NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
508 reports107,000 miles · Dec 29, 2014
Steering
DROVE THE CAR ALL DAY AND NIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE WITH NO PROBLEMS. GOT UP AROUND 8AM CHRISTMAS DAY PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY WENT JUST A LITTLE WAY AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AND I ALMOST CRASHED. AFTER MUCH STRUGGLE TO GET THE CAR BACK IN THE DRIVEWAY A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THAT SAID SERVICE POWER…
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DROVE THE CAR ALL DAY AND NIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE WITH NO PROBLEMS. GOT UP AROUND 8AM CHRISTMAS DAY PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY WENT JUST A LITTLE WAY AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AND I ALMOST CRASHED. AFTER MUCH STRUGGLE TO GET THE CAR BACK IN THE DRIVEWAY A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THAT SAID SERVICE POWER STEERING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10668802
75,000 miles · Dec 29, 2014
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FUSION HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR HANDLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FUSION HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR HANDLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10668732
80,000 miles · Dec 23, 2014
Steering
POWER STEERING FAILURE. LOST POWER STEERING DURING LEFT TURN ONTO STREET. HAD TO RESTART CAR IN INTERSECTION TO REGAIN POWER STEERING. CALLED FORD DEALER WHO SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR EVALUATION AND NECESSARY REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10667875
116,000 miles · Dec 21, 2014
Steering
PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, THE DASH ON THE VEHICLE REPORTED POWER STEERING AND ACTIVETRAC ISSUES. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO MY DESTINATION SAFELY, ALBEIT, THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE DASH REMAINED IN REGARDS TO POWER STEERING AND ACTIVETRAC. THIS MORNING HOWEVER, THE CAR HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND THE POWER STEERING IS NO LON…
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PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, THE DASH ON THE VEHICLE REPORTED POWER STEERING AND ACTIVETRAC ISSUES. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO MY DESTINATION SAFELY, ALBEIT, THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE DASH REMAINED IN REGARDS TO POWER STEERING AND ACTIVETRAC. THIS MORNING HOWEVER, THE CAR HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND THE POWER STEERING IS NO LONGER ACTIVE. DOING RESEARCH, I NOTICED THAT NHTSA AND A LAWSUIT IN CALIFORNIA IS ATTEMPTING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10667486
79,015 miles · Dec 13, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC LIGHTS CAME ON DASH, FOLLOWED BY RED SERVICE POWER STEERING LIGHT ON DASH, THEN SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW LIGHT AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER INTO PARKING SPACE. NOT DRIVABLE. TOWED TO DEALER. SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED AFTER 3 DAYS AT DEALER. SIX DAYS LATER SA…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC LIGHTS CAME ON DASH, FOLLOWED BY RED SERVICE POWER STEERING LIGHT ON DASH, THEN SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW LIGHT AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER INTO PARKING SPACE. NOT DRIVABLE. TOWED TO DEALER. SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED AFTER 3 DAYS AT DEALER. SIX DAYS LATER SAME THING HAPPENED, STILL IN MY DRIVEWAY, NOT YET TOWED BACK TO DEALER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10664048
61,000 miles · Nov 29, 2014
Steering
THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON THE CAR TWICE. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AFTER THE 2ND EVENT AND THEY RESET THE SERVICE CODE TO CLEAR THE PROBLEM. THEY COULD NOT FIND A MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR FACILITY AND THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM BY REPLACIN…
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THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON THE CAR TWICE. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AFTER THE 2ND EVENT AND THEY RESET THE SERVICE CODE TO CLEAR THE PROBLEM. THEY COULD NOT FIND A MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR FACILITY AND THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE CAR BATTERY. THIS SOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS AND THEN IT RECURRED. A GOOGLE SEARCH FOUND THIS PROBLEM OCCURS FREQUENTLY ON THE FORD FUSION AND MOST PEOPLE HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT HOW DANGEROUS THIS IS AS THE CAR IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING. IN MY VIEW THIS IS A CRITICAL DESIGN FLAW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10661283
106,000 miles · Nov 19, 2014
