2018 Ford F-150: loss of power steering

Filed May 18, 2026 · Steering · NC

I was driving on a highway going around 75 mph on a curve, when all of a sudden I lost power steering and wheel jerked the opposite way to where I was steering. I had my wife and two boys with me and if I hadn't held the wheel so tight I probably would have went off road . There were no signs prior to that. No dashboard lights at all and no check engine light. Problem is persistent and can be replicated every drive. Truck is at 147000 miles. Seems like a big problem, and hopefully there are no injuries related to this Ford Steering gear issue. Ford dealership has was quoted me $3500 to fix it. Will have to keep driving truck as it's the only car I have

Filed Jan 22, 2026 · Transmission · CA

While attempting a left-hand turn across two lanes of oncoming traffic, the vehicle experienced a sudden and total loss of motive power. Upon acceleration, the 10R80 transmission slipped out of gear, causing the engine RPMs to spike (rev) without transferring power to the wheels. This left the vehicle momentarily stationary in the path of oncoming traffic, nearly resulting in a broadside collision. After a delay, the transmission violently engaged, causing the vehicle to lunge forward with enough force to spin the tires and nearly cause a loss of steering control. There were no prior warning lights, "limp mode" indicators, or messages on the dashboard before or during the failure. The vehicle was taken to a Ford dealership, where technicians confirmed a failure internal to the 10R80 transmission. The service department stated this is a "known issue" with this transmission model and recommended a full replacement. This failure represents a significant safety hazard due to the unpredictable loss of power in high-stakes driving situations.

Filed Aug 1, 2025 · Steering, Transmission · AR

the federal safety agency Safety Complaint Draft Vehicle Information: Make: Ford Model: F-150 Year: 2018 VIN: [XXX] Incident Summary: While driving my 2018 Ford F-150, the vehicle suddenly displayed a warning on the dashboard: “Steering Assist Fault – Service Required.” Within moments of this warning, I lost all power steering assist and was unable to control the vehicle, resulting in the truck veering off the road and into a ditch. This was a sudden and dangerous failure of the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system. I was fortunate not to have been injured, and no other vehicles were involved. However, this type of failure represents a major safety risk to me and to others on the road. I contacted Ford Motor Company and was assigned Case Number: [XXX]. Despite reporting the issue and explaining that the vehicle ran off the road, Ford refused to offer any assistance or goodwill repair. I was told the vehicle is outside of recall 24S45, even though it displays the exact same failure symptoms as recalled vehicles from later years. This failure could have resulted in serious injury or death. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this steering system failure and expand any related recall coverage to include affected 2018 F-150 models like mine. Incident Date: [XXX] Mileage at Time of Incident: 157,000 Location: Pine Bluff, AR Complainant Information: Name: [XXX] Address: [XXX] Phone: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 28, 2025 · Engine · TX

Complete engine assembly (including internal bearings), twin turbochargers, and water pump. - Failure Mode: While driving at highway speeds, the engine warning lamp illuminated “Low Engine Oil Level,” followed by an audible ticking noise from the front of the truck. Upon shutting the engine off and attempting restart, the engine locked up and would not turn over. - Availability: The failed engine and associated components remain intact on the vehicle and are available for inspection at my local Ford dealership or by any third-party expert. For safety, loss of power steering and braking assist occurred instantly when the engine warning lamp came on, greatly increasing the risk of a high-speed collision. - The engine seized without warning, stranding me on a busy interstate shoulder and creating a serious hazard to passing motorists and my personal safety. - On June 3rd, Ford‐authorized service technicians at Bird Kultgen Ford in Waco Texas, confirmed complete engine failure, twin‐turbo damage, and a failed water pump. - A written estimate for repairs was provided which the amount was in excess of 20,000$ for a new engine, new turbochargers, and water pump. - Completed on June 3rd, with diagnostic report and repair estimate on file. - Manufacturer Response: I sent a certified letter to Ford Corporate on June 23, no acknowledgment or reply has been received in over 14 business days. - No police, insurance adjuster, or other third parties have yet performed an independent inspection, pending Ford’s response. - Initial Warning: “Low Engine Oil Level” dashboard message appeared at approximately 65 mph on the interstate. - Audible Symptoms: A distinct ticking noise under the hood began immediately after the warning lamp. - No prior oil leaks or dashboard indicators had appeared before this highway incident.

Filed Mar 31, 2025 · Steering · 135,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at various speeds, the steering wheel was pulling to the left or to the right, forcing the contact to keep and maintain a strong grip on the steering wheel while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The contact referenced Equipment Recall: 24S45 (Electronic Power Steering Assist Steering Gear); as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

Filed Jul 9, 2024 · Steering · DE

Took my Ford F150 in for an oil change. Ford dealer informed me the steering gear assembly had completely broke near the gear box at only 68k (I do not know when the break happened). Although the vehicle is drivable, it has a chance of losing steering at any time and was advised not to drive it. No vehicle warnings are provided, and the truck has been regularly serviced over the years without me being informed of an issue. It is available for inspection as I am on a waitlist for a backordered steering gear assembly part.

