Highway lane drifting

[davedcc2012]

Hooray! I'm glad to read that I'm not the only one suffering the problem of the power steering deciding on its own where it wants to go.

We have 2012 SE Hatchback, Auto. We currently have just over 2,200 miles on it. It was purchased in May. Unfortunately, we didn't get a test ride on the freeway when we bought it as it was rush hour. You would think that everything would be ok.

Long story short: Car was into the dealer 4 times in the first two weeks of ownership. Had TPMS problems with the Continentals that it came with. Tires weren't holding pressure all the time. We went through the Ford Customer Service to try and get resolution as the dealership had a change of ownership and couldn't seem to answer any of our questions. I insisted and had the Continentails swapped out to a set of Michelins. The GM took it upon himself to foot the bill for this. In checking with Discount Tire, it would have been about $600.00 for me to make the change. Alignment was corrected prior to the tire swap and checked again after the change. At least the Michelins are holding pressure.

I'm considering getting the air replaced with nitrogen. I also have a 2011 Chevy Equinox that that was done. It keeps the variance of temperature change down.

But back to the Focus. We're still getting the uncontrolled drifting. It doesn't seem to matter whether the highway surface is brand new or not. I usually drive with just one hand on the wheel, but it makes you want to use two hands most of the time. There will be stretches where it behaves just like it should and then go off on its own. We can not predict the conditions that cause this. I have asked whether there is any firmware or software updates. According to Ford Lincoln of Franklin in checking with the Ford Hot Line, we're up to date.

Vehicle had just come off the truck the same day as we purchased it. So we were the first to ever drive it. So I guess you have to wonder.

dave

[herbz]

As promised, I got my car back tonight, went to the gym and afterwards went for quite a bit of a drive. It's fixed, best I can tell. It's now possible for me to drive with one hand on the highway which was pretty much impossible before. Car tracks straight like an arrow.

In the coming days, I'll be driving it much more extensively on the highway and will hopefully confirm my findings tonight.

davedcc2012: Sounds to me like you have the same problem. It involves getting the entire steering rack assmebly replaced and a front end alignment.

[flygry1]

It sounds like the earlier production cars are experiencing the steering problems. Out of curiosity what was your build date?

[davedcc2012]

Where do I find the build date?

[completely_focused]

Originally Posted by davedcc2012

Where do I find the build date?

Check the window sticker in the lower left hand corner. Last few digits should indicate YYMMDD.

[davedcc2012]

Date format was MM DD YY on our sticker. Build date was 05/03/11.

[flygry1]

It is on the drivers side door pillar on data sticker. Mine was built in March and I have the steering problem also but it is very random and may not act up for several days. If the dealer took it for a test drive chances are it wouldn't act up. I wonder if they would fix it based on just the customers complaint?

[BiggerBoat]

Originally Posted by flygry1

It is on the drivers side door pillar on data sticker. Mine was built in March and I have the steering problem also but it is very random and may not act up for several days. If the dealer took it for a test drive chances are it wouldn't act up. I wonder if they would fix it based on just the customers complaint?

I'm am in the exact same scenario as you (March build, very intermittent). My dealer was very nice about it but basically said, they need to be able to reproduce it before taking action. They said, I could pop in at any time it is occurring which sounds nice but in most cases, I am far from home on my way somewhere and usually on the weekend. Not practical.

[flygry1]

Based on the number of complaints FMC should have a handle on the affected vehicles these defective racks were installed on.

[FFR_1574]

I took delivery last Friday, my build date was 08/22/2011 I have the same issue. I'll be scheduling a appointment for later this week. At least the issue is out in the open and the dealership I take my Fords & Lincolns to has been outstanding over the last 7+ years I'll dealt with them.