NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
25 reportsClear category filter75,000 miles · Apr 18, 2014
SteeringSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST AND THE WHEEL FAILED TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR BOX. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST AND THE WHEEL FAILED TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR BOX. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 06/02/2014 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10583536
92,354 miles · Jul 26, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,354.
NHTSA ODI #10532004
52,000 miles · Jul 3, 2013
Power TrainSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO STATED THAT THE GEARBOX HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED ONCE IN THE PAST FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO STATED THAT THE GEARBOX HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED ONCE IN THE PAST FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,576.
NHTSA ODI #10523110
20,000 miles · May 28, 2013
SteeringSuspension
REPEATED "DEATH WOBBLE". MANY TIMES, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN I HIT A BUMP OR IMPERFECTION IN THE ROAD, THE TRUCK WILL VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND LOOSE STEERING CONTROL. SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN DURING CURVES IN THE ROAD. I HAVE SHOT SIDEWAYS ACROSS SEVERAL LANES OF TRAFFIC ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION VERY NARROWLY AVOIDING A HIGH SPEED …
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REPEATED "DEATH WOBBLE". MANY TIMES, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN I HIT A BUMP OR IMPERFECTION IN THE ROAD, THE TRUCK WILL VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND LOOSE STEERING CONTROL. SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN DURING CURVES IN THE ROAD. I HAVE SHOT SIDEWAYS ACROSS SEVERAL LANES OF TRAFFIC ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION VERY NARROWLY AVOIDING A HIGH SPEED COLLISION. HAPPENS BOTH WHILE PULLING A LOAD OR NOT. DEALERSHIP IS UNWILLING TO HELP. VERY SERIOUS, LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM GOING ON AND I CANNOT BELIEVE FORD IS UNWILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I GUESS THEY WILL WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE DIES FROM THIS BEFORE THEY WILL ACT. I DON'T THINK IT WILL BE LONG BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED FROM THIS LOSE OF STEERING CONTROL! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10513953
9,378 miles · Sep 26, 2012
SteeringSuspensionWheels
START OF MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES OF DEATH WOBBLE WITH THIS TRUCK AND NUMEROUS TRIPS TO THE FORD DEALERSHIPS WITH NO FIX. TIRES REPLACED APPROXIMATELY 28,000 MILES AT MY EXPENSE: ( WAS TOLD THIS WOULD MOST LIKELY FIX THE WOBBLE). I WAS ADVISED THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT OUT (CASTER SETTING) AND COULD NOT BE FIXED BY FORD BECAUSE THE CA…
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START OF MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES OF DEATH WOBBLE WITH THIS TRUCK AND NUMEROUS TRIPS TO THE FORD DEALERSHIPS WITH NO FIX. TIRES REPLACED APPROXIMATELY 28,000 MILES AT MY EXPENSE: ( WAS TOLD THIS WOULD MOST LIKELY FIX THE WOBBLE). I WAS ADVISED THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT OUT (CASTER SETTING) AND COULD NOT BE FIXED BY FORD BECAUSE THE CASTER ADJUSTERS NECESSARY TO REPAIR - NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME. BUT FORD ADVISED ME THE ALIGNMENT WITHOUT THE CASTER ADJUSTERS WAS STILL WITHIN FORD SPECS AND WOULD BE FINE. LAST VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE DEATH WOBBLE AROUND 09-19-2012, VEHICLE @ 34,090. ADVISED THE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO ALIGN VEHICLE WITH CASTER ADJUSTER SLEEVES; WAS UNABLE TO FIX, WRONG SLEEVES. WOULD HAVE BEEN CHARGED FOR THE REPAIR APPROX. 400.00. I WAS TOLD THAT IF I HAD THE FRONT ALIGNED CORRECTLY IT WOULD TAKE CARE OF DEATH WOBBLE. 95% SURE IT WOULD FIX. I FINALLY WENT TO LOCAL MECHANIC SHOPS. FIXED WOBBLE WITH 2 STEERING STABILIZERS @ 324.74 CHARGE. ALIGNMENT WITH CASTER SLEEVES @ 414.22 CHARGE. I AM PLANNING TO ASK FORD FOR REIMBURSEMENT BUT I DOUBT THEY WILL COMPLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10477222
64,600 miles · Jun 18, 2012
Steering
THERE WAS AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE STEERING GEAR BOX. THE SHAFT PIN SHREDDED OFF ALLOWING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SPIN FREELY WITH NO MOVEMENT TO THE WHEELS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10462146
58,300 miles · Apr 16, 2012
SteeringSuspension
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH, MY TRUCK HIT A BUMP IN THE PAVEMENT AND I EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT SHAKE IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT WHEELS. AS A RESULT, I SWERVED INTO THE OTHER LANE AND ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHILE I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AFTER ABOUT 5 SECONDS, IF THE TRAFFIC WOULD HAVE BEEN HEAVIER (THIS …
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH, MY TRUCK HIT A BUMP IN THE PAVEMENT AND I EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT SHAKE IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT WHEELS. AS A RESULT, I SWERVED INTO THE OTHER LANE AND ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHILE I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AFTER ABOUT 5 SECONDS, IF THE TRAFFIC WOULD HAVE BEEN HEAVIER (THIS OCCURRED NEAR THE PENTAGON, JUST OFF OF 395 N) I COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10455444
40,000 miles · Aug 30, 2010
SteeringSuspension
2008 F350 SUPER DUTY ----VIOLENT STEERING WHEEL WOBBLE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MET 10 TIMES. WHEN I'M ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ANY SPEED BETWEEN 50 TO70 MPH AND I HIT A SMALL BUMP OR IMPERFECTION IN THE ROAD AND THE TRUCK GOES INTO A VIOLENT WOBBLE AND IS UNCONTROLLABLE THE WHOLE TRUCK SHAKES. I HAVE TO SLAM ON THE BREAKS AND DROP TH…
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2008 F350 SUPER DUTY ----VIOLENT STEERING WHEEL WOBBLE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MET 10 TIMES. WHEN I'M ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ANY SPEED BETWEEN 50 TO70 MPH AND I HIT A SMALL BUMP OR IMPERFECTION IN THE ROAD AND THE TRUCK GOES INTO A VIOLENT WOBBLE AND IS UNCONTROLLABLE THE WHOLE TRUCK SHAKES. I HAVE TO SLAM ON THE BREAKS AND DROP THE SPEED FAST TO AROUND 35MPH TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE TRUCK . IT IS A VERY SCARY THING TO DEAL WITH . I GOT RID OF MY 2005 F350 BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352808
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2010
SteeringVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
LETTER FROM SENATOR BROWN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE HIS FORD TRUCK GAS PEDAL ACCELERATING, CAUSING HIM TO CRASH (DOT/I#2010-1130) *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING ON A RURAL ROAD, THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND THE GAS PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASH INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE…
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LETTER FROM SENATOR BROWN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE HIS FORD TRUCK GAS PEDAL ACCELERATING, CAUSING HIM TO CRASH (DOT/I#2010-1130) *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING ON A RURAL ROAD, THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND THE GAS PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASH INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE CONSUMER WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AND WHEN HE CAME TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. HE WAS ABLE TO RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SO HE PROCEEDED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AS HE DID THAT, THE STEERING LOCKED UP A SECOND TIME, SO HE TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND WAITED FOR THE POLICE TO ARRIVE. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED A MILD CONCUSSION. THE CONSUMER STATED FORD NOR HIS INSURANCE COMPANY WERE WILLING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS FOR THE DEFECTIVE STEERING BOX. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10334890
26,050 miles · May 26, 2010
SteeringSuspensionCrash
2008 FORD F-350 SUPER DUTY TRUCK. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS INHERENTLY UNSAFE BECAUSE OF A DESIGN FLAW *TGW THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING MECHANISMS WERE TOO LIGHT FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE TRUCK AND FOR THE TYPE OF LOAD IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HANDLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT END WAS RATED TO CARRY 5200…
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2008 FORD F-350 SUPER DUTY TRUCK. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS INHERENTLY UNSAFE BECAUSE OF A DESIGN FLAW *TGW THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING MECHANISMS WERE TOO LIGHT FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE TRUCK AND FOR THE TYPE OF LOAD IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HANDLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT END WAS RATED TO CARRY 5200LBS. HOWEVER, WHEN THE TRUCK WAS EMPTY, THERE WAS ALREADY 4800LBS ON THE FRONT END. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRUCK IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SUPER DUTY TRUCK, BUT APPARENTLY IT CAN'T CARRY ANYTHING EXCEPT A PASSENGER OR TWO BEFORE THE FRONT END IS OVERLOADED. THE STEERING BOX BROKE SUDDENLY FOR THE TIME AT 26,050 MILES. WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO CRASH INTO A PARKED VEHICLE AT ABOUT 20 MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING BOX, BUT THE NEW ONE FAILED AT 29, 581 MILES. THE CURRENT STEERING BOX IS FEELING LOOSE AND THE TRUCK WANDERS. THE BALL JOINTS AND TIE ROD ENDS WERE REPLACED AT 38,587 MILES. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN OVER A BUMP, IF FELT AS THOUGH THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED FOR A FEW SECONDS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10331743
NHTSA investigations
1PE13014 · Alleged Loss Of Steering
Opened May 7, 2013 · Closed Jan 31, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)
The Office of DefectsInvestigation (ODI) opened PE13-014 after identifying five complaints alleging steering gear failure in model year (MY) 2008 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pick-up trucks and to evaluate the relationship between the design history of the steering gear assembly and the alleged defect.As background, ODI investigated steering gear sector shaft fractures in approximately 1.3 million MY 1999 - 2001 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks and MY 2000 - 2001 Ford Excursion sport utility vehicles in Engineering Analysis EA01-009.The investigation determined that the sector shaft failures were the result of extraordinary, possibly multiple, impacts and not the result of fatigue.No defect in design, manufacturing or materials was identified in the sector shaft.EA01-009 was closed August 19, 2003 with 169 complaints, resulting in a rate of 12.9 incidents per 100,000 vehicles after approximately one year of service.Ford increased the diameter of the sector shaft from 1.375 inches to 1.625 inches at the start of MY 2005 production, increasing the resistance of the steering gear assembly to torsional overload by approximately 48% and changing the failure mode from sector shaft fracture to cracked or broken sector shaft gear teeth.The redesigned steering gear assembly was used in approximately 1.1 million MY 2005 through 2009 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks, including the subject vehicles.Figure 1 shows the basic steering system design used in Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009 and PE13-014. Figure 2 shows the locations of failures resulting from impact related torsional overloading of the sector shaft for the subject vehicles and the prior generation Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009.Figure 3 shows an example of a failed sector shaft investigated in EA01-009 and comparisons of fracture surfaces of sector shafts failing from fatigue loading and from torsional overload.Ford provided field return part analysis of failed steering gears from MY 2005 through 2009 Super Duty trucks found evidence of broken sector shaft gear teeth and piston damage consistent with incidents of single event overload (Figure 4).Laboratory analysis found no evidence of fatigue or material property defects in any of the fractures.Analysis of complaint rates by vehicle build month showed no patterns indicating potential manufacturing quality issues and no difference before and after Ford introduced design changes to the input shaft and sector shaft seals in July 2007 to address potential leak concerns (Figure 5).Analysis of failures by time in service indicates a random failure pattern/distribution, consistent with incidents of impact induced overload (Figure 6). The complaint rate for the subject vehicles after approximately 5 to 6 years, 7.1 incidents per 100,000 vehicles, is lower than the rate observed in EA01-009. Furthermore, similar to the condition investigated in EA01-009, a number of incident records include evidence of impact loads (e.g., curb strikes) and several alleged crashes include incidents in which information suggests that the steering gear failure was most likely a result of crash forces, rather than the cause of the crash.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.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 monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at ww
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
The Office of DefectsInvestigation (ODI) opened PE13-014 after identifying five complaints alleging steering gear failure in model year (MY) 2008 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pick-up trucks and to evaluate the relationship between the design history of the steering gear assembly and the alleged defect.As background, ODI investigated steering gear sector shaft fractures in approximately 1.3 million MY 1999 - 2001 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks and MY 2000 - 2001 Ford Excursion sport utility vehicles in Engineering Analysis EA01-009.The investigation determined that the sector shaft failures were the result of extraordinary, possibly multiple, impacts and not the result of fatigue.No defect in design, manufacturing or materials was identified in the sector shaft.EA01-009 was closed August 19, 2003 with 169 complaints, resulting in a rate of 12.9 incidents per 100,000 vehicles after approximately one year of service.Ford increased the diameter of the sector shaft from 1.375 inches to 1.625 inches at the start of MY 2005 production, increasing the resistance of the steering gear assembly to torsional overload by approximately 48% and changing the failure mode from sector shaft fracture to cracked or broken sector shaft gear teeth.The redesigned steering gear assembly was used in approximately 1.1 million MY 2005 through 2009 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks, including the subject vehicles.Figure 1 shows the basic steering system design used in Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009 and PE13-014. Figure 2 shows the locations of failures resulting from impact related torsional overloading of the sector shaft for the subject vehicles and the prior generation Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009.Figure 3 shows an example of a failed sector shaft investigated in EA01-009 and comparisons of fracture surfaces of sector shafts failing from fatigue loading and from torsional overload.Ford provided field return part analysis of failed steering gears from MY 2005 through 2009 Super Duty trucks found evidence of broken sector shaft gear teeth and piston damage consistent with incidents of single event overload (Figure 4).Laboratory analysis found no evidence of fatigue or material property defects in any of the fractures.Analysis of complaint rates by vehicle build month showed no patterns indicating potential manufacturing quality issues and no difference before and after Ford introduced design changes to the input shaft and sector shaft seals in July 2007 to address potential leak concerns (Figure 5).Analysis of failures by time in service indicates a random failure pattern/distribution, consistent with incidents of impact induced overload (Figure 6). The complaint rate for the subject vehicles after approximately 5 to 6 years, 7.1 incidents per 100,000 vehicles, is lower than the rate observed in EA01-009. Furthermore, similar to the condition investigated in EA01-009, a number of incident records include evidence of impact loads (e.g., curb strikes) and several alleged crashes include incidents in which information suggests that the steering gear failure was most likely a result of crash forces, rather than the cause of the crash.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.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 monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at ww
Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)
The Office of DefectsInvestigation (ODI) opened PE13-014 after identifying five complaints alleging steering gear failure in model year (MY) 2008 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pick-up trucks and to evaluate the relationship between the design history of the steering gear assembly and the alleged defect.As background, ODI investigated steering gear sector shaft fractures in approximately 1.3 million MY 1999 - 2001 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks and MY 2000 - 2001 Ford Excursion sport utility vehicles in Engineering Analysis EA01-009.The investigation determined that the sector shaft failures were the result of extraordinary, possibly multiple, impacts and not the result of fatigue.No defect in design, manufacturing or materials was identified in the sector shaft.EA01-009 was closed August 19, 2003 with 169 complaints, resulting in a rate of 12.9 incidents per 100,000 vehicles after approximately one year of service.Ford increased the diameter of the sector shaft from 1.375 inches to 1.625 inches at the start of MY 2005 production, increasing the resistance of the steering gear assembly to torsional overload by approximately 48% and changing the failure mode from sector shaft fracture to cracked or broken sector shaft gear teeth.The redesigned steering gear assembly was used in approximately 1.1 million MY 2005 through 2009 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks, including the subject vehicles.Figure 1 shows the basic steering system design used in Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009 and PE13-014. Figure 2 shows the locations of failures resulting from impact related torsional overloading of the sector shaft for the subject vehicles and the prior generation Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009.Figure 3 shows an example of a failed sector shaft investigated in EA01-009 and comparisons of fracture surfaces of sector shafts failing from fatigue loading and from torsional overload.Ford provided field return part analysis of failed steering gears from MY 2005 through 2009 Super Duty trucks found evidence of broken sector shaft gear teeth and piston damage consistent with incidents of single event overload (Figure 4).Laboratory analysis found no evidence of fatigue or material property defects in any of the fractures.Analysis of complaint rates by vehicle build month showed no patterns indicating potential manufacturing quality issues and no difference before and after Ford introduced design changes to the input shaft and sector shaft seals in July 2007 to address potential leak concerns (Figure 5).Analysis of failures by time in service indicates a random failure pattern/distribution, consistent with incidents of impact induced overload (Figure 6). The complaint rate for the subject vehicles after approximately 5 to 6 years, 7.1 incidents per 100,000 vehicles, is lower than the rate observed in EA01-009. Furthermore, similar to the condition investigated in EA01-009, a number of incident records include evidence of impact loads (e.g., curb strikes) and several alleged crashes include incidents in which information suggests that the steering gear failure was most likely a result of crash forces, rather than the cause of the crash.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.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 monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at ww
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