Stearing went out and car would not start after filling tank with gas
2016 Ford Focus steering problems
severe 45 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
45
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
1fire
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 45 steering complaints filed for the 2016 Ford Focus, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 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
Owners have filed 45 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: These 2016 Focus steering and powertrain complaints describe serious safety issues: power steering can fail suddenly without warning across a wide mileage range, transmission modules fail and cause shifter lockup, and clutches wear out prematurely even after recalls. Dealers have refused to repair some failures citing branded-title status, and Ford's lack of permanent fix means failures can recur weeks after costly repairs.
Power steering failures dominate this cluster. Owners report the steering wheel locking up without warning—sometimes while driving at highway speed, other times at a stop sign or in the driveway. The dash displays "Steering Assist Fault" and the wheel becomes impossible to turn, forcing drivers onto shoulders, sidewalks, or into parked cars. One crash resulted when steering locked during a low-speed turn; another owner barely missed kids playing. The failures strike across the mileage spectrum (24,300 to 154,000 miles) and are unpredictable enough that dealers often cannot replicate them in their bays, leaving diagnosis codes absent.
Transmission and electrical issues are tangled with steering problems. Owners describe the TCM (transmission control module) failing, locking the shifter in park, and throwing multiple fault codes. One owner had all instrument lights illuminate, RPM drop to zero, and both steering and transmission failure messages appear simultaneously. Battery disconnects become a workaround. In other cases, the transmission clutch slips or wears out prematurely—one vehicle had the clutch replaced three times by 37,000 miles. Clutch failures recur even after recall work.
Dealers have performed steering rack replacements and TCM swaps, but failures recur. Ford's campaign coverage is patchy; one owner was denied warranty work because the vehicle had a branded title (from an accident on the opposite side from the transmission), even though the transmission itself was undamaged. Owners cite class action litigation and note that Ford discontinued the Focus entirely, interpreting that as tacit admission of the defect.
Same Ford Focus steering reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Electric Power Steering Loss / Steering Assist Fault
Power steering system fails without warning, leaving drivers unable to steer or requiring extreme force to turn the wheel. Steering wheel may lock up completely or feel extremely stiff. Warning message 'Steering Assist Fault' or 'Steering Failure Service Required' typically displays on dashboard. Failures can occur while parked, during startup, or while driving at any speed.
When: Between 24,300 and 154,000 miles; failures reported at startup, after refueling, and unpredictably while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks up or becomes extremely hard to turn; Steering assist fault warning message on dashboard; Loss of power steering function; Steering wheel shudders or seizes; Some instances where steering regains function after restart; Intermittent failures that don't always trigger diagnostic codes
Codes mentioned: Steering module failure
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report steering rack and pinion assembly replacement by dealers; complete power steering unit replacement required in some cases; repairs not covered under certain Ford campaigns
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford Campaign Number 19N08 does not cover some transmission clutch failures; owners report Ford denying claims; dealership repair offers provided but cost responsibility varies
Steering Wheel Lockup During Operation
Steering wheel abruptly locks or becomes immobile while vehicle is in motion or being maneuvered, creating immediate loss of vehicle control. Incidents occur at low speeds during turns and maneuvers as well as at highway speeds. No warning light may precede the failure in some cases.
When: At 10 mph, 30-40 mph, and highway speeds; as early as 26,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel suddenly seizes or locks; Inability to turn wheel to avoid obstacles or complete turns; Loss of steering control during turns; Vehicle veering off road or into obstacles; May occur with or without warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack replacement required; vehicle may be totaled if collision results from failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified in some cases; one owner reported Ford stating vehicle was not covered under applicable campaigns; dealers acknowledged steering rack faults
Transmission Module Failure and TCM Issues
Transmission control module (TCM) faults and electrical failures that prevent vehicle from shifting or operating correctly. Failures manifest as inability to shift into drive or park, transmission slipping, and multiple error codes. Multiple instances required TCM replacement by dealers; failures recurred even after replacement.
When: Between 48,000 and 125,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission failure service message displayed; Unable to shift into drive or park; Not in park message when vehicle is in park; Transmission slipping; All instrument lights come on; RPM and speedometer drop to zero; Vehicle will not restart after failure occurs; Ignition failure message after subsequent failures
Codes mentioned: U1013:00:68, U0101:00:68
Repairs/costs cited: TCM replacement performed by dealers; failures recurred one week after TCM replacement in at least one case; owners report waiting 4-6 weeks for diagnostics with no rental assistance offered
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign Number 19N08 exists but does not cover all transmission issues; owners reported manufacturer refusing repairs on vehicles with branded titles despite transmission being undamaged; class action suits mentioned regarding transmission/clutch recalls
Transmission Clutch Slipping and Degradation
Clutch fails to engage properly or slips during acceleration, particularly at higher mileage. Vehicle loses power at highway speeds or when accelerating; RPM increases without corresponding acceleration. Clutch degradation occurs rapidly even after recall work or replacement.
When: As early as 37,000-48,000 miles; recurring failures within two years of repair at mileage around 97,000+
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs but vehicle fails to accelerate; Transmission slipping; Vehicle cannot maintain speed on interstates; Sluggish throttle response; Clutch replaced multiple times on same vehicle; Transmission overheat condition
Repairs/costs cited: Clutch replacement performed three times on one vehicle at 37,014 miles; owners report out-of-pocket costs after recalls only partially addressed issues; dealers refused some warranty repairs citing branded title despite transmission being unaffected
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Partial repairs covered under recall; remainder of repairs required out-of-pocket payment; class action suits filed over transmission/clutch recalls; Ford dealers Chapman Ford and Hoffman Ford cited as refusing repairs on branded-title vehicles; owners state Ford no longer manufactures the Focus, suggesting company awareness of design defect
Integrated Electrical and Powertrain Control Failure
System-level electrical faults affecting steering, transmission, and engine control simultaneously. Multiple dashboard warnings appear at once, including steering assist, transmission failure, and ignition failures. Vehicle loses electrical power intermittently or completely. Failures often triggered by restart cycle or after refueling.
When: Between 25,000 and 125,000 miles; often after vehicle shutdown and restart attempts
Symptoms owners cite: All instrument lights illuminate simultaneously; RPM and speedometer read zero; Mileage display shows dashes; Multiple failure messages: steering assist, transmission failure, ignition failure; Vehicle loses and regains electrical power independently; Vehicle will not restart without battery disconnect; Failures triggered after refueling or routine startup
Codes mentioned: U1013:00:68, U0101:00:68
Repairs/costs cited: Battery disconnection used as temporary workaround by owners; TCM replacement did not prevent recurrence; no permanent repairs documented in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred owner to NHTSA Hotline; dealer can diagnose codes but repairs do not prevent failure recurrence
Synthesized from 45 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Ford Focus?
It's a meaningful issue. 45 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 26 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 32,200 and 75,000 miles, with the median around 49,556. A quarter of owners report trouble before 32,200; a quarter make it past 75,000. 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/2016/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.