While driving my vehicle to get on to the freeway, the engine started revving and rattling I could smell something burning. When I tried to press on the brakes it wasn't working than the steering locked. I hit my emergency breaks put on my hazard light and turned off the car until a police officer arrived. I purchased the vehicle on 2/28/2020 and when I returned to pick up the truck the next day they could not produce the keys, this took about 2 weeks. On 04/06/2020 approx. 2 weeks after picking up the truck the it wouldn't start, I jumped the truck at which time there was a rattling and knocking sound in the engine, I took it back to the dealership for servicing. I got the truck back again a little over 2 weeks later on 04/23/2020. I feel the truck is so unsafe that it will cause me to get into an accident placing my life that of my family or another driver in a separate vehicle at stake. Upon reviewing all of the documents none of the documents have the same odometer reading and the number is approx. 24000 off.
Ford F-350 steering lock-up problems
26 of the 2,894 owner complaints about the Ford F-350 describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2000 model year.
- owner complaints
- 26
- worst model year
- 2000
- typical mileage
- 83,000
By model year
Often reported together
Engine failure 6Power steering loss 2Brake failure 2Won't start 1Fire or smoke 1Knocking 1No deployment 1
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford f-350. While the contact's father was driving 55 MPH, he swerved to avoid striking another vehicle. When the brake pedal was depressed, the driver's side tires did not stop and the steering seized. As a result, the driver struck a tree and the vehicle rolled into a ditch. A police report was filed. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's father sustained blunt force trauma to the torso and was fatally injured upon impact. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford f-350. While driving 65 MPH and attempted to exit the highway, the steering wheel seized and the brake pedal was depressed, but the brakes failed to engage. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not called for diagnostic testing or repairs. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The contact called the manufacturer, but there was no response. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford f-350. While driving approximately 35 MPH and making a left turn, the steering wheel seized without warning and caused the contact to crash into another vehicle. The contact and the driver of the vehicle sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 37,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford f-350. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel seized abd as a result, excessive force was required in order to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,000.
Steering became very stiff, the front wheels then moved from left to right on their own. I pulled over, turned the steering wheel lock to lock and drove away. The problem has recurred daily since.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford f-350. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to maneuver. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 55,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 ford f350. While driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel seized, causing her to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a wall. The contact sustained a concussion to the head. A passenger sustained whiplash. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure nor was the vehicle inspected or repaired. The current and failure mileages were 58,000. Updated 11/04/11*lj the consumer stated the steering wheel was free spinning. The gear box was defective. Updated 11/14/11
Dt: contact stated while driving approximately 15-20 MPH steering locked up, causing a vehicle crash. Manufacturer stated there had to have been a dramatic hit on the front end of the vehicle.
1997 ford f350 steering problems.***no answer required***. *mr a bearing inside the steering column cracked and resulted in the steering wheel locking up momentarily while driving.
Related recalls
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: medium duty trucks and chassis-cabs. One or more of the four rivets on the lower steering shaft flex coupling may not have been crimped during the sub-assembly process.
- Risk
- If a rivet is not crimped, the flex joint can rotate on the shaft and there would be a reduction in or loss of steering control.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the lower steering shaft rivets and replace any shafts with uncrimped rivets.
Recall number 98V116000 · Recall details
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
- What is wrong
- Keys attached to the key ring of an ignition key while it is in the vehicle ignition can become lodged in the steering lock receiver as the steering wheel is being turned.
- Risk
- The lodged keys can cause loss of steering control, whichcan result in an accident when the vehicle is being used on the highway.
- Remedy
- A shield will be positioned between the steering wheel and the ignition switch and held in place by the steering lock band.
Recall number 93V066000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford F-350 steering lock-up
Which Ford F-350 years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2000 (6 complaints), 2001 (5 complaints) and 1999 (4 complaints).
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