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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
75,340 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.

2013 Ford F-150 steering problems

steering problem

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2013 Ford F-150 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 11)

problem #201

Aug 022023

F-150

  • miles

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

The truck slammed into 1st gear going 55 mph on the interstate. Through investigation a speed sensor warning was the culprit. Not being able to have truck service for a month due to Ford Dealers being backed up Cavalier Ford sent a mobile mechanic out to me. He spent about 10 minutes on my truck handed me the keys and told me he did something with the computer mo parts are needed. He never test drove it to ensure the problem was corrected. When I went to drive the truck, the wrench light was still on and was worse than before. Actually stuck in first gear. After going around and around I was informed by Fors Customer Service they did their part, anything else I wanted done would be my responsibility financially because of the mileage. I didn't not think recalls had a mileage limit but they are insistent after 150k they were no longer responsible. Cavalier Ford marked the recall as complete but it wasn't. My case number with Ford is CAS44213098 transmission fluid leaking recall was not on there but I am leaking that as well. I don't want something for free, I just want them to correct their defects

- Norfolk , VA, USA

problem #200

Jun 032023

F-150

  • miles
So recently my 2013 ford f150 steering wheel starting acting up on me, by acting up it my steering wheel started locking up on me and jerking to the left I was on my way to the movie theater with my 2 daughters in the back seat luckily nothing happen but it was a scary situation to be in having your steering wheel locked up on you in the middle of traffic. Later that day I had my truck towed to a Tuffys mechanic shop where I was later told that ford had a recall on what ever was happening to my steering wheel, so I made an appointment for the next day thinking my problem was going to be resolved but it didn-??t. So it all happens to be that the recall was made for a couple 2013 ford models but not f-150 but they did cover the 2014 ford f-150 model which was kinda weird to me because I-??m sure their is not a big difference when it comes to a 2013 and 2014 ford f-150.

- Orlando , FL, USA

problem #199

May 112023

F-150

  • 141,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds and making a turn, the steering wheel seized. The power steering assist message was displayed. The vehicle was restarted and worked as designed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #198

Dec 312022

F-150

  • miles

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

Power steering has been going out when the weather is extremely cold causing me to loose control of the truck and run off the road almost wrecking the truck the power steering returns after the weather warms up. This was very scary and very dangerous. Luckily I was going slow

- Deltona, FL, USA

problem #197

Nov 132022

F-150

  • 231,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that he was unable to turn the steering to the left or right without extra effort. The contact stated that he noticed several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the service advancetrac message was displayed with the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after letting the vehicle run for approximately 30 minutes and then turning off and restarting the vehicle, the power steering functionality returned. The contact stated that the failure had become more consistent during the colder weather. The contact stated that during the summertime he had not experienced the loss of power steering functionality. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 231,000.

- Lynchburg, VA, USA

problem #196

Nov 252022

F-150

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH from a complete stop and making a left turn in a parking lot, the steering wheel seized inadvertently, and the vehicle veered into a handicap sign pole. The messages "Service Power Steering", "Power Steering Assist Fault", and "Service Advancetrac" were displayed. The air bags had not deployed. The contact had not sustained any injuries. The Police patrol that was parked nearby the contact verified that he had not sustained any injuries. There was no police report filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion had seized while driving. Additionally, it was diagnosed that the electric steering motor had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V316000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #195

Nov 052022

F-150

  • miles

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

There was no warning prior to this failure. Went to crank the vehicle on a cold morning recentlyand shifted to reverse to back up and my power steering failed. After a couple hours and a warmer temp., this issue resolved itself. Next morning battery was dead. replaced battery. Next cold morning. the vehicle cranked fine, but the steering was failing again. Called dealership, they bring in for a checkup, a week down the road, Bought this truck brand new and only have approx., 22,000 miles on it. Have saw many complaints with this problem on the computer. This is not isolated incidents for this paricular year model. No recalls for this year model has not been issued, I understand Ford did a recall on 2014 year model.. This is a very serious situation and needs rectification. Also a very expensive out of pocket for me. Please get ford to issue a recall on this mode, be fore I have a very serious accident. Thanxs David.

- Lufkin, TX, USA

problem #194

Aug 232022

F-150

  • miles
Aug 23 2022. Vehicle had 130,800 miles at time of failure. Vehicle began to pull to the right; turning left became very difficult. Parked vehicle for several hours, then drove it again. Steering power assist had completely failed. "Service Power Steering Now" message appeared on instrument panel. Vehicle was extremely difficult to steer both right and left. Required extreme effort to turn steering wheel, and was impossible to turn wheel to full extent of travel in either direction. (I am not a small person - 6ft 3in, 195 pounds.) Took vehicle to dealer, was told that power steering rack had failed. Part was not in stock. Part became available and vehicle was repaired on 30 Aug 2022. Total cost of repair was $2,262.57. '

- Moore, OK, USA

problem #193

Aug 162022

F-150

  • 180,665 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at 45-50 MPH, the vehicle jerked and the steering wheel lost power steering. The messages indicating traction control, power steering, turn signals, advance tract, and Hill Control failures were displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact turned off the vehicle and restarted it after 5 minutes. However, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the contact-€™s residence. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 180,665.

- Luttrell, TN, USA

problem #192

Jun 292022

F-150

  • miles
Electric motor for power steering assist then power steering service now

- Dallas, GA, USA

problem #191

Jul 082022

F-150

  • miles

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

Driving at a low speed, my steering wheel seemed to lock, mid turn. A message appeared on my display screen saying, "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT." I turned off the vehicle and restarted it, the message disappeared and all was fine. Aproximately 20 miles later, while climbing a steep grade, the message reappeared and steering became extremely difficult. I was able to get it to the side of the road at the top of the hill. The message has appeared ever since. I had to have the truck towed back to my residence. The safety issue is alarming due to the sudden inability to steer.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #190

Jul 012017

F-150

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while making a right turn the traction control and hill descent warnings would illuminate. During the failure the turn signal became inoperable and the driver had to manually hold the turn signal in order for the signal to operate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the failure was due to a failed steering angle sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. Also while driving a squilling type noise was present coming from under the vehicle due to a damaged exhaust manifold. The manufacturer was also notified of the failures but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Mount Holly, NC, USA

problem #189

Jul 152021

F-150

  • 81,504 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the warning message "Service Advance Trac" and "Hill Control Defect" illuminated. Additionally, the steering wheel lost power steering functionality. The contact turned off the vehicle and upon restarting the vehicle, the steering wheel regained functionality. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the steering gear and the rack and pinion assembly were replaced. Additionally, an unknown software was reprogrammed; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the failure could not be replicated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving at 25 MPH. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in an unknown recall associated with the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 81,504.

- Rochester, MN, USA

problem #188

Nov 162021

F-150

  • 122,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the power steering fault, service power, downhill assist fault warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the turn signals failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact to call NHTSA. The contact stated that the manufacturer confirmed the vehicle was not included in a recall. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V286000 (Steering). The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.

- Nassau, NY, USA

problem #187

Feb 252022

F-150

  • 190,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the steering wheel inadvertently locked up. The Service Advance Trac and Power Steering Fault warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle has not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.

- Folsom, LA, USA

problem #186

Feb 112022

F-150

  • miles
I was turning into gas station when I applied brakes to turn, power steering quit working and brakes, luckily there was no one exiting or i would have crashed into them. I was able to muscle steering wheel to make the turn. I then muscled steering wheel to a parking spot where brakes began to work. Dash board read check advance track there were no check engine lights or warning prior to turning. I then shut off vehicle then turned back on and it ran fine but drove with caution. This has happened 2 other times where power steering has feld but came back suddenly but this time on 2/11/22 I had no power steering at all for at least 60 to 70 feet. I have not had a mechanic or dealership look at because I don't know when it will happen its more of a hit and miss. The fact that there's no check engine light or warning lights on I believe any diagnostics would not show anything wrong.

- Cheyenne, WY, USA

problem #185

Feb 072022

F-150

  • miles
While driving the dash lit up power steering failure and the power steering went out causing temporary loss of control of the vehicle. The first incident was a week prior when there seemed to be a temporary loss of power steering. After inspection and tighening of connectors by a mechanic, the problem seemed to go away until to day when I had a total failure.

- Staunton, VA, USA

problem #184

Jan 152022

F-150

  • miles
While driving lost all power steering assist ! Was able to avoid a head on crash. But if my wife was driving it could have been deadly !! Was able to get home Thank God. Service Advancetrac is now on dash. Hope this is addressed it could of been deadly !!!!!!!!!

- Charlton, MA, USA

problem #183

Nov 012021

F-150

  • miles
Traveling eastbound on Hatcher Boulevard at about 35 miles per hour the truck shifting down into first gear all by itself causing the rear tires to lock up and I lost control of the vehicle momentarily. Fortunately there was no accident. The guy behind me was well behind me. But it was real close. This is very dangerous

- Phoenix , AZ, USA

problem #182

Aug 052021

F-150

  • miles
When driving, power steering stopped working and -€œservice power steering-€ message is displayed on dashboard. Called Ford dealer and they said it has been a problem and only 2014 models have been recalled. Will cost approximately $2000-2500 to replace electronic rack and pinion. There were no warning lights or symptoms prior to failure. This is a safety issue and could have caused a major accident. Ford needs to step up and have a recall. There are thousands of complaints on-line about this issue. Truck is now sitting in our driveway.

- Wagener, SC, USA

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