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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,449 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.

2012 Ford F-150 steering problems

steering problem

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2012 Ford F-150 Owner Comments (Page 7 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #79

May 032017

F-150

  • 72,000 miles

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

Steering wheel locked while driving: We came from a water fest that afternoon but because of the weather we have to packed and go home. My mother, 8 years old son is with me and my dog. We are heading home in a two lane street. It's was raining and there is a lot of cars. In a sudden blink of an eye I was surprised that my steering wheeel of my truck is not moving. It was locked in 11 O'clock angle heading to on coming. I tried to control it no time it's just second, I know it's going to hit and all come out in my voice is mama. The time after accident I'm all shaken. I'm so terrified my friend told me I was in shocked for a little while. When I gain consciousness, I saw my friend hubby trying wake me up. I looked for my boy. I saw my mom in pain, can't move out of my car. I feel numb and my legs are shaking. Seing my boy outside and mom makes me happy. But I'm worried about the car that hit. I cnt walked that far until unbulance took us all.

- Killleen, TX, USA

problem #78

May 152017

F-150

  • 135,000 miles
When turning the wheel, there are stiff to stop points, control is imposable, the truck is dangerous to drive. I can not afford two thousand dollars to repair, spent all I had to buy the truck. City driving is tricky and I could run over someone, I cant drive my truck.

- Plymouth, NH, USA

problem #77

Oct 152015

F-150

  • 25,000 miles
When making a left turn my steering hangs up and will not return to center. This problem seems to come and go. I first noticed the issue on Oct 2015 with aproximately 25K miles on the odometer, this is pretty scarry, even while driving in a straight line down the highway, as this makes me do the minute steering wheel adjustments that the self centering steering should be doing. I have taken it to the Ford dealer but they could not duplicate the problem. This issue is still randomly going on.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #76

May 122017

F-150

  • 98,000 miles

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

Driving on highway. Display showed pscm error code and power steering failed. Luckily I was able to maneuver the truck over to the side of the highway and get adjusted before taking it to dealership.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

problem #75

May 132017

F-150

  • 66,000 miles
The truck displayed a service advancetrac error, partially disabling the turn signals while driving. When I turn corners truck steering wheel will pull causing truck to veer sharper into the turn. It will also make a slight noise when it happens. Truck has 66000 miles on it.

- Salida, CA, USA

problem #74

Apr 262017

F-150

  • 39,000 miles
Lack of steering wheel returnability to center line on left hand turns. When making a slight left hand curve over 45 mph it is difficult to get the steering wheel to return to centerline. Ford has issued a tsb 11-08-18 for trucks build before 7/11/11 for the exact same issue I am having. My 2012 F150 has 39,000 miles at this time and is not safe to drive!

- Travelers Rest, SC, USA

problem #73

Apr 152017

F-150

  • 53,456 miles

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

Power steering goes in and out at highway and slower speeds in turns, without notice causing near accidents. No noise involved. After several days steering is now always stiff and barely operable.

- Lodi, WI, USA

problem #72

Apr 062017

F-150

  • 64,000 miles
The truck displayed a service advancetrac error, partially disabling the turn signals while driving a 2012 Ford F-150 with 64,000 miles on it. Ford has diagnosed a failed power steering rack and pinion. Research indicates that failure of the rack and pinion can result in failure of a driver's ability to control the vehicle, especially during turns. Part is apparently failing early.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #71

Apr 022017

F-150

  • 62,000 miles
My truck is a 2012 platinum model with the 3.5L ecoboost motor. Motor failed at 60K miles due to head gasket leak and had to be replaced. Less than a month later I am now dealing with a "service advancetrak" message and steering wheel is locking up completely while trying to make right hand turns. Vehicle is very frightening to drive and has pulled me into oncoming traffic 2 times. Dealer is saying the truck needs a new steering rack and $2K to fix.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #70

Aug 012016

F-150

  • 82,000 miles
The service advancetrac warning light comes on and the blinkers will not function.

- Minotola, NJ, USA

problem #69

Mar 212017

F-150

  • 160,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While driving 45 mph, the power steering system malfunctioned and the contact loss complete steering assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.

