Problems with 2011 Ford F-150 STEERING

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. *tr

Tl* 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.

Tl* 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.

Tl* 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.

Tl* 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.

We were traveling down the interstate when the red battery light came on. shortly thereafter loss of power steering, loss of stability control (per dash indicator), and loss of power brakes. i have had the alternator replaced 2 separate times since for a total of three (3) alternators as well as one new battery. now truck is in shop again for same malfunction. 2011 ford f150 lariat. crew cab. v-6 engine. only 54000 miles and i am anticipating my fourth (4th) alternator. i use the truck in non-mountainous terrain, mostly highway for errands, and rarely tow. i believe a recall investigation should commence. *tr

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.

Tl* 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.

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. *tr

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. *tr

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. *tr

Occasionally when steering the truck to the left, the steering will feel like it is sticking. it becomes hard to turn to the left and when the turn is complete, the vehicle will not return to center. on one occasion when i first started the truck and began to back out of a parking place, i could not turn the steering wheel to the left at all. i shut the truck off then restarted and the same thing. on the second time i shut the truck off then restarted, i could turn the wheel normally. there seems to be a problem with the power steering or some mechanism of the steering. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford f-150. the contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the vehicle drifted from one lane to another. the contact was unable to control the steering wheel. the vehicle was taken to a dealer for a diagnostic testing but the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. one of the technicians advised that the steering system computer required updating. the vehicle was taken to several other independent mechanics, all of which advised the contact that there was not a steering computer in the vehicle. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. the failure mileage was 45,000. the current mileage was 50,000.

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. *tr

When you are going over bumps there is rattles amd clunks in the steering and the steering is loose.this happens at all speeds and it feels like the whole front end of the truck is loose. thanks *tr

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. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford f-150. the contact stated that the vehicle was unable to be aligned. as a result, the tires were wearing prematurely. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the camber pole was malfunctioning. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was not available. the failure mileage was 21,000 and the current mileage was 22,000.

I own a 2011 f-150, 5.0, crew cab, 4x4. i started noticing a popping or clinking noise coming from the steering column. the noise has been getting worst and is very annoying as well. i notice at lower speeds when driving down our gravel road. i typed this issue in as well on the f-150 forum and there are numerous post with same issue! many are saying it has to deal with electric power assist steering. i will be taking it into the dealer, to hopefully get this issue resolved. i just hope that ford will step up and fix this issue. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford f-150. while driving 25 mph, the service advance track system warning indicator illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed. the failure recurred on several other occasions. the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic power steering assist failed and needed to be repaired. there were no repairs made to the vehicle. the failure mileage was 25,000.

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. *tr

There is a very bad rattle coming thru the steering. seems to be an issue with the epas. *tr

Experience intermittent lack of steering wheel returnability to center on left hand turns with small steering wheel angle.

steering became sluggish and pulled slightly to the right. i thought that the front right tire was flat. after pulling over the tire was not flat. problem was not present after i had stopped to check tire. from that time on while driving at any speed there was an occasional "stickiness" to the steering. also while wheel was turned completely to right or left there would be a thump and then it would stick just a bit before steering normally. during the longest stretch of this trouble i had an appointment made to have it checked but it stopped before the appointment. then this week at about 25 to 30 miles an hour it was a very noticeable jerk to right and left while driving strait .got to destination and had to back into a difficult area where making full turns right and left were necessary. turning from one complete turn to the next took a lot of force to get steering wheel to start back the other way. made it back home just 3 to 4 miles was no problem. next morning while backing into parking area had wheel turned all the way to right it would not come back and had to be towed to dealership. *tr

I have a 2011 ford f-150 4x4 ecoboost and have had one steering rack replaced already. it was replaced due to popping in the steering as well as bump steer and wandering. the initial replacement was 6-1-12 and as of this post (1-26-13) and roughly 12k more miles, it is starting to have the same concerns that required the initial replacement. in addition, the front suspension in general seems loose and the left side squeaks over bumps and seems weaker in the spring than the passenger side. *tr

Ford f 150 2011 steering issue. 2011 is the first model year for electric power steering on the f 150. when driving straight, there is looseness in the steering. i am aware that electric power steering is easier to turn. that is not the issue. it feels like looseness in the steering shaft, as a loose joint. when i went to an f 150 online forum and typed in my problem, i found others who were having the same problem. i am very concerned about the safety of the steering. it seems worse with heat. i have been feeling it when i would hit small bumps in a row. yesterday, i felt it on all surfaces. it felt like the steering shaft was going to come apart. i have had it to the dealer and they put it up on the lift and can't find the problem. the steering system itself needs to be taken apart. *tr

Feels like a loose joint in the steering shaft. some people refer to it as popping. it feels like a loose ball joint would feel. as your driving, the front end feels loose, and you can feel "the road" in the wheel. i took the truck to the dealer, and they told me there's nothing wrong with it. i've had several people drive the truck and they told me the same thing, something feels loose in the front end. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford f-150. while driving at various speeds and making a left turn, the steering wheel seized. the vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the electric power assist steering needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 22,000.

Tl* 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.

There is a popping and jolting mechanical feel from the steering wheel and front end of the truck. it feels like the front end or steering shaft is literally about to come apart. the problem happens at normal speeds at any speed on straight roads that are paved normally without defect. the problem seems to be worse the higher the temperature is outside. it began at around 3k miles and has steadily grown worse unless the temperature is below 80 degrees. the steering begins to feel loose and unsteady at any speed. at its worst you can hear the popping from the steering column. the longer the vehicle operates the more pronounced the sensation coming through the steering wheel. i feel at any moment that the steering may just completely fail. *tr

There is a knocking,popping,loose feeling in the steering wheel. my truck is on it's 2nd steering rack and it feels worst than the original one after 3500 miles on it. the dealer does'nt know what to do because there is'nt a fix. i do know that this issue is related to the heat, the hotter it is outside and the longer you drive the more noticeable it is. i know that a $45,000 truck should'nt feel like this when it only has 14,000 miles on it. i have called ford customer care and they do nothing and now my dealer is ignoring me. i love my truck, but i wish ford would take care of their customers and this problem. *tr

My f150 has been making popping feelings and noises that are resonating up through the steering column into the steering wheel. this is not only very annoyning, but it makes everyone that is having this same issue with their 2011 f150's wonder if it is a safety hazard. this could potentially become an accident waiting to happen. i have been to the ford dealer and they replaced the steering column and this did not fix the issue. ford has not been responsive to this issue. *tr

Truck started having a popping in the steering wheel over rough roads and terrain. steering shaft was replaced by dealer with no fix. then they replaced the steering rack which is a new electronic powered rack and my problem was resolved for roughly 1000 miles. the problem persists to get worse when its hotter outside. i know a few friends with these new electronic racks that have the same problem. ford seems to be doing nothing and there is no answers to the issue. something in the rack could be loose or defective and could cause a safety issue. rack needs to be redesigned or fixed. *tr

I was driving home on freeway. right before exiting i lost my power steering. it was very difficult to steer. it took all my strength to switch lanes, turn corners, and make it home. also, the traction control icon appeared in smart screen. took vehicle to ford where they hopefully repaired problem. they said it was a faulty module inside the powersteering . my concern is if i'm already having problems , what next! and what are my rights? *tr

When i started up my f-150 super crew cab with the ecoboost engine the service advanced track warning message came on. as i was driving with this error message on the dash i found that my turn signals would not stay on unless i hold the turn signal lever. later that day i went to take the truck into the dealer to show them the issue and the error message was gone and the turn signals were now functioning fine. since the error was no longer on the ford dealer could not do anything about the issue. the error stayed off for about 6 weeks and then came on again. now it has been coming on about every 3 or 4 days so i took it to the dealer and they determined that the issue is with the rack and pinion steering assembly and have replaced that. i just go the truck back and have not had time to confirm that the issue is fixed however my confidence level is not there as this is just one of many issues that i have seen on this truck that appear to be "computer" related since shutting off the truck (or as i put it rebooting) will correct the issue. *tt

Cpsc#i270250a. 2011 ford f-150 ecoboost. consumer stated his truck has been popping and clucking in the steering. he also has taken it to the dealership on several occasions. *ln the dealer informed the consumer the noise was a normal characteristic for the epas rack and they refused to address the issue. the consumer stated the steering felt loose when the popping occurred.

