Ford F-150 power steering loss problems

Filed Nov 8, 2026 · Steering · IA

Ever since Ford Safety Recall 21S56 (the federal safety agency Campaign 21V986) for the sagging underbody insulation and driveshaft was performed on my vehicle, the truck has suffered severe, transient losses of power steering assistance. This dangerous failure occurs specifically when driving over or splashing through standing surface water, such as during normal rain or wet roadway conditions. Upon water contact with the vehicle's underbody, the Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) system instantly experiences an electrical or network communication fault, resulting in a sudden, total loss of steering assist and making the heavy truck incredibly difficult and hazardous to control. The physical reassembly and modification of the underbody heat shields during the recall execution directly disturbed, damaged, or altered the routing of the main high-current steering rack wiring harness, connectors, or structural frame grounding strap located in that immediate service corridor. Moisture intrusion across these compromised electrical pathways triggers an absolute safety system shutdown of the power steering assistance. The local dealership is refusing to inspect their workmanship or remedy this severe safety hazard, falsely claiming that their obligation expired under a standard 12-month commercial warranty, leaving a known federal safety defect incomplete and dangerous to operate on public roads.

Filed Oct 22, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · AZ

On 10-20-2026 while driving at highway speed of approximately 65 mph on a mountainous curving road, the steering became noticeably hard and the vehicle gave a Steering Assist Fault Service Required warning. Slowing down to a stop to park the steering was very hard. The Warning was dismissed, but reappeared on the dash withing 5-10 miles of driving. After shutting off the Truck for 30 minutes, I drove directly to a Ford Dealership. On the way there, the Steering Assist Fault warning came back on. The truck has 39,206 miles and is just barely out of warranty. The Dealership checked for weak failing 12 volt battery, loose or corroded ground/terminals and software updates and found none of these minor issues. The dealership did diagnose the PSCM was bad. They told me the Fault error code was U3000 and the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) that is built into the Rack & Pinion steering rack assembly would need to be replaced. This is a Severe Safety Concern where a sudden failure of a primary steering component at 65 mph is a severe safety incident that could cause a catastrophic crash. Because my vehicle is barely out of warranty, and this is a very expensive repair to have the steering rack assembly replaced, re-programmed and wheel alignment, I have contacted Ford Corporate Customer Relationship Center as well as the Dealership for and After Warranty Assistance also known as Ford's Goodwill Assistance Cost Share. I am currently awaiting word on if Ford will help me with the cost of this repair. This is unknown at this time.

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Engine, Steering · TX

In the last month this has happened twice. While driving down the freeway my vehicle just downshifted on its own, speedometer dropped to 0, and I lost steering power but vehicle was still running. The wrench for service came on and the battery light also. As I was trying to get to a safe location the infotainment system went off first followed by my dash lighting. On the first time it happened after letting the vehicle sit for about an hour upon restart everything reset and was ok, but the engine light is still on after second incident and I'm afraid to drive it now.

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Driver assistance, Steering · NJ

All warnings, lane keeping assist, steering assist. Dealer confirms steering rack is failing. Truck has 50,000 miles. Completely lost steering while driving my children to school. Codes U3000 and U3000-96 internal failure.

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Steering · FL

I am writing to express my serious concern about a power steering failure in my 2015 F-150. Within the last few weeks, it began losing electronic power steering assist intermittently. The loss of assist happens suddenly, with no warning light or message on the dash. When it happens, the steering becomes extremely heavy and difficult to turn, and it can happen at any speed. The vehicle is very hard to steer without power assist, and becomes a serious risk to avoid an obstacle, hold my lane in a curve, or make a necessary maneuver in traffic. A sudden loss of steering control like this can easily lead to a serious accident, with the risk of injury or death to me, my passengers, and others on the road. Because of this I have already had a close call. The power steering went out while I was making a right turn at a traffic light on a major road. The truck drifted wide into the oncoming lanes, and I had to brake hard to avoid a collision. I pulled over and turned the truck off. When I started it again, the power steering seemed to work, and I was able to drive to the nearby Ford dealership to ask about the problem. Because I was about 30 miles from home, they advised that the best thing I could do was to get the truck back to my local dealer. When I brought my vehicle to my local dealer, the service department confirmed that recalls and bulletins exist. However, they told me that my truck's VIN does not fall within the affected range. This is the pattern I have seen every time: the power steering returns after the truck is restarted, but then goes out again at random, with not warning, and with no way for me to predict when. It is clearly not normal for a power steering system to fail on a vehicle with only 60,000 miles. A steering system is a critical safety component and should be expected to last well beyond this mileage. A failure this early points to a defect, not ordinary wear and tear,

Filed Sep 12, 2026 · Steering · TX

The vehicle experienced a sudden and unexpected loss of power steering assistance while being driven on a highway. The failure made the vehicle extremely difficult to steer and nearly caused an accident, creating a serious safety hazard. After pulling over to get off the highway, it was observed at lower speeds, the vehicle did not have its full range of steering also creating a safety hazard. The problem was confirmed by the dealer, who determined that the power steering gear system had failed. The dealer replaced and repaired the entire power steering system. No warning lights or other alerts appeared before the failure. The sudden loss of steering assistance occurred without warning while the vehicle was in motion, significantly increasing the risk of a crash.

Filed Sep 11, 2026 · Steering · MO · 1 injury

Suddenly lost power steering dash lights for traction control and power steering assist it takes a lot of strength to steer it no prior warning and I recently had spinal surgery

Filed Sep 4, 2026 · Steering · VA

Subject: Steering Rack Failure Reimbursement Request, VIN [XXX] To Whom It May Concern, I am requesting review and reimbursement for an electronic steering rack replacement on my 2021 Ford truck, VIN [XXX]. The electronic steering fault first appeared at start-up and when turning the wheel to full lock. Initially, I could pull over, shut the truck off, restart it, and the warning would clear. After a battery replacement, battery monitoring system reset, and multiple steering relearns, the steering failed completely. When the failure occurred, steering became extremely difficult. After hitting a bump, the steering wheel jerked suddenly and caused pain to my hand and thumb. This also created a serious safety risk for me and others on the road due to the reduced ability to steer. The dealership replaced the electronic steering rack at a cost of over $2,000. The truck had only about 40,000 miles at the time. I later found Ford Recall 21S28, which appears to cover certain trucks built between XXX. Based on my VIN and build date, my truck appears to fall within that range, but the dealership advised my VIN was not included. Given the low mileage, safety risk, and apparent build-date match with Recall 21S28, I request that Ford and the federal safety agency review my vehicle’s eligibility under this recall or any related program and reimburse me for the repair. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 31, 2026 · Steering · NC

While Driving power steering failed, in addtion this complaint is noted on numerous Ford formums and websites for my year and model truck.

Filed Aug 24, 2026 · Steering · IN

"While operating my 2016 Ford F-150, the vehicle lost power-steering assist. Ray Skillman Ford diagnosed an internal failure of the power steering control module and replaced the steering gear assembly. The vehicle had approximately 94,620 miles. Sudden loss of steering assist significantly increased the effort required to steer the truck and created a safety concern. The repair cost me $3,804.27."