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FUSION HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE BRAKES FAILED AND FORCED THE CONTACT TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SUCCESSFULLY STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND REPLENISHED THE BRAK…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FUSION HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE BRAKES FAILED AND FORCED THE CONTACT TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SUCCESSFULLY STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND REPLENISHED THE BRAKE FLUID. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE SIMULATOR SENOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
NHTSA ODI #10659290
108,000 miles · Nov 4, 2014
Steering
HAPPENED 3-4 TIMES OVER THE PAST 3 MONTHS. WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WOULD QUIT WORKING, MAKING DIFFICULT TO STEER. WARNING ON DASH "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". WENT TO ROADSIDE AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE/RESTART AND THE PROBLEM WOULD GO AWAY. I AM A RATHER STRONG MAN, IF A PERSON OF SMALL STATURE WERE DRIVING IT WOULD…
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HAPPENED 3-4 TIMES OVER THE PAST 3 MONTHS. WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WOULD QUIT WORKING, MAKING DIFFICULT TO STEER. WARNING ON DASH "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". WENT TO ROADSIDE AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE/RESTART AND THE PROBLEM WOULD GO AWAY. I AM A RATHER STRONG MAN, IF A PERSON OF SMALL STATURE WERE DRIVING IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EVEN MORE DANGEROUS. ON 11/1/2014 THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITH THE SAME WARNING. ATTEMPTS TO TURN OF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE FORD DEALERSHIP STATED THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED, TOLD ME THAT IT WAS COMMON IN VEHICLES WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. COST FOR MY REPAIR WAS $1,900.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10652504
62,850 miles · Nov 2, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND AFTER TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALER I WAS ADVISED THAT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT IF I DIDN'T REPLACE THE PART THE ENGINE COULD STOP AT SOME UNKNOWN TIME IN THE FUTURE. HE ALSO ADVISED THAT FORD HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS PART AND THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN D…
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THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND AFTER TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALER I WAS ADVISED THAT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT IF I DIDN'T REPLACE THE PART THE ENGINE COULD STOP AT SOME UNKNOWN TIME IN THE FUTURE. HE ALSO ADVISED THAT FORD HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS PART AND THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN DONE FOR THIS PART FOR OTHER FORD VEHICLES BUT NOT YET FOR THE FORD FUSION. HE ADVISED TO KEEP THE BILL JUST IN CASE THERE WAS A FUTURE RECALL. WHEN THE DEALER IS TELLING YOU THAT MULTIPLE PROBLEMS ARE COMING FROM THIS SPECIFIC PART I THINK THERE SHOULD PROBABLY BE AN INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10651951
33,000 miles · Oct 28, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
MY HYBRID EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER ON 2 OCCASIONS.1ST WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 33,000 MI ON SEP 6, 2014. DRIVING 35MPH ON A PARKWAY WRENCHES APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY & THEN SUDDEN & IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER FOLLOWED.NO RESPONSE TO FULL ACCELERATOR PUSH. MOTOR POWER SHUT DOWN & ONLY ELECTRIC POWER ALLOWED US TO LIMP OFF THE …
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MY HYBRID EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER ON 2 OCCASIONS.1ST WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 33,000 MI ON SEP 6, 2014. DRIVING 35MPH ON A PARKWAY WRENCHES APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY & THEN SUDDEN & IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER FOLLOWED.NO RESPONSE TO FULL ACCELERATOR PUSH. MOTOR POWER SHUT DOWN & ONLY ELECTRIC POWER ALLOWED US TO LIMP OFF THE ROAD, HEADED UPHILL AT MAX SPEED OF 10 MPH. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER WHO COULD NOT REPLICATE THE CONDITIONS OR "GET IT TO ACT UP" IN THE WEEK+ A HALF THE CAR WAS THERE.ODOMETER READING SHOWS 700 MI PUT ON PRESUMABLY IN EFFORT TO MAKE DIAGNOSIS.THEIR SUGGESTION WAS TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE SINCE NO DIAGNOSIS COULD BE MADE,DESPITE OUR PROTEST THAT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.CALLED FORD CUST.RELATIONSHIP CTR 800# ON SEP15 TO SEEK ASSISTANCE.CASE WAS OPENED BUT NO ACTION TAKEN.THEY CONCURRED WITH DEALER THAT NO REPAIRS WERE TO BE MADE WITHOUT DIAGNOSIS.AGAIN,WE VOICED CONCERN THAT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE.DEALER SUSPECTED THROTTLE BODY ISSUE BUT WITHOUT DIAGNOSIS INSIST THAT REPAIRS WOULD BE AT OUR COST $400-$500. 2ND OCCURRENCE WAS OCT 2 2014.WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC EXPERIENCED IMMED & SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER,NO RESPONSE TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS,ELECTRIC POWERED LIMP OFF UPHILL ROAD AT MAX SPEED OF 10 MPH.WAS ADVISED BY DEALER NOT TO ATTEMPT STARTING THE CAR ONCE IT DIED IN EFFORT TO MAINTAIN ERROR REPORT IN SYSTEM. WE ADHERED TO THIS ADVICE AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER A 2ND TIME WITHOUT STARTING IT. DEALER WAS AT THE READY WITH THE PHRASE "THROTTLE BODY" AND ASKED IF WE HAD RECEIVED ANY LETTERS IN REGARDS TO SUCH.VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING CARBON BUILDUP THAT CAUSED THROTTLE BODY TO SHORT OUT. REPAIRS MADE AT OUR EXPENSE $709.NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ARE DOCUMENTED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE OF THROTTLE BODY ISSUES! HYBRID OWNERS HAVE REPORTED AS WELL. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS OF DEFECTIVE PARTS OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET DESERVE COMPENSATION BY FORD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10650762
NHTSA investigations
6DP26004 · Anti-lock Brake System (abs) Malfunction Indicator Lamp (mil) Illuminated
Opened Apr 9, 2026 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition on December 22, 2025, requesting a defect investigation into the hydraulic control unit (HCU) for the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) on the MY 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The petition alleges that an illuminated ABS MIL is associated with a failure of the ABS HCU, resulting in ABS malfunction, loss of traction and electronic stability control functions, and reduced braking performance, particularly on slippery road surfaces. A defect petition has been opened to evaluate the issue and determine whether to grant or deny the petition.The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11647929.
DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
EA17004 · Power Steering Failure
Opened Nov 20, 2017 · Closed Feb 9, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:electric Power Assist System; Steering:rack And Pinion; Steering:rack And Pinion:rack
On September 28, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE16-011) to investigate claims of power steering assist loss on model year (MY) 2010 Ford Fusion vehicles. During the PE, ODI received 718 unique claims related to the alleged problem with 598 reports indicating the power steering assist failed while driving at various speeds with no warning. Ford Motor Company (Ford) provided 1,851 unique reports and 1,720 warranty claims related to the alleged problem. It should be noted that as the result of investigation PE14-030, Ford conducted a safety recall (15V-340) ofMY 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and other vehicles using the same electric power assist steering unit to rectify incidents of loss of power steering assist. On November 20, 2017, PE16-011 was upgraded to this Engineering Analysis (EA17-004) to further assess the scope, frequency, and consequence of this failure. This was based on an analysis of the subject vehicle complaint data that had indicated an increased likelihood of failure as the vehicles age. At the time, the rate of occurrence of this failure was comparable to previous investigations involving loss of power steering assist including the previously mentioned PE14-030. During the EA, ODI’s analysis of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles identified the following: testing showed minor steering effort changes between “assist” and “no assist”, no root cause identified, a declining failure trend, the ramp-down or reduced assist provided when a DTC is set, a lower failure rate than the recalled Fusion vehicles, and the high age of the vehicles. A safety-related defect trend has not been identified. Accordingly, this Engineering Analysis is closed. See the attached Engineering Analysis Closing Report for details. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety defect does not exist, and ODI will take further actions if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Steering:electric Power Assist System
