2001 Ford F-250 Steering Problems

Which parts fail

• Hydraulic power assist system
  8
• Steering wheel/handle bar
  4
• Column
  2
• Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
  1
• Linkages › Tie rod assembly
  1
• Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
  1

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

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  111%
• 25k–50k
  222%
• 50k–75k
  111%
• 75k–100k
  222%
• 100k–150k
  111%
• 150k+
  222%

Owner reports

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

While driving back home from shopping my brakes (anti-lock style) locked up and violently shook my vehicle all over the road I was driving on. I had limited or no control at all of this incident. Was doing about 40 MPH. Truck acted as if brakes were applied on and off 50/60 times so fast that there was nothing to do but hang on to the steering wheel. At one point I thought I was going to flip over as the truck went sideways. Steering went from side to side at first, then a constant pull to the right. I thought one of my front tires was blown out. Slowed down enough to gain some control but it took my truck over a curb and stopped on a sidewalk and some grass. When I did apply the brakes nothing happened until I was on the sidewalk and going very slow by this time. Got out and inspected my truck for damage but saw nothing. …

Twice in the last 5 years I have experienced total steering loss while driving Ford f-250 v10 triton pickup truck, I am fortunate to be alive, both times the connection to the steering box broke. There have been no aftermarket modifications done to this truck. Very serious issue! Truck is in the shop now following most recent failure. I fear thinking about the consequences had either of these two failures occurred at high speed

While I was driving along a hilly, winding road the engine of my 2001 f-250 diesel 4x4 truck unexpectedly shut off. I lost steering and braking. There were no lights on the dash. There was no prior indication of any problem with the engine or electrical system. I've had the truck for 12 years at the time and never experienced any problem like this. I was very fortunate to have been able to get the truck to the road's shoulder. After the truck stopped I put the shift into park. The key was still in the run position. I simply turned it to the start position and the engine started right up. I took it immediately to the local Ford dealer who ran diagnostics on the truck. They found no indication of a problem other than one battery's voltage was slightly low, but not out of acceptable range. I replaced both batteries as they were almost 3 years old. …

Dt: the contact stated the power steering pulley fell off the engine while driving. This caused the contact to lose control of the vehicle and resulted in loss of power steering and brakes. Upon inspection, the pulley appeared to be glued on instead of bolted. The contact believed there was a defect in the way the pulley was attached to the shaft. There were no problem with the steering prior to this incident. He reported the incident to the manufacturer. Updated 01/11/06.

After traveling over small bumps, like railroad tracks most recently, at around 30mph, one front wheel started bouncing violently, making vehicle loose control until truck could be brought to a stop. Had experienced this numerous time in the past but thought problem was solved by adding a steering stabilizer a few years ago. Problem has returned. Each time, this has nearly resulted in a catastrophic accident.

Vehicle loses power steering assist while driving at low speed or at at stop postion. The vehicle has been to the dealer, who was unable to resolve the probem. The consumer stated that he can not trun the steering wheel when he has the brake on.

Consumer was pulling out of an intersection onto a four lane highway. The consumer floor the accelerator pedal in order to get up to speed with oncoming traffic when the vehicle suddenly idled down. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that the throttle stopping device on the pedal assembly bent when the pedal was floor and caused the truck to idle down instead of up. The steering wheel did not respond when the consumer slammed on the brake.

Vehicle is hard to steer while driving. Vehicle had been to dealer and problem was reoccurring. Steering is becoming difficult to handle at higher speeds. Consumer has to continually be aware because you never know when the steering will fail. Also the front rotors needed resurfacing at 25335 miles. The right front was badly warped and was causing a vibration while in motion. It was grabbing at stops or when slowing down.

This problem has to do with the inability to turn the steering wheel when truck is beeing operated from 0-5 MPH and when brake pedal is depressed. The power assist is not strong enough to turn the wheel due to brakes and steering using the same assist resulting in severe hardship attempting to do things like back a trailer or parrallel .

Truck tends to wander across the road when it hits a seam in the road. Owner has taken truck to dealership several times for replacement of steering box, which was replaced 3 times. Cause of failure is still unknown. Please describe details.

Steering complaints in other F-250 years