2012 Ford Focus Electric Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 18%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Ford Focus Electric, 18% of the 33 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Twice since we have owned this car the steering wheel locks up after the engine is started. My wife says there is a message on the dash display about the steering. Both times she showed me the steering being locked up in the driveway of our home. I was able to correct the problem by turning off the ignition switch and restarting. She told me this morning it has happened to her while driving once on a highway at 60 MPH . She was able to strong arm the steering wheel to the shoulder. I am extremely concerned about this problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11113528, filed 2018-07, 80,000 miles“I started the car this morning and the steering would not work. I came inside the house, looked up the problem on line and found a terrific amount of hits. I also saw that without warning the steering can stop all together causing an accident. I also saw that sometimes you can go back to the vehicle and start it up again and the steering problem may go away. This is very alarming. What if I am driving and the steering goes out? This, of course, can lead to injury or death to the driver or to others involved in a crash.”
NHTSA complaint #11001230, filed 2017-06, 70,000 miles“When I turned the car on the steering system fault message came on the dash and caused my steering wheel to lock up. I couldn't turn it at all. All I was able to do was drive straight but I was in the parking lot so I had to turn. After turning the car off and on after a couple of tries it eventually unlocked and I was able to drive again. However this was the first time this happened. I don't want it to happen while I'm in the car with my two children. Another issue that happens is when I pump gas in the car it seems to stalls once I drive like it wants to shut off but it doesn't.”
NHTSA complaint #10881400, filed 2016-06“Tl-contact owns a 2012 Ford focus.... General recall inquiry -- electric steering locked up in driveway before leaving house twice within the last week... Contact called dealership and dealership stated entire steering column and electric steering system needs to be replaced. Clutch was replaced twice already. 0 recalls associated with this VIN cb”
NHTSA complaint #11053997, filed 2017-12Steering: other model years
Other parts of the 2012 Ford Focus Electric
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Ford Focus Electric
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology