Ford F-150 Steering Problems
Owners have filed 2,253 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the Ford F-150 across 32 model years. The 2011 model year has the most (419). The words owners use most often: “steering assist” (9% of reports).
- 2,253steering complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 98mention a crash
- 45mention an injury
- 10related recalls
- $2,400typical repair cost reported by owners
- 30%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Steering assist: mentioned in 210 of 2,253 complaints (9%)
- Tie rod: mentioned in 201 of 2,253 complaints (9%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical steering repair on the Ford F-150 at $2,400, and half of them between $2,000 and $2,700.
Based on 122 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2001–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 1,543 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 2,253 complaints, 98 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 45 an injury.
Ford F-150 steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 F-150 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2025 F-150 | 3 | 3% | — |
| 2024 F-150 | 4 | 2% | 9,250 |
| 2023 F-150 | 17 | 4% | 108,050 |
| 2022 F-150 | 9 | 2% | 10,100 |
| 2021 F-150 | 42 | 4% | 64,500 |
| 2020 F-150 | 10 | 1% | 54,279 |
| 2019 F-150 | 22 | 2% | 11,800 |
| 2018 F-150 | 83 | 4% | 16,075 |
| 2017 F-150 | 59 | 4% | 30,500 |
| 2016 F-150 | 64 | 3% | 48,500 |
| 2015 F-150 | 84 | 5% | 38,200 |
| 2014 F-150 | 159 | 10% | 70,000 |
| 2013 F-150 | 216 | 7% | 74,500 |
| 2012 F-150 | 204 | 11% | 72,000 |
| 2011 F-150 | 419 | 19% | 76,000 |
| 2010 F-150 | 48 | 6% | 60,500 |
| 2009 F-150 | 29 | 9% | 57,500 |
| 2008 F-150 | 53 | 14% | 63,184 |
| 2007 F-150 | 29 | 6% | 69,250 |
| 2006 F-150 | 55 | 9% | 60,000 |
| 2005 F-150 | 34 | 3% | 80,000 |
| 2004 F-150 | 75 | 4% | 41,000 |
| 2003 F-150 | 15 | 4% | 46,610 |
| 2002 F-150 | 25 | 3% | 82,759 |
| 2001 F-150 | 33 | 3% | 75,000 |
| 2000 F-150 | 68 | 6% | 60,000 |
| 1999 F-150 | 50 | 5% | 61,000 |
| 1998 F-150 | 96 | 7% | 84,926 |
| 1997 F-150 | 202 | 7% | 111,000 |
| 1996 F-150 | 20 | 6% | 122,848 |
| 1995 F-150 | 25 | 4% | 37,385 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (10)
Steering
Model years: 2025
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 F-150 vehicles. The lower intermediate shaft fasteners may be improperly attached to the steering gear, allowing the shaft to come loose or detach.
Risk: A lower intermediate shaft that detaches can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the lower intermediate shaft fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S46.
Steering
Model years: 2024
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 F-150 vehicles. The steering gear assembly may have been assembled with an incorrect rack, which can cause the gears to fracture.
Risk: A fractured steering gear can cause the steering to bind or lock, resulting in a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 19, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S04.
Steering:column
Model years: 2024
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 F-150 vehicles. The steering column lower shaft may have been secured to the steering gear assembly with an incorrect fastener, which can result in the separation of steering components and cause a loss of steering control.
Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the lower steering shaft fastener, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S32.
Steering:column; air bags:frontal:driver clockspring/spiral cassette
Model years: 2023
Problem: 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.
Risk: A deactivated air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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
Model years: 2022
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 F-150 vehicles. The power-adjustable telescoping steering column connector wiring may be too short. Wiring that is too short can become damaged or separate if the adjustable steering column is extended all the way.
Risk: Damaged or separated wiring may result in the steering column not moving as intended in certain crash conditions, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the steering column wiring harness and repair the wiring, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 9, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed July 28, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available by the end of July, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S24.