2011 ford f150 4 wheel drive 5.0 engine.. started at around 6000 miles i now have only 13000 on this vehicle.. there is a knocking/tapping/rattle in the steering wheel/shaft when going over bumps at any speed. many folks are complaining about this exact issue on ford truck forums yet ford says this is normal, it cannot be normal if these trucks are fine when they are brand new yet develop this rattle and knocking in the steering wheel after a few thousand miles. my trucks steering feels very sloppy and loose when going straight over bumps and has a rattle/knocking/popping sensation through the steering wheel. it feels as if something is going to fall apart in the steering system. many owners have had their steering rack assembly replaced by ford with good temporary results only to have the problem return a few hundred to a few thousand miles later, so again it cannot be normal. to note: it is definitely worse when the weather is hot but always there even when cold out. i do not feel confident and secure driving this truck like this. ford needs to step up and find a fix to this very real driver concern and very possible safety concern. this (2011-2012) is the first year this type of electric power steering assist system has been used in a truck so there are no long term reliability stats. ford should do the right thing and find a fix now before something very bad starts happening. if this were a rattle in the door or something annoying like that it would not be much of a concern but this is the steering system on a 5000 pound truck. my only hope is that the right agency takes this serious and investigates this very real problem on these 2011-2012 ford f150 trucks. *tr

I bought a brand new ford f 150 in august of 2011. i have been experiencing banging in the steering wheel as well as an audible note at low speeds and high speeds. always when the truck is coasting straight without any input in the steering. i have gotten no where with the purchase dealer....apple ford in columbia md. i am taking it to a different dealer with hopes that they will give a [xxx] and try and get to the bottom of it. i believe that this is becoming a safety issue!!!! my wife refuses to drive the vehicle with my children.......it is that bad. what, if anything, is being done about this problem? hopefully someone will not lose their life in order for ford to acknowledge that there is a problem. i would trade the truck today if i could take, on the chin, the $10000+ loss on a new vehicle. lastly why does this have to be a problem at all?.....[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

My 2011 f150 ecoboost with epas steering is popping and clunking when going over bumps in the road. it feels like something is loose in the steering. i have taken the truck into the dealership several times only to have them tell me this is normal. it is not normal. there are hundreds of other f150 owners experiencing this and i'm concerned it could be a safety issue with me and my family. ford refuses to acknowledge this issue and will not comment when i ask if it is a safety concern. below is a link to a forum site where others are experiencing this... thanks http://www.f150forum.com/f38/steering-wheel-popping-over-bumps-rough-terrain-94150/ [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

Newer ford f150's are equipped with an electronic power assist rack and pinion steering which has problems with popping over bumps or rough terrain. the problem seems to occurring to a lot of owners with the epas steering( f150 forum members over 600 posts on the topic and 57,000 views. mine is affected as well. i have had my truck into two different ford dealerships with no resolve. the problem has been isolated to the epas steering rack. the steering feels very loose and sloppy. traveling over small bumps or rough terrain results in popping, knocking in the steering linkage. when off road, the knocking is more pronounced and the steering feels like you could lose control. despite numerous calls to ford by f150 owners, no recalls or tsb's have been issued to address this problem. *tr

Popping rattling knocking felt in steering wheel. started when going over bumps then progressed into driving normal. constant steering wheel popping and rattling. feels like steering is coming apart. dealership verified complaint. they have installed 2 different eaps steering rack and 1 intermediate steering shaft. the problem still persist... *tr

