Focus power steering fault

My daughter has a 2006 Focus, 40000 miles and the other day she rang to say that it started making a noise and the steering went heavy just as she turned into work. There was also a lot of fluid under the car.

As she is 60 miles away, she called the RAC who came out and took her car to a garage to be repaired. The RAC man said it needed a pipe replacing on the power steering. It cost £190 in total.

I expect better than this from a Ford. Is it a common fault? What do you think failed exactly?

I have a vested interest as I have a 2008 Focus. Is there anything to do to make it last longer?

Had a fluid leak on a Ford Escort TD took it to a garage who said new steering rack required, got it home and up on ramps, located the leak it was where the pipes enter and leave the rack, the pipes are held in by 'finger plates' clamping swaged collars on the pipes into the rack.
Undid 'finger plate' and withdrew the pipes, found one damaged 'O' ring
replaced both, clamped the pipes back into the rack with 'finger plate' then refilled the resoviour with ATF fluid, job a complete success, cost minimal..two 'O' rings wich I had already one litre of ATF fluid..
New rack indeed....

Wotan

It does seem to be a common fault (try googling it ) It is normally caused by a "push fit" type connection on the pipe into the pump, you screw the nut into the pump and then push the pipe in and the pipe is secured with a bracket, it doesn't appear to be servicable in anyway, new nut and pipe needed. Ford will know there is a problem, but probably not offer any help.
Models and engines change so quickly these days that you may find your 08 model is different or has modified pipes etc

I had the same thing happen. The AA man said it was a very common fault on 56 reg Focus's. He inferred that driving school cars (who do many 3 point turns were 'popping like popcorn'). I was lucky that my vehicle still had 10 days of the Ford warranty and it was replaced at no charge.