2017 Ford Fusion steering problems

Related recalls

• 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 Oct 6, 2026SCSteeringSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain

   The automatic transmission failed at approximately 59,000 miles. The vehicle was delivered to an authorized Ford dealership on 09/04/2025 for warranty repair. The transmission was replaced. The vehicle remained at that dealership approximately eight months and was returned to me on or about 05/01/2026. After return, a grinding and clunking noise was present when accelerating, turning, braking and going over bumps. A power steering line failed within days of return and…

   NHTSA complaint #11769399 · source
2. Filed Jun 27, 2026MIEngineSteering

   I am the owner of a 2017 Ford Fusion with 61,000 miles on the odometer. Please note that I have always taken good care of my car, having it serviced promptly when required. In recent weeks, I have had to replace my complete steering rack (cost $4,500) and two weeks later, my 1.7-liter Ecoboost engine due to a coolant leak into the number two cylinder at a cost of $6,700. Ford has known about both problems for years and they have resulted in both class action and small claims…

   NHTSA complaint #11746906 · source
3. Filed Feb 27, 202650,000 miNYTowedSteering

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The vehicle was started; however, the steering wheel failed to function as intended. The contact moved the gear shift lever to reverse(R), and the steering wheel seized. The tow truck driver had a difficult time trying to move the vehicle onto the flatbed truck. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that high friction on the gear and the entire steering alignment needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11720997 · source
4. Filed Feb 18, 202690,000 miTXTowedSteering

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel detached and was left hanging. The driver moved over to the side of the highway. The contact stated that the steering wheel was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V167000 (STEERING); however, the failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the…

   NHTSA complaint #11718878 · source
5. Filed Dec 29, 2025NEElectrical SystemSteering

   Car warning states “steering assist fault service required” total loss of power steering in the vehicle after sat parked for a week, vehicle started without issue, no warning codes can be found with OBDII scanner

   NHTSA complaint #11707501 · source
6. Filed Nov 12, 2025100,000 miCASteering

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the steering wheel was loose. The contact was able to rock the steering wheel approximately 3/8 of an inch in either direction. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V167000 (Steering). The contact called a local dealer and was advised that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…

   NHTSA complaint #11699017 · source
7. Filed Aug 15, 202469,236 miNYSteering

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH and making a left turn, the power steering failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the steering wheel had seized and became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with rack and pinon failure. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11608789 · source
8. Filed Mar 6, 202469,000 miPASteering

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the steering rack. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V167000 (Steering)…

   NHTSA complaint #11575817 · source
9. Filed Feb 27, 202486,720 miMADriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

   The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the power steering assist, traction control, and hill stop assist warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11574308 · source
10. Filed Feb 25, 2024NYSteering

    The shifter cable bushing was no longer present and the shifter cable detached, causing my car to be unable to move out of park. I was actively driving the vehicle, backing it out when this happened, leaving me and my car stuck in the middle of the lane. This problem has caused a recall on earlier years of the car, making it a known issue. There were no symptoms prior to the problem, but many warning lights on the dash claiming to need repairs immediately following the…

    NHTSA complaint #11573873 · source
11. Filed Dec 16, 2023NYSteering

    I was driving my car one day and the power steering fault message popped up on my dash of my car. So I turned around and went home. I turned the car off and then turn the car back on. Then the power steering fault message showed up with other warning messages. So I tried turning the steering wheel and noticed there was no power steering at all. So the next day I had it towed to the Ford dealer to have them look at it and fix the issue. They ended up replacing the rack and…

    NHTSA complaint #11560456 · source
12. Filed Nov 8, 202382,000 miILSteering

    The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was extremely loose, prompting the contact to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V167000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11554224 · 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