RoadVitals

2002 Ford F-150 Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
25
Latest Feb 19, 2017
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 821 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Ford F-150 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 25 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Feb 19, 2017

SEED CONTRAL.

NHTSA ID
10955506
Incident
Jun 7, 2016
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)+1 more
Filed Sep 5, 2014

ENGINE QUITS RUNNING AND WONT RESTART, SO YOU HAVE NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. PROBLEM INDICATORS ARE 1. ENGINE WONT RESTART/ OR QUIT RUNNING 2. ODOMETER READS ALL DASHES, NO NUMBERS,3. ANTI THEFT ACTIVATED. THIS IS CAUSED BY THE POWER WIRE IN THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE HOOD CORRODING OFF FOR THE PCM RELAY AND LEAVING THE PCM DEAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10630914
Incident
Aug 8, 2014
Mileage
168,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 4, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE. THE STEERING BOX THEN ABNORMALLY MOVED BACK AND FORTH. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THREE BOLTS THAT HELD THE STEERING GEAR TO THE FRAME WERE FRACTURED. THE HEAD OF THE BOLTS SNAPPED AND ONE SIDE OF THE BOLTS APPEARED TO BE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,312. ..UPDATED 10/03/12 *BF

NHTSA ID
10473693
Incident
Sep 3, 2012
Mileage
127,312 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 30, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING BOX FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SPIN WITHOUT RESISTANCE AND WOULD NOT CATCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 214,000.

NHTSA ID
10456925
Incident
Apr 27, 2012
Mileage
214,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 2, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD FRACTURED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, CAUSING HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED THE INNER PASSENGER TIE ROD. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10423050
Incident
Aug 1, 2011
Mileage
124,000 mi
Fuel systemSteering
Filed May 16, 2011

ONE GAS TANK STRAP WAS FOUND TO BE RUSTED AND THE TANK AT AN ANGLE. IT WAS INSPECTED BY A LOCAL FORD DEALER, WHO FOUND THAT THE GAS TANK WAS ALSO RUSTED AND LEAKING. THE GAS TANK AND STRAPS WERE REPLACED. BECAUSE THE MODEL YEAR WAS NOT IN THE DATE RANGE OF THE RECENT RECALL, WE HAD TO PAY $793. A POWER STEERING PUMP WAS ALSO LEAKING AND REPLACED. THE GAS TANK WAS THE MAJOR ITEM OF CONCERN.

NHTSA ID
10401834
Incident
May 14, 2011
Mileage
77,061 mi
Fuel systemSteering
Filed May 10, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GASOLINE TANK STRAP WAS COVERED WITH RUST. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THEY REPLACED THE FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD WAS ALSO REPLACED. UPDATED 12/28/11

NHTSA ID
10399800
Incident
Dec 1, 2010
Mileage
95,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 14, 2008

WHILE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE AT 36 MPH ON A PAVED STREET THE LEFT OTTER TIE ROD END BROKE . CAR WAS CLOSE TO BEING OUT OF CONTROL BUT WAS SAFELY BROUGHT TO A STOP. REPLACED ALL TIE ROD ENDS, PITMAN ARM AND CENTER LINK. (SHOP THAT DID THE ALIGNMENT SAID I WAS THE SECOND CAR THAT HAD BROKEN A TIE ROD. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS A 2001 F150). *TR

NHTSA ID
10238119
Incident
Aug 8, 2008
Mileage
90,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 1, 2008

TOTAL FAILURE TIE ROD AND BALL JOINT ON FRONT DRIVER SIDE SUDDENLY CAME APART WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOST OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO "DIRECT" TRUCK OFF THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10229429
Incident
Apr 26, 2008
Mileage
59,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 6, 2007

I WAS TOLD DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE THAT MY TRUCK NEEDED TIE ROD ENDS AND BALL JOINTS (NOT JUST SOME OF THEM BUT ALL OF THEM) I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMS THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE. IS THERE ANY INVESTIGATION GOING ON OR A POSSIBLE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10205141
Incident
Sep 7, 2007
Mileage
83,718 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 26, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN A PARKING LOT, ALL STEERING WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE TIE ROD.

NHTSA ID
10171880
Incident
Oct 12, 2006
Mileage
145,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 4, 2006

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED, AND MAKING A SLIGHT TURN TO THE LEFT, THE TIE-ROD END ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE OFF AND JAMMED INTO THE WHEEL. THE TIE-ROD GOUGED THE INSIDE OF THE ALUMINUM AND PUNCTURED THROUGH THE WHEEL. I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE TRUCK TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. BOTH THE INNER AND OUTER TIE-RODS ON THE DRIVES SIDE WHERE REPLACED. THE ALUMINUM WHEEL ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS IT IS SCORED AND WILL NOT HOLD AIR. *NM

NHTSA ID
10154559
Incident
Apr 2, 2006
Mileage
81,800 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 9, 2006

WITHOUT NOTICE THE POWER STEERING LET GO ON MY TRUCK RESULTING IN THE UNIT LEAKING OUT 6 BOTTLES WERE REPLACED IN THE RESERVOIR AND CONTINUED TO LEAK ONTO THE GROUND. *NