hard edge on the steering wheel trim design cuts the driver's hand during normal use.
When: At low mileage (2,420 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Hard edge on trim constantly cuts contact's hand
Repairs/costs cited: Steering wheel was replaced.
Immobilizer Failure with Steering and Brake Degradation
Vehicle displays immobilizer failure code and simultaneously loses steering and brake function, making the vehicle inoperable while in motion on a public road.
When: September 30, 2014 at an unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: All vehicle console lights illuminated; Immobilizer failure error displayed on dash; Steering worsened suddenly; Brakes worsened suddenly; Vehicle became inoperable; No prior warning
Codes mentioned: IMMOBILIZER FAILURE
Intermediate Steering Shaft Upper Joint Failure
Upper joint of the intermediate steering shaft fails, severely compromising steering function. Affects vehicle handling capability.
When: 42,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering greatly compromised; Physical joint failure
Repairs/costs cited: New part needed; owner replaced it themselves out of warranty.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Car has approx 35k miles. Car drove fine to location. Upon starting car to leave location, there was no power steering. Shutting off ignition and restarting resolved the issue, however, leaves concerns regarding the reliability of the power steering as no immediate cause could be determined by mechanic.
Intermediate steering shaft failure at 42,000 miles. Upper joint has failed.this comprises steering greatly. New part ordered replacing myself as this is no longer under warranty.
Started fine, put into drive and steering froze.."steering assist failure" on screen. Repaired at Ford dealer. New steering box and column. Only 28000 miles on vehicle and 3 year warranty ended august 2016. Heard that other Ford models like focus were covered by Ford.
Had steering trouble with your 2014 Ford Fiesta?
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 2014 Ford Fiesta?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 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 17,060 and 35,000 miles, with the median around 21,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 17,060; a quarter make it past 35,000. 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/2014/Ford/Fiesta.
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.