2013-2019 vehicles equipped with a LKS system with customer complaints of steering wheel vibration, steering pull or vehicle drift may be due to an alert and/or steering aid input from the LKS. The LKS system detects unintentional drifting toward the outside of the lane and alerts and/or aids vehicle to stay in the lane. Be sure the customer understands how the lane departure warning feature settings work for Alert (steering wheel vibration) and Aid (steering input toward lane center). Further information on the LKS can be found in the owners manual. If the customers concern is due to the LKS functioning as intended, do not attempt to repair.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Ford Focus steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Ford Focus have filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 61,800 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
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Focus | 273 |
| 2014 Focus | 225 |
| 2015 Focus | 96 |
| 2016 Focus | 45 |
| 2017 Focus (this page) | 20 |
| 2018 Focus | 30 |
When does it fail?
Of the 20 steering complaints filed for the 2017 Ford Focus, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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 7 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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 Ford Focus steering system fails in multiple ways, all without prior warning. Most commonly, the electric power steering (EPAS) cuts out suddenly while driving—owners hear a "Power Steering Assist Failure" or "Steering Assist Fault" message appear on the dash as the steering wheel becomes as hard to turn as if the system had lost all fluid. Several owners report this happens at highway speeds or in intersections; one owner's vehicle pulled sharply to the right when steering failed at 65-70 MPH.
Steering lockup is a separate but related failure: the wheel literally seizes mid-turn, usually with minimal steering input. One owner at 35 MPH during a slight left turn found the wheel jerking and locking back up, pulling the vehicle toward oncoming traffic. Another at 60 MPH had to use all their strength just to park the car at 2 MPH after the steering locked.
A third pattern involves mechanical disconnection—the steering feels loose or "swirly" entering and exiting freeway ramps, with a popping sound when the stuck wheel finally releases. One owner under 26,000 miles heard a hammering sound from the passenger front wheel alongside steering problems.
Failures occur across the mileage spectrum—as early as 6,400 miles, frequently near warranty expiration (3 years, 6,600 miles), and as late as 89,000 miles. Several owners report dealers replacing the entire steering rack; one was quoted $2,700 after warranty expired by one week due to pandemic timing.
Same Ford Focus steering reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Electric Power Steering (EPAS) Sudden Loss/Lockup
EPAS system fails or locks without warning while driving, making the steering wheel extremely difficult or impossible to turn. Owners report loss of power assistance, wheel lockup, and steering becoming as hard to turn as if the system had no fluid. In several cases the vehicle pulls sharply to one side.
When: Most reports between 6,400 and 89,000 miles; many within first 6,600 miles or at end of warranty period
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering suddenly stops working while driving; Steering wheel becomes extremely difficult to turn; Steering locks up or seizes; Vehicle pulls dramatically to one side; Steering wheel locked in neutral position and difficult to force back; No prior warning before failure; Warning message displays: 'Power Steering Assist Failure - Service Required' or 'Steering Assist Fault - Service Required'
Codes mentioned: EPAS fault, Power steering malfunction warning
Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack replacement reported in at least two cases (complaints #8, #14). One owner quoted $2,700 for repair (complaint #13). Steering motor replacement needed in at least one case (complaint #15).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer noted they had recently replaced the same EPAS system in other similar vehicles and another dealer confirmed numerous replacements on Focus models (complaint #3). No recalls mentioned by owners for steering; one owner noted recalls exist online but not for their specific vehicle (complaint #13).
Steering System Mechanical Disconnection/Instability
Front-end steering feels loose or disconnected, with rolling/swirling sensation during turns. Vehicle unstable at mid to high speeds. Steering wheel gets stuck and won't return to neutral position. A popping sound reported when steering wheel released from stuck position.
When: Under 26,000 miles; noticed suddenly during routine maneuvers
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel gets stuck and is hard to steer; Steering won't return to neutral position without force; Rolling and swirling sensation when exiting freeway at 15-25 MPH; Vehicle feels like losing control during turns, not attributable to tire slippage; Instability at mid to high speeds; Popping sound from steering when released from stuck position; Hammering-nail-like sound from passenger side front wheel at lower speeds
Steering Lockup During Turns at Specific Speeds
Steering seizes or locks with minimal movement during turns at moderate speeds (35 MPH, 60 MPH). Steering wheel jerks and locks back up, pulling vehicle into oncoming traffic or making it nearly impossible to correct trajectory. Requires extreme effort to maneuver.
When: Varies; 35,000 to 71,000 miles in reported cases
Symptoms owners cite: Steering seizes without warning during turns; Steering wheel jerks and locks up; Steering becomes nearly immovable, requiring all individual strength to turn; Vehicle pulled into oncoming traffic due to inability to steer; Difficulty to maneuver even at very low speeds (2 MPH); Steering wheel locked up hard to turn (like power steering with no fluid)
Codes mentioned: Steering assist fault
Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack replacement performed (complaint #14). One case required steering motor replacement (complaint #15); independent mechanic found no loose wires or bad fuse.
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Steering failed and locked up while driving, almost causing an accident. The vehicle was in motion at 35mph on a town main street, during a slight left turn. When the steering did turn very little is was just a jerk, with it locking back up, leading into oncoming traffic and being unable to correct the car back into its lane. With all of an.individuals strength and at 2mph, the car was able to…
Had steering trouble with your 2017 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 2017 Ford Focus?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 35,000 and 75,000 miles, with the median around 61,800. A quarter of owners report trouble before 35,000; 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/2017/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.