2012 Ford F-150: clunking or noise when steering

Filed Mar 9, 2020 · Steering · 135,000 miles · MO

While turning the steering wheel, it is making a noise like someone is using an air tool under the hood. I was driving into work and the steering wheel will catch and hang up so you can not turn all the way. This issue could be very dangerous if it did that while driving in traffic. I feel that this could be a serious safety concern.

Filed May 27, 2018 · Steering · 103,000 miles · OK

The vehicles steering has made a loud popping noise and now my two front tires are completely out of alignment. Both are pointing outwards. The vehicle will not steer correctly and the steering wheel has turned off of center. I can not drive the vehicle straight going down the road. I was backing out of my driveway when the vehicle made a horrific noise and started all this wacky driving.

Filed Mar 9, 2017 · Steering · 37,400 miles · MO

Bought truck less than a year ago with 28k miles on it. I now have 37k and my service advancetrac light would come on intermittently. I noticed too that the steering felt kind of clunky and would make a strange grinding type noise, mostly at low speeds. I brought it in to a local dealer and they diagnosed the problem and had to replace the steering rack. $1754.00! When I bought the used, very low mileage, one owner truck I thought I struck gold. Not quite, but love the truck otherwise! A poorly designed steering system seems to be common for these. Shame on ford for not owning up to this problem. More about profit I guess.

Filed Mar 11, 2016 · Steering · 69,000 miles · AK

While I was driving to the store on 10 mar 2016, I made a left turn in my f150 which resulted in the steering making a squealing noise and preceding to lock up. I was able to muscle the truck home and am fearful to drive it anywere.

Filed Oct 6, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 44,651 miles · NC

I have a 2012 f-150 with 44651.5 miles on it. Over the past 2 months when I start the truck in the garage the steering makes a terrible noise and when driving there is glitch in the steering off and on. I have taken it to the dealer twice and unable to get it to do this for him. After seeing these statements(complaints) about the problem with steering in the 2012 f-150's I don't feel safe driving mine. The noise occurs when I start the engine and turn the steering wheel however slight, the glitch is felt when driving.

Filed Jan 31, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 2,700 miles · MI

The vehicle from original purchase date in october of 2012 has exhibited a knock/clunk/vibration from the front suspension and steering that transmits up through the steering column and can be felt while holding the steering wheel and heard from the frontal area of the vehicle while driving. The steering wheel is also off center to the left and vehicle seems to pull left regardless of road crown and the front two tires are feathered across the tread. The first visit to dealer at 2700 miles the dealer reset the toe as it was toe out causing uneven tire wear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer at roughly 4700 miles for the knock/clunk/vibration and uneven tire wear again and it was found that pinch bolts were loose on the steering column causing the clunk. Dealer states the uneven tire wear was due to low tire pressure. After picking up vehicle the knock/clunk/vibration is still present. With the vehicle off and turning the wheel back and forth rapidly the knock/clunk can be heard from the front of the vehicle, however the dealer states this is normal noise from the ford epas steering rack. Asked dealer to compare to a new like vehicle on the lot. Dealer changed the subject. Sounds like faulty tie rod ends or faulty internal rack components from my past automotive experience. Owned a 2011 f150 with the same suspension and epas steering rack and the wheel was straight, and no noise was heard or vibrations felt while driving. Tires did not show uneven wear either. Dealer states I cannot compare my 2012 f150 to my 2011 f150. Dealer states an appointment is going to be set with the local field service engineer to test drive my vehicle to make a determination if any further action is to be taken. At this point the dealer is not providing any further assistance in resolving my concern. Issue has also been documented with ford customer care.

Filed Nov 10, 2012 · Steering · 400 miles · MI

The problem started with about 400 miles on the vehicle. I began noticing a loose/nibble feeling in the steering wheel especially over rough terrain, which is 90 percent of michigan roads. When temperatures get hotter the problem is more severe. I have had 4 power steering rack and pinions (epas) replaced and each time it fixes the problem but for only a few days and then it reappears. I have also had the entire steering shafts replaced and this did nothing. The problem has become much more severe as time has gone by. I am now experiencing the vehicle pulling and jumping while going over uneven surfaces in the road. There are over 1000 people with this exact problem on other public websites. I can now slightly move the steering wheel back and forth while the vehicle is off and you can feel looseness/nibble in steering and also a very loud knocking of parts coming from the rack and pinion (epas). Parts banging against each other is not normal! Everytime I put my 6 and 10 year old kids in my truck I fear for their safety along with my own. Ford motor company doesn't want to admit that they have an issue. I have heard from two representatives from ford that during production of these vehicles it was known that a number of defective rack and pinions (epas) were installed during the assembly. I have also ran into a person that oversees the quality department (won't mention where) but told me that ford is having all kinds of problems with their steering and told me to have them replace the epas system which I have already had done 4 times. I guess its going to take someone dying before ford will take action and fix their problems. Its very unfortunate but is the reason why I am reporting this. My next stop is the local news to share my story!