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Ford Expedition power steering loss problems

72 of the 9,415 owner complaints about the Ford Expedition describe loss of power steering, most of them for the 2006 model year.

owner complaints
72
worst model year
2006
typical mileage
85,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Aug 26, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 36,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2024 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the message "Drive Assist Unavailable" was displayed. The contact stated that when the vehicle was turned off and restarted, the system was functional. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, who checked the 12-Volt battery and found that the battery was operational and there were no other electrical issues. The contact stated that later, while starting the vehicle, the message "Loss of Power Steering Assist" was displayed, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the left or the right. The vehicle was turned off and restarted, and regained power steering functionality; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact attempted to reset the electrical system by disconnecting the battery terminals. The contact stated that loss of power steering reoccurred with the loss of the Lane Keep Assist feature. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the same dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and checked the wiring harness and coated the terminal connectors with a gel for better connectivity. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failures reoccurred. Additionally, the contact stated that the “Driving Modes” light was illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to switch modes to Snow or Sport, or another option, the light illuminated with the message that each selected mode was unavailable. The contact stated that the vehicle would be taken back to the dealer for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

Filed Jun 29, 2024 · Steering · VA

Steering wheel is loose and wobbly as if it will fall off. I noticed that Ford issued a recall in March 2018 for this problem (see below) however it does not include my 2016 Ford Expedition that is having the exact same issue. DEARBORN, Mich., March 14, 2018 – Ford Motor Company is issuing two safety recalls in North America. Details are as follows: Select 2014-18 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles for loose steering wheel bolts that could lead to a steering wheel detaching from steering column Ford is issuing a safety recall in North America for approximately 1.3 million 2014-18 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles for potentially loose steering wheel bolts that could result in a steering wheel detaching from the steering column. In affected vehicles, the steering wheel bolt may not maintain torque, allowing the bolt to loosen over time, and if not serviced, a steering wheel could potentially detach and lead to a loss of steering control and increased risk of a crash. Ford is aware of two accidents with one injury allegedly related to this condition. Affected vehicles include: 2014-17 Ford Fusion vehicles built at Flat Rock Assembly Plant, Aug. 6, 2013 to Feb. 29, 2016 2014-18 Ford Fusion vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, July 25, 2013 to March 5, 2018 2014-18 Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, July 25, 2013 to March 5, 2018 The recall involves approximately 1,378,637 vehicles in North America with 1,301,986 in the United States and federalized territories, 62,479 in Canada and 14,172 in Mexico. The Ford reference number for this recall is 18S08. Dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt on the vehicle with a longer bolt with more robust thread engagement and larger nylon patch placed properly for proper torque retention— at no cost to customers.

Filed Jan 12, 2024 · Steering · PA · crash · 1 injury

Vehicle lost power steering as it was parking. A message flashed on screen. Throttle surged. Hit a car on left. In an attempt to avoid the car on left, vehicle lunged to the right and hit a second vehicle. -Steering failed. -Two other vehicles were impacted. Steering pulled drivers had and damaged her thumb. Will require surgery. -Body shop confirmed that steering is still not functional after being towed. -Vehicle has not been inspected yet. -Some warning message flashed during the incident but was not visible after.

Filed Oct 5, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · LA

Sudden feel of a misfire putting truck into reverse, definitely caught my attention as vehicle has under 140k miles! Just had new Ford spark plugs and lifetime warrantied coil packs in the last 20 to 25k! it's had at least two if not three oil changes in the last 20k to 30k miles! Put vehicle into drive same felling of a misfire and doesn't take long it flashes the check engine light at me so I turn around to head back home and haven't really made it but around the corner and the car completely stalled out going by the neighbors house lost steering and brakes and noticed a very distinct smell of plastic/electrical burning! I pop the hood in total disgust and can't even see clearly enough to see the issue at the moment! A friend pulled in front my residence as I'm shaking my head and in tears! He points out a cracked and melted number one coil pack! Instantly replaced with nothing was wrong with the previous coil pack that nothing was wrong with but was unsure of the history! I now have a paperweight King Ranch Expedition! I'm not to familiar with this current what looks to fixing to be a recall anyway for what sound like the same overall issue as these 2020 and newer models that the fixing to hit! I have repaired my 02' Impala of a recall before I new it was a recall! Once I received the recall the issue of sudden loss of control of vehicle and engine shut down was already fixed by myself but out of curiosity I took the car in on a scheduled appointment to the GM Chevy dealer nearest me to fix the issue under recall that was already fixed! They placed plastic sleeves overs my keys and said done deal! I explained that that will not fix anything safely or permanently concerning these cars issues! Voiced my concern there at the dealership, with GM and this organization that I hope that no more loss of life would come from those! My current 2 recalls for my vehicle involved in my complaint today is a weeks if not months long wait to get vehicle back on one and no known

Filed Jun 20, 2023 · Steering · SC

•Steering assist fault and yes it is available to inspect •Power steering went out while driving. Could not turn properly as vehicle was hard to turn wheel and was almost hit on icy road. Had two children and pregnant wife in vehicle with me. •Problem is continuous and has been verified by dealer as well as an independent service center. •It has been inspected by local Ford dealership •No there were no prior warnings. It just happened when driving and now happens every time on startup. No power steering. This began in November 2022. We have been patiently waiting on Ford to receive these parts as it's been confirmed that there is a failure in the power steering module. There is no update or time frame for receiving parts and getting a repair. After searching for answers it seems this has happened to many others with these same year Expeditions and F-150

Filed Jun 11, 2021 · Acceleration, Fuel system · IN

6 months ago, electronic power steering failed (Control module?). Today. Electric throttle body - Code P2111. Driving down the road and lost acceleration (the “limp” condition). Engine is running but no reaction to the gas pedal. Wrench symbol on the dash. I coasted to a spot where I could get out of traffic. Restarted the vehicle and the error went away. When I made it home, I removed the throttle body. Butterfly was a little dirty but much cleaner than the ones shown on YouTube. Opened the gear box and it was clean too. However, several teeth on the plastic gears were worn and/or disfigured. It also seemed like the little electric motor would not let the butterfly shut all the way.

Filed Dec 2, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 158,612 miles · TX

Vehicle lost power for 3-5 seconds at highway speeds approximately 65 MPH on three separate events. Vehicle slowed down due to power loss while in heavy traffic. Three other times at idle speed in drive and in park engine stalled and immediately restarted. Loss of power steering due to engine not running when stall event happened. I performed inspection of fuel pump relay which is internal to passenger side fuse block. Found inadequate solder joint on integrated relay printed circuit and burn marks on outside of fuel pump relay. Located salvage fuse block same make and model and inspected. Same damage on salvage fuse block assembly. Replaced with aftermarket fuse block with revised solder joint and updated relay.

Filed Nov 5, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 156,000 miles · AZ · fire

Fuel pump relay shorted out in motion. Highway and city streets. Steering locks up engine just dies in motion. Super dangerous and scary replaced fuse box and same thing happened again. No power steering engine just dies in motion. So scary on highway 75 MPH.

Filed Aug 14, 2020 · Steering · 66,000 miles · MA

Lloss of steering control while driving on a highway

Filed Feb 13, 2020 · Electrical, Steering · 70,000 miles · TX

Vehicle was 18 months old, manufactured in july 2017, issue arose is december 2019. The power steering went out. We were told it was due to a corroded positive battery cable. We bought a warranty but the repairs were not covered by the warranty because it is considered a "maintenance issue." the repairs cost about $1,000.

Related recalls

Steering: gear box: shaft sectorReported May 27, 2003 · 171,446 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, if the intermediate shaft yoke separates from the steering gear input shaft, the steering system becomes disconnected.
Risk
This could result in loss of steering control, potentially resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the steering intermediate shaft yoke to determine if the yoke is fully seated on the steering gear input shaft. If the yoke is fully seated no service is required. If the yoke is not fully seated and bolt groove and spline is visible, the intermediate shaft and bolt will be replaced as well as the bolt at the steering column connection. Owner notification began on may 30, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.

Recall number 03V196000 · Recall details

Questions about the Ford Expedition power steering loss

Which Ford Expedition years have loss of power steering problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2006 (12 complaints), 1997 (10 complaints) and 2005 (10 complaints).

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