There is a popping and jolting mechanical feel from the steering wheel and front end of the truck. it feels like the front end or steering shaft is literally about to come apart. the problem happens at normal speeds at any speed on straight roads that are paved normally without defect. the problem seems to be worse the higher the temperature is outside. it feels like the whole front end of the truck is loose. i thought the tire was loose - it wasn't. *tr

I feel a heavy tapping in the steering wheel while driving straight. this condition gets worse with warmer weather. 78 to 100 degrees. *tr

Knocking felt in the steering wheel. gets worse as outside temps get above 80 degrees. *tr

Service advance trac light comes on when reversing with wheel fully turned, slight grinding noise heard. called dealership and told not a concern -- the new systems "do that". mentioned at next service appointment and told nothing is wrong. noise gets intermittently worse, but dealership is "unable to replicate problem" before the warranty expires in march 2014. in july 2014 (26,000 miles), the sat light comes on whenever the wheel is fully turned in forward, reverse, and park, and a loud grinding metal on metal sound occurs. the dealership could hear it this time and diagnosed steering gear assembly failure. the service representative stated on july 18, 2014 that the service advance trac light indicates this problem and that the vehicle is not safe to drive. this should be a recall before injuries or deaths occur due to steering failure. *tr

2012 ford f-150 pickup trucks do not have a grab handle on the drivers side a pillar. ford f-150 trucks are higher than passenger cars and require a driver to pull or hold onto an object to enter the drivers side of the vehicle. ford recommends drivers pull on the steering wheel as an assist when entering the f-150. it appears that repetitive and strenuous pulling on the steering wheel, particularly by larger drivers over 6 feet tall and weighing over 200 pounds, when entering the f-150, can cause steering components to break which could lead to steering failure, or problems while the vehicle is in motion. suggested solution: ford has a grab handle on the passenger side a pillar to assist passengers when entering the truck. evidently, ford engineers see a need to place a grab handle for occupants to use when entering f-150 trucks. to avoid possible steering mechanism damage, ford should place a grab handle on the drivers side a pillar which would remove the potential damage to the steering mechanism. *tr

Steering has a loose feeling. it feels like the truck is going to fall apart and the wheels are loose. ford knows about the problem, but hasn't fixed it. my truck is on it's 3rd steering gear and all of which had this problem. the feeling can be felt at low speeds (5-10mph) to high way speeds (55-70mph). *tr

I purchased a brand new ford f150 truck and immediately began to experience steering issues. steering becomes stuck on a turn and then getting out of turn results in swerving. i almost was in two head-on accidents in the narrow roads around where i drive. this is a significant safety issue... ford is replacing steering gears but why isn't this a recall- there appears to be a tsb on this issue, but this is way more serious in my experience.. this needs to be addressed asap i am very concerned for other potential people having accidents. *tr

1. rear defrost and side mirror defrost fuse continually blows. started appx 3 yrs and at 42,000 miles 2. steering column locks up when turning left at a slow speed in cases such as pulling into or out of a driveway or parking spot or making a u turn. at high speeds on the interstate vehicle floats to the left and it is hard to straighten, almost as if there is no power assist.(i understand ford recalled some but not all 2011 f150's for a steering rack replacement (started around 4 yrs/ 55,000 miles 3. transmission takes about 10 seconds to engage into reverse upon starting in the morning or on cold days when vehicle has been parked for mare then say 5 hours started around 6 months/ 6,000 miles.

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford f-150. the contact stated that the vehicle violently shook while driving 50 mph. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the dealer could not diagnose the failure. the contact replaced the tires, but the failure continued. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that a software update for the vehicle's system was not available. the failure mileage was 9,400.

Tl*the contact owns a 2011 ford f-150. the contact stated that whenever he turned the steering wheel, he would feel a bump coming from the steering wheel when it returned to the straightened position. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was told that the steering components were defective. all of the steering components were replaced. the failure mileage was 30 and the current mileage was 680. updated 06/01/11*lj updated 1/18/2012 *ln *tr