Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 2% | 155,000 miles |
| 2017 | 3 | 7% | 220,000 miles |
| 2016 | 9 | 11% | 28,000 miles |
| 2015 | 50 | 18% | 59,000 miles |
| 2014 | 64 | 28% | 77,000 miles |
| 2013 | 295 | 50% | 95,000 miles |
| 2012 | 17 | 22% | 100,000 miles |
| 2011 | 25 | 13% | 101,000 miles |
| 2010 | 41 | 20% | 103,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% | 101,000 miles |
| 2008 | 35 | 20% | 47,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 3% | 155,000 miles |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% | 125,000 miles |
| 2005 | 7 | 1% | 98,000 miles |
| 2004 | 13 | 3% | 86,000 miles |
| 2003 | 12 | 1% | 100,000 miles |
| 2002 | 18 | 1% | 86,000 miles |
| 2001 | 20 | 2% | 44,000 miles |
| 2000 | 29 | 2% | 76,000 miles |
| 1999 | 106 | 12% | 58,000 miles |
| 1998 | 40 | 7% | 70,000 miles |
| 1997 | 59 | 8% | 90,000 miles |
| 1996 | 101 | 12% | 114,000 miles |
| 1995 | 39 | 3% | 128,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
There is a recall on moldings also possible accordinng to recalls by ford the steering could cause a crash which i am having a problem with it hanging up i called ford motor and was told we do not have anything about it I am concerned because i sometimes have to snap the wheel back myself I understand there is a recall on the steering wheel mech.
After driving >2 hours non-stop on highway the steering became difficult to control. There was resistance to subtle steering efforts in both directions. It felt like the steering was sticking. When enough steering force was applied it would suddenly respond. Because of the force being applied to the steering wheel it would over steer. After the unit cooled down over night the symptoms disappeared. This has happened two times in the 19K miles on the unit. Both times the unit was driven >2 hours before the symptoms started.
Steering didn't work correctly which led to brakes not doing what I needed which led to slamming into a cement edge at a freeway exit or entrance. Seat belts locked up. Air bags did not deploy. Front passenger tire flat. Car towed next day. Ford dealership did NOTHING even when it was discovered Ford sold us a car with a FLAT spare tire (donut). Dealership said no recalls, but coverup or fixed but not correctly previously? Car purchased used. Ford dealership said to go to body shop. Body shop couldn't do anything unless we paid $6,000.00 to get the seat belts replaced. That's 1/3 the price financed for the car!!!! Safety put at risk: flat spare tire & seat belts locked up. The dealership SAID nothing wrong with brakes & steering according to their electronic diagnosis. Didn't even LOOK at brakes & steering. 2 incidents total so far with brakes & steering. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts, and the battery was replaced by an independent mechanic. The contact stated that soon after the battery replacement, while attempting to make a U-turn, the steering wheel seized with the "Power Steering Assist" message displayed on the instrument panel. The contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle into a parking lot. The contact stated that a Mobile mechanic arrived at the scene and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be reset after the battery was replaced. The contact stated that five days after the vehicle was reset, the failure recurred. The contact called the same Mobile mechanic who had performed the reset and was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel became very firm, with the vehicle independently jerking to the right. The contact had to use excessive force to return the vehicle to center lane. The contact pulled off the road and turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure occurred two more times. The contact stated that an unknown warning light flashed on but did not illuminate a second time. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the electric power steering assist booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. In addition, the steering assist fault warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with power steering control module (PSCM) failure. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
On the 24th February, 2022, I was driving my 2014 Ford Taurus taxi cab on the highway to go pick up a client. I saw a dash light indicating slippery road and suddenly, I could not control the steering of the car. All attempts to control the steering proved futile, and the car kept swerving on both sides, till it hit the divider between the roads. This is the second time that this incident is happening to me. The first incident resulted to a minor damage, and the car was taken to the shop for fix. With the second incident from last month, this resulted to my car being totaled. I am lucky and grateful to be alive. I spoke to my son and learned that there was a recall on the 2014 Ford Taurus. …
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the steering gear box had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened; however, the manufacturer offered no assistance. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The failure mileage was approximately 32,600. The contact stated that their vehicle had low mileage and was also manufactured in 2013 therefore it should've been repaired under the recall.
Related recalls (2)
Steering
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Explorer, Taurus and Police Interceptor Utility and Sedan vehicles. The steering gear heat shield fasteners may corrode, allowing the heat shield to detach.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers to inspect and replace the heat shield fasteners as needed, free of charge. The recall began on September 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
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).
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Taurus years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (295), 1999 (106), 1996 (101), 2014 (64) and 1997 (59) model years. Steering complaints make up 50% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for Ford Taurus steering problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 17V-530 (steering, Aug 28, 2017); 15V-340 (electric power assist system, Jun 2, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Taurus steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles; 21% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rack and pinion (106 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist system (103).
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.