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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
102,891 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.

2002 Ford F-250 steering problems

steering problem

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2002 Ford F-250 Owner Comments

problem #8

Mar 052022

F-250

  • miles

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

While driving on a fairly rough highway I'm AZ, 180A, traveling about 50 mph over bumps and repaired cracks in the pavement, the steering wobbled and shook which did not seem far out of the ordinary on this particular stretch of highway. Suddenly, without warning, the steering failed causing loss of control of the vehicle, the driver was unable to steer the truck which veered off the road and sent us directly into the embankment of a dry wash. The truck hit the embankment head on 50-55 mph. I was riding as passenger of my vehicle since I was 8 months pregnant and experiencing severe heartburn all morning. My fiance drive and 3 of my children were in the back seat. After crashing head on into the dirt wall I was pinned in between the dashboard and seat. I suffered serious life changing injuries as a result. One of the firefighters who arrived in the scene inspected and confirmed the steering was broken. I was sent by helicopter to Flagstaff regional medical center where I spent 10 days. The truck was towed to an impound yard in St John's, az. I was able to retrieve my personal belongings but was not able to afford the tow truck drivers verbal quote of the charges due nor the cost to tow the totaled truck back home to snowflake. The truck had a lien and I assumed the lienholder would be notified to collect the vehicle. They were not notified and t ownership was transferred leaving me an abandoned vehicle fee and hold on my registration privileges in AZ. The truck is likely still at the tow yard which may allow an inspection if requested, however I no longer own it as a result of the circumstances. My 9 year old son was injured in the accident as well as my own informed which included a shattered patella and fractured acetabulum, after orthopedic surgery I was made to deliver my unborn son via C-section, thankfully the baby suffered no physical injuries.

- Snowflake , AZ, USA

problem #7

Feb 132017

F-250

  • 180,000 miles
Driving down interstate, heard a loud pop. Lost all steering ability. Steering box shaft sheared in half. I was pulling a 18' empty trailer at the time. Truck blocked both westbound lanes almost causing life threatening injuries. Both county sheriff and va state police came to scene.

- Crewe, VA, USA

problem #6

Dec 182016

F-250

  • 180,000 miles
My vehicle was being driven out my driveway while making a right turn the steering wheel locked up. Then to the left the same. While sitting still I could turn the steering wheel all the way to the left none stop. Fluid is full. While driving straight steers fine until I turn a little to right or left then it gets tight. I noticed from 2002 to 2006 their were steering problems unsolved.

- Landrum, SC, USA

problem #5

Sep 022014

F-250

  • 134,549 miles

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

While backing into my truck started making a load noise, it was obvious it was in the front end. Trying to turn the steering wheel, it was stuck. Stopped the truck, looked under the front of truck at steering, I noticed that there was a hole in the frame, it was then that I saw the steering link, against the right cv axle. The idler arm had some how ripped off the frame, leaving na hole where the idler arm was, the frame of the truck had weakened, causing the metal to weaken and separate, thank again Ford.

- Windsor, CT, USA

problem #4

Apr 162014

F-250 8-cyl Diesel

  • 89,000 miles
[xxx] the steering box constantly fails. Becomes loose inside. Vehicle wanders severely. This is an ongoing problem since vehicle was purchased new. I'm putting in the 3rd steering gear. Ford mechanics would not consider the box being bad. It was my fault. Excuses were ball joints, keep them greased. I greased it once a week prior to it being in the dealership. As it wouldn't stay on the road. Then it was the nature of the vehicle. They all do it. What? it has new moog ball joints. So that's out. Very well greased. So that's out. Being the 3rd box in 89K, just isn't right. Vehicle is stock. No lifts, no oversize tires. I did a web search. Multiple folks are having the same problem from 01 to 08 F series. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Dane, WI, USA

problem #3

Jun 012011

F-250 4WD 8-cyl Diesel

  • 12,500 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-250. The contact stated the steering wheel failed. The contact stated the steering wheel was loose and required him to put both hands on the steering wheel in order to keep the vehicle under control. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic twice for the steering wheel failure. The steering box gear box was also adjusted twice; however, it did not correct the failure and the steering wheel continued to be loose. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000. The current mileage was 142,000. Updated 7/26/13 the consumer received a second opinion, and was informed the problem was the ball joints.

- Fair Township , MI, USA

problem #2

Apr 282011

F-250

  • 165,080 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford F250. The contact stated the steering wheel pulled to the left and to the right when the contact made a left turn and the contact was forced to pull the vehicle onto the side of the road. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer the first time the failure occurred and the steering gear box was replaced, but the failure recurred after one week. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer and they were told that they could not duplicate the failure. The failure occurred more often at lower speeds than higher speeds. The failure mileage was 165,080 and the current mileage was 166,000.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #1

Jul 072005

F-250 4WD Diesel

  • 62,000 miles
This problem began when the truck was purchased new from the dealership. We didn't find out the real problem until about a few months ago. The dealership says no fix have to leave with the problem. When you are going at slow speeds with the vehicle you are unable to turn the vehicle. They said its the booster in the vehicle when it was designed they only but one for the brakes and the steering. So when you brake at anytime you no longer have steering. This means your antilock brakes will not work. We have had a minor accident no one hurt and not enough damage to claim. But there has been many close calls because of this problem. I have went to Ford and they say live with it. Lawyers say there is a suit but they didn't want to handle unless a wreck and someone gets hurt or dies then they would consider the cause. Even the workers at the dealership says this a safety problem but Ford told them not to even try to fix the problem when they come in because there is no fix. Since this misdesinged they have re-designed the new 2003 to have 2 booster to control one for the brakes and one for the steering. Please help me with this problem before there is an accident where someone gets hurt. Thanks denise.

- Big Sandy, TX, USA

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