The subject pick up truck was southbound on I405 between orange ave and cherry ave in long beach California. The vehicle was in the fast lane or the lane adjacent to the fast lane. Speed at the time of the incident was approximately 65 mph and the cruise control was engaged. Traffic was moderate with all lanes moving at freeway speed. Without warning, and simultaneously with the sound of a skidding tire, the vehicle pulled violently and abruptly to the right, out of control, and crossed all traffic lanes of the freeway and the shoulder of the freeway. Just prior to departing the roadway, enough control was regained to avoid hitting a freeway directional sign in the landscape median. The truck entered the landscape median and came to rest facing South, parallel to the freeway. Approximately 10 minutes passed before the California highway patrol responded to the accident site. The officer said he was responding to an accident that was reported. The vehicle was towed to a local Ford dealer for investigation. Five to ten minutes prior to the loss of control, the driver noticed a fluctuation in the speedometer from approximately 65 mph to 50 mph with no change in vehicle speed, engine RPM or performance. Several weeks prior to the accident, the driver experienced an event at moderate speed which was described as feeling though the vehicle was hit from behind at slow speed although there was no one behind the truck. Simultaneously, the speedometer and tachometer both failed to 0 and the dashboard display went blank. Shortly thereafter, a "wrench" icon appeared momentarily on the display. The driver continued driving to a gas station and refueled. When the engine was started after refueling, all instruments appeared normal with no icons present. No icons re-appeared at any time up to and including the date of the accident. Updated 06/16/14

- Villa Park, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the power steering assist failed during cold weather. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 43,000. The VIN was not available.

- Mconnellsville, OH, USA

When turning left sometimes the steering locks up. When this is happening if I were to take my hands off the steering wheel the truck would continue locked in a left turn. When this happens I must force the steering wheel back to neutral position. If on an uneven surface this appears to happen more often. Have taken truck to dealership to determine the cause. But nothing was done. The dealership said there was no problem. This happens at all speeds and has occurred at highway speeds as well as at slower speed.

- Tomball, TX, USA

While driving with a 5,500 pound camp trailer in tow the vehicle developed significant vibration and feed back from the road. The problem came about after approximately 20K miles on the truck. I would notice it primarily over joints in the road and any road imperfections also notice it and hear a clunking when off road on dirt roads. The clunking is intermittant but is there. It feels as if there is a loose component in the steering assembly which then can be felt in the steering wheel. I can notice both with trailer and without more when temperatures are higher such as 80 degrees or more. Not so much when cold but I am still able to get road feedback in the steering wheel at lower temps just not as bad. You can especially notice the vibration/feedback in colder temps if holding the steering wheel at its lowest point (bottom of wheel) while driving. I took the vehicle to the dealer several times and they allege they could not duplicate the problem. I have taken the vehicle back now 4 separate times and on the last time I showed the service adviser how I can grasp the steering shaft in the engine compartment and manually by hand turn the shaft back and forth as if in a steering motion and you can hear a loud clicking noise coming from somewhere either in the rack unit itself or the steering shafts. I am not sure where the noise is actually coming from but clearly in the steering assembly somewhere. I have great concern over safety and have now read many similar complaints including complete steering failure. Sounds like Ford does not exactly know how to go about repairs and so reluctant to replace any parts in case that does not fix issue. I understand that theory but wish they would at least try something for safety. If there is not a safety issue it is still an eerie feeling driving a truck at highway speed with looseness and vibration in the steering assembly.

- Morrison, CO, USA

Slowed down to make a left turn when power steering quit working. It is gradually getting worse and now it is stopping working at various speeds and turning either right or left. The last event I was making a right turn pulling our of a parking place and the steering wheel snapped back while I was turning it hurting my arm.

- Quartzsite, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the power steering system malfunctioned as the contact lost control of the vehicle. The contact was able to pull over and shut the vehicle off. The contact restarted the vehicle and the power steering system worked momentarily. The failure recurred three miles later. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing which determined that the gear in the power system needed to be replaced. The contact did not have the gear replaced. The failure mileage was 24,000. The VIN was not available.

- Benton , LA, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that when driving the vehicle at any speed the vehicle would drift to the left. When the contact would steer the vehicle to the right in order to straighten the direction of the vehicle, it will drift to the right and into the next lane. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was able to duplicate the failure but advised the contact that the electronic power steering function was operating properly. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 5490.

- Fort Myers , FL, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the advanced track system warning light illuminated and the turn signals became inoperable. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test where the dealer stated that the steering gear assembly module malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the entire steering system. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint. The failure mileage was 40,487.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

I had my truck scheduled to have a leveling kit and new tires put on. Immediately after the simple install my truck gave an alert on the information screen saying "electric power assist steering fault. Took the truck down the road to nearest Ford dealer and after they ran diagnostic it showed it needed a complete new rack and pinion. $1278 worth without alignment. The mechanics shop who installed the kit is going to pay for it because it was fine before I took it to get kit + tires, however, I have read numerous stories online similar to mine that show the epas going out or that there having problems with it. Ford has had several updates to the epas models I'm aware, hopefully the new one going in will work and I won't ride away only to have a clunking noise to deal with in my front end like so many others I know.