On September 28, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE16-011) to investigate claims of power steering assist loss on model year (MY) 2010 Ford Fusion vehicles. During the PE, ODI received 718 unique claims related to the alleged problem with 598 reports indicating the power steering assist failed while driving at various speeds with no warning. Ford Motor Company (Ford) provided 1,851 unique reports and 1,720 warranty claims related to the alleged problem. It should be noted that as the result of investigation PE14-030, Ford conducted a safety recall (15V-340) ofMY 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and other vehicles using the same electric power assist steering unit to rectify incidents of loss of power steering assist. On November 20, 2017, PE16-011 was upgraded to this Engineering Analysis (EA17-004) to further assess the scope, frequency, and consequence of this failure. This was based on an analysis of the subject vehicle complaint data that had indicated an increased likelihood of failure as the vehicles age. At the time, the rate of occurrence of this failure was comparable to previous investigations involving loss of power steering assist including the previously mentioned PE14-030. During the EA, ODI’s analysis of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles identified the following: testing showed minor steering effort changes between “assist” and “no assist”, no root cause identified, a declining failure trend, the ramp-down or reduced assist provided when a DTC is set, a lower failure rate than the recalled Fusion vehicles, and the high age of the vehicles. A safety-related defect trend has not been identified. Accordingly, this Engineering Analysis is closed. See the attached Engineering Analysis Closing Report for details. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety defect does not exist, and ODI will take further actions if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Steering
On September 28, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE16-011) to investigate claims of power steering assist loss on model year (MY) 2010 Ford Fusion vehicles. During the PE, ODI received 718 unique claims related to the alleged problem with 598 reports indicating the power steering assist failed while driving at various speeds with no warning. Ford Motor Company (Ford) provided 1,851 unique reports and 1,720 warranty claims related to the alleged problem. It should be noted that as the result of investigation PE14-030, Ford conducted a safety recall (15V-340) ofMY 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and other vehicles using the same electric power assist steering unit to rectify incidents of loss of power steering assist. On November 20, 2017, PE16-011 was upgraded to this Engineering Analysis (EA17-004) to further assess the scope, frequency, and consequence of this failure. This was based on an analysis of the subject vehicle complaint data that had indicated an increased likelihood of failure as the vehicles age. At the time, the rate of occurrence of this failure was comparable to previous investigations involving loss of power steering assist including the previously mentioned PE14-030. During the EA, ODI’s analysis of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles identified the following: testing showed minor steering effort changes between “assist” and “no assist”, no root cause identified, a declining failure trend, the ramp-down or reduced assist provided when a DTC is set, a lower failure rate than the recalled Fusion vehicles, and the high age of the vehicles. A safety-related defect trend has not been identified. Accordingly, this Engineering Analysis is closed. See the attached Engineering Analysis Closing Report for details. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety defect does not exist, and ODI will take further actions if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Steering:rack And Pinion
On September 28, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE16-011) to investigate claims of power steering assist loss on model year (MY) 2010 Ford Fusion vehicles. During the PE, ODI received 718 unique claims related to the alleged problem with 598 reports indicating the power steering assist failed while driving at various speeds with no warning. Ford Motor Company (Ford) provided 1,851 unique reports and 1,720 warranty claims related to the alleged problem. It should be noted that as the result of investigation PE14-030, Ford conducted a safety recall (15V-340) ofMY 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and other vehicles using the same electric power assist steering unit to rectify incidents of loss of power steering assist. On November 20, 2017, PE16-011 was upgraded to this Engineering Analysis (EA17-004) to further assess the scope, frequency, and consequence of this failure. This was based on an analysis of the subject vehicle complaint data that had indicated an increased likelihood of failure as the vehicles age. At the time, the rate of occurrence of this failure was comparable to previous investigations involving loss of power steering assist including the previously mentioned PE14-030. During the EA, ODI’s analysis of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles identified the following: testing showed minor steering effort changes between “assist” and “no assist”, no root cause identified, a declining failure trend, the ramp-down or reduced assist provided when a DTC is set, a lower failure rate than the recalled Fusion vehicles, and the high age of the vehicles. A safety-related defect trend has not been identified. Accordingly, this Engineering Analysis is closed. See the attached Engineering Analysis Closing Report for details. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety defect does not exist, and ODI will take further actions if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Steering:rack And Pinion:rack
