2016 Ford Focus · symptom sheet
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy
- 27owner reports
- 39,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Oct 10, 2024 · checked Oct 2, 2026
45 of the 1,181 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 27 of those describe power steering loss.
Tick what matches of 27 reports
Power steering loss on other Focus years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2017, 2018.
What this problem usually is
Power steering loss is the steering wheel suddenly going heavy, usually with a warning on the dash. Nearly six in ten complaints in this group mention a warning light or message, and almost two thirds mention driving or highway speed rather than parking.
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the steering system covers the 2016 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 31,426 and 56,000 miles, from the 16 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Electrical power steering goes in and out and the dash displays âsteering assist faultâ warning, and the power steering goes out entirely. You can still turn, but it takes a lot more physical effort to do so. Since it goes in and out, it can happen at any time and is very hard to get diagnosed through a diagnostic if the mechanic or dealer cannot replicate the issue.”
Filed Sep 25, 2024
“Power steering fault light came on and the vehicle is very hard to now drive because it is difficult to turn the steering wheel, which could cause an accident.”
Filed Jun 18, 2024
“No issues with steering at all and then stopped for gas and when restarting the car got multiple messages regarding steering assist fault resulting in an inability to properly be able to control/steer the vehicle. Left stranded 5 hours away from home.”
Filed Oct 13, 2023
“On my way to the gas station to fuel up. Turned off car and when turned back on power steering malfunction light came on making steering a lot harder. Ran codes to find out it was a water damage fault based off manufacture design after doing research”
Filed Jul 14, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 27 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 352 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 286 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 140 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 56 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 55 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 46 reports
- Loses power when accelerating 45 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 26 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 26 reports