Ford Expedition steering lock-up problems

Filed Aug 13, 2025 · Steering · 58,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while his wife was driving on a neighborhood road at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver proceeded to pull over, and the vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the electronic steering control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.

Filed Jun 18, 2024 · Engine · GA

I've taken my car in for over a year multiple times for the same issue. When driving the car will jerk almost as if I've hit a car and power goes down. Many times it fails to go when accelerating after this has happened. The movement of the car is worrisome and the loud noise made can be heard out the car. When this happens the steering locks up and makes it hard to turn along with the power going out. I've been told on each occasion that nothing can be found. It never throws a code, this past weekend while traveling it threw a code TSB #23-2249

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 Oct 8, 2019 · Electrical · 236,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford expedition. The contact stated that the fuse box failed. While driving 85 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning, the steering wheel seized, and the fuse box made a buzzing sound. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road, reached under the dashboard, and pulled the relay fuse to stop the buzzing noise. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the fuel pump was burned. Another mechanic came also came to the contact's residence and informed her that the fuse relay and the fuse box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called anderson ford (3900 clemson blvd, anderson, sc 29621, (864) 225-4151) and was provided with a quote. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times and the fuel pump/filter, 402 sensors, and fuse relays were replaced numerous times. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 236,000. *dt

Filed Jan 17, 2018 · Engine, Steering · 200,000 miles · FL

I was driving and all of a sudden steering wheel locked and my car literally shut off while I was driving.. I coasted to the side and I turned off car.. Tried to turn it back on and it kept cranking and I kept doing it like 5 times until it started back up. Sure it is a 2005, but it has been giving me problems since I got it, now it is worse. I don't believe it is wear and tear I actually replaced the whole engine 4 years after I bought my car which is ridiculous to begin with. If my car burns up while I am driving I will really make a stink..

Filed Jul 16, 2015 · Fuel system · 105,000 miles · CA

The vehicle has been shutting down randomly (highway, streets, stops, etc) and it is very much a safety situation at high speed on the freeway since the steering wheel locks up and brakes do not work. I've taken it to two different places for diagnosis including the local ford dealership and they have not been able to diagnose the problem. It is understood the vehicle is 10-11 years old but the inability for the dealership to diagnose the problem is really frustrating. From reading complaints, there are others that sound similar and appears to be associated with the vehicle's fuse relay box.

Filed May 27, 2015 · Body, Steering · 63,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford expedition. While driving 20 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the steering column needed to be replaced and noticed corrosion underneath the undercarriage. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 63,000.

Filed May 14, 2015 · Steering · 253,125 miles · MI

My steering shaft locked up on the highway. I almost could not turn the vehicle. It took much force to break it free. Made it home and started to diagnose it. First, I thought the rack & pinion failed. But it turned out to be fine. It appears that the steering intermediate shaft is the failure. This is the parts between the steering column and the rack & pinion. I replaced it with ford part number 8l1z-3b676-a. This new part appears to be a redesigned shaft from ford. I researched the internet a little with similar problems. Their appears to be many associated with the same failure. I believe the u-joints in the shaft and its material selection on the original part to be the problem. The new shaft is a more robust design and appears to be of a different grade of metal. My concern is that it took much force for me to break the steering lock up. It could have been a very bad incident and after my research. It appears that ford is aware of an issue and redesigned a part for a fix. I know that my wife could not been able to break it free going down highway. I have the old part saved and would be glad to sent it to you for your review. I'm concerned that millions of these vehicles are on the road and could potentially lead to many unnecessary collisions. Effects 2004-2011 f-150's & expeditions.

Filed Jan 20, 2013 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · SC

Was driving down the road and my expedition just shut down. All power off and steering wheel locked up. Was stuck in middle of the road. Had it towed to ford dealership who replaced the main fuse. It happened again 6 months later. Once again had to have it towed. Once again main fuse blew and my SUV lost all power. Ford dealership gave us extra fuses. Since then it has happened twice, once about a month ago and we replaced the main fuse . The last time which was thursday, january 17th, my teenage son was driving and he ran off the road into a ditch. Wheel rim bent but he thankfully was just shook up and not injured.this time it was not the fuse but the SUV just lost power and steering locked and he went off the road. Missed a tree by a few feet. When this first began to happen I called ford and wrote them multiple letters. They were polite, but stated is was not their problem since car had 120,000 miles on it.

Filed Apr 24, 2011 · Engine, Fuel system · 81,200 miles · NY

1/8/09 while driving at 65 MPH on highway vehicle's "engine fail safe mode" alarm sounded & message flashed on panel. Vehicle immediately lost power. I was able to coast to shoulder of road. Turned off vehicle, restarted and was able to drive approximately 1 1/2 miles. I was in turn lane, started to turn left, alarm sounded, message flashed and all power was gone. I quickly turned vehicle off and back on to try and get out of path of oncoming tractor trailer. I was able to get just off roadway after 15 mins started vehicle, drove 4 miles failed again. It was towed to mechanic. After calls to ford and further testing the electronic throttle body assembly was replaced. On 1/30/10, 35 miles from home, driving on highway at 55 MPH when "engine fail safe mode" alarm sounded & message flashed on panel. Again I was able to safely pull to shoulder of road to avoid accident. I called ford dealer located in that town, had vehicle again towed to shop and they replaced an additional part. I called ford after 2nd event, I was told by ford that they are aware of the problem, however since they don't have a solution to it they do not have a recall on this. On 4/20/11 while driving home from work on highway at 60 MPH the "engine fail safe mode" alarm & message flashing on panel. I was in far right lane so again was able to coast to shoulder before steering locked from no power. If I had been in left lane I would not have been able to get off roadway. (on 4/19/11 I had vehicle inspected, in nys, no codes were on this vehicle). Towed to shop, after running tests and calls to ford they have again replaced the electronic throttle body assembly as it had failed. Still no recall. This is extreme safety issue. I have avoided accidents 3 times, if I had been in left lanes I would not have been so lucky. This happens with no advance warning. Ford knows there is a problem.