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 2012 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a left turn, the steering wheel became firm. The "Power Steering Assist Failure" message was displayed. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle several times while driving to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V316000 (Steering). The contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted that stated there was no recall on the VIN related to the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 228,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated he noticed when entering or exiting out of the driveway and turning the steering wheel to the left, there was a loud squeaking sound with the advance trac warning light illuminated. While the contact was driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the steering wheel was very stiff. Additionally, the steering wheel would not return to the center after making a turn. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be inspected. The contact was informed of the EPS failure pertaining to the rack and pinion assembly. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the steering was seized and could not be turned to the left or the right. The contact stopped the vehicle, shifted into neutral(N), restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle regained steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure recurred twice. The contact stated that the steering assist fault warning light was illuminated with an audible chime. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the rack and pinon system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality with the traction control warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that the power steering angle sensors were defective, and the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while reversing, the "Service Power Steering Now" message was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel became stiff and would not turn as intended. The vehicle was taken to the residence, and the battery was replaced but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic power steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,073.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the message "Service Power Steering Now" activated, and the power steering malfunctioned, causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 139,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The restraint warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the steering gear assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 209,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,362.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while turning on the vehicle, the power assist failure warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to his residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
My wife had the steering lock up on her tonight and made her pull into oncoming traffic, head on. She was able to stop the truck in the oncoming traffic lane, narrowly missing being hit head on. The steering gave her no warning, and just locked on her when she wad attempting to veer into a turn lane. The truck immediately jumped a curb divider,landing her into on coming traffic on one of the busiest streets in town. Quick thinking of switching on the hazards and praying, is all that kept her safe. The steering on this 2012 Ford F150 ecoboost has become increasingly worse over the last 3 weeks. Started with the advance track light going off every time we turned left, and has now escalated to this...almost killing my wife. I know now, after doing extensive research that this is actually fairly common in these trucks. 2011-2014 seem to be the problem trucks. …
Steering complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2012 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 204 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Ford F-150, 11% of the model year's 1,783 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Ford F-150 steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2012 Ford F-150, though it has 4 recalls 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 2012 Ford F-150 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.