On September 28, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE16-011) to investigate claims of power steering assist loss on model year (MY) 2010 Ford Fusion vehicles. During the PE, ODI received 718 unique claims related to the alleged problem with 598 reports indicating the power steering assist failed while driving at various speeds with no warning. Ford Motor Company (Ford) provided 1,851 unique reports and 1,720 warranty claims related to the alleged problem. It should be noted that as the result of investigation PE14-030, Ford conducted a safety recall (15V-340) ofMY 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and other vehicles using the same electric power assist steering unit to rectify incidents of loss of power steering assist. On November 20, 2017, PE16-011 was upgraded to this Engineering Analysis (EA17-004) to further assess the scope, frequency, and consequence of this failure. This was based on an analysis of the subject vehicle complaint data that had indicated an increased likelihood of failure as the vehicles age. At the time, the rate of occurrence of this failure was comparable to previous investigations involving loss of power steering assist including the previously mentioned PE14-030. During the EA, ODI’s analysis of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles identified the following: testing showed minor steering effort changes between “assist” and “no assist”, no root cause identified, a declining failure trend, the ramp-down or reduced assist provided when a DTC is set, a lower failure rate than the recalled Fusion vehicles, and the high age of the vehicles. A safety-related defect trend has not been identified. Accordingly, this Engineering Analysis is closed. See the attached Engineering Analysis Closing Report for details. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety defect does not exist, and ODI will take further actions if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
PE16011 · Power Steering Failure
Opened Sep 28, 2016 · Closed Dec 25, 2017
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:electric Power Assist System
On September 28th, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE16-011 to investigate claims of power steering assist loss on model year 2010 Ford Fusion vehicles.ODI has received 718 unique claims related to the alleged problem with 598 reports indicating the power steering assist failed while driving at speed with no warning.During the PE16-011 investigation, Ford Motor Company (Ford) provided 1851 unique reports and 1720 warranty claims related to the alleged problem.As the result of investigation PE14-030, Ford previously conducted a recall (15V-340) of the 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and other vehicles using the same electric power assist steering unit to rectify incidents of loss of power steering assist.An analysis of the subject vehicle complaint data indicates an increased likelihood of failure as the vehicles age.The rate of occurrence of this failure is comparable to previous investigations involving loss of power steering assist including the previously mentioned PE14-030.Therefore, the Preliminary Evaluation (PE16-011) has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis to further assess the scope, frequency and consequence of this failure. ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls#vehicle under the identification (NHTSA ID) numbers found in the attached list.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering:electric Power Assist System
On September 28th, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE16-011 to investigate claims of power steering assist loss on model year 2010 Ford Fusion vehicles.ODI has received 718 unique claims related to the alleged problem with 598 reports indicating the power steering assist failed while driving at speed with no warning.During the PE16-011 investigation, Ford Motor Company (Ford) provided 1851 unique reports and 1720 warranty claims related to the alleged problem.As the result of investigation PE14-030, Ford previously conducted a recall (15V-340) of the 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and other vehicles using the same electric power assist steering unit to rectify incidents of loss of power steering assist.An analysis of the subject vehicle complaint data indicates an increased likelihood of failure as the vehicles age.The rate of occurrence of this failure is comparable to previous investigations involving loss of power steering assist including the previously mentioned PE14-030.Therefore, the Preliminary Evaluation (PE16-011) has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis to further assess the scope, frequency and consequence of this failure. ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls#vehicle under the identification (NHTSA ID) numbers found in the attached list.
