Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Driving at 5 mph in traffic. Truck suddenly pulls hard right and involved in a glancing blow to a vehicle next to me. Steering wheel then was able to wobble loosely in 3 dimensions with no effect on tire direction. Had turn wheel at least 20 degrees rotation before feeling any engagement: a clunking sound and extremely hard steering with minimal tire response. Truck had to be towed from the accident scene. MANY reports of same problem seen via internet search Several lawsuits noted with various model years. Ford dealer states the steering column parts are obsolete.
The system that failed was in the steering/gear shaft. The shaft is failing due to corrosion/rust. The vehicle has erratic steering when turning left or right. The steering does not rebound making it difficult to steer the vehicle which can cause a serious crash. I have had the problem with the steering and almost running off into a ditch. Trying to regain steering is difficult as it seems it gets stuck in position (left or right) and heavy when manually trying to control or correct the steering. The engine intake manifold suffer from the same safety issues that causes the corrosion or rusting of the manifold bolts making it very difficult to maintenance /repair cracked manifolds in the vehicle. The culprit as Ford knows it is salty road conditions. I live in Michigan where salt is applied to the roads often to keep roadways open for travel in the winter months. …
I was involved in a low-speed 45 miles a hour front end collision. I was in a Ford f-150 4 door 2-wheel drive. My seat belt worked great. The air bag went off but did not hit me in the face. The front of the truck was crushed badly but with no fluid leaks. After the wrecker pull my front bumper free from my front tires I was able to drive the truck back home about 100 miles. All system worked great. The truck showed that the Ford safety system worked well. I had no injuries except for my left hand. And that is the complaint. Why would Ford or ntsb allow a Ford design that not only can help save a life but for sure will injure the very person they are trying to save. …
I live in a metropolitan area where there is always a high volume of traffic and losing power of a vehicle is a dangerous situation. Driving in 5:00 rush hour traffic and accelerating from a red light when my Ford truck entered into a "limp home" mode (wrench icon and oil lamp appeared) it stalled out. I was able to coast into a parking lot even though I had no power steering or brakes. Eventually, I was able to start my vehicle. My truck drove fine but now and then had a hesitation to start. About a week later, it stalled again; this time it did not start. I was a block from my office and we pushed it back. I had it towed to a local shop and was told it was the fuel pump. I work in outside sales and had to have it replaced $700. The truck drove OK for about a month, but still hesitated on starting. In June, once again it stalled. …
I own a 2010 Ford f-150 fx4 4x4 5.4l pick up. The intermediate steering shaft was binding up, causing a heavy steering condition, steering not returning to center after turning and a binding condition. The part was replaced at approximately 36K miles by washington Ford in washington pa. Approx 2 years have passed and at 63K miles experiencing the same conditions with Ford replacement part. Took the vehicle back to washington Ford in washington, pa for diagnosis on 5/4/17. Service department could not detect or diagnose an issue. I took the vehicle to a local repair center on 5/16/17 where tech determined that there was a binding issue with the replacement part. An after market part has been ordered for replacement. …
In 10/2016, my steering fluid began leaking and it was determined that my steering rack was faulty. As Ford did not have this part available, I was forced to accept an inferior after-market part and incurred a whooping bill of $1,400 for the first repair! As of today, 1/18/2018, my truck is back at the Ford garage for replacement of my 6th after-market part which also leaked after installation. I was informed in February 2017 that Ford would have an actual Ford steering rack, but almost almost a year later, I'm being forced once again to accept an inferior after-market part. To make matters worse, not only do we have the inconvenience of having only one vehicle, but we will again have an expensive repair bill which we should not be responsible for paying. …
When slowing down (at an intersection for example) to make a turn the vehicle dies and makes it very, very difficult to turn because the power steering does not work. I have almost gotten into two accidents because of not being able to stay in my lane during the turn. I have never seen a truck so difficult to turn when the engine is not running. Additionally, the truck will not start after fueling. I had the truck towed the first time it happened and the Ford dealer (madison county Ford in richmond, ky) said it was a transmission problem. The first time I put fuel in the truck, it would not start. It sat a couple of days and started. The engine was stopping just as it did before. Took it back to the same Ford dealer and they said they had diagnosed the problem properly. I spend $2,216 on what they said the problem was and it was still doing the same thing. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Ford f-150. While driving 15-20 MPH around a corner or over a bump in the road, the contact heard an abnormal popping noise in the steering column. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (morlan shell Ford inc, 1824 porter wagoner blvd, west plains, mo 65775, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the springs, universal joint, and bushing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. Additionally, the vehicle was taken to wehr Ford of mountain grove (11311 us-60 bus, mountain grove, mo 65711, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the slip yoke needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 78,400.
There have been 3 times now that my vehicle has randomly died while driving on the highway and city streets. With the engine not running I lost power steering and almost couldn't make a turn. No warning lights, no chimes. Looking into it myself I found that the fuel relay 20amp fuse was melted and the plastic around the terminal also melted. Ford has a TSB out for this issue but I feel it should be recalled for safety purposes as there is no warning and you lose all power. Little to no steering or brakes until you come to a stop and pop the hood open and wiggle that fuse in hopes that it will make contact again. This means that you could be left stranded or get into an accident trying to stop. Many people in online forums have had this same issue and it needs to be addressed accordingly.
Bought new in April 2010, Ford xlt150. Now at 73K mi. Last two weeks. Could not start twice after filling up. Had to keep flooring vehicle to crank over.hi performance battery is two mths old. Died at red light three times. Died at yield sign twice.died at bank atm once. Lost steering control when engine died coming out of yield sign. Luckily hit no one.took it to Ford dealership,asked about recall notice or if others had similar problems. Negative response on both. Told them thousands of same problem posted on internet. They told me many people just post stuff. Many posters said Ford dealers computers showed no problem when truck is hooked up.taking it to an independent mechanic shop. Too dangerous to keep driving. Will injure someone and myself,or worse. Will be notifying Ford.
Steering complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2010 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the steering of the 2010 Ford F-150, 6% of the model year's 843 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Ford F-150 steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2010 Ford F-150, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Ford F-150 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.