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9.3

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,450
Average Mileage:
77,700 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. new steering system (5 reports)
  2. not sure (4 reports)
2011 Ford F-150 steering problems

steering problem

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2011 Ford F-150 Owner Comments

problem #9

Aug 172019

F-150 5.0L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

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

It has only been a month since I picked my 2011 F150 up, AGAIN from the dealership; that I am having another issue with it. First Power Tran (Recalled)

Second Lead Frame Transmission (initially paid $1600, but I was refunded my money due to recall)

Third A/C Mechanisms (makes a loud clicking sound from the dashboard $900 + Labor), and now the Power Steering Assist Fault Warning light come on (Cannot drive; very hard to turn the wheel). This started today as my husband attempted to drive from work.There is a recall from 2011 Fords regarding this issue, but it seem to be only on the Flex and Fusion Models. Even thought they introduced this same computerized faulty part system the same year as the Flex and Fusion. There should be a recall for all Ford models since there seems to be an issue with the Power Steering Assist Fault. Has anyone experienced this or have any ideas.

Automotive News Article: Ford recalls 423,000 vehicles for power-steering issue Some 2015 Mustangs recalled separately https://www.autonews.com/article/20150527/OEM11/150529883/ford-recalls-423-000-vehicles-for-power-steering-issue

- Kiera J., tampa, FL, US

problem #8

Sep 272018

F-150 XL 5.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

I was driving on flat, dry pavement. Highway conditions,60 to 70 mph. 10 miles from destination. I felt a light thump,steering went rigid (no power),I had to hold down the turn signals for them to work. Got to my destination,went to my trailer storage place and shut it off for about 45 minutes. I looked for leaks, smelled for burning wires,anything out of the ordinary. Nothing. I knew I couldn't tow my RV,so I decided to go back home. Lo and behold my steering worked,for about 20 minutes,then stopped working. I had to drive through Houston traffic the rest of the way home. Gettin' in the driveway was a bitch. I'm slowly narrowing the problem down. So far I've come up with the ECM may be at fault,I'm not done looking.

- Dee T., Channelview, TX, US

problem #7

Aug 022016

F-150 FX2

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

Primarily when turning to left, power steering gets hard. I have been unable to reliably duplicate the issue. Ford Dealership "helpfully" replaced the battery for 3 times the cost to do it myself and declared the issue fixed. problem still occurring. Problem has escalated to intermittent complete power steering loss but still un-reproducible.

- Christopher H., Houston, TX, US

problem #6

Sep 142016

F-150 LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,000 miles

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

First year for EPSA; should have been covered under a recall as bad engineering. Not abuse or normal wear and tear.

- Fred O., Montgomery, TX, US

problem #5

Feb 042014

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

Several months after the purchase I was having odd electrical issues and then shortly after steering issues. They said Ford is aware of electronic assist steering problems but it is not "unsafe". This is totally untrue as I have to constantly fight the steering and have to be careful when other vehicles are passing. The problem comes and goes but has been getting progressively worse. I offered to replace the rack myself if Ford supplied the part at their cost. I guess they would rather see someone have an accident due to poor engineering that solve the problem. This is bad. I do not have money trees growing in my back yard! I have to live with this issue until Ford steps up to the plate.

- Daniel S., Oil City, PA, US

problem #4

Oct 052016

F-150 XLT Ecoboost V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles

I started getting periodic warning lights to "sevice advance trac" on my 2011 F150. The warning would go away after restarting the vehicle once or twice. First time I thought it may be an glitch in the computer so didn't worry about it. After second time I took it to the dealer and was told it was a problem with the Electronic Steering Module starting to fail. If it is not replace I could loose steering at any time without warning. I did some internet research and found this is indeed an issue with some Fords and people were having the power steering go out while driving. Being this is the primary vehicle used for family transportation I was worried. I called Ford as soon as my dealer told me the problem. Unfortunately their customer service dept. is located in Florida and they were closed due to a hurricane. I had no choice but to have the dealer fix the problem and try an deal with Ford later. I called Ford today and they were unwilling to assist me with this issue, would not send/email me a copy of the case file notes detailing my discussion with the rep and referred me to the dealership service manager since the repairs have already been completed. At this time I waiting on a call back from the dealership to see if they will be willing to help in any way but I am not hopeful. I will post updates as I get them.

- Sean R., Centerville, OH, US

problem #3

Mar 092016

F-150 Lariate 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

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

My power steering assist goes out intermittently. It has went out six times, when it does go out it is extremely hard to turn. The problem is corrected by turning off the key and restarting. Sometimes it does it several times in one day, other times it may not fault out for several months. I am very fit and I can barely steer the truck when this goes out, there is no warning when it does go out. I will not let my sixteen year old daughter drive my truck because she will not be able to wrestle this thing out of a curve if it goes out as it has happened to me in a curve and I went into the other lane.

I see several recalls on other Ford vehicles for this same problem, this is a very expensive part to replace, I don't see anything on the internet about this part being repaired/ re manufactured so if a new part is put on my F-150, I fear I will have the same issue.

- Dale P., Pineville, LA, US

problem #2

Jan 152015

F-150 XLT 5.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

I purchased the truck new in 2011 and shortly after purchasing I noticed a self-correcting issue while taking a long, slow left turn. The local Ford dealer said that there's a TSB on that issue but really isn't worth worrying about where the suggested repair may be similar or worse. I chose to live with. A couple years later at around 60,000 miles I had a knock in the steering at slow speeds. This was diagnosed as a new steering rack to the tune of $1800.00 again the dealer (different dealer) suggested not worrying about where Ford has reported that this will not result in a steering failure. I now have 125,000 miles on the truck and recently while on the highway I felt as though the steering "locked up" for a second or two then seemed fine. This past week when making slow speed turns, there is a vibration in the steering and the "Service Advance Track" light illuminates briefly then corrects itself when the vibration stops. I've also had intermittent turn signal issues which I just learned is all related to the steering issue. So ultimately the fix is a new steering rack to the tune of $1800.00. It certainly isn't about the money however, Ford should take full responsibility on this one.

- Keith C., Lowell, MA, US

problem #1

Jan 282016

F-150 XL V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles

I have always wanted a Ford truck so when I was finally able to get one I was a happy person, finally I got my dream truck. Now I wish I had gotten a Chevy. Your F 150's are junk, every time you turn around something is going wrong with it. You claim the F 150 is America's truck, so Ford Motor Company, why don't you step up and fix these problems with the steering or does someone have to get killed before you do? The steering on these trucks should last more the five years. Over 100 complaints on this exact same problem and you have done nothing. It's a lawsuit waiting to happen, not to mention there goes your sales on these trucks. They aren't fit to own, they are a danger to anyone who drives them .So get off your asses and do the right thing, recall these trucks and fix them.

- Judy R., Weston, WV, US

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