Steering
On September 28th, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE16-011 to investigate claims of power steering assist loss on model year 2010 Ford Fusion vehicles.ODI has received 718 unique claims related to the alleged problem with 598 reports indicating the power steering assist failed while driving at speed with no warning.During the PE16-011 investigation, Ford Motor Company (Ford) provided 1851 unique reports and 1720 warranty claims related to the alleged problem.As the result of investigation PE14-030, Ford previously conducted a recall (15V-340) of the 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and other vehicles using the same electric power assist steering unit to rectify incidents of loss of power steering assist.An analysis of the subject vehicle complaint data indicates an increased likelihood of failure as the vehicles age.The rate of occurrence of this failure is comparable to previous investigations involving loss of power steering assist including the previously mentioned PE14-030.Therefore, the Preliminary Evaluation (PE16-011) has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis to further assess the scope, frequency and consequence of this failure. ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls#vehicle under the identification (NHTSA ID) numbers found in the attached list.
PE14030 · Electric Power Steering Failure
Opened Oct 2, 2014 · Closed Sep 10, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate complaints of the loss of power steering while driving. The subject vehicles are equipped with a rack mounted Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) unit.Some of the complaints alleged that the steering assist failed and resulted in increased steering efforts that contributed to a loss of control and in some cases a crash.The EPAS system was manufactured by TRW Automotive for Ford and was designated as Generation I.These units were first produced and put into vehicle production in July 2008 beginning with the model year (MY) 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan.The system is comprised of a mechanical steering rack-and-pinion gear with torque sensor, electric assist motor, motor position sensor and a power steering control module (PSCM). The PSCM is self-monitoring and designed to detect faults within the system and can store diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) if a problem is detected.There are 29 potential DTCs the system can detect.Many of these allow the system to go into reduced-assist steering mode by using the default vehicle speed signal should the live speed signal be lost, if voltage to EPAS system falls below 10.7 or goes above 17 volts, the temperature at the PSCM goes above 105C (221F), or if high friction is detected.Some DTCs will cause the system to go into manual steering mode (no assist). On July 1, 2015, Ford filed a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a safety related defect in TRW GEN I EPAS systems installed in some of the subject vehicles (NHTSA Recall 15V-340, Ford No. 15S18).The DIR indicated that intermittent electrical connections caused by quality issues associated with conformal coat contamination and ribbon cable pin misalignment within the steering gear motor may lead to a loss of the motor position sensor signal, resulting in a sudden loss of power assist while driving.The recall covers approximately 393,623 vehicles built from September 2010 through February 2012:2011-12 Fusion built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012; 2011-12 Lincoln MKZ built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012; 2011 Milan built SEP 2010 - DEC 2010; 2011-13 Taurus built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012; 2011-13 Flex with 3.5L GTDI engine built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012; and 2011-13 MKS, MKT with 3.5L GTDI engine built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012.The repair consists of updating the PSCM software to prevent a loss of steering assist while driving. The revised software will provide audible and visual warnings to the driver. If one or more of the following DTCs are stored, C1B00-62, C200B-2F, C200B-61, C200B-62, C200C-2F, C200D-49, U0300-00, U2011-49, U2011-61, U3000-46, U3000-49, U3000-61, U3000-72, U3000-96, P07AE-09, the dealer will replace the EPAS system at no charge to the owner.ODI's analysis of failure data for this PE identified a total of 2,584 complaints to ODI and Ford and 9,967 Ford warranty claims related to the alleged defect.The recalled vehicles account for 1,634 of the complaints and 7,311 of the warranty claims.ODI's analysis identified 40 complaints alleging crashes that may be related to loss of steering assist while driving, 20 of which involved vehicles included in Ford's recall.The information available for the alleged crashes were not sufficient to assess specific causes of the incidents or to verify EPAS malfunctions in each case.Most of the crashes were low-speed impacts with curbs or roadside objects resulting in wheel or minor body damage.None of the injury claims indicated medical attention was required.In addition, statistical modeling of the failure data by NHTSA's National Center for Statistics and Analysis projected 10-year failur
