NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
29 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Sep 12, 2025
Steering
After making a sharp right turn tie rod came loose from steering rod. After inspection the threads on the steering rod seem to be too small for the tie rod. The truck has been taken care of and only has 75000 miles on it. The new tie rod I installed was also loose on the steering rod. The threads were not stripped, rusty or dam…
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After making a sharp right turn tie rod came loose from steering rod. After inspection the threads on the steering rod seem to be too small for the tie rod. The truck has been taken care of and only has 75000 miles on it. The new tie rod I installed was also loose on the steering rod. The threads were not stripped, rusty or damaged in anyway. This truck has never had any work or been damaged. I have never had front end lined up because tires have not had any wear indicating misalignment.
NHTSA ODI #11686991
Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2024
Power TrainSteeringUnknown Or Other
Transmission and rear end jerking when putting in or taking out of park, reverse or drive and now doesn't want to go forward when putting it in drive and I can't get it to shift out and transmission fault light came on and I re set it by taking black cable off battery and put transmission fluid in it and it still does it and als…
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Transmission and rear end jerking when putting in or taking out of park, reverse or drive and now doesn't want to go forward when putting it in drive and I can't get it to shift out and transmission fault light came on and I re set it by taking black cable off battery and put transmission fluid in it and it still does it and also headlights doesn't work on bright and power steering pump makes noise and it's full of fluid I don't know if it is leaking or what small stuff I can deal with but major transmission and engine stuff on truck I can't.
NHTSA ODI #11627107
96,000 miles · Jun 29, 2020
Service BrakesSteeringStructure
FRAME, BRAKE LINES AND ALL METAL UNDER CARRIAGE CORRODED TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSAFE. BODY ONLY HAS MINIMAL RUST ON REAR CORNER PILLARS. UNSAFE TO OPERATE.
NHTSA ODI #11331494
143,000 miles · Feb 20, 2018
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR OR BRAKE PEDALS, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE REVVED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES ALSO OCCURRED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THE STEERING W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR OR BRAKE PEDALS, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE REVVED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES ALSO OCCURRED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO MAKE THE LEFT TURN. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING, TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT WAS ABLE TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT LEAST THREE OTHER TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
NHTSA ODI #11073964
165,500 miles · Jun 19, 2017
Steering
STEERING BINDS SO TIGHTLY WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THAT IT TAKES SIGNIFICANT FORCE TO TURN WHEEL. ONCE WHEEL GETS PAST AND FREE OF THE BINDING POSITION IT TRAVELS TOO FAR CREATING A NEED FOR A STEERING CORRECTION. I BELIEVE THAT THE TWO PIECE STEERING SHAFT AND THE TWO UNIVERSAL JOINTS ARE WORN AND CAUSING THE PROBLEM. IT FEELS…
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STEERING BINDS SO TIGHTLY WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THAT IT TAKES SIGNIFICANT FORCE TO TURN WHEEL. ONCE WHEEL GETS PAST AND FREE OF THE BINDING POSITION IT TRAVELS TOO FAR CREATING A NEED FOR A STEERING CORRECTION. I BELIEVE THAT THE TWO PIECE STEERING SHAFT AND THE TWO UNIVERSAL JOINTS ARE WORN AND CAUSING THE PROBLEM. IT FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE LOST POWER STEERING, HOWEVER NOT THE CASE. AS THE POWER STEERING FLUID IS AT THE PROPER LEVEL. THERE ARE NO FLUID LEAKS, FORD HAS RECALLED EXPEDITIONS AND LINCOLNS FOR THIS ISSUE, WHY NOT THE F-150 PICKUP TRUCKS?
NHTSA ODI #10995797
43,000 miles · Sep 8, 2016
SteeringUnknown Or OtherWheels
WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH OR LESS THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY MAY EMIT AN INTERMITENT GRINDING NOISE AS IF THE HUB IS TRYING TO LOCK INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. GRINDING NOISE STOPS WHEN VEHICLE IS SLOWED TO 15MPH OR LESS. SOMETIMES FULL STOP IS NEEDED TO CEASE GRINDING NOISE. WHEN NOISE STOP A JERK CAN BE FELT AS IF THE HUB LOCK…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH OR LESS THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY MAY EMIT AN INTERMITENT GRINDING NOISE AS IF THE HUB IS TRYING TO LOCK INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. GRINDING NOISE STOPS WHEN VEHICLE IS SLOWED TO 15MPH OR LESS. SOMETIMES FULL STOP IS NEEDED TO CEASE GRINDING NOISE. WHEN NOISE STOP A JERK CAN BE FELT AS IF THE HUB LOCKS BACK INTO ITS PLACE. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY RECOMMENDED BRINGING VEHICLE IN WHEN GRINDING NOISE WAS PRESENT. THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE BECAUSE THE NOISE WILL STOP WHEN I SLOW DOWN. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT RECOMMEND ANY WAY TO DIAGNOSE IT WITHOUT PAYING TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AND MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT 3 YEARS AGO AT 43K MILES AND HAS APPROX. 80K CURRENT MILES. NOISE IS INTERMITTENT WITH OCCAISIONAL LONG PERIODS BETWEEN OCCURENCES. CAN HAPPEN WITHIN 5 MILES OF DRIVING OR AFTER 500 MILES OF DRIVING.
