The clock spring in the steering has failed causing the airbag to no longer work on the driver side. The cruise control turns on and shuts off on its own. Sometimes won’t even let you set it. Volume controls no longer work. Horn no longer works. Steering has a clicking catching sound now when turning. Steering controls no longer light up and none of the buttons work.
Ford F-150 steering noise problems
71 of the 38,399 owner complaints about the Ford F-150 describe clunking or noise when steering, most of them for the 2011 model year.
- owner complaints
- 71
- worst model year
- 2011
- typical mileage
- 44,399
Is there a fix? There are 11 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Harsh shifting 11Knocking 11Grinding brakes 11Pulling 6Power steering loss 4Jerking 4Ball joint 4Wipers 3
What owners say
Transmission and rear end jerking when putting in or taking out of park, reverse or drive and now doesn't want to go forward when putting it in drive and I can't get it to shift out and transmission fault light came on and I re set it by taking black cable off battery and put transmission fluid in it and it still does it and also headlights doesn't work on bright and power steering pump makes noise and it's full of fluid I don't know if it is leaking or what small stuff I can deal with but major transmission and engine stuff on truck I can't.
While driving after making a right turn steering wheel started whining then a loud popping noise then steering wheel starts jerking back and forth then locks on me without any warning lights coming on. I was going over 15 miles with cars behind me. Put on breaks to come to a complete stop and put the truck in park because the steering wheel had locked. Terrified!!! After turning the truck off and back on that’s when the light comes on about faulty steering. Thank God no one ran into the back of me.
I own a 2011 Ford f-150 4x4. The VIN I entered should provide any further information you need. This vehicle is equipped with electronic power assist steering. This vehicle has experienced stiff return of steering in left turns at approximately 45-50MPH. This vehicle has about 156,00 miles on it. This steering difficulty has existed for 4-5 years that I have owned the vehicle. Recently, the steering stared to make loud screeching noises in both left and right turns. This was accompanied by stiff steering as if the power assist was not functional. The power assist failed completely after a weekend vacation. I had to have the steering replaced at a cost of $2552.12. I have never had the power steering fail on any other vehicle I have owned, no matter what the mileage. I have read that many other owners of this year and make have experienced the same problem. Good thing I was strong enough to control the vehicle without the power assist. This could have been very serious problem!
On my way to work took a left turn to the interstate on ramp and steering temporarily locked up/stuck in the turned position for a second or two and returned to normal the rest of the trip. At lunchtime operation was pretty normal except for slight handling difficulty. Backing out after work noticed a creaking/groaning noise as well as a popping noise felt thru the steering wheel. Pulled out onto highway and immediately noticed steering jerking (not pulling, drifting or wandering) left and right with slight bumps in the road and/or steering input. Pulled over at a gas station, turned the truck off for a few minutes and restarted with no change. Switched off traction control and it actually did improve some the rest of my drive home. Got home, parked, turned it off. 15 minutes later got in with my 6 year old son and 15 year old niece, pulled out onto highway and steering totally locked up mid turn. Luckily it was late in the afternoon and traffic was low and we were not completely blocking the road so traffic could go around. Was able to back onto shoulder and call a tow truck. Ford dealership found pscm not operating properly. Steering gear was replaced.
Driving the f150 I noticed a popping noise when turning. Shortly after the popping noise when negotiating a turn the rack and pinion locked up. Truck went into on coming traffic. Now the power steering completely failed and a trouble code was displayed. Rack and pinion is bad and needs to be replaced not covered under warranty. Rack and pinion on national back order through ford motor company. This was a extremely dangerous situation especially with how the electric motor assist steering took the wheel from my hand and jolted in one direction or the other at highway speeds.
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.
Have had this vehicle to dealer multiple times with complaint of hearing rattling under vehicle and in steering column along with noise from right front brake area. Also with complaints of vehicles wandering left and right on highway regardless of road crown. Have asked specifically to check the electric steering to ensure not faulty. All these complaints while still under original warranty. Today, two weeks after last visit, steering locks up while driving and I cannot turn the vehicle. Fortunately, I was on my property going slow and was able to stop safely. I was driving home and drove 30 miles on the interstate doing 70mph. Glad the steering did not freeze then. Shut the vehicle off and then restarted it and got the 'steering assist fault service required' on the cluster along with a bunch of other symbols. The sync screen came up and froze and could not be cleared nor was it responsive to any other selections on screen. I think this is an electrical issue with either the electric steering, a sensor or possible low or interrupted voltage. This vehicle has no voltage gauge for battery nor was there any indicator that warned of a low voltage issue when the steering wheel would not turn. Is the federal safety agency waiting for someone to be killed with this problem before it is investigated? I am waiting until monday when dealer opens to have them come get this vehicle. I am afraid to even attempt to do anything to it to drive it to dealer for service. I am uploading the latest service invoice for this issue. Dealer has consistently stated there was nothing wrong.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford f-150. While driving various speeds and turning the steering wheel, an abnormal clicking noise was heard. Also, when the vehicle was turned off, there was an abnormal noise coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to prime ford saco (857 portland rd, saco, me 04072, (207) 282-0300) where it was diagnosed that the water pump and steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,480.
