Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 40% | 1,000 miles |
| 2025 | 7 | 18% | 3,000 miles |
| 2024 | 4 | 5% | 36,000 miles |
| 2023 | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2022 | 4 | 3% | 65,000 miles |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% | 24,000 miles |
| 2020 | 4 | 1% | 50,000 miles |
| 2019 | 5 | 1% | 58,000 miles |
| 2018 | 4 | 1% | 1,000 miles |
| 2017 | 11 | 3% | 45,000 miles |
| 2016 | 5 | 2% | 97,000 miles |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% | 89,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% | 105,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% | 66,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% | 35,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% | 62,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 2% | 130,000 miles |
| 2006 | 14 | 5% | 92,000 miles |
| 2005 | 10 | 3% | 60,000 miles |
| 2004 | 14 | 5% | 42,000 miles |
| 2003 | 20 | 3% | 52,000 miles |
| 2002 | 4 | 1% | 42,000 miles |
| 2001 | 8 | 1% | 69,000 miles |
| 2000 | 30 | 3% | 67,000 miles |
| 1999 | 32 | 3% | 81,000 miles |
| 1998 | 52 | 6% | 87,000 miles |
| 1997 | 94 | 11% | 134,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 Ford Expedition MAX. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH or higher speeds, the steering wheel shuddered due to a front suspension issue. The contact completed some research online and learned that it was a known failure associated with 2025 - 2026 model years. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 800.
With speeds in excess of 70 MPH, the car have a violent shake. The shake gets worse as you approach 80 MPH. This is in both the 2025 and 2026 Ford Expedition models. This put drivers at risk, as they must keep control of the car at all times on the highway if they are in excess of 70 MPH. The car has already been inspected by Ford and they did a road balance test and replaced one tire. The car still shakes at high speeds. Ford is looking to bring my car in a 2nd time to look at the issue again. No warning lights came on. This appears to be a driving issue not related to anything that would come up electronically.
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the steering wheel failed to steer in the intended direction. The contact stated that the blue cruise hands-free system was activated during the failure. In addition, the vehicle was shaking and the brakes were independently activated. The contact was able to correct the steering wheel to the intended lane. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure could have caused a crash. In addition, the failure occurred while the contact was driving at night. The contact's wife and grandchild were occupants in the vehicle during the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,500.
While driving in heavy traffic on Interstate 10 west bound, I made a right blinker lane change. Right after complete lane change, vehicle emergency brake applied putting me into a spin and steering was fighting me trying to correct thus causing 2 impacts to a vehicle on side of me. It was light drizzle and dash cam footage is available of vehicle taking control.
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at speeds between 60 MPH - 80 MPH, the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer approximately six times however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the message "Drive Assist Unavailable" was displayed. The contact stated that when the vehicle was turned off and restarted, the system was functional. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, who checked the 12-Volt battery and found that the battery was operational and there were no other electrical issues. The contact stated that later, while starting the vehicle, the message "Loss of Power Steering Assist" was displayed, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the left or the right. The vehicle was turned off and restarted, and regained power steering functionality; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact attempted to reset the electrical system by disconnecting the battery terminals. …
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it failed to start with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was jump-started. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. Additionally, the contact stated that the air bag warning light continuously remained illuminated. The failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V847000 (Steering, Air Bags); however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
The vehicle stopped running while driving, my wife stopped at a stop sign after vehicle had run ~ 10 minutes. Upon entering the inter-section the vehicle started to run rough, and ultimately stalled and would not restart. She was able to coast into a parking lot entrance within On Top of World subdivision where we live and get off of main road. After multiple AAA attempts to jump start, AAA confirmed the vehicle was unable to be jump started, therefore vehicle was towed to local ford dealership for diagnostics. They tried to jump start multiple times and after 2 days, pushed it into garage. They confirmed fuel pump failure and replaced with current design. We were charged for towing, new battery, and fuel pump system replacement with current design and advised we would have to bring it back in when Ford identified remedy for current recall. No loaner vehicle provided. …
Related recalls (1)
Steering › Gear box › Shaft sector
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, if the intermediate shaft yoke separates from the steering gear input shaft, the steering system becomes disconnected.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering intermediate shaft yoke to determine if the yoke is fully seated on the steering gear input shaft. If the yoke is fully seated no service is required.
NHTSA investigations
Tie rod end failures
There is no summary currently available
Steering shaft separation
See attached summary for technical details
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Expedition years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (94), 1998 (52), 1999 (32), 2000 (30) and 2003 (20) model years. Steering complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Ford Expedition steering problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 03V-196 (shaft sector, May 27, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Expedition steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles; 33% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the linkages › tie rod assembly (74 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist system (25).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.