2010 Ford Focus Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 5%of 287 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the steering of the 2010 Ford Focus, 5% of the 287 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“This car was just purchased. Parked car in driveway and the next morning my wife could not start the car. I called seller and he said to 'wiggle steering wheel and car would start.wife could not accomplish this feat. I tried and with much force got the wheel to move and then car started. Problem seems to be in steering wheel. This seems to be a real poor design. I am taking the car to : locksmith and then Ford dealer to see what the fix actually is. Have seen many complaints on this site and others.”
NHTSA complaint #10488948, filed 2012-12, 54,100 miles“Driving with my family in my new Ford Focus 2010 and the steering wheel lock is like a stone, I could not turn either to the right or left. In the instrument panel appeared assisted steering failure . Fortunately for my passage by a quiet road and I stop. Turn off and restart it and the failure disappeared, but listen to hum turn the steering wheel. Take it to Ford dealer and only reset the computer to delete the witness of fault and told me that is ready now. How can I drive safely after the lived?”
NHTSA complaint #10335739, filed 2010-06, 3,040 miles“My son was driving in the car pool lane when the car came to an abrupt stand still. It turns out the compressor failed and threw its parts all over the engine compartment damaging parts of the engine. When the engine failed, he lost braking and steering abilities. Compressors do not last forever. However, when a compressor quits working that should be the extent of the failure. This compressor failed and basically came apart. The car not working in the middle of a car pool lane put my son and his wife in danger as there was no where to get out and no way to move the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10567017, filed 2014-03, 58,000 miles“My daughter was driving 35-40 MPH, and attempted to make a right-hand turn on a county road. The steering wheel either locked, or the power steering failed, making it impossible to negotiate the turn. She ran off the left side of the road and hit a light pole straight on, causing her minor injuries, but totaling the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10915082, filed 2016-10, 93,000 miles“Multiple mechanics working at and including but not limited to: Firestone, discount tires, Midas, Walmart, independent mechanics have informed me the rear wheels can not be realigned with the front wheels due to how it was designed. This has caused my rear wheels to become more and more out of alignment with no way to repair the misalignment. So all steering components have been more and more hard to control and are being destroyed at a faster rate. Including but not limited to: car sound deadening stuff. Bolts, nuts, screws, undercarriage, tire wear, the front alignment etc. …”
NHTSA complaint #11639131, filed 2025-01Related service bulletins
- 10095995Nov 17, 2016Some 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…
- 10034586Jul 1, 2010Ford: equipped with 17 inch wheels only; steering follows road irregularities and/or ruts. Vehicles may exhibit the vehicle's steering seems to follow road irregularities. First…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 30 | 4% |
| 2017 | 20 | 2% |
| 2016 | 45 | 4% |
| 2015 | 93 | 9% |
| 2014 | 223 | 9% |
| 2013 | 273 | 13% |
| 2012 | 927 | 25% |
| 2011 | 10 | 9% |
| 2010 | 13 | 5% |
| 2009 | 9 | 4% |
| 2008 | 12 | 5% |
| 2007 | 13 | 3% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 18 | 4% |
| 2004 | 29 | 7% |
| 2003 | 73 | 7% |
| 2002 | 53 | 6% |
| 2001 | 86 | 5% |
| 2000 | 168 | 5% |
| 1999 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2010 Ford Focus
50 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
45 complaintsElectrical system
43 complaintsEngine
42 complaintsFuel system
32 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
31 complaintsOther or unknown
27 complaintsBody and structure
24 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsWheels
15 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsTires
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 Ford Focus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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