Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 7% | — |
| 2024 | 4 | 9% | 15,000 miles |
| 2023 | 2 | 5% | — |
| 2022 | 16 | 14% | 60,000 miles |
| 2021 | 4 | 4% | 0 miles |
| 2020 | 35 | 19% | 52,000 miles |
| 2019 | 266 | 57% | 20,000 miles |
| 2018 | 102 | 50% | 25,000 miles |
| 2017 | 292 | 51% | 27,000 miles |
| 2016 | 76 | 36% | 40,000 miles |
| 2015 | 67 | 32% | 68,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 29% | 79,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 22% | 142,000 miles |
| 2012 | 9 | 31% | 35,000 miles |
| 2011 | 14 | 33% | 35,000 miles |
| 2010 | 17 | 34% | 73,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 16% | 145,000 miles |
| 2008 | 25 | 25% | 52,000 miles |
| 2007 | 9 | 36% | 30,000 miles |
| 2006 | 45 | 35% | 50,000 miles |
| 2005 | 38 | 18% | 42,000 miles |
| 2004 | 6 | 5% | 120,000 miles |
| 2003 | 7 | 5% | 10,000 miles |
| 2002 | 7 | 6% | 80,000 miles |
| 2001 | 12 | 8% | 51,000 miles |
| 2000 | 19 | 12% | 63,000 miles |
| 1999 | 10 | 7% | 140,000 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 owned a 2024 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel seized, causing the front passenger side to crash into the front driver side of a commercial vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle ricocheted and rolled over to the driver's side, and did a 180 turn where the tires came to a stop at the bottom of a hill; however, there was no property damage. The air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where the vehicle was deemed totaled due to severe front tire damage. The vehicle was then towed to a salvage lot, where it was informed that the link to the ABS unit failed and there was a connectivity issue with the steering module that could have possibly caused the failure. A police report was filed. …
Steering Wheel Misalignment, 2024 Ford F-350 Platinum (VIN: [redacted] ) I am submitting a safety-related defect complaint involving a visibly off-center steering wheel in my 2024 Ford F-350 Platinum. The steering wheel remains misaligned to the left when the vehicle is traveling straight, impacting driver perception, confidence, and potentially overall safety. In January 2025, the dealership performed a front-end alignment in response to my concern, acknowledging it as a deviation from acceptable standards. However, when the issue persisted, Ford reversed course and claimed the off-center wheel was an intentional design feature called "Clear Vision," supposedly meant to improve gauge visibility and compensate for road crown. This "feature" is not documented in any Ford manuals, bulletins, training, or consumer-facing materials. …
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH and towing a camper, the vehicle began to drift in the lane. The contact stated that he stopped depressing the accelerator pedal to slow the vehicle. The contact stated that he had to continually make steering corrections to keep the vehicle in the lane. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel was tilted to the right. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the vehicle needed an alignment and tires needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure recurred. The contact had then taken the vehicle to a tire dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and determined that the vehicle needed an alignment. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the steering became inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel had separated, but the driver was able to reattach the steering wheel and regain control of the vehicle. The contact was able to depress the brake pedal and pull over to the side of the road. There were no warning lights illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V626000 (Steering). A Ford technician inspected the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 63,019.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was vibrating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the failure was due to the driveshaft. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the contact that there needs to be weight in the truck. The contact attached a trailer to the vehicle however, the failure still occurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89.
Upon starting the vehicle I get precollision not available warning light and hill decent control fault hill assist warning. Service steering and antilock brake brake fault lights. The dealer has looked at it but they said can not duplicate it. The problem is when I am towing my fifth wheel trailer and this happens it shuts down the brake controller for the fifth wheel and it's VERY hard to stop the truck and trailer
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V957000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL), 25V626000 (STEERING), and 25V686000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was wobbly. The steering wheel detached from the housing four inches and independently moved up and down. The contact had not lost control of the vehicle. The contact was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer at slow speeds. The dealer determined that the steering column upper shaft had separated. The dealer informed the contact that the recall repair stated that the upper shaft would be repaired or replaced. The contact was informed that replacing the steering column was not part of the recall repair and the contact would be responsible for additional repairs. …
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH and driving around a curve, the steering wheel was turned; however, the vehicle failed to respond and crashed into a guardrail. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V626000 (Steering). There was extreme damage to the underbody of the vehicle, and several parts were separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and was deemed a total loss by the Insurance Company. The contact sustained a concussion and neck injury and was taken to the hospital for medical assistance. The dealer was not contacted. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
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-350 SD years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2017 (292), 2019 (266), 2018 (102), 2016 (76) and 2015 (67) model years. Steering complaints make up 51% of all complaints for the 2017.
Is there a recall for Ford F-350 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-350 SD steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles; 74% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the gear box (other than rack and pinion) (9 mentions), followed by the linkages › tie rod assembly (8).
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.