EA12009 · Floor Mat Interference With Accelerator
Opened Dec 12, 2012 · Closed Jun 12, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
On May 27, 2014, Ford Motor Company submitted recall 14E-028 (Ford recall #14S07) to correct a safety-related problem with certain driver's side Ford optional all-weather floor mats sold for use in model year 2006 through 2011 model year Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr, and Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant (HAP) from November 9, 2007, to October 31 ,2010.NHTSA testing determined that the original accessory all-weather mat with a single retention clip (Figure 1), may interfere with accelerator pedal return to idle with the mat retained by the clip and rotated clockwise.Both the single- and double-clip (Figure 2) all-weather floor mats may interfere with the accelerator pedal return to idle when the mats are not secured by the retention clip(s).Testing showed that this can occur if the mats are moved forward from the clipped position approximately two inches into a position in which the rear edge of the mats will abut the retention clip(s) when installed singly and align with the clip(s) when stacked on another floor mat.The pedal interference incidents reviewed by the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) include 1 crash and 9 incidents with allegations of brake friction materials smoking and/or requiring repair for heat related damage.The crash incident occurred after the parking brake was applied at speed, resulting in loss-of-control vehicle yaw event caused by lock-up of the rear tires.The spin-out resulted in a side impact collision with an oncoming vehicle in an opposing lane of traffic. For the 29 incidents with sufficient information available to make an assessment; 23 (79%) were controlled by the driver either shifting to neutral, turning the engine off, or both; 4 (14%) were ended by the driver either kicking the pedal free (2) or pulling the mat away from the pedal (2); and 2 (7%) were ended by the pedal freeing itself from the mat with no apparent driver action.None of the drivers who reacted to the incident by shifting to neutral or turning the engine off reported any difficulties with either action.The subject mats were sold by Ford and Lincoln dealers directly to customers as an optional accessory equipment item or, beginning in November 2007, the mats were also available as a factory installed accessory if ordered with a new vehicle.Ford estimates that approximately 82,579 affected driver's side all weather floor mats were sold worldwide; either over the counter through Ford dealerships or as original equipment.Owners that purchased the subject all-weather floor mats as a factory installed accessory with their new vehicle will be notified to return their all weather floor mats to their Ford or Lincoln Dealership in exchange for replacement mats.Owners of all other potentially affected vehicles will be notified that, if they have an affected Ford driver's side all weather floor mat, they should return their mats to the dealership in exchange for replacement mats.The VOQs associated with the closing of this investigation are: 10327597, 10332233, 10334211, 10335336, 10339330, 10348772 (and duplicate 10342572), 10372674, 10379562, 10415911, 10426255, 10434107, 10521053, 10554966.This investigation is hereby closed.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
On May 27, 2014, Ford Motor Company submitted recall 14E-028 (Ford recall #14S07) to correct a safety-related problem with certain driver's side Ford optional all-weather floor mats sold for use in model year 2006 through 2011 model year Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr, and Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant (HAP) from November 9, 2007, to October 31 ,2010.NHTSA testing determined that the original accessory all-weather mat with a single retention clip (Figure 1), may interfere with accelerator pedal return to idle with the mat retained by the clip and rotated clockwise.Both the single- and double-clip (Figure 2) all-weather floor mats may interfere with the accelerator pedal return to idle when the mats are not secured by the retention clip(s).Testing showed that this can occur if the mats are moved forward from the clipped position approximately two inches into a position in which the rear edge of the mats will abut the retention clip(s) when installed singly and align with the clip(s) when stacked on another floor mat.The pedal interference incidents reviewed by the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) include 1 crash and 9 incidents with allegations of brake friction materials smoking and/or requiring repair for heat related damage.The crash incident occurred after the parking brake was applied at speed, resulting in loss-of-control vehicle yaw event caused by lock-up of the