Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2025 | 3 | 3% | — |
| 2024 | 4 | 2% | 11,000 miles |
| 2023 | 16 | 4% | 151,000 miles |
| 2022 | 9 | 2% | 10,000 miles |
| 2021 | 43 | 4% | 73,000 miles |
| 2020 | 10 | 1% | 82,000 miles |
| 2019 | 22 | 2% | 12,000 miles |
| 2018 | 83 | 4% | 16,000 miles |
| 2017 | 59 | 4% | 31,000 miles |
| 2016 | 64 | 3% | 50,000 miles |
| 2015 | 84 | 5% | 38,000 miles |
| 2014 | 160 | 10% | 70,000 miles |
| 2013 | 216 | 7% | 74,000 miles |
| 2012 | 204 | 11% | 72,000 miles |
| 2011 | 419 | 19% | 76,000 miles |
| 2010 | 48 | 6% | 63,000 miles |
| 2009 | 29 | 9% | 60,000 miles |
| 2008 | 53 | 14% | 64,000 miles |
| 2007 | 29 | 6% | 70,000 miles |
| 2006 | 55 | 9% | 60,000 miles |
| 2005 | 34 | 3% | 80,000 miles |
| 2004 | 75 | 4% | 41,000 miles |
| 2003 | 15 | 4% | 58,000 miles |
| 2002 | 25 | 3% | 82,000 miles |
| 2001 | 33 | 3% | 75,000 miles |
| 2000 | 68 | 6% | 60,000 miles |
| 1999 | 50 | 5% | 61,000 miles |
| 1998 | 96 | 7% | 85,000 miles |
| 1997 | 202 | 7% | 112,000 miles |
| 1996 | 20 | 6% | 146,000 miles |
| 1995 | 25 | 4% | 75,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
On October 13 at 9:23 PM in Seguin, TX, with Ford BlueCruise hands free engaged, the vehicle abruptly steered strong left and headed toward the left barrier. I immediately overrode the system and steered back to avoid a collision. No impact occurred. The maneuver was sudden and without adequate warning, presenting a serious crash risk.
On October 8, 2025, my wife and I purchased a 2025 Ford F-150 Lariat, 3.5L Full Hybrid, with Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driving feature. As first-time users, I reviewed the owner's manual and Ford's videos to understand BlueCruise. After several uses, I noted unpredictable behavior and now report a serious safety issue warranting federal investigation. On October 15, 2025, while driving north on I-95 near Boston with BlueCruise engaged in hands-free mode on an approved route, I pressed the Memory 1 recall button to adjust my seat. A chime sounded, and the instrument panel stated that Memory Recall is not active while the vehicle is moving. Unexpectedly, pressing the button deactivated BlueCruise, causing immediate deceleration and returning steering control to me. During a shallow left turn, the vehicle proceeded straight, almost deviating from the lane. …
The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle before the vehicle became difficult to maneuver, and the front passenger's side of the vehicle crashed into a curb. No warning lights were illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. A Police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. Medical attention was not needed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer; however, the cause of the failure was unknown. The vehicle was later diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. Additionally, the steering column and several other unknown parts were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,500.
The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the steering wheel locked up and the vehicle stalled, and it rolled across an intersection and then stopped. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated that a tow truck arrived, and the tow truck driver could not shift into drive (D), but the vehicle was towed from the scene. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, but the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the contact's son was driving, the steering wheel failed to steer in the intended direction, and the steering wheel seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred while the contact's son was driving on a busy three-lane highway. The contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle. No injuries were sustained. A Police report was filed. The contact was informed by the tow truck driver that the steering wheel had seized and the vehicle was inoperable to drive. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. In addition, the contact stated that the contact's vehicle and the other vehicle were both damaged; however the contact was still waiting for the insurance adjuster. The contact was advised by the insurance company to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. …
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the dealer informed them that there were chip shortages regarding the steering of the vehicle and that when a remedy was released they would be included. The contact had learned of the Ford Technical Serviced Bulletin with the NHTSA ID Number: 10243408 (Equipment, steering). The contact called the dealer who informed them the VIN was not included. The vehicle did not receive the upgrade. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer had referred the contact to file a safety complaint. The failure mileage was 15,100.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH the braking system and power steering suddenly failed causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a concrete light pole pillar. During the incident, the vehicle was severely damaged. The driver sustained a right-hand laceration and chest and leg injuries. The front passenger sustained both leg injuries. Both occupants required medical treatment. The cause of the failures was not determined. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed to an undisclosed location. The contact indicated that the failures had also occurred prior to the crash. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted regarding the incident. The failure mileage was 10,100.
The structural integrity of the hood and front bumper failed due to unsafe modifications performed by Rocky Ridge and endorsed by Ford Motor Company. The hood's structural reinforcements and crush zones were cut to fit a hood scoop, and sections of the front bumper were removed, compromising crashworthiness. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request and I have documented with images. The modifications to the hood and front bumper compromised the vehicle's crashworthiness, potentially increasing the risk of severe injury or death in a collision. The removal of structural reinforcements and crush zones on both components prevents them from functioning as designed to absorb and distribute impact forces during a crash, endangering all occupants of the vehicle. …
Related recalls (10)
Steering
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 F-150 vehicles. The lower intermediate shaft fasteners may be improperly attached to the steering gear, allowing the shaft to come loose or detach.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the lower intermediate shaft fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Steering
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 F-150 vehicles. The steering gear assembly may have been assembled with an incorrect rack, which can cause the gears to fracture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 19, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Steering › Column
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 F-150 vehicles. The steering column lower shaft may have been secured to the steering gear assembly with an incorrect fastener, which can result in the separation of steering components and cause a loss of steering control.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower steering shaft fastener, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Steering › Column
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150 and Ford SD F250, F350, F450, F550, and F600 vehicles. The steering wheel clock spring may have an insufficient weld, causing a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the clock spring as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Steering › Column
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 F-150 vehicles. The power-adjustable telescoping steering column connector wiring may be too short. Wiring that is too short can become damaged or separate if the adjustable steering column is extended all the way.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering column wiring harness and repair the wiring, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 9, 2022.
Show 5 more recalls
Steering › Rack and pinion
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles. The steering gear may have internal damage, which could result in difficulty steering, or the inability to rotate the steering wheel while driving.
Remedy: Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until the repair is complete. Vehicles will be towed in for service, and dealers will remove and replace the steering gear, free of charge.
Steering
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford F-150 trucks manufactured March 19, 2015, to March 30, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been built with a steering upper intermediate shaft that was improperly riveted.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the intermediate shaft and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 22, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Steering › Electric power assist system
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford F-150 trucks manufactured May 26, 2014 to June 19, 2014, and equipped with Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS).
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPAS steering gear, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been remedied.
Steering › Gear box › Shaft pitman
On certain pickup trucks, the pitman arm to steering gear retaining nut was not fully tightened to the required specification.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the pitman arm retaining nut to specifications. Owner notification began on October 1, 2003. Owners should contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
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 column
Steering shaft separation
See attached summary for technical details
Champion Ford Edinboro / Steering Shaft
NHTSA opened AQ17-001 to determine whether Champion Ford Edinboro, Inc. (Champion Ford), of Edinboro, Pennsylvania, complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford F-150 years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2011 (419), 2013 (216), 2012 (204), 1997 (202) and 2014 (160) model years. Steering complaints make up 19% of all complaints for the 2011.
Is there a recall for Ford F-150 steering problems?
Yes — 10 recalls, including 25V-309 (steering, May 9, 2025); 25V-022 (steering, Jan 17, 2025); 24V-329 (column, May 10, 2024). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford F-150 steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles; 35% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the linkages › tie rod assembly (202 mentions), followed by the steering wheel/handle bar (59).
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.