Trouble with steering. Getting feedback in the steering wheel (noise and vibration). At times steering is difficult and not returning to center on its own. In motion, any road condition, turning and not turning any speed. After reading hundreds of complaints believe the problem to be the steering gearbox.
Related recalls
Steering
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 F-150 vehicles. The lower intermediate shaft fasteners may be improperly attached to the steering gear, allowing the shaft to come loose or detach.
- Risk
- A lower intermediate shaft that detaches can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the lower intermediate shaft fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S46.
Recall number 25V309000 · Recall details
Steering
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 F-150 vehicles. The steering gear assembly may have been assembled with an incorrect rack, which can cause the gears to fracture.
- Risk
- A fractured steering gear can cause the steering to bind or lock, resulting in a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 19, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S04.
Recall number 25V022000 · Recall details
Steering: column
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 F-150 vehicles. The steering column lower shaft may have been secured to the steering gear assembly with an incorrect fastener, which can result in the separation of steering components and cause a loss of steering control.
- Risk
- A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the lower steering shaft fastener, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S32.
Recall number 24V329000 · Recall details
Steering: column
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150 and Ford SD F250, F350, F450, F550, and F600 vehicles. The steering wheel clock spring may have an insufficient weld, causing a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
- Risk
- A deactivated air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the clock spring as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332.
Recall number 23V847000 · Recall details
Steering: column
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 F-150 vehicles. The power-adjustable telescoping steering column connector wiring may be too short. Wiring that is too short can become damaged or separate if the adjustable steering column is extended all the way.
- Risk
- Damaged or separated wiring may result in the steering column not moving as intended in certain crash conditions, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the steering column wiring harness and repair the wiring, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 9, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed July 28, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available by the end of July, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S24.
Recall number 22V253000 · Recall details
Steering: rack and pinion
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles. The steering gear may have internal damage, which could result in difficulty steering, or the inability to rotate the steering wheel while driving.
- Risk
- Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until the repair is complete. Vehicles will be towed in for service, and dealers will remove and replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S28.
Recall number 21V407000 · Recall details
Steering
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford F-150 trucks manufactured March 19, 2015, to March 30, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been built with a steering upper intermediate shaft that was improperly riveted.
- Risk
- If the intermediate shaft was improperly riveted, it could separate from the intermediate shaft flex coupling, resulting in a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the intermediate shaft and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 22, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S17.
Recall number 15V279000 · Recall details
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford F-150 trucks manufactured May 26, 2014 to June 19, 2014, and equipped with Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS). The affected vehicles may have an incorrectly installed EPAS gear motor position sensor magnet that can lead to a total loss of steering control while driving.
- Risk
- A loss of steering control while driving increases the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPAS steering gear, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been remedied. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑800‑392‑3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S09.
Recall number 14V316000 · Recall details
Steering: gear box: shaft pitman
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks, the pitman arm to steering gear retaining nut was not fully tightened to the required specification.
- Risk
- If the pitman arm to gearbox attachment nut loosens, a noise and a loose feel in the steering could occur. If the condition progressed and service was not sought, the nut could back off completely and the pitman arm could separate from the gear causing a loss of steering. If the warning is not heeded and steering is lost, a crash may result.
- Remedy
- Dealers will tighten the pitman arm retaining nut to specifications. Owner notification began on october 1, 2003. Owners should contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332.
Recall number 03V349000 · Recall details
Steering: gear box: shaft sector
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, if the intermediate shaft yoke separates from the steering gear input shaft, the steering system becomes disconnected.
- Risk
- This could result in loss of steering control, potentially resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the steering intermediate shaft yoke to determine if the yoke is fully seated on the steering gear input shaft. If the yoke is fully seated no service is required. If the yoke is not fully seated and bolt groove and spline is visible, the intermediate shaft and bolt will be replaced as well as the bolt at the steering column connection. Owner notification began on may 30, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 03V196000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford F-150 steering noise
Which Ford F-150 years have clunking or noise when steering problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2011 (19 complaints), 1997 (10 complaints) and 2012 (7 complaints).
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