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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,941 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.

2011 Ford F-150 steering problems

steering problem

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2011 Ford F-150 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 21)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #382

Sep 062022

F-150

  • miles

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

Lost power steering while driving. Power assist failure flash on dash and then power steering went out and caused me to crash. Just like all the recalls for the same type of vehicle same year

- Perris, CA, USA

problem #381

Dec 172021

F-150

  • 227,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the -??Steering Assist Fault-?? and -??Advance Traction Fault-?? warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the automatic feature of the turn signals became inoperative. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road by using extra effort to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact then drove to his workplace and parked the vehicle. However, the failure reoccurred upon restarting the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was associated with an unknown recall however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist. The manufacturer then referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 227,000.

- Paola, KS, USA

problem #380

Sep 242021

F-150 6-cyl

  • miles
Both my airbag lights remained on & off between 2017 until 2019, after more than 4 repairs 2013-2015 on the airbag system, according to the dealer I have to change the evaporator every 2 years. But since the last repair of the A/C in 2015 it is still working. In 2017 i had some throttle problems, I had to clean my fuel injectors and throttle body and change the sparkplugs. Both airbag light remained on/off. On 26 january 2019 my power steering failed and both airbag lights remained permanently on. I had to buy a new racking pin February i 2019. With regard to airbag lights after scanning they told me I have to change the OCT, or the airbags, after the latest scan july 2019 I had to change both seat belts. I still have not change them. I donot trust them any more ( the dealer went suddenly bancrupt nov 2021) I have the impression my problems are either factory made maybe recalls can shed more light and or bad unprofessional service. My latest problem since 24 sept 2021 is failure of the transmission 6R80 the scan result P0720, P0722 recommendation replace lead frame connector, the filter, gasket and the oil. NHTSA & Ford have recalls/CSP since 2016 till end 2020 on the lead mold frame problem. According to the new local dealer I am not eligible for the recall/CSP because 10 years has passed. " the warranty cover a total of 10 years or either 150.000 miles whichever occurs first",. I bought my F 150 xlt 2011 3.7L ecoboost on 13 april 2011 but my mileage is since 24 September 86.681 miles. Can i apply for recall or CSP " My result of vin # says 0 unrepaired recalls, what does that mean.I have sent FoMoCO 3 letters since october 2021 they never answered me. I am an international /foreign client living in Curacao former Netherlands Antilles. Do we share as clients the same benefits as USA clients"

- Curacao, Willemstad, FL, USA

problem #379

Jun 012021

F-150

  • 150,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and steered to the right. The contact stated the service advancetrac warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to his residence. The contact drove another vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the fuse to the battery post needed to be replaced. The contact stated that he replaced the fuse to the battery post on his own. The vehicle was not diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Stover, MO, USA

problem #378

Dec 232021

F-150

  • 126,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and making a turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact was able to pull over and restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the power steering assist fault warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with the EPS module needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

- Woodbine, GA, USA

problem #377

Dec 102021

F-150

  • miles
Was driving to take my grandson to the doctors today and my power steering went completely out with no warnings almost crashing Into an oncoming vehicleStaring the vehicle was difficult locked up unable to move vehicle

- Jacksonville, AR, USA

problem #376

Aug 072021

F-150

  • miles

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

Electronic power Steering unit faulty. Steering wheel wont return to center when turning left, feels stiff and hard to control safely. problem was intermittent at first and is now permanent.

- Grandville , MI, USA

problem #375

Oct 142021

F-150

  • miles
The power steering cut out and this made the vehicle more difficult to steer, especially at lower speeds, potentially increased risk for a crash.

- Perryton, TX, USA

problem #374

Sep 072021

F-150

  • miles
while driving the truck the steering wheel locks up and you can not turn the steering wheel.I was in a parking lot when I had to slam on my brakes. I almost crashed into a person. I looked on the on the web and there are many complaints.

- Huntington Mills, PA, USA

problem #373

May 012011

F-150

  • 6,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel locked up while making a left or right turn, without warning. The contact had to manually center the steering wheel to prevent the vehicle from making a complete 180 degree turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Doherty Ford (4223 pacific ave, forest grove, or 97116) was contacted and informed of the failure however, offered no assistance. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.

- Cornelius, OR, USA

problem #372

Apr 032021

F-150

  • 102,047 miles

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

On April 3,2015 I was driving my truck when I went to turn left I lost all steering and almost hit another car. I immediately took the vehicle to hoffman Ford when on 4/5/2021 they did a test. I was contacted and was told that it was due to a software update needed. I was charged for the update and when I contacted Ford they told me sorry there is no recall and basically nothing was going to be done. This is very dangerous and needs to be addressed quickly. I could have been seriously injured or injured someone else. I don't know what would have happened if I would have been pulling my camper. I can understand a a part going bad but an update.. so now we are charging for software updates and risking lives of others.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

problem #371

Mar 092021

F-150

  • 177,000 miles
Advance trac warning light came on screen as wife and 2 young children were driving under normal conditions at night. Immediately wife lost power steering and could not avoid a mailbox in front of house. Truck immediately shut down upon crashing into mailbox and would not restart.. however lights, cluster in dash and interior lights would not shut off, with key removed from ignition. Wife opened doors. She inserted key into ignition while turning switches and knobs attempting to shut down accessories. Nothing would shut off. Sync system was asking several uninvited questions, while cluster was turning off and on, blinking, flashing random warning lights and indicators. Blinkers would not work. Towed vehicle home. With key not in ignition, same things, lights would not turn off. Removed vehicle ground cable from battery post. Purchased and installed brand new motorcraft battery and still have same issues. Can not drive truck at this point as this is a safety nightmare waiting to happen to unsuspecting drivers and passengers. There was no previous warning or pre-emptive measures that could have prevented this from occurring. After researching this issue, we know Ford is aware of it. We know they will not recall the rack and pinion steering that causes this. Please let me be perfectly clear : we do not care nor want to be part of a class action lawsuit. We are Ford lovers and owners since a 1978 pinto. We only want our truck to be fixed at no charge to us. We do not have any interest in exasperating this issue with other owners to further bash the Ford brand. We only wish to take it to the dealership and get it fixed with Ford at the very least giving us a discount on the labor or parts. If not full reimbursement, half off would, make me a happy Ford owner again and in the future. Covid 19 has left us broke. Ford please help us !!!!!

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #370

Jan 012021

F-150

  • miles
Hard to steer, rack and pinion type steering gears, electric failed, common type of issue with the 2011 and up Ford with steering issues all of a sudden making it extremely hard to turn

- Groton, NY, USA

problem #369

Dec 292020

F-150

  • 40 miles
While driving about 40 M per hour the steering wheel lock, couldn't turn left or right very dangerous and risky, almost hit a barrier, 3 years ago had to replace rack and pinion, replaced with original, now Dec 2020 the mechanic told me is the rack and pinion again, I see too many complaints about this very serious and dangerous fault

- Cabo Rojo, PR, USA

problem #368

May 122020

F-150

  • 125,000 miles
The steering is acting stiff while driving

- Winter Garden, FL, USA

problem #367

Oct 292020

F-150

  • 70,000 miles
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

problem #366

Oct 012019

F-150

  • 130,000 miles
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

problem #365

Oct 052020

F-150

  • 250,000 miles
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

problem #364

Oct 042020

F-150

  • 187,073 miles
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

problem #363

Aug 102020

F-150

  • 98,700 miles
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

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