2013–2016 Ford Fusion: Sudden loss of power steering (corroded steering motor bolts)
Likely causes, ranked
- Corroded motor attachment bolts$0–$0Shop
Real-owner fix counts will appear here as reports come in.
DIY or shop: See DIY or shop section
Parts to check
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Symptom: Steering suddenly becomes heavy, often with a steering warning message, especially at low speed.
Likely causes
- Corroded motor attachment bolts. Salt and water corrode the bolts until the motor separates from the gear housing.
DIY or shop?
Dealer. Recall repairs are free.
Useful steps
- Check your VIN, especially if the car has lived where roads are salted.
- Have it towed if steering assist is lost.
Vehicle focus: 2013–2016 Ford Fusion.
Safety / mechanic note
Losing power steering makes the car hard to control at low speed. Verify with a mechanic or dealer.
Recalls & service bulletins
Recalls
- 15V250000 2013–2015 Fusion in salt-belt states: road salt can corrode the bolts holding the electric steering motor to the gear, causing loss of assist. Dealers seal and replace the bolts, or replace the gear if bolts are broken. Details
- 19V632000 2013–2016 Fusion in salt-belt states: follow-up campaign for the same corroded steering motor bolts. Details
NHTSA complaints: 1,192 keyword-matched complaints for Ford FUSION 2013–2016 (of 6,150 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-15).
Always check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Sources
What actually fixed it?
Had this problem? Tell other owners what the real fix was. Reports are counted above; we never show made-up numbers.