Ford sent this recall letter in October, 2025. It’s unbelievable, and unacceptable that Ford would describe a “potential loss of steering control resulting in a crash or injury (or death). However we don’t instruct you to stop driving your vehicle. Parts to fix your defective steering column which could come apart in your hands while driving down the interstate with loved ones, or towing (full ton trucks are meant for heavy towing) won’t be available until 1st quarter 2026”. Are you serious? It’s now halfway through 1st quarter 2026, & still no follow up from Ford. How many people have to die, before the actuaries at the federal safety agency decide it’s time to put pressure on Ford to expedite this fix? I had no choice but to risk driving my truck 1,200 miles to Florida last week. Thankfully, we made it. However, I refuse to drive it any further as it’s parked in my driveway. I will not hook up my boat or horse trailer until Ford manufactures a new, safe part, and installs it in my truck’s steering to correct this deadly condition. What is the federal safety agency doing to pressure Ford to get this done? If you send me a standard, boiler plate answer like others have received “be patient, don’t call us, call Ford (and talk to their AI robot)” I will get together with others affected by this recall, and we will go to the media, and possibly higher, if that’s what it takes. Shame on you, claiming to be on the side of living people who just want to stay alive.
2020 Ford F-350 SD: loss of power steering
8 of the 189 complaints about the 2020 Ford F-350 SD describe loss of power steering.
- owner complaints
- 8
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 36,236
- recalls
- 1
Loss of power steering by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled and experienced loss of power steering functionality and reduced braking functionality, causing the vehicle to almost drive into a ditch while the contact was pulling over to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed; however, the contact was denied warranty coverage due to fuel contamination. The contact stated that a lab later performed the fuel lab test and confirmed that the fuel was not contaminated. The vehicle was then towed to 1 Way Diesel Performance LLC, where it was determined that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed and had caused metal shavings intrusion into the fuel system. The mechanic determined that the fuel system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,236.
Extreame front-end vibration ("aka" death-wobble as described for other F250 and F350 pickups on Google). Driving 60mph on 65mph limit highway. Small bump on road. Truck starts severe vibrations from the front end. No steering control. Slight drift into left lane. Another car in the lane left to me had to break to avoid me. Vibration would not stop until I applied brakes and the truck speed was 30mph. Both the loss of steering, and the necessary reduction in speed was extreamly dangerous. Upon searching the internet it appears this is a common problem with Ford F250 and F350 trucks that neither the federal safety agency nor Ford has/is addressing.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was a loss of power steering, and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact used an OBD scanner to retrieve failure codes for the powertrain control module (PCM) and the engine control module (ECM module). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the fuse box and wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained with the independent mechanic awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the federal safety agency Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 164,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH and while going up a hill, the vehicle started to jerk, and the contact felt the vehicle would lose steering. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the steering columns needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure milage was 146,000.
Going 55 MPH down a two lane country road hit a washboard patch of roadway, front end of truck shook violently and loss of steering control and truck pulled to the left into oncoming traffic. Upon reduction of speed shaking ceased and was able to regain control of vehicle. The very next day on the very same patch of roadway exact same incident occurred with the truck. Three days later on a different roadway and going about the same speed 55 MPH, the truck violently shook, lost steering and proper braking ability. The truck pulled hard to the left into oncoming traffic and I was not able to regain control until the truck slowed to approx 15 MPH. This last incident was about three times worse than the first from a loss of control standpoint. Luckily in all three incidents no one was approaching in the oncoming lane. Very dangerous! I returned the vehicle to my local Ford dealer, they inspected and stated they could not find any worn parts such as ball joints etc but they did replace the front steering stabilizer under warranty, my truck only has 30,000 miles. Doing some online research I see this is a common problem for Ford Superduty trucks 2017 and newer. It is known as the "death wobble" aptly named as I am sure someopne has lost their life and/or being seriously injured from this defect.
Brought this truck on november 5,2020. It is a ford f-350 super duty dually . On november 25,2020 the power steering went out couldn't steer truck then within a few mins. Lost the brakes on the truck. Had to hold brakes to floor to get truck stopped beside of road. Look like lost fluid from power steering . Was a good thing on a two lane road with little traffic. Was about to get on interstate highway where this would have been bad with all that traffic and going speed limit . Why would brakes go out if power steering quit?
Steering returnabilty or "return to center" is impeded by electric power steering assist. According to ford the new electric over hydraulic system installed on some super duty trucks assists the driver during cross wind or heavy road crown situations. But when there is no wind or road crown the system continues to "assist" and holds the steering column from immediately returning to center. This vehicle is not equipped with a "lane keeping' or "auto steer" system. Under certain conditions the vehicle requires constant left and right input to maintain lane.when driving between 30 MPH and 50 MPH the vehicle will continue to navigate turns after the steering wheel is released. This constant input is very fatiguing and when road conditions are slippery, icy or rough maintaining lane is extremely difficult at times.
Service bulletins that may apply
- 2024 F-Super Duty vehicles are equipped with XL-22 (WSS-M2C184-A1) high temperature power steering fluid...
- Customer concern of intermittently exhibiting excessive steering oscillation
- Some 2017-2021 F-Super Duty vehicles may intermittently exhibit excessive steering oscillation
- Characteristic or abnormal steering wheel oscillation concern
Related recalls
Steering: column
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-250, F-350, and F-450 vehicles. The steering column upper shaft may detach from the steering column and result in a loss of steering control.
- Risk
- A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the steering column, and repair or replace the upper shaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 20, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S94. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on beginning September 23, 2025.
Recall number 25V626000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2020 Ford F-350 SD power steering loss
Is loss of power steering a common problem on the 2020 Ford F-350 SD?
8 of 189 owner complaints about the 2020 Ford F-350 SD (4%) mention loss of power steering. The model year with the most reports is 2017.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2020 Ford F-350 SD?
There is 1 recall and 4 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2020 Ford F-350 SD
Fuel pump 19Check engine light 15Loss of power 14Won't shift 10Harsh shifting 9Jerking 9Stalling 9Door locks 8Backup camera 6Engine failure 6Hesitation 6Slipping 6Transmission failure 5
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