Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 24% | 0 miles |
| 2024 | 4 | 10% | 6,000 miles |
| 2023 | 4 | 9% | 40,000 miles |
| 2022 | 8 | 6% | — |
| 2021 | 15 | 9% | 127,000 miles |
| 2020 | 46 | 17% | 21,000 miles |
| 2019 | 776 | 67% | 20,000 miles |
| 2018 | 252 | 63% | 28,000 miles |
| 2017 | 717 | 62% | 28,000 miles |
| 2016 | 118 | 41% | 80,000 miles |
| 2015 | 126 | 43% | 70,000 miles |
| 2014 | 7 | 27% | 73,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 14% | 32,000 miles |
| 2012 | 18 | 32% | 68,000 miles |
| 2011 | 47 | 39% | 33,000 miles |
| 2010 | 13 | 41% | 63,000 miles |
| 2009 | 7 | 30% | 98,000 miles |
| 2008 | 39 | 28% | 60,000 miles |
| 2007 | 23 | 43% | 40,000 miles |
| 2006 | 102 | 37% | 41,000 miles |
| 2005 | 67 | 23% | 42,000 miles |
| 2004 | 15 | 6% | 70,000 miles |
| 2003 | 15 | 8% | 45,000 miles |
| 2002 | 12 | 5% | 79,000 miles |
| 2001 | 21 | 7% | 79,000 miles |
| 2000 | 8 | 3% | 116,000 miles |
| 1999 | 14 | 6% | 100,000 miles |
| 1997 | 4 | 10% | 150,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact was an insurance company that called on behalf of the previous owner. The contact's Insurance Company took possession of a 2025 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a loud popping noise was heard coming from the vehicle with no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that following the failure, the driver lost control of the vehicle, which resulted in a collision with another vehicle. The contact also stated that a tire unexpectedly detached from the vehicle during the incident. The vehicle then veered off the roadway and collided with a tree, where it came to a stop. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The contact confirmed that the air bags deployed during the crash. The vehicle was towed from the scene and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. …
The contact owns a 2025 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel inadvertently turned to the right, then pulled to the opposite direction. The contact stated the steering wheel was cocked to the left or right even though the vehicle was driving straight down the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated the failure was due to the steering angle sensor. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that an alignment was needed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 13.
The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel inadvertently turned the vehicle to the right. Additionally, there was play in the steering wheel. Due to the failure, the contact was pulled over by police for DUI. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who performed an alignment, but the failure persisted, and the vehicle began pulling to the left while driving. The contact was made aware by the Ford App that there were two repair work orders for electrical and steering failures prior to purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Lorenzo Ford (30725 South Federal Highway, Homestead, FL 33030), for a second alignment and transmission reprogramming after a battery replacement, but the failure persisted. …
The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-250 SD. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH on the highway, the steering wheel failed to turn as intended. Due to the failure, the vehicle struck a curb. There were no injuries or property damage. The vehicle was turned off, and it was shifted into park(P). The brakes were inoperable during the failure. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be inspected, and it was determined that a bolt was missing from the steering wheel assembly. The missing bolt was replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 6,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-250 SD. The contact stated that when the steering wheel was turned to the left, the steering wheel made popping sounds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact stated that an unknown repair was completed; however, while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle drove over uneven ground and the vehicle was violently shaking. The contact stated that the shaking had worsened, and the vehicle experienced the death wobble. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
I bought this truck and its got 50000 miles on it and it has a clunking noise c coming from the steering shaft took it to ford to have trailer module recall fixed and had them inspect the noise and they said the whole steering shaft needs replaced and I have co workers with f250s and they have the same noise... something comes apart in steering shaft could cause a wreck and even death... dealer said its a common issue in the f250s they replace the whole shaft to fix the issue!
thank you for a response the issue is the vehicle is making a cluck noise when turning i took it to a ford dealer mind you i paid 2 thousand dollars for an extended warranty from ford they put the truck on a lift and said there was nothing wrong i instructed them to drive it and they did agree there was a clunck noise and dismissed it as an axle shift with a co worker moving the steering wheel i heard the clucling and noticed the joint at the pitman arm moving up and down what is the point and when does ford decide that it is bad as a commercial vehicle inspector for the state of ma. …
Problem 1: The F250 has the Pro Trailer Backup option will electronic torque overlay steering. The truck wanders when going straight and the steering feels disconnected driving through curves. Both conditions occur at 45+ MPH. Truck alignment was checked three times. Each time alignment was in spec. No engine light or fault codes with electronic torque overlay steering. Truck is going in again to David McDavid in Fort Worth, TX on Aug. 21st for a deeper inspection. Problem 2: Pre collision warning appears randomly with no vehicles in front or sides. This happens at highway speeds. That said, the pre collision warning has worked at least twice when traffic abruptly stopped and I had to brake equally aggressive. Truck currently has 6,600 miles. Symptoms have been there since driven off the dealer lot new.
Related recalls (3)
Steering › Column
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-250, F-350, and F-450 vehicles. The steering column upper shaft may detach from the steering column and result in a loss of steering control.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering column, and repair or replace the upper shaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 20, 2026.
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 2023 Super Duty F-250, F-350, and F-450 vehicles. The steering column upper shaft bolts may be missing or improperly tightened, resulting in possible separation of the steering column from the adjoining components.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the steering column upper shaft coupler bolts, or install any missing bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 1, 2023.
NHTSA investigations
Sector shaft fractures
This ea was opened based on a response received from Ford motor company to an information request (ir) submitted during sq00-018.Ford stated in an internal service message that it had changed the steering gear sector shafts and pitman arms installed 1999 model year f-series super duty vehicles on March 22, 1999.Ford stated that these design changes were implemented to make improvements in vehicle steering and…
Alleged Loss of Steering
The Office of DefectsInvestigation (ODI) opened PE13-014 after identifying five complaints alleging steering gear failure in model year (MY) 2008 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pick-up trucks and to evaluate the relationship between the design history of the steering gear assembly and the alleged defect.As background, ODI investigated steering gear sector shaft fractures in approximately 1.3 million MY 1999 - 2001…
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford F-250 SD years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2019 (776), 2017 (717), 2018 (252), 2015 (126) and 2016 (118) model years. Steering complaints make up 67% of all complaints for the 2019.
Is there a recall for Ford F-250 SD steering problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 25V-626 (column, Sep 19, 2025); 23V-847 (column, Dec 15, 2023); 23V-344 (column, May 12, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford F-250 SD steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 34,000 miles; 79% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the hydraulic power assist system (12 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist › pump (7).
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.