Hi, I've got a 2012 GT. Three times in the last three weeks I've lost power steering and the Power Steering Assist Fault message comes on. It's always happened when shifting from reverse into drive, so it hasn't been a big problem. Restarting the car temporarily fixes it.

Do you think it is related to faulty front lower control arms?

Have others experienced this?

It doesn't look like EPAS (Electric Power Assist Steering) problems are widespread on our cars, from searches on the forum. There is a thread from last week but it's for a V6 and light on details. There don't seem to be many other posts that I can find.

I've got 65,000 miles on my car - well outside warranty. So, before I take it in on my dime I'd like to be as knowledgeable as I can be.

The front LCAs were replaced once while it was still under warranty. I had the car back to a dealer to check out the LCAs last fall due to the creaking noise over bumps, but they said No Problem Found. Since we were heading into winter I let it go; I don't hear the LCA creak when it's cold. Now that it's warmer outside I am starting to hear the creak occasionally again though.

I did see somewhere that race Mustangs have to install the Ford Racing steering rack or something to disable the part of EPAS that is very sensitive to suspension geometry. That got me thinking maybe it's related to faulty LCAs.

Thanks for any tips...