The steering is acting stiff while driving

- Winter Garden, FL, USA

Problem started before 100,000 miles. 2011 Ford F-150 currently has 230,000 miles and the issue is getting more severe. The steering is "sticky", there is resistance when you attempt to turn the steering wheel. Letting go of the wheel the vehicle remains in the stuck position and does not automatically return to a neutral steer position. With minor resistance you need to give the wheel a little jerk or two to get the vehicle's wheels to unlock and respond. Lately there are increased incidences where the steering wheel severely sticks and needs a strong tug to unlock. The strong tug causes the vehicle to overcompensate when the steering breaks free requiring a second jerk of the wheel to keep control. Early in the history of this problem the sticking was worse when turning to the left, but now the issue is most severe when turning right. I'm not sure, but the situation may be exacerbated if breaking while attempting to turn the steering wheel. At worst it's dangerous, at the least it makes for tense driving. The problem comes and goes and seems random. A few days ago, for the first time a "service power steering" warning displayed. At a Ford dealer they diagnosed the problem as a "weak" battery. The cca (cold cranking amps) 850 battery was only outputting a cca of 575, volts of $12.41. They replaced the battery, cleared all diagnostic fault codes, and pronounced the problem fixed. Soon after leaving the dealership and sticking resumed, nothing sever, but clearly still sticking. Later I experienced a sever sticking incident. This is not the first time that I've gone to a dealership for help with this problem. A while ago a Ford service rep suggested battery terminal corrosion could cause the problem. The terminals were corroded, I cleaned the negative terminal, replaced the positive and the steering issue noticeably improved but did not terminate.

- Big Bear Lake, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the power steering failed to operate as designed. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked while driving. The contact stated that the failure occurred at various speeds and occurred more often over time. The service epas warning light was illuminated. The contact had not contacted a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Spruce Pine, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel malfunctioned. The vehicle veered to the left and the steering wheel nearly ceased in position. The contact compensated by turning the steering wheel to the right to straighten the vehicle. The contact continued driving to his destination. Thoroughbred Ford (8501 N boardwalk ave, Kansas City, mo 64154, (816) 505-1818) referred the contact NHTSA. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and filed a case. The failure mileage was 250,000.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the electronic steering failed while driving 60 mph, without warning. The contact loss power steering and pulled off to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact called a friend who owned a trailer to have the vehicle trailered to his residence. Riser Ford Lincoln (4201 central ave, hot springs, ar 71913) was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not subjected to a recall. The vehicle was diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 187,073.

- Benton, AR, USA

While backing up and upon turning the service advancetrac light came on and stayed on. I researched and found that Ford has been having problems since 2011 for the electric steering rack and pinion (it was new technology for the 2011 model) going bad and could cause an accident if you lose power steering and there have been tsb's about said problem and no recall has been done regarding this dangerous problem. This should be recalled knowing there is thousands of people having this problem and having to pay over $2K to get this fixed when Ford knows about said problem and will do nothing to help the consumer for this is a safety issue and someone could get seriously hurt.

- Erie, PA, USA

Vehicle will lock the steering wheel while driving if rotated to make a hard left turn. Once the steering wheel is locked, it takes a tremendous amount force to unlock the wheel. This manouver will only happen while the vehicle is in motion, posing a serious safety concern for the driver and occupants of the vehicle

- Wilmington, NC, USA

Why would the electric power steering go out all at once with no warning I was driving down the road was in a very busy town the power steering just stopped working all at once like to have not got the truck off the road this is dangerous too drive I had to have it towed home

- Spring City, TN, USA

Ford has recall on the Expedition with same part number as the F150. How is one recalled and not the other. [xxx] our power steering is out is how we obtained the information. Can for explain the difference information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Fallsmills, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving and making a right turn, the vehicle loss power steering assist when the brake pedal was depressed. Additionally, the service advance trac message displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 61,538. Consumer has stated steering system failure has occurred multiple times

- Sioux City, IA, USA

Hello, my 2011 Ford F150 XLT truck with approximately 53,500 miles was diagnosed with rack and pinion electric steering failure and had to be replaced. It started with "service advancetrac" error and advanced to "power steering assist fault". it became increasingly hard and dangerous to drive and had to be taken to tire kingdom to be repaired for around $2000. The vehicle was in motion when the issues happened and became dangerous when driving on city or highway. I am concerned that a vehicle with a little over 53,000 miles has a dangerous failure like this. I read that 2011 was the first year that Ford introduced the electric steering and am surprised that there has not been a recall for this issue. Is there any compensation for this? thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Palmetto, FL, USA

Steering sticks, very dangerous!!!

- Hot Springs National Park, AR, USA

While driving on highway 395 near susanville ca, electronic steering caused truck steering to lock while driving. Almost caused head on collision.

- Janesville, CA, USA

The steering sticks in spots, very jerking when trying to steer. Once when turning to the left, had wheels turned all the way to the left and steering locked up, for a moment I thought I was going to have to have it towed. Again cannot make smooth corrections and slight turns without jerking the truck do to steering malfunction. Very dangerous. And of course the truck is in motion, on city streets, highway, and turning. Below you want a specific date, is does this constantly whenever I drive it.

- Newton, KS, USA

As you are driving the slightest bump makes the steering hard to keep vehicle from swerving. The hotter it is outside the more difficult it is to maneuver.

- Kountze, TX, USA

Vehicle was designed with steering angle sensor inside the steering gear. Sensor has failed and is not serviceable and will cost $2200 for repair. Since the sensor has failed the entire vehicle stability control system is disabled causing a major safety concern. Ford used this design from 11/03/10 to 01/03/11. This design was replaced with one which places the sensor in the steering column for easy replacement. I have contacted Ford for repair assistance and so far all claims have been denied.

- Brooklyn Center, MN, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. Contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, the steering wheel ceased without warning. The vehicle was taken to bredemann Ford located at 2038 waukegan rd, glenview, il 60025, (847) 348-8097, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rack pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

- Park Ridge, IL, USA

I was driving at about 45-50 mph and turning left on a large 90 degree curve on the highway and the steering wheel would not return to center without much effort. The truck made a sudden unresponsive move into the oncoming traffic, as I was trying to straighten out the vehicle. I got the truck to respond to a safe area. Very dangerous

- Brainerd, MN, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the power steering had malfunctioned causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. The message "traction control" and "power assist failure" had displayed during failures. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer (cas-25454075) was notified of the failure but not assistance was offered. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Fife Lake, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. While driving 30 mph, the power steering seized and the service power steering now warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home, but had great difficulty maneuvering the steering wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 144,610.

- Humble, TX, USA