Problems · by component
2012 Ford Fusion electronic stability control (esc) problems
90 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Fusion cite electronic stability control (esc), 3% of all 2,617 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
90
3% of all complaints
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
What owners say about the electronic stability control (esc)
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 - 60 MPH, the AdvanceTrac and power steering systems became inoperable. The AdvanceTrac and power steering warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent certified mechanic, where an unknown diagnostic was made. The AdvanceTrac system was reset, and unknown power steering system repairs were performed; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic several times. The mechanic reset the AdvanceTrac system a second time. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall and the vehicle did not have warranty coverage. The failure mileage was approximately 29,104.”
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle at the residence, the messages "Service Power Steering” and Check Stability" were displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle steering wheel had seized and was unable to turn to the left or the right. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called a dealer and was informed about a manufacturer’s recall for the electric power steering assist; however, the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was then transferred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 743,000.”
“SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, SAYS SERVICE ADVANCETRACK AS WELL AS SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW WHICH HAS BEEN LISTED AS AN ISSUE FOR MANY OF MY MAKE AND MODEL CAR”
“MY CAR IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE POWER STREETING WHEEL. AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR THE WHEEL TIGHTEN UP AND IT WAS HARD FOR ME TO TURN. POWER STREERING AT FAULT IS WHAT FLASHES ON THE DASHBORED. I USE MY CAR TO GO TO SCHOOL AND WORK AND RIGHT NOW IT'S HARD FOR ME TO DO SO. I WENT TO THE CAR DEALER SHIP AND THEY WANT TWO GRAND TO FIX IT! THEY SAY I NEED RACK AND PINION.”
“NUMEROUS TIMES I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND THE POWER STEERING FAULT WARNING WOULD FLASH ACROSS THE DISPLAY. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR, THE DISPLAY CHANGES WARNINGS AND SAYS "POWER STEERING FAULT" OR "SEVERICE POWER STEERING NOW". HAD A LOCAL MECHANIC CLEAR OUT THE CODE AND STEERING WOULD GO BACK TO NORMAL...EVERYTHING HAS BEEN FINE SINCE BUT NOW THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A WHINING/WEIRD SOUND WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL UNDER 10MPH AND ITS VERY STIFF WHEN TRYING TO TURN BUT ONCE I GET OVER 10MPH IT LOOSENS UP AND IS NORMAL...MY CAR ISN'T CURRENTLY UNDER ANY RECALL BUT I FEEL LIKE THE POWER STEERING SHOULD BE UNDER RECALL IF ITS A CONTINUOUS ISSUE”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI TRACTION STABILIZING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SUNNYSIDE MOTOR CO., INC. (944 MAIN ST, HOLDEN, MA 01520; (508) 829-4333) WHO STATED THAT THE SENSOR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.”
Showing 6 of 90 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 2, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.