NHTSA ODI #10904621
68,500 miles · Jan 7, 2016
Steering
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT (ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANES) THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AFTER ROTATING ONLY A FEW DEGREES. THIS WAS SUDDEN AND ABRUPT WITH NO PRIOR SYMPTOMS. SUBSTANTIAL FORCE WAS APPLIED IN AN ATTEMPT TO CONTINUE THE TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME FREE AND ROTATED A FEW MORE DEGREES BEFORE SEIZING AGAIN. AS…
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WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT (ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANES) THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AFTER ROTATING ONLY A FEW DEGREES. THIS WAS SUDDEN AND ABRUPT WITH NO PRIOR SYMPTOMS. SUBSTANTIAL FORCE WAS APPLIED IN AN ATTEMPT TO CONTINUE THE TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME FREE AND ROTATED A FEW MORE DEGREES BEFORE SEIZING AGAIN. AS BEFORE, SUBSTANTIAL PRESSURE WAS APPLIED AND I BELIEVE SOME BACK ROTATION (WIGGLING) WAS INPUT. THE STEERING FINALLY BECAME FREE AND FELT NORMAL. THIS DID NOT REPEAT AGAIN DURING THE USE OF THE VEHICLE THAT DAY. THE SEIZURE DID NOT FEEL LIKE A FAILURE OF THE STEERING ASSIST (PUMP) SYSTEM AS THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE ROTATED AS IT CAN BE IF THE STEERING PUMP ISN'T RUNNING. SOME RESEARCH FOUND REFERENCE TO BINDING OF THE U-JOINTS ON THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. EXAMINATION OF THESE JOINTS FOUND THAT THEY ARE NOT PROTECTED BY RUBBER BOOTS AND SHOWED EVIDENCE OF CORROSION. A SPRAY LUBRICANT WAS USED IN AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT THE ISSUE FROM RECURRING. THE INABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE IS, IN MY OPINION, A SUBSTANTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. ANY NUMBER OF SCENARIOS COULD BE IMAGINED, BUT IN MY PARTICULAR CASE, HAD THE SEIZURE NOT RELEASED, I WOULD HAVE FOUND MYSELF STOPPED IN THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITH THE VEHICLE ONLY PARTIALLY TURNED.
NHTSA ODI #10818599
77,000 miles · Jan 4, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
NHTSA ODI #10817685
70,000 miles · Jun 13, 2015
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering
VEHICLE HAS STOPPED RUNNING GOING DOWN THE ROAD SEVERAL TIMES. IT DOES THIS UNEXPECTEDLY, AND I LET IT COAST TO THE SHOULDER AND IT CRANKS UP. I DROVE IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. IT NOW SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY, BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IT IN TRAFFIC. I NEVER INTEND TO BUY ANOTHER FORD.
NHTSA ODI #10725126
120,000 miles · Feb 18, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemSteering
WHILE DRIVING ON A NEW YORK INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH IN A SNOW STORM, MY TRUCK STARTED TO MISS. IT THEN SLOWED DOWN AND SHUT OFF. I DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. A TRUCK STOPPED AND I HAD HIM PUSH MY TRUCK TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, CAUSING ME TO HAVE DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK. FOUND OUT THAT THE …
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WHILE DRIVING ON A NEW YORK INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH IN A SNOW STORM, MY TRUCK STARTED TO MISS. IT THEN SLOWED DOWN AND SHUT OFF. I DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. A TRUCK STOPPED AND I HAD HIM PUSH MY TRUCK TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, CAUSING ME TO HAVE DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK. FOUND OUT THAT THE FUEL PUMP DRIVER MODULE FAILED. IT IS LOCATED ABOVE THE SPARE TIRE AND DUE TO A DESIGN ERROR, WATER AND ROAD SALT GET TRAPPED BETWEEN MODULE AND MOUNTING BRACE. IT ERODES OUT FROM THE BOTTOM SIDE AND THE MOUNTING BRACKET. WHEN REPLACED, WAS INFORMED THAT IT IS A REDESIGNED COMPONENT, LIFTING IT AWAY FROM MOUNTING BRACKET. IF I HAD NOT HAD ENOUGH ROOM BETWEEN ME AND THE TRACTOR TRAILER TRAVELING BEHIND ME, OR IF I HAD ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING NEXT TO ME, IT COULD BE A TOTAL DIFFERENT OUTCOME. I KNOW FOR A FACT, THAT PART COMPONENT IS EXTENDED IN STATES WHERE THERE IS A HIGH RISK OF SALT CORROSION, AND BELIEVE THAT A SAFETY ISSUE LIKE THIS SHOULD BE ONE OF THEM. SITTING ON A HIGHWAY IN A SNOW STORM IS ALWAYS DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10684179
NHTSA investigations
1PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking
Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve
ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO