2001 Ford F-250 SD Steering Problems

Which parts fail

• Hydraulic power assist system
  4
• Hydraulic power assist › Pump
  2
• Linkages › Drag › Link › Connection
  1
• Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm
  1
• Gear box › Shaft pitman
  1

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  211%
• 25k–50k
  422%
• 50k–75k
  317%
• 75k–100k
  16%
• 100k–150k
  317%
• 150k+
  528%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Ford F-250 SD owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

We had traveled aproximately 450 miles and on the last leg of a trip in the mountains. The driver noticed on the last 150 miles of the trip the steering wheel had changed position where the center of the wheel normally was horizontal, was now 45 degrees off and vertical. The vehicle was parked on arrival to destination. The next day the vehicle needed to be moved and unloaded when this was attempted the steering wheel just turned with not control of the wheels. So we were unable to move the vehicle. After an initial inspection of the vehicle and it was placed on a floor jack to raise the front end to look for problems under the vehicle. After turning the wheels manually it was noticed the arm that comes from the steering box was loose at the elbow. After closer inspection it was found that the entire shaft was sheered off at the steering box. …

Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford f-250 SD. When the gear shifter is used, it causes the accelerator pedal fuse to blow. Smoke appeared out of the steering column. The contact believes that the failure was due to burned wires and all of the issues were connected to the steering column electrical system. He believes that the wires were burned in the steering column. The tow package burned and the right turn signal and brake lights no longer work. All of the doors appeared to be short and do not close or open properly. In addition, the overdrive failed on the steering column. When the contact presses the button, nothing happens. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not under warranty and does not have any safety recalls that apply to the VIN. The contact would be responsible for the repair costs. The failure mileage was 142,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford f-250 SD. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the steering wheel seized. In addition, the check engine indicator illuminated. The dealer (tomball Ford, 22702 tomball pkwy, tomball, tx 77375, [phone]) was contacted, but did not receive authorization from the contact to diagnose the vehicle. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the high volume oil pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 157,000.

I was driving east on burke hill rd at approx. 35 MPH when the steering went on my pick up truck, then I hit a pine tree and broke the radiator, the drivers side front quarter panel was folded back to the drivers door and I saw a piece of the under carriage hanging down and come to find out it was the spectar arm broke by the front tire(drivers side), and when the garage picked the truck up in the air they found out the transfer case was broke nearly in half. They felt the cause of the accident was the broken spectar arm.

I have a 2001 Ford f250 SD crew/4x4 and there is something wrong with the front end steering system. Today was the second time that my truck began to shimmy and shake so hard that at 55mph by the time I got the truck slowed to about 15mph I was over into the lane of the on coming traffic (luckly no one was there). The other day with my wife in the truck we turned a corner and the truck started to shimmy really hard and I lost some response control of the truck the steering became somewhat unresponsive, and I was forced to allow the truck to track into the baily post office parking lot. Something is wrong with my truck but the mechanics tell me that there is nothing wrong with it that they can find. The truck does not do this all the time, it comes and goes, sometimes it happens almost every time I drive it and then it can go weeks without happening. …

I currently own a 2001 f250 7.3 diesel truck. I along with many other people in this country are scared to drive their trucks. I have had several incidents, but the most recent was in August 2011. I was driving down the highway at 65 MPH ( the speed doesn't matter for the failure). The truck is very hard to keep control of, it shakes violently and walks back and forth. It is very difficult to keep the truck in one lane. It got so bad that I couldn't keep control of it and began going from one side to the other trying to get control. Other vehicle's on the road got away from mine or I would have hit them. It took a while to get control of the truck. I don't know how we didn't go flying off the highway and killed. There are alot of people with this same problem with this truck. There is so much "play" in the steering that can't be corrected. …

I own a 2001 Ford f250 super duty 4x4 truck. After purchasing truck used, I replaced all steering components with o.e equipment specifications at certified repair facilities. All facilities certified all steering parts in original specification form. Despite all this, the truck would shake violently upon hitting any kind of rough roads or potholes. After reading other complaints, I realized this is defect with the truck even going to 2007 model year. This truck is dangerous!! Dangerous!! Dangerous!!!!!!!!. Needs to be recalled and fair market value given to the buyers. Someone will get killed. A driver should not have to fear driving a truck on any road except a perfectly smooth one which does not exist. I almost died driving this truck crossing the walt whitman bridge from nj to pa. I am not alone. NHTSA has complaints against the f250 SD 4x4 going into 2007 model year. …

I have a 2001 Ford f250 with the 7.3 l engine. The problem with the vehical is that the power steering is unreliable. It works great 99% but occasionally it just goes dead. It seems that using the brakes and trying to turn the steering wheel will cause the steering to go dead such as in a parking lot where you are trying to turn the wheel and use the brakes to stop the car. The other day I was going up an on ramp with a turn at the top and had no steering to turn the truck. I almost had a wreck. The dealership seems aware of this problem... The fellas on the Ford truck web site have had their problems as well. It seems like this might be an issue for a possible recall.

2001 Ford f250 superduty upper and lower ball joint failure w/78985 miles on vehicle. One upper was worn to allow an inch of move in wheel. Ford has a problem with premature ball joint wear as I have this vehicle with the problem, had a Mercury grand marquis ball joints failed with 40000 miles or less. F250 diagnosed at front end alignment facility they said 70000 miles is good on Ford ball joints as they replace a lot of them in 40000 and 50000 miles. Ford has determined this a wear area and will not recognize the problem. I contend this not fail until well above 100000 miles. It is not a tire, brake pads, filters, or belts.

I was making a sharp left turn, from a stop, when I heard a snapping noise, then I noticed my steering wheel turning freely, I just continued forward with no steering since I was kind of crossed on the middle of the road, and had cars coming at me at a high rate of speed, I was able to go over onto the side walk crossed, I stopped the truck and when I looked saw the shaft at the steering box had sheered in half. I am a retired law enforcement officer and consider this a very delicate matter, have I being traveling at a high speed this could have being a situation with very tragic results. Please do not ignore thanks

NHTSA investigations

Steering complaints in other F-250 SD years