YearToAvoid

2017 Ford Fusion Steering Problems

NHTSA lists 51 steering complaints for the 2017 Ford Fusion, 5% of its 1,110 total complaints, tied to 6 crashes and 2 injuries. A related recall (18V167000) covers a steering wheel bolt that can loosen and let the wheel detach.

Steering complaints
51
5% of 1,110
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
36,545 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical steering symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the steering wheel becoming loose, with increasing play, sometimes to the point it feels like it could come off the column.
  • Some describe the steering wheel seizing or locking up suddenly while driving, causing loss of control.
  • Others report the steering wheel loosening progressively while driving at highway speed, forcing the vehicle to veer before crashing into a ditch or tree.
  • A few owners connected their loose steering wheel to NHTSA recall campaign 18V167000 and reported delays getting replacement parts from dealers.
  • One report describes a steering assist fault warning appearing after the wheels stopped turning on the highway.

When 2017 Ford Fusion steering complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 6, 2017, latest Jun 27, 2026.

2017 Ford Fusion steering complaints: complaints filed per month3Feb 2017May 2018Feb 2020Dec 2020Mar 2022Jun 2023Aug 2024
51 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2017 to Jun 2026; peak Nov 2017 (3).

Steering recalls for the 2017 Ford Fusion

  1. NHTSA 18V167000Mar 12, 2018Steering1,301,986 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.

Steering complaints by Fusion model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20101,661 (32%)
  2. 20111,428 (51%)
  3. 20121,473 (59%)
  4. 2013389 (22%)
  5. 2014326 (25%)
  6. 2015163 (16%)
  7. 2016176 (11%)
  8. 201751 (5%)
  9. 201819 (4%)
  10. 20197 (2%)
  11. 202012 (7%)

Frequently asked questions

How many steering complaints does the 2017 Ford Fusion have?
NHTSA lists 51 steering complaints for the 2017 Ford Fusion, which is 5% of the 1,110 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a steering recall for the 2017 Ford Fusion?
Yes. Recall campaign 18V167000, reported March 12, 2018, covers a steering wheel retaining bolt that may loosen and allow the steering wheel to detach while driving. Ford's remedy is replacing the bolt with a longer one free of charge.
At what mileage do steering problems tend to show up?
The median mileage at failure for steering complaints on the 2017 Ford Fusion is 36,545 miles.
Have steering problems caused crashes or injuries on the 2017 Fusion?
NHTSA records 6 crashes and 2 injuries tied to steering complaints on the 2017 Ford Fusion, with no fires reported.
Is the steering complaint rate worse than other Fusion years?
No. The 2017 Fusion's 5% steering complaint share is lower than earlier years like 2011 (51%) and 2012 (59%), and similar to 2018 (4%) and 2016 (11%).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.