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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,145 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2008 Ford F-150 steering problems

steering problem

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2008 Ford F-150 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #49

Jan 152018

F-150

  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Cam phasers went out twice before 150K. Steering shaft and steering fluid lines rust out around 150K.

- Alma, WI, USA

problem #48

Dec 012019

F-150

  • 119,000 miles
Three months ago I heard a pop noise under the hood then shortly after the steering began to feel stiff even on the return after turning I needed to help.upon inspection I found the lower intermediate steering shaft joints are extremely corroded and needs to be replaced upon checking this seems T be a large problem on this vehicle. I have had much older vehicles that have never had this issue.

- Evart, MI, USA

problem #47

May 312019

F-150

  • 80,000 miles
My truck has 80,000 miles. I noticed that gradually the steering was becoming stiffer and harder to turn feeling as if it was binding at times. It got to a point that when making a turn the wheel would not recover and actually had to be pulled back making it dangerous to drive. I took it to my service shop and they replaced the power steering pump which did nothing to correct the problem. I then did some research on-line and found various forums where owners and repair techs described the two "U" joints on the F-150 steering shaft becoming badly corroded making it difficult to turn the steering wheel and pointing out the joints have no grease fitting. I checked the joints on my truck and they ere corroded. I applied lubricant externally and it completely eliminated my problem, however, I have to reapply lubricant every couple of months. The attached photo shows the upper joint after I lubricated it. Ford has to know this safety issue exists and that this is costing owners needless repair costs.

- Millersville, PA, USA

problem #46

Nov 022018

F-150

  • 120,543 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Steering became stiff. Vehicle was hard to maintain even on straight road. After my inspection, I found that the steering shaft was horribly corroded at the universal joint. I will not drive this vehicle until I repair it. It is at the point where it could break and loose all control of steering. Very dangerous. I have been a mechanic for over 30 years I have never seen this in any vehicle, no matter what age.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #45

Jun 182018

F-150

  • 68,419 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-150. While driving, the steering malfunctioned while the contact was trying to turn the vehicle. The steering wheel became very difficult to turn. The vehicle was towed from the contact's home to riverside auto sales, Inc. (2511 ludington St, escanaba, mi 49829, (906) 786-6834) where it was diagnosed that the lower steering shaft needed to be replaced. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 68,419.

- Escanaba, MI, USA

problem #44

May 012018

F-150

  • 75,000 miles
Steering just began freezing when turning. All of the joint have checked out appear to be issue with steering column.

- Boomer, WV, USA

problem #43

Mar 192018

F-150

  • 111,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Steering binds in the upper U-joint on steering rod. It started on the highway. I didn't want to drive it anymore than I have to in fear of doing more damgge to it.

- Utica, NY, USA

problem #42

Mar 162018

F-150

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-150. While driving 35 mph, the power steering failed. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was able to be driven back to the contact's residence. The contact called Mercedes-Benz of caldwell (230 bloomfield ave, fairfield, NJ 07004, (973) 227-3600) and was advised to call back on March 19, 2018 to inquire about having the vehicle towed back to the dealer for repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 30,000.

- Oceancourt, NJ, USA

problem #41

Jan 182018

F-150

  • 49,000 miles
Ok when I turn my steering wheel to turn it sticks and have almost hit other cars have to turn wheel back like the power steering goes out but mostly at low speeds.. this is very dangerous.. I have done some checking at it appears to be the steering shaft U joints freeze up due to lack of able to grease them and bad design my truck only has 49,000 miles on it and should not have this problem I see many have had same issue I think it should be recalled and repaired by Ford for safety because steering sticks when turning.

- Allen Park, MI, USA

problem #40

Sep 022017

F-150

  • 148,000 miles
Steering got very hard while making a turn on an off ramp. Almost veered into oncoming traffic! power steering pump and lines were replaced one week prior...

- Edgewater, MD, USA

problem #39

Jun 012017

F-150

  • 149,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Steering locks up when cornering or while driving straight and will not return to center without being forced no matter what surface you are driving on it has been reported that steering shafts are defective and were recalled in Lincoln and Mercury cars and SUVS. This is an accident waiting to happen with very good chance of it being fatal.

- Mecosta, MI, USA

problem #38

Oct 072016

F-150

  • 72,792 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 45 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact had to apply force to the steering wheel in order to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,792.

- Homewood, IL, USA

problem #37

Oct 252016

F-150

  • 87,000 miles
Steering became tight and heavy making it hard to turn. My mechanic found the lower universal joint on the steering shaft had heavy corrosion and didn't function. He replaced the steering shaft. Truck had 87,000 miles. This is a very dangerous condition and should be the subject of a factory recall.

- Brick, NJ, USA

problem #36

Aug 022016

F-150

  • 73,000 miles
Steering became very heavy, almost like power steering was gone. Very hard to turn and control the truck while moving. Suddenly loosens up and works as normal. Dealer says it is the steering shaft and now refuses to fix it. I see a lot of the same complaints here, why isn't Ford being held responsible? this is very dangerous and life-threatening. I'm glad it happened to me and not to my wife; I don;T think she would have had the strength to control the truck and could have killed or severely injured herself or others. This needs to be addressed!

- Dingmans Ferry, PA, USA

problem #35

May 152016

F-150

  • 81,500 miles
As my wife was turning a corner the power steering failed on her. She crossed the center line and nearly hit vehicle that was waiting at a stop sign. She had to jerk on the steering wheel very hard to get the truck back in the proper lane. Mechanic indicated this is fairly common and Ford dealers are keeping the lower steering shafts-U-joints in stock due to older ones locking up. No recalls have been issued to this point however, I had it replaced at a cost of $490.

- Belding, MI, USA

problem #34

Jun 192016

F-150

  • 86,000 miles
Steering shaft made from inferior material causing it to malfunction. Very hard to turn.

- Liberty, TX, USA

problem #33

Jun 022016

F-150

  • 107,000 miles
My brother in law has a 2008 Ford F-150 and said his steering seized up and after checking fluid, belts, etc. It appeared the steering shaft U-joints were binding. Last week my 2008 F150 experienced the same problem. Why hasn't Ford been liable for this safety issue. After checking various Ford sites, this is a major problem with F150's.

- International Falls, MN, USA

problem #32

Apr 182016

F-150

  • 110,000 miles
I have a 2008 Ford F150 I was making a right turn off of a main road into a driveway while applying slight braking pressure when the steering wheel completely locked up and braking was stiff at the pedal causing a near collision into a tree line. The engine remained running never died. I had to shut off the engine and restart to regain control of the steering. No warning lights are on. No dash indicators of any errors. I have called the dealership and they say they have never heard of this issue. All maintenance has been meticulously up to date. I will be taking my truck in for diagnostic in the morning.

- Raeford, NC, USA

problem #31

Feb 022016

F-150

  • 162,000 miles
Intermediate steering shaft corroded, causing stiff steering, hazardous to drive, particularly when making turns, maneuvering.

- La Porte, IN, USA

problem #30

Dec 152015

F-150

  • 64,450 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-150. While driving various speeds, the power steering seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the lower steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 64,450.

- Chester, NJ, USA

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