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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
73,017 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.

2012 Ford F-150 steering problems

steering problem

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2012 Ford F-150 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 10)

problem #192

May 162024

F-150

  • 89,073 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while reversing, the -??Service Power Steering Now-?? message was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel became stiff and would not turn as intended. The vehicle was taken to the residence, and the battery was replaced but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic power steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,073.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #191

Apr 092024

F-150

  • 139,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the message "Service Power Steering Now" activated, and the power steering malfunctioned, causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 139,000.

- Boss, MO, USA

problem #190

Oct 012023

F-150

  • 17,362 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,362.

- Eagle Mountain, UT, USA

problem #189

Aug 232023

F-150

  • 228,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a left turn, the steering wheel became firm. The "Power Steering Assist Failure" message was displayed. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle several times while driving to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V316000 (Steering). The contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted that stated there was no recall on the VIN related to the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 228,000.

- Lufkin, TX, USA

problem #188

Jun 012023

F-150

  • miles
Electric assisted steering locks up traveling or parked. While traveling really have to strain muscles keeping in lane of travel, when steering turns it turns to far and I am trying to correct steering over corrects back in opposite direction. Cannot keep pickup in lane of travel.

- Smelterville, ID, USA

problem #187

Aug 162023

F-150

  • miles
Whilst driving, suddenly power steering assist fault light flashed on and steering became very difficult to turn. Was able to safely pull off the road. After several attempts, the fault cleared and steering was fully functional again. Had I been on interstate it most likely would have caused accident.

- Mount Pleasant, SC, USA

problem #186

Jul 172023

F-150

  • miles

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

Service Advance Trac warning light comes on when backing while steering wheel turned. Multiple instances. Clears after a few minutes, but researching issue seems to be widespread across the Ford community, and has resulted in steering locking up while vehicle is in motion. Scheduled for maintenance visit to local dealership to diagnose. Codes read were C1963 & U0428

- Choctaw, OK, USA

problem #185

Jun 232023

F-150 8-cyl

  • 209,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The restraint warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the steering gear assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 209,000.

- Mc Coll, SC, USA

problem #184

May 252023

F-150

  • 141,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality with the traction control warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that the power steering angle sensors were defective, and the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

problem #183

Apr 202023

F-150

  • miles
As your driving advance track failure light comes on and you lose power steering. Steering gets real tight and hard to turn. Almost got in a car accident but was able to turn the steering as hard as i could just to make the turn. Drive for a little while then all of a sudden power steering kicked back on. It happen every time i drive my truck.

- Loveland, CO, USA

problem #182

Apr 022023

F-150

  • miles

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

Without warning, power steering went out. This truck has less than 17,000 miles on it and is kept spotless and well maintained, garage kept. Power steering came back but now we're worried it'll go out again without warning and under possibly much worse/dangerous conditions. Bringing it in for a diagnostic, but cost of a new rack is over $2000. And what assurance do we have that it will not happen again with the new rack? These electric racks are being recalled under other Ford vehicles, yet not the F150.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #181

Nov 172022

F-150

  • miles
After arriving at work, when I went out to my truck to drive to lunch I started the truck and it was fine, for about 3 seconds. As I started to drive it the power assist steering failed and the error code displayed on the dash. The steering as you might expect become very heavy and hard. Luckily I was not at speed, and there was not a vehicle near me to hit. Turned off the truck and inspected under the hood. No apparent damage and nothing appeared broken. Closed hood and restarted truck. Same sequence occurred. Could steer initially just enough to start moving, then complete steering assist failure with the error code popping up on the dashboard display. Turned off again. Restarted and left running and popped hood to see if anything looked bad. Nothing bad. After idling for about 5 minutes while I poked around, tried again and for some reason the power assist had restarted itself and was working. After carefully testing in the parking lot, decided to drive to a local auto repair shop I use. They are assessing the error codes and trying to figure out what happened. If this had happened at speed and without warning, I guarantee I could have hit something or someone before I could wrestle the truck to a safe place.

- Oviedo, FL, USA

problem #180

Aug 202022

F-150

  • miles
Turning right the vehicle's steering and brakes locked up. The traction control system warning indicator illuminated. Rac and pinion unit replaced by Ford Dealer. Same problem occurred within 50 miles. Returned to Dealer. Dealer is unable to reproduce problem.

- Denham Springs, LA, USA

problem #179

Jul 132022

F-150

  • miles
Electronic power steering module went out in the rack and pinion had to replace whole rack and pinion to fix problem. Power steering went out while driving

- Sanford , NC, USA

problem #178

Aug 202022

F-150

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while turning on the vehicle, the power assist failure warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to his residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

- Villa Rica, GA, USA

problem #177

Jul 032022

F-150

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the steering was seized and could not be turned to the left or the right. The contact stopped the vehicle, shifted into neutral(N), restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle regained steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure recurred twice. The contact stated that the steering assist fault warning light was illuminated with an audible chime. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the rack and pinon system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #176

Jun 262022

F-150

  • miles
My power steering assist light and my advance track light came on then my steering locked up and I had no control of my vehicle. Luckily I was pulling Into my drive so no one was hurt. I had my 7 year old gson with me too. It could of been fatal. I did some research there's a recall on this on vehicles before 2012 and after 2012 but not on my vehicle which is a 2012 my rack and pinion went out I don't have any backup lights this could have been a serious accident and if anything would have happened to my grandson oh boy Ford but I want to know why my truck doesn't have a recall hurt

- Saint Joseph, MO, USA

problem #175

Jun 042022

F-150

  • miles
Vehicle lost its power in the power steering system, and you lose all control over the vehicle and you can't move left or right Making it very dangerous for me while it occurred, since I was unable to move the car towards any direction.

- Henrico, VA, USA

problem #174

Jan 232022

F-150

  • miles
My wife had the steering lock up on her tonight and made her pull into oncoming traffic, head on. She was able to stop the truck in the oncoming traffic lane, narrowly missing being hit head on. The steering gave her no warning, and just locked on her when she wad attempting to veer into a turn lane. The truck immediately jumped a curb divider, landing her into on coming traffic on one of the busiest streets in town. Quick thinking of switching on the hazards and praying, is all that kept her safe. The steering on this 2012 Ford F150 ecoboost has become increasingly worse over the last 3 weeks. Started with the advance track light going off every time we turned left, and has now escalated to this...almost killing my wife. I know now, after doing extensive research that this is actually fairly common in these trucks. 2011-2014 seem to be the problem trucks. A Bulletin was finally made for the 2011 models. I think it's safe to say that the 2012, 2013 and 2014s should also be put on that list. There are countless people having a steering rack issue with these trucks. And when this issue comes to a head, it's usually when you are driving, and lose all control, because of the electronic steering mechanism.

- Orem, UT, USA

problem #173

Nov 162021

F-150

  • miles
Electronic Power Assist System failure while driving down the road. It became very difficult to operate the vehicle. If anyone but myself were operating the truck it would have resulted in an accident.

- Independence, LA, USA

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