- Perry, FL, USA

Backed up from parking spot and put in drive and the steering quit working. Fault codes appeared for steering assy fault. Turned off and then back on but did not resolve the problem. Drove to dealership and they had to replace steering gear.

- Hallettsville, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the power steering system malfunctioned and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer, who stated that the entire rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The contact did not have the rack and pinion replaced. The failure mileage was 47,000.

- Titusville, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph and attempting a left turn, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 39,300.

- Fairmount, GA, USA

This vehicle has a slight yet consistent knock felt in the steering wheel at various speeds, primarily while going over small bumps or cracks in the road. It feels as though something is loose or worn-out in the steering or suspension. The dealership that sold the vehicle checked out the truck on 9/23/2013 and said everything is fine. This is a grave concern as a failure in the steering system can be extremely dangerous.

- Colfax, IA, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while making a turn at approximately 10 mph, the power steering suddenly failed. The vehicle was shut down and restarted but to no avail. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact's residence by applying excessive force to the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the electric power steering motor and the rack & pinion system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- New Braunfels, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact was driving 50 mph and attempting a left turn when the steering wheel seized. The contact had to pull the steering wheel back into its normal position. The vehicle was inspected by a local dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the incident and offered to pay a percentage of the repair cost to have it repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 54000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Union, MO, USA

Electronic power assisted steering (epas) on 2011 Ford F150 ecoboost shims/knocks/vibrates at speeds up to highway speeds (55 mph). Not sure if it is safe or not? but steering is a major component of a vehicle. I did not feel totally safe as Ford has had some issues with past vehicles that possible prone to accidents that involved steering. It only occurs at temps above 75 F. took vehicle in couple times, but could not duplicate the issue. Only when temps rose above 75F and technician was able to experience the issue. Local dealer stated it was struts, but after several visits to the F-150 blog site, the issue was described as the epas rack that cannot keep up with the computer changes while temps above approx 75F. The replacement part #dl3Z3504be gear assembly epas (this is the 4th version of this component Ford has used in their F150S) was replaced 17 June 13. Ford covered only $400 of the $1500 total repair. From my research on the internet, there seems to be a issue with 2011 Ford F-150 ecoboost epas. I did not find and tsb or safety bulletins as of today.

- Ft Walton Beach, FL, USA

Knocking felt in the steering wheel. Gets worse as outside temps get above 80 degrees.

- San Ramon , CA, USA

While driving the truck the steering wheel begins to knock, clunk and vibrate badly, to a point it becomes hard to hold onto the wheel as the sensation is overly disturbing to your hands. It feels like something is loose in the steering system and it continues to get worse. Heat is a major component. The hotter it is outside, the worse the knocking gets, to a point some play can be felt in the steering. On a 90 degree day it is easily reproduced, and is starting to even make a knocking sound. This is a dangerous issue as it causes the wheel to vibrate out of ones hands, or causes a persons hands to get tired or compensating for the play and knocking and need to let go of the wheel. Dealerships want to say we have not adjusted to the new electronic steering but that is absurd. We have several vehicles with electronic power steering, including a newer F150, and it does not do this at all. This 2011 F150 has had more issues than any new vehicle ever should, but this problem needs to be recalled. When google searching the issue, F!50 steering popping knocking, thousands of complaints can be found regarding this exact issue. Ford is getting away with too many issues on their 2011 and newer vehicles, it is time to make them stand by their product.

- Powell, OH, USA

When driving at lower speeds, there is a knocking/ popping feeling that is felt through the steering wheel. This is being generated from the front end of the vehicle and makes the truck feel like the wheels are going to fall off. This seems like it is a safety issue which Ford needs to address.

- Kirkland, WA, USA

Two issues here. First issue. When making turns there is a clunk sound from the front of the vehicle after the turn as the steering wheel is returned to forward position. Happens intermittent. Cannot feel the clunk in the wheel, but the sound is like metal on metal. Second issue: Rear suspension clunks and squeaks a lot. (like it is 20+ years old.) standing on the bumper or pushing sideways on the fender makes the rear-end squeak. I took it to Ford for repair and they stated there was a technote that told them to 'lube' the rear leaf springs. For a few months it made the sound go away, but made the backend feel loose or like it was sliding sideways on corners. At this same visit the engine performance changed noticeably. Acceleration was smoother and did not hesitate as much. (they say they did nothing that would cause this change.) I'm not sure I am getting true answers from the service advisor. Now six months later all the sounds and clunking sounds are back. I feel like it was not designed safe enough for the load rating they gave it or something. I want to make sure it is safe and not going to just end up physically broken somewhere on the road because they want to lube it every six months.

- Nampa, ID, USA