2006 Ford F-150: loss of power steering

Filed Jun 8, 2017 · Brakes, Engine · 116,000 miles · VT

Ford f150 xlt 2006 should have a mandatory safety recall for the fuel control module. This is clearly a design defect and a major safety concern. I was driving down vt116 (a hilly, winding 2 lane country highway with no shoulder) in the rain at about 40mph when my truck started to buck and lose power. There was no place to pull over, so I put my hazards on and tried to limp it to a safe place to pull over. The engine stalled and I lost steering and braking power on a curve. I applied the brakes manually and wrestled the steering wheel (which no longer had any power assist). With major difficulty, I was able to bring the truck to a controlled stop. I was then able to restart the engine, limped along at 15mph, bucking and stalling 3 more times before getting to a safe place to pull over. This is the second time I have had my fcm replaced (prior was 1/5/2013) and the second time I almost crashed my truck because of this defect. The previous time was january 2013 on a mountain road in winter on snow. If I was towing my boat on the interstate and lost all power, I would probably have been killed along with anyone around me. Why is it a design defect? Because this electronic component is installed in a weather-exposed area above the spare tire and is not corrosion-proof. In any rust belt state (or a place exposed to salt), the case will corrode, exposing the circuit board to water, causing the unit to fail. Why is it a safety concern? Because when the fcm fails, the engine will stall, causing a loss of power to the steering and braking systems. The federal safety agency should force ford to do a mandatory recall and redesign this poorly designed part. Even the replacement parts fail after a few years. Considering how many f150's are on the road and how many of them carry or tow heavy loads, I'd say this should be a top priority for both ford and the federal safety agency. Recall!

Filed Mar 11, 2015 · Brakes, Engine · 83,000 miles · MI

2006 f-150 lost all power function while traveling down the interstate. I lost power steering and brakes. The cause is a corrosive fuel pump control module. After taking with my local ford dealer I was made aware that this is major safety issue and one that fmc refuses to recognize. This incident could have resulted in a major accident. I was lucky enough to be able to signal to the cars around me that I was having trouble - however I was still almost rear ended twice before being able to pull off to the side of the road.

Filed Jan 11, 2015 · Steering · 74,500 miles · WI

Noticed steering wheel very hard to turn. Checked power steering fluid which was ok. Researched problem online and found dozens of similar complaints reported on ford customer forums and elsewhere online mentioning that the u-joint(s) on the lower steering shaft possibly rust and corrode and become very stiff. When turning corners wheel does not readily recenter itself. Fearful that steering joints could fail, seize or break resulting in a complete loss of steering and serious injury or death. Saw that ford redesigned the steering shaft after 2006 and the new ford part looks much different than the original shaft in my 2006 truck. Sprayed some penetrating oil on both u-joints yesterday and steering was noticeably much easier within 5 minutes. Then sprayed some liquid wrench lubricating oil (lightweight aerosol oil) on both joints and drove the truck. Steering was like new and steering wheel easy to turn. Do not know however if this "oiling fix" will last. Ford is aware of this issue as they redesigned the steering shaft/u-joints and had hundreds of complaints. Defect in design of critical steering component, ford is aware and redesigned steering shaft and u-joints. Note: other customers with non-ford vehicles and ford vehicles other than the f-150 have reported numerous similar complaints.

Filed Jul 30, 2014 · Fuel system · 67,800 miles · PA

Truck stuttered & stalled, would not restart. Towed ford to dealer. Failure caused by corroded, cracked fuel pump module. The module body is made of an alloy metal material, and the module is bolted directly to the steel frame near the gas tank, moisture and dis-similar metals (electrolysis) caused rapid deterioration of module body. This poor design causes the vehicle to shut down at any speed/situation, loss of power steering & brakes would occur. Result could be death of occupants or those persons around truck when engine shut down occurs

Filed Jan 24, 2014 · Steering · 154,618 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford f-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH the power steering failed without warning. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to her residence. The failure was not diagnosed by a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximately failure mileage was 154,618.

Filed Jul 8, 2012 · Steering · 40,000 miles · NJ

Steering became very hard to turn. Would not center after turning, would lock on wet roads. I had to turn the steering wheel by hand to get it back to center. I checked to find the u joints on steering shaft where rusted so I lubed with oil. Steering became much better. I went to a local ford dealer they said there was no recalls and knew of no problems with the steering on the f150's. The ford dealer wanted me to let them take everything apart but said it could run into a lot of money depending on what they find. So for over three years I've been oiling the joints on the shaft and living with the problem. Waiting for total failure to sue ford for poor design of the steering column shaft joints.

Filed Apr 6, 2012 · Steering · 70,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns 2006 ford f-150. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the power steering failed and seized. The contact then drove to his residence and added power steering fluid but the fluid leaked out of the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized dealer where they could not duplicate the failure. The dealer stated that the power steering was repaired. After several months, the power steering failed again. The vehicle was not completely repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 87,000. Updated 07/06/12 *bf the consumer took the vehicle to a repair a shop and a diagnosis revealed the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. Also, the power steering hose was replaced twice, the o-ring, power steering pump and power steering line were replaced. Updated 08/08/12

Filed Jul 18, 2011 · Steering · 62,000 miles · WV

Power steering failure, steering became hard at 10 and 2, replaced the ps pump, problem still exists but at 9 and 3 now, steering so hard while turning that it could cause a wreck. After reading online thinking now that it is in the steering shaft. Many people have had the same trouble and says they lubricated the part and it got better. I just don't want to wreck while driving with my 4 children. Would take it to ford but afraid they will say things are wrong that are not...don't want it to turn into a money gimmick. Extremely hard to turn from dead stop. Still trying to figure the problem out one part at a time....62,000 approx.

Filed Mar 31, 2010 · Fuel system, Transmission · 100,020 miles · FL

Spark plugs fail and engine stops. Plugs can't be replaced;long shaft seizes to head walls. Scheduled maintenance item for 100,000 miles.dangerous design of plugs for all ford f-150 5.4 v-8 ; as loss of steering,brakes with engine failure.

Filed Mar 8, 2010 · Steering · 56,000 miles · IL

Loss of power steering.

Filed Jul 2, 2009 · Steering · 35,000 miles · IL

Steering got hard, wouldn't return to center, nearly put truck into ditch after turning out of driveway.....thought power steering was inop...seems the coupli ng was seized up....dealer said it happens all the time...I believe this is a serious safety defect...it was covered under an extended warranty, but still cost me the deductible ,plus as it was failing , my driving probably seemed erratic to anyone viewing the struggle to get vehicle straightened out after a turn....I believe this is a recallable item.... Steering defective.