- Norman, OK, USA

problem #68

Mar 062017

F-150

  • 37,400 miles
Bought truck less than a year ago with 28K miles on it. I now have 37K and my service advancetrac light would come on intermittently. I noticed too that the steering felt kind of clunky and would make a strange grinding type noise, mostly at low speeds. I brought it in to a local dealer and they diagnosed the problem and had to replace the steering rack. $1754! when I bought the used, very low mileage, one owner truck I thought I struck gold. Not quite, but love the truck otherwise! a poorly designed steering system seems to be common for these. Shame on Ford for not owning up to this problem. More about profit I guess.

- Byrnes Mill, MO, USA

problem #67

Dec 072016

F-150

  • 59,000 miles
I have a 2012 Ford F-150 FX4 with less than 60,000 miles on it. The electronic power steering failed unexpectedly. Fortunately the vehicle was stationary when this occurred. Although I was not moving, I happened to be over thirty miles from home. My concern is that this issue could possibly present itself while the vehicle is in motion. I am in decent shape and was absolutely exhausted by the time I arrived at home. My thoughts went to my wife operating the truck in traffic, with my children in it, which in my eyes poses a very real safety hazard. I have contacted Ford customer care several times and received not help, or potential solutions.

- Walnut Ridge, AR, USA

problem #66

Feb 272017

F-150

  • miles
My vehicle went into the dealership 3 times for diagnostics/repair. Each time it was the advance service track light coming on which disables the turn signals. Each time the vehicle was in, they replaced sensors. This third time they diagnosed that the steeeing rack needed to be replaced. I have read in the Ford F-150 forum that this is a common problem in this model year. Same story, the truck goes in 3 to 4 times with the same light and they finally diagnose the true issue which cost between $1700-$2500. My vehicle is less than 5 yrs old and only 45K miles on it. My understanding speaking with the service tech and manager this part of the vehicle should not wear out in 5 yrs. The steering rack should last at least 80K miles to the life of vehicle. Please look into this issue and if needing me to explain more information please contact me. Thank you.

- Silverdale, WA, USA

problem #65

Jan 062017

F-150

  • 88,500 miles
Power steering rack went out while driving back from vacation/ disney. Family in vehicle. Loss of steering/steering become tight and hard to steer. Extremely dangerous! on the highway going 75 mph.

- Ashland, VA, USA

problem #64

Feb 042017

F-150 6-cyl

  • 101,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While driving 65 mph, the power steering seized. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 101,000. Updated 05/16/17

- South Amboy, NJ, USA

problem #63

Feb 012017

F-150

  • 37,000 miles
Received a "service advance trac" warning on the dash display, followed by advancetrac warning light illumination. Took vehicle to dealer and was told that there was a fault with the steering gear, and the entire steering box had to be replaced at a cost of over $1850. The dealer said if it had failed completely, it would have likely resulted in loss of steering. Checking online, it seems Ford is recalling older vehicles for this problem, but not trucks this new, and is instead making customers pay for what is clearly a defect.

- Issaquah, WA, USA

problem #62

Aug 062016

F-150

  • miles
Power steering went completely out while trying to park at work. No warning at all. Ford does not back this up with a recall as yet. Cost $1772.29 to repair. Had 93,217 miles on truck.

- Corapeake, NC, USA

problem #61

Nov 292016

F-150 6-cyl

  • 2 miles
Lost power steering while driving on a freeway. I was able to drive vehicle home. But vehicle unsafe to drive. Ford needs to make a power steering recall to this vehicle before somebody dies....

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #60

Oct 152016

F-150

  • miles
After speaking with Ford Motor Company I thought I should file a complaint on here as well. My husbands 2012 Ford F150 power steering shut off while driving down the road. After much research, it appears his is by far not the only one. Apparently other models of the same year have had recalls but not the F150. I was told go get it checked out and fixed and if we issue a recall, you might get a refund. $2200 and we can get it checked out and fixed if they see the problem. This is not an in and out service and its very disappointing a company that has been around since 1903 has turned to such poor quality in service. Everyone needs to file a complaint so they will stop taking advantage of the loyalty of the customers.

- Satsuma, AL, USA

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