Filed Apr 24, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · 132,410 miles · FL

I was riding down the road the truck started to run hot then it slammed on brakes the power steering went out the panel the instrument panel was black I couldn't roll my windows down the truck was in drive but it wouldn't go and the motor was still running though and then it came all came back up and then it did this all the way home it would slam on break it didn't matter if I was going 30 or 60 and then it shut off before it got home and then the only way to get it going again was to jump it off

Filed Mar 16, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · MI

On Jan 1st-I was returning to SE Michigan from Cincinnati and driving thru rain most of the way back that has turned to snow shortly after I crossed into Michigan. I was on M23 doing about 70MPH just south of I96 interchange (Brighton, MI) when my vehicle shuddered three different times in about a minute for maybe 2-3 seconds. Then a warning light flashed on my dashboard and went off before I could read it. Then it appeared again and flashed off again. Then vehicle shuddered again and my entire dashboard lit up with every warning light seemingly possible and all type of warning/error messages started circling thru main dash info center. My engine turned off and I had no power steering, brakes, etc. I pulled off to the side of the road safely but in a very congested area with left & right merging lanes. I shut engine off and waited 5 minutes and turned it back on and proceeded the test of the 30 minutes home w/o incident. I haven't had the issue since. However, I went online and saw numerous reports of other situations from F150 owners-most seemed to be a one time occurrence. Others, it was constant or would happen at specific speeds. Unfortunately, most don't report these incidences. I had an appt scheduled to run codes but had to reschedule and had it in this morning for a tailgate issue (separate recall issue). While I was able to get it to the side of the road, had my 17 year old daughter been driving this, it could have been a very unfortunate incident (new driver, petite girl with limited strength to turn or compress brakes with no power assist to either or panicking with no experience in such a situation). This needs to be investigated due to numerous complaints/reports on online forums.

Filed Apr 24, 2021 · Engine · 75,073 miles · AR

Driving about 30mph down a rural street and I started to lightly apply brakes as I was coming to a corner. The truck lost all power and the engine shut off. No power steering nor power brakes. A message appeared in the cluster display saying ' autostart shift to p and restart engine'. I had to pull the truck over to a side street narrowly missing a semi truck that was coming down the street(because it was difficult to turn and stop the vehicle since the power assist was no longer working). I had to completely stop the truck, place shifter into park position and restart it. It worked fine after this. The vehicle had been started about 3 minutes prior to the event. It was 54 degrees and engine had not completely warmed up yet.

Filed Feb 10, 2021 · 19,250 miles · MA

My vehicle has completely shut down (lost all power, lost power to the brakes, lost power steering, etc.) twice in the past 3 weeks when coming to a stop on a slight incline. I cannot replicate the circumstances that make this event happen. When it occurs, I need to place my vehicle into park and turn the key over. If this were to happen on a highway, or on a busy intersection. This issue is described in great detail here: https://www.f150forum.com/f118/auto-startstop-error-437920/ under normal operating conditions, my vehicle will start and stop to save fuel (ford's auto-start stop system). I believe this issue is related to the programming of the auto-start stop function. Losing all power on the highway, a busy intersection, etc. Is certainly a safety hazard for everyone.

Filed Jan 20, 2021 · 44,000 miles · MI · 1 injury

Hi, issue 1: steering & safety related. Loss of assist of the steering system after vehicle is coming out of auto startstop mode. Appears to be cold temperature related 35-45f. City steet. (last incident - 6 mile rd - northville). Driven 5 times. Some occasions it appears that the ramp up of assist is delayed by 0.5 to 1 seconds. Ford dealer examined and couldn't find issue in 2020. Upon my second visit they replaced the battery and said they found a fault code. Also contact ford hotline for assistance, without satisfactory resolution. Issue is still present and not resolved. 2 incidents have been very close to severe front impact from oncoming traffic due to the great difficulty to turn the steering wheel without assist. The turning torque is so great the last incident caused physical injury/pain to my wrists due to the urgency to make the turn with the oncoming vehicle and wrenching on the steering wheel to get the truck to turn across the lane into the road. Last issue a few weeks ago. I have been manually turning off the auto startstop each time to avoid the issue. I am scheduled for service at tom holzer ford and will again ask them to investigate and resolve the issue. Issue 2: automotive wipers appear to be triggered by sunlight / changing light conditions when no rain is present on the windshield.

Filed Dec 4, 2020 · Steering · 200 miles · PA

Vehicle has automatic start stop feature. After vehicle restarts power steering does not provide any assistance for 2-5 seconds. Vehicle is moving under power but has no steering assist. 3 repair visits with no diagnosis. Problem has been happening almost since new. Sometimes delay is present, sometimes it's not. Can't predict when steering assist will not be available.