2021 Ford F-150 Steering Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  325%
• 25k–50k
  18%
• 50k–75k
  325%
• 75k–100k
  542%
• 100k–150k
  00%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH when a loud grinding noise was emitting from underneath the vehicle. The contact had lost power causing the vehicle to drift to the right. The vehicle ended up hitting a trash can nearby before it came to a stop. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries or medical attention needed. A police report was not filed. The contact had to place the vehicle in 4-wheel drive mode to be able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was not able to diagnose the vehicle at the time. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. …

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The message "Steering Assist Fault - Service Required" was displayed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the power steering became functional. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 15 MPH and turning into a parking lot, the failure recurred. The contact was able to pull into a parking space. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact was able to drive to the dealer by using physical strength to steer the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with internal steering gear failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V407000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. …

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the vehicle unexpectedly lost power steering functionality. The contact opened and closed the driver's side door to reset the vehicle, and the power steering function was restored; however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a PSCM internal failure and steering mechanism ball retainer failure. The mechanic determined that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V407000 (Steering) and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the issue was confirmed after a diagnostic test, but the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. …

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that three months after purchasing the vehicle, while her husband was driving, the vehicle was driving roughly, and the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. The contact was unaware whether any warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that there was a misfire in cylinders #1, #3, #4, and #6. The spark plugs were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, a month after the repair, there was an abnormal sound coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the wheel bearing and axle had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while making left and right turns on several occasions, the steering wheel vibrated with the "Steering Assist Fault - Service Required" message displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed, and a software update was performed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred on the way to the residence. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer where it was then diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to the same dealer for the third time and it was diagnosed that the PSCM steering control module and steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 19,888.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while attempting to complete a turn, the steering wheel seized, with the "Steering Assist Fault Detected" message displayed. The vehicle was restarted and returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V407000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 19,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became stiff and hesitated while turning to the left or the right. The steering assist, traction control, and collision assist warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the battery was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired and needed to be towed back to the local dealer for further investigation. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V407000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stat3ed while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The steering assist failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed rack and pinion. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the parts were in back order. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the failure occurred while it was a cold on a low temperature morning. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was turned on and warmed up and eventually the steering wheel became operable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering rack needed to be replaced due to water intrusion. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact made the manufacturer aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to start the vehicle, and the electric steering fault message was displayed. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where is was diagnosed that the steering gear assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V407000 (STEERING). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 38,008.

Related recalls

Steering complaints in other F-150 years