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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 2
Average Mileage:
0 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.

1997 Ford F-150 steering problems

steering problem

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1997 Ford F-150 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #33

Jun 012001

F-150

  • miles

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

While traveling inside of a parking lot vehicle veered to the right. Steering column collapsed. Dealership is aware of problem.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #32

Oct 262000

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Steering column broke while consumer was driving, consumedr lost control of vehicle which ran into a dirt bank. Contacted dealer who was not willing to do anything. Consumer stated that while driving at 26 mph on a dirt road, a deer ran out of the woods, he hit his brakes and heard a popping sound and had no control of the truck, also the steering was not responding with the turn of the wheel. Consumer was injured.

- Griffin, GA, USA

problem #31

Dec 172001

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving 15-20 mph steering wheel locked up, consumer was unable to turn steering wheel 360 degrees.

- Blanchard, OK, USA

problem #30

Sep 252001

F-150

  • miles

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

PE 01 033 : steering column : noise would appear when making a turn. Dealer/manufacturer were not notified at this time. Feel free to provide any further information concerning this matter.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #29

Sep 302001

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
PE 01 033/steering column: While making a turn, vehicle lost control. Tow truck driver informed consumer that steering column separated from gear box.

- Thorsby, AL, USA

problem #28

Jul 242001

F-150

  • miles
The steering box and colomn became diconected, rendering vehicle unstable. This was an assembly problem not a product defect.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #27

May 182001

F-150 4WD

  • miles

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

Was driving on interstate 65, mm 95 approximately 75 mph, when the steering went completely out. Lost total control of vehicle. Local Ford dealership stated that the steering shaft had come off sector shaft. I am concerned that this could happen to someone else. I was able to control vehicle until I came to stop on median. Steering wheel spun freely in either direction. Could have easily been a fatal wreck if this happened on a curve or other vehicles close by.

- Ky, KY, USA

problem #26

May 032001

F-150

  • miles
When I was driving with my son in the car, I lost all steering in my vehicle. My steering wheel just started to spin freely as I was drifting into oncoming traffic. After frantically stopping the vehicle, I had it towed back to my local mechanic. After he inspected the steering column, he discovered that the coupling between the lower end of the steering column and steering box had stripped free. The bolt still remained in the coupler. He checked with Ford and they told him there has been no recall on the lower end of the steering columns (which he was surprised at), but there had been a service bulletin.

- Redlands, CA, USA

problem #25

Sep 172000

(reported on)

F-150 4WD

  • miles
The steering column makes a watery or whiny noise when turning. I have spoken to others about this via internet bulletin boards and it is not an isolated case. Some have had their entire column replaced and still have a problem. One person I spoke to said there was a tsb in effect and that the tie-rod was the culprit. He further stated that Ford was on back-order for that part and that it was a nationwide problem. However, it is not listed on your site as a recall and my warranty period is up. I have gone to the dealer numerous times and have had no help in diagnosing and solving the problem.

- Cypress, CA, USA

problem #24

Aug 152000

F-150

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
While driving windshield wipers will come on unexpectedly like twice a month without warning. Also, a short inside of steering column. Washer lever also on steering column, to get washer to operate must push handle in at angle. The dome lamp is defective and stays on when the engine is started.

- Georgetown, KY, USA

problem #23

Jun 132000

(reported on)

F-150

  • miles

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

While traveling and when making a turn, steering wheel would not respond to the turn.

- Del Rio, TX, USA

problem #22

Jun 022000

F-150

  • miles
While turning steering wheel became hard to turn within a few seconds. Also, steering wheel would shake while turning or driving. Vehicle would be taken to dealer for inspection. Feel free to provide further details.

- Hernando, FL, USA

problem #21

May 132000

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving two bolts which hold the steering shaft snapped in half, resulting in no steering ability which could cause loss of control. The snapping of the bolts did cause loss of control of the steering.

- Dubuque, IA, USA

problem #20

Feb 251999

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
A coupling broke on the steering rod causing a collision, which resulted in minor injuries. The manufacturer has been notified. Mjs

- Hillsboro, NC, USA

problem #19

Oct 011998

F-150

  • miles
Bottom leaf separates on both sides of rear spring assemblies & points outward at rear. Loud clunking, rattling & vibration in steering column & dashboard. 2 general tires blew out within 250 miles.

- Crete, IL, USA

problem #18

Mar 301998

F-150

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Steering column locked up while making a lane change, unable to turn wheel, driver hit a semi head on.

- Macclenny, FL, USA

problem #17

Feb 181998

F-150

  • miles
While driving over 70 mph, vehicle wobbled and wheel broke away from vehicle. Vehicle veered to left uncontrollable, ran off the road and crashed into a muddy ditch. No injuries.

- New Orlean, LA, USA

problem #16

May 121996

F-150

  • miles
When driving the truck hears a loud noise in the dashboard, and the truck is hard to control, it goes all over the road. Took to dealer and was told it was the steering column, they put extensions on the steering column, but the problem is still reoccurring.

- Couise, TX, USA

problem #15

Dec 071997

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Mfr # 97S86 NHTSA recall # 97V171000; consumer contacted the dealer to have recall work corrected. Work was corrected. However, the consumer was involved in an head-on collision traveling 15 mph due to the steering wheel locking up. Consumer also stated the driver's and passenger's side air bags did not deploy.

- Seadrift, TX, USA

problem #14

Jan 021997

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Steering column rattles.

- Escondido, CA, USA

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