Steering:rack and pinion; steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion)Do not drive
Model years: 2021
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles. The steering gear may have internal damage, which could result in difficulty steering, or the inability to rotate the steering wheel while driving.
Risk: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until the repair is complete. Vehicles will be towed in for service, and dealers will remove and replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S28.
Steering
Model years: 2015
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford F-150 trucks manufactured March 19, 2015, to March 30, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been built with a steering upper intermediate shaft that was improperly riveted.
Risk: If the intermediate shaft was improperly riveted, it could separate from the intermediate shaft flex coupling, resulting in a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the intermediate shaft and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 22, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S17.
Steering:electric power assist systemDo not drive
Model years: 2014
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford F-150 trucks manufactured May 26, 2014 to June 19, 2014, and equipped with Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS). The affected vehicles may have an incorrectly installed EPAS gear motor position sensor magnet that can lead to a total loss of steering control while driving.
Risk: A loss of steering control while driving increases the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPAS steering gear, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been remedied. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S09.
Steering:gear box:shaft pitman
Model years: 2003
Problem: On certain pickup trucks, the pitman arm to steering gear retaining nut was not fully tightened to the required specification.
Risk: If the pitman arm to gearbox attachment nut loosens, a noise and a loose feel in the steering could occur. If the condition progressed and service was not sought, the nut could back off completely and the pitman arm could separate from the gear causing a loss of steering. If the warning is not heeded and steering is lost, a crash may result.
Fix: Dealers will tighten the pitman arm retaining nut to specifications. Owner notification began on october 1, 2003. Owners should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Steering:gear box:shaft sector
Model years: 1997
Problem: On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, if the intermediate shaft yoke separates from the steering gear input shaft, the steering system becomes disconnected.
Risk: This could result in loss of steering control, potentially resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the steering intermediate shaft yoke to determine if the yoke is fully seated on the steering gear input shaft. If the yoke is fully seated no service is required. If the yoke is not fully seated and bolt groove and spline is visible, the intermediate shaft and bolt will be replaced as well as the bolt at the steering column connection. Owner notification began on may 30, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Vehicle: 2026 Ford F-150, White 1. Component or system malfunction: The steering system appeared to malfunction while I was driving, causing serious concerns about my ability to safely control the vehicle. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request, subject to its location and…
I am getting a Steering Assist Fault message on my dash as well as code C1B00:49-2F. I took my vehicle to the Ford dealership and the deemed I have a faulty steering rack. I noticed there was also a recall out for other 2021 F-150's experiencing similar issues. My VIN was not included.
The vehicle is experiencing an immediate, uncorrected mechanical steering safety defect where the internal steering geometry physically slips out of specification while driving at highway speeds. During a comprehensive diagnostic tear-down by an authorized manufacturer technician at Porter Ford on…
I am writing to express my serious concern about a power steering failure in my 2015 F-150. Within the last few weeks, it began losing electronic power steering assist intermittently. The loss of assist happens suddenly, with no warning light or message on the dash. When it happens, the steering…
It had been raining hard for a few days. Husband was taking truck down hwy 98 to a drs appointment an hour away. Driving 50 when the steering wheel starting going in and out, the seat started moving forward and back, running boards going in and out, lights flashing on and off and horn blaring and…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford F-150s have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 2,253 owner complaints about steering for the Ford F-150. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford F-150 steering?
Yes: 10 safety recalls list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix steering problems on the Ford F-150?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,400 (half paid between $2,000 and $2,700), from 122 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about steering problems on the Ford F-150?
The most frequent phrase is “steering assist”, in 210 of 2,253 complaints, followed by “tie rod” (201).
Other Ford F-150 problems
- Power Train problems (8,971)
- Engine problems (4,524)
- Electrical System problems (3,642)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (2,690)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (2,502)
- Service Brakes problems (2,080)
- Visibility problems (2,074)
- Structure problems (2,017)
See all Ford F-150 problems.