2016 Ford Fusion steering problems

Related recalls

• Recall 19V632000Aug 29, 2019116,160 vehicles
  STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.

  Risk: If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear motor bolts and apply a wax sealer. If any of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed in the vehicle. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S26.

• Recall 18V167000Mar 12, 20181,301,986 vehicles
  STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.

  Risk: A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S08.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 1, 2026178,000 miWI1 injuredSteering

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost power steering functionality and nearly crashed. The contact swerved and slammed on the brake pedal abruptly, causing the contact to strike the left side of the head against the upper side of the driver's side window. The contact sustained a headache, a bump and dizziness and sought medical attention. The power steering warning light was illuminated after the failure.…

   NHTSA complaint #11747703 · source
2. Filed Jun 11, 2026ILBrakesElectrical SystemSteering

   After hitting 100,000 mile my car electronics failed and caused my steering to fail and all other safety equipment like airbags and brokering system

   NHTSA complaint #11743385 · source
3. Filed May 14, 2026TXSteering

   I took my car to have recalls fixed. The next time I drove it after that my power steering shut off while driving. The warning lights for "Hill Start Assist Not Available" and "Service AdvanceTrac" came on. After some research it looks like I have the exact problem for recall 19S26. However when I called the dealership they couldn’t find the documentation if they fixed this or not on my vehicle. They said since it is not an open recall they do not have to fix it. Can you…

   NHTSA complaint #11737774 · source
4. Filed May 8, 2026CABrakesSteering

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V162000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) and 19V632000 (STEERING), but the failure persisted. A month after the recall repairs were completed, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake warning light was illuminated and blinked, and the steering wheel failed to function as intended. The contact used force to veer the vehicle to the side of the road. Once the contact was able to…

   NHTSA complaint #11736657 · source
5. Filed Apr 27, 2026206,000 miIDCrash1 injuredTowedSteering

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his wife was making a left turn, the steering wheel lost steering capabilities, and the vehicle did not steer as intended. The vehicle then ran into a divider on the four-lane highway and then came to a full stop. The contact did not sustain any physical injuries, but his wife sustained emotional injuries. A police report was filed. The contact's wife did not receive medical attention. The vehicle was towed…

   NHTSA complaint #11734057 · source
6. Filed Apr 7, 2026WABrakesEngineSteering

   I called way scarff ford to have the safety recalls taken care. Got my appointment, stopped the car off in the morning. They kept the car for 3 days and after the 3rd day they said everything is good to go. Go there in Auburn WA couldn't find my car. Took 4 people or including myself. Then it took another half hour to 45 min to find my car. Go get in the vehicle and something doesn't seem right. Everything still felt the same. I look under the hood and find that the the…

   NHTSA complaint #11729819 · source
7. Filed Mar 31, 2026INSteering

   The steering gear went out causing the steering wheel to completely lock up. It’s costing thousands of dollars to repair. Not sure why this recall isn’t associated with my VIN number but other 2016 ford fusions. My car is in the shop now to be fixed and was quoted over 3k$

   NHTSA complaint #11728183 · source
8. Filed Mar 26, 2026104,000 miOHSteering

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel started to shake while driving at slower speeds, and the shaking ceased while driving at higher speeds. The message "Steering Fault - Service Now" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed an ABS and power steering failure and determined that the power steering rack unit needed to be repaired. The independent mechanic…

   NHTSA complaint #11727262 · source
9. Filed Mar 12, 2026NYSteering

   My 2016 Ford Fusion SE had a prior safety recall repair in 2020 involving replacement of the steering wheel retaining/attachment bolt with a longer bolt. The bolt now appears to be loosening again. This seems like a recurrence or failure of the prior recall remedy. The dealer told me I had to pay out of pocket and ford corporate said the repair only had a 12-month warranty, but this is a steering safety issue involving the same recalled condition. I am concerned the steering…

   NHTSA complaint #11723912 · source
10. Filed Feb 27, 2026OHElectrical SystemSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

    I get in my 2016 Fusion to go to dinner and I can barely turn my steering wheel. I put it in park and check the power steering fluid. FULL. I tried resetting the power steering assist by starting the car and turning all the way left then right then center. Still can barely turn. Tried disconnecting the battery hoping it would be an electrical glitch. Come to find out it’s could be a steering assist motor on the steering column that’s going bad and CAN CAUSE THIS PROBLEM…

    NHTSA complaint #11721074 · source
11. Filed Jan 25, 2026AZSteering

    Steering wheel almost detached from steering cullum. There is a recall already attached to other 2016 ford fusions but not my trim model (2016 ford fusion energy plug in hybrid). The veh is not drivable

    NHTSA complaint #11713161 · source
12. Filed Dec 8, 2025MDSteering

    Lost power in the steering wheel. My safety and others is at risk because the steering wheel locks up completely at slow speeds and it's difficult to turn the steering wheel when turning a corner or trying to back up. The problem has been confirmed by an independent service center. The component has only been inspected by an independent service center. On 12/5/25 I received a warning on the dashboard, Steering Assist Fault. I drove to work and parked the car. When I got in…

    NHTSA complaint #11703736 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology