Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Ford Taurus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the steering wheel inadvertently drifted to the left and the right. The electric power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that a message was displayed on the instrument panel indication that the cruise control system had failed, and the Forward Collision Avoidance system was inoperable. The contact veered off the roadway and turned off the vehicle. The contact restarted the vehicle and started driving however, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering gear assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the power steering failed to operate as the power steering assist fault warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact was initially able to restart the vehicle and resume normal driving after the failure; however, the failure returned the next day. The contact had to use excessive force when driving the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with an electrical power steering failure. The contact was informed that his vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The repair was paid for out of pocket. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was 172,395.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring an increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 199,000.
This Sunday, the electrical power steering started acting weird as I was driving home, the steering did some unpredictable stops as I was driving 100km/h and had to take a turn on the road. Almost got into an accident because of that steering sudden failure. I can't imagine if there have been a car on the opposite lane I was gonna hit that car... I got so afraid I can't believe the steering can actually malfunction all of a sudden like this. I somehow got back home ''safe'' but then steering was dead. Impossible to steer. Dead. Got my taurus 2011 SHO towed to the closest Ford dealer so that they finally call me and say my VIN number is not on the recall even tho there were thousands of Taurus 2011-2013 recalled for that same issue.
While driving down the road, a loud humming started to get loud from the front of my car. Then loud clunking/dragging noises. My car started to slow down and the noises got louder. I had to turn on my hazards and slowly drive back home block by block. There is nothing visibly dragging. But I now have to get my car towed from home as it's not safe to drive. This isn't the first time this car has had issues with the steering hub, suspension, tie rods, ball joints, control arms, sway bar, etc. I have had to fix and replace that entire area a multitude of times since I've had this car.
Hello I just bought this car and started experiencing steering problems, it gets very stiff while driving and trying to turn. I was told by a mechanic that this is a recall for my car and I need further help in getting this fixed especially since winter is right around the corner.
Had several wheel alignments car would read straight but is not straight I have all new front extension work done my car is still going out of control going into different lanes while I'm going g straight I took it to the ford dealership they can't even find the problem
The vehicle was in motion. I was headed south down a city street came up to my right turn onto another city street. After I made the turn when I tried to straighten the wheel out the right one cut straight to the right I was fighting the steering wheel but it would not let me turn it. This caused my car to turn into a parked car that was on a parking lot for sale and it ended up damaging 3 cars plus mine total. I did not receive a ticket because the officer stated that it was a malfunction on the car's steering. I just know that something caused the tire to turn and I could not turn it back. I don't want this to happen to anyone else cause it was scary scary. Thank you,
Starting my morning commute my vehicles "power steering assist fault" sensor/warning triggered and the car would not turn. I stopped and restarted the vehicle twice then it went away and power steering was back to normal. Researching this further I found that my car presented the same symptoms/issues as safety recall 15s18 for Ford vehicles issued in 2015 and 2016. When calling Ford customer care they stated my car's VIN was not part of the recall and they couldn't be of help. I took my vehicle to my local independent certified mechanic and they noted codes u3000-49 and u3000-72 were triggered. These codes are specifically identified in the safety recall and the car's steering gear should be replaced per the recall; however again my VIN does not fall under the recall, but presents the same codes and safety issues. …
Power steering failure on several occasions, now there is no steering at all. This is the same problem with regular Taurus se sel, but this is the Taurus sho. No recall on the sho. Ford blames this on many three things electrical failure, the real cause is poor engineering by Ford, this steering rack with all electrical parts, are three inches away from turbos and catalitc converters,extreme heat from these componets has caused them to fail.the heat produced from these componets are in the 1200 degree range.Ford new this was a problem that's why they tried to put heat shield near this component. This car is a death trap. I have owned and still have four Taurus sho's 91,92,98,2011. Never again Ford. I think this car should be on recall before someone is killed.
Related recalls
Steering › Electric power assist system
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC).
Steering complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2011 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Ford Taurus, 13% of the model year's 187 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Ford Taurus steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-340 (electric power assist system, Jun 2, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Ford Taurus steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 101,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.