rear tires.The spin-out resulted in a side impact collision with an oncoming vehicle in an opposing lane of traffic. For the 29 incidents with sufficient information available to make an assessment; 23 (79%) were controlled by the driver either shifting to neutral, turning the engine off, or both; 4 (14%) were ended by the driver either kicking the pedal free (2) or pulling the mat away from the pedal (2); and 2 (7%) were ended by the pedal freeing itself from the mat with no apparent driver action.None of the drivers who reacted to the incident by shifting to neutral or turning the engine off reported any difficulties with either action.The subject mats were sold by Ford and Lincoln dealers directly to customers as an optional accessory equipment item or, beginning in November 2007, the mats were also available as a factory installed accessory if ordered with a new vehicle.Ford estimates that approximately 82,579 affected driver's side all weather floor mats were sold worldwide; either over the counter through Ford dealerships or as original equipment.Owners that purchased the subject all-weather floor mats as a factory installed accessory with their new vehicle will be notified to return their all weather floor mats to their Ford or Lincoln Dealership in exchange for replacement mats.Owners of all other potentially affected vehicles will be notified that, if they have an affected Ford driver's side all weather floor mat, they should return their mats to the dealership in exchange for replacement mats.The VOQs associated with the closing of this investigation are: 10327597, 10332233, 10334211, 10335336, 10339330, 10348772 (and duplicate 10342572), 10372674, 10379562, 10415911, 10426255, 10434107, 10521053, 10554966.This investigation is hereby closed.
Vehicle Speed Control
On May 27, 2014, Ford Motor Company submitted recall 14E-028 (Ford recall #14S07) to correct a safety-related problem with certain driver's side Ford optional all-weather floor mats sold for use in model year 2006 through 2011 model year Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr, and Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant (HAP) from November 9, 2007, to October 31 ,2010.NHTSA testing determined that the original accessory all-weather mat with a single retention clip (Figure 1), may interfere with accelerator pedal return to idle with the mat retained by the clip and rotated clockwise.Both the single- and double-clip (Figure 2) all-weather floor mats may interfere with the accelerator pedal return to idle when the mats are not secured by the retention clip(s).Testing showed that this can occur if the mats are moved forward from the clipped position approximately two inches into a position in which the rear edge of the mats will abut the retention clip(s) when installed singly and align with the clip(s) when stacked on another floor mat.The pedal interference incidents reviewed by the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) include 1 crash and 9 incidents with allegations of brake friction materials smoking and/or requiring repair for heat related damage.The crash incident occurred after the parking brake was applied at speed, resulting in loss-of-control vehicle yaw event caused by lock-up of the rear tires.The spin-out resulted in a side impact collision with an oncoming vehicle in an opposing lane of traffic. For the 29 incidents with sufficient information available to make an assessment; 23 (79%) were controlled by the driver either shifting to neutral, turning the engine off, or both; 4 (14%) were ended by the driver either kicking the pedal free (2) or pulling the mat away from the pedal (2); and 2 (7%) were ended by the pedal freeing itself from the mat with no apparent driver action.None of the drivers who reacted to the incident by shifting to neutral or turning the engine off reported any difficulties with either action.The subject mats were sold by Ford and Lincoln dealers directly to customers as an optional accessory equipment item or, beginning in November 2007, the mats were also available as a factory installed accessory if ordered with a new vehicle.Ford estimates that approximately 82,579 affected driver's side all weather floor mats were sold worldwide; either over the counter through Ford dealerships or as original equipment.Owners that purchased the subject all-weather floor mats as a factory installed accessory with their new vehicle will be notified to return their all weather floor mats to their Ford or Lincoln Dealership in exchange for replacement mats.Owners of all other potentially affected vehicles will be notified that, if they have an affected Ford driver's side all weather floor mat, they should return their mats to the dealership in exchange for replacement mats.The VOQs associated with the closing of this investigation are: 10327597, 10332233, 10334211, 10335336, 10339330, 10348772 (and duplicate 10342572), 10372674, 10379562, 10415911, 10426255, 10434107, 10521053, 10554966.This investigation is hereby closed.
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