This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Frame, brake lines and all metal under carriage corroded to the point of being unsafe. Body only has minimal rust on rear corner pillars. Unsafe to operate.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford F-150. While driving various speeds and without depressing the accelerator or brake pedals, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated as the check engine warning indicator illuminated and the engine revved. The contact stated that the failures also occurred while making a left turn and the steering wheel seized, which made it difficult to make the left turn. The brake pedal was depressed in order to stop the vehicle. After stopping, turning off and restarting the vehicle it was able to operate normally. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred at least three other times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was referred to NHTSA by the manufacturer. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000.
Steering binds so tightly when vehicle is in motion that it takes significant force to turn wheel. Once wheel gets past and free of the binding position it travels too far creating a need for a steering correction. I believe that the two piece steering shaft and the two universal joints are worn and causing the problem. It feels like you have lost power steering, however not the case. As the power steering fluid is at the proper level. There are no fluid leaks, Ford has recalled Expedition and Lincoln for this issue, why not the F-150 pickup trucks?
While driving at 35mph or less the driver side front hub assembly may emit an intermitent grinding noise as if the hub is trying to lock into four wheel drive. Grinding noise stops when vehicle is slowed to 15mph or less. Sometimes full stop is needed to cease grinding noise. When noise stop a jerk can be felt as if the hub locks back into its place. Took vehicle to Ford dealership and they recommended bringing vehicle in when grinding noise was present. That is not possible because the noise will stop when I slow down. Dealership could not recommend any way to diagnose it without paying to have it inspected. Problem has not been diagnosed and manufacturer has not been notified. Vehicle was bought 3 years ago at 43K miles and has approx. 80K current miles. Noise is intermittent with occaisional long periods between occurences. Can happen within 5 miles of driving or after 500 miles of driving.
While attempting to turn left (across oncoming traffic lanes) the steering wheel seized after rotating only a few degrees. This was sudden and abrupt with no prior symptoms. Substantial force was applied in an attempt to continue the turn. The steering wheel became free and rotated a few more degrees before seizing again. As before, substantial pressure was applied and I believe some back rotation (wiggling) was input. The steering finally became free and felt normal. This did not repeat again during the use of the vehicle that day. The seizure did not feel like a failure of the steering assist (pump) system as the steering wheel could not be rotated as it can be if the steering pump isn't running. Some research found reference to binding of the U-joints on the intermediate steering shaft located in the engine compartment. Examination of these joints found that they are not protected by rubber boots and showed evidence of corrosion. A spray lubricant was used in an attempt to prevent the issue from recurring. The inability to steer the vehicle is, in my opinion, a substantial safety issue. Any number of scenarios could be imagined, but in my particular case, had the seizure not released, I would have found myself stopped in the path of oncoming traffic with the vehicle only partially turned.
- Kokomo, IN, USA
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The contact owns a 2007 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver without warning. The contact inspected the vehicle and determined that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000.
Vehicle has stopped running going down the road several times. It does this unexpectedly, and I let it coast to the shoulder and it cranks up. I drove it to the local dealer, and they could not find a problem. It now sits in my driveway, because it is unsafe to drive it in traffic. I never intend to buy another Ford.
While driving on a New York interstate at approximately 60 mph in a snow storm, my truck started to miss. It then slowed down and shut off. I did not have enough time to make it to the side of the road. A truck stopped and I had him push my truck to the side of the road, causing me to have damage to my truck. Found out that the fuel pump driver module failed. It is located above the spare tire and due to a design error, water and road salt get trapped between module and mounting brace. It erodes out from the bottom side and the mounting bracket. When replaced, was informed that it is a redesigned component, lifting it away from mounting bracket. If I had not had enough room between me and the tractor trailer traveling behind me, or if I had another vehicle traveling next to me, it could be a total different outcome. I know for a fact, that part component is extended in states where there is a high risk of salt corrosion, and believe that a safety issue like this should be one of them. Sitting on a highway in a snow storm is always dangerous.
I had the pump, rack and pinion replaced and the sensor. After all this was replaced some time later the steering got tight. I took it back the mechanic thought I had another problem. He sprayed a lubricant on both universals on the steering shaft. When it gets tight again I will go and saturate these two universals with a spray lubricant.
Noted power steering fluid leakage over period of time. Eventually fluid completely leaked out. Ford garage told me that steering rack and hoses needed replaced due to extensive corrosion from slurry used on roads in Ohio. Was told no preventive measures would have avoided the problem which was inevitable. Repair costs were 1900 dollars. Complaint is that I contend that inferior materials were used for lines. This is a 7 Y/O vehicle and should not have corroded in vital area such as steering. Could have had serious consequences under high speed driving. Would suspect that unreported incidents have occurred.
I was just leaving a business. As I was pulling out of the parking lot my steering had gotten very stiff and would not go back to center after turning a corner. It was a little scary because I had 50 miles to drive and get back home. Out of the blue this happened. I have had no problem before this!!!
While traveling from nys to NJ, I noticed that it became harder to steer the truck as the trip progressed. While on 80E in NJ it became so severe that to change lanes and take an off ramp took all the strength I could muster. I knew it wasn't my power steering pump because I continued to lose range of steering motion in the steering wheel. I limped the truck to a gas station in denville NJ. Fluid level was ok, belt was good and turning properly on the ps pulley. I noticed the two universal joints on the steering shaft looked corroded so on a hunch I poured some motor oil on both U-joints. That fixed the problem and got me out of a very dangerous situation. Somebody is going to get killed because their steering is going to lock up due to those U-joints and they won't be able to steer out of a bad situation.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford F-150. While driving approximately 5 mph, the steering wheel suddenly became very difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the universal steering shaft was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000. Updated 10/22/14
Was driving on the highway went to change lanes and steering felt really tight could barely turn the steering wheel. Pulled over and checked it out steering fluid was good. Was really hard to steer and made it hm. Checked out forum and decided to spray WD40 on turn buckles on steering shaft it started turning easy again. Will see if it last. Have a friend who works for the city as a mechanic and they said Ford sent people in to change all the crown vics steering shaft so they know it is an issue. They need to fix all of the vehicles with the problem.
Steering column shaft has 2 universal joints in it. The joints are non serviceable and seized up due to corrosion. The truck became almost impossible to steer and the steering column would not return when going around a corner. Very dangerous.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving various speeds the steering wheel became very hard to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the steering shaft needed to be replaced and the steering fluids needed to be flushed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 65,000. The current mileage was 77,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford F150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would leak power steering fluid without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the power steering lines had to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000. Updated 11/29/13 the vehicle was repaired on 10/18/13. Updated 12/02/13
The vehicles steering shaft is corroded and locks up when turning, causing a safety hazard. Ford has recalled the steering shafts on their crown vics, Grand Marquis and town cars. I fear that Ford used the same design and material for the steering shafts on the F150's, which would create a heck of a lot more damage, injury and/or death if one were to loose the ability to steer the vehicle. Steering is jumpy and locks up at certain intervals during the steering action. I have lost control, but was able to correct the problem with brute strength. This problem must me investigated. I have researched and have found numerous complaints about this problem, my mechanic says that this is an ongoing problem and that Ford should recall these steering shafts, as they have the others. I contacted Ford and they have not intentions of recalling them.
The steering wheel turns about an eighth of a turn and sticks, you force it through that and you get about another eighth turn...doesn't matter witch way your turning.
Having problems with the steering, I have had it back to the dealership 2 times in 6 months. They have replaced 2 other parts, but I am still having the same problem with the steering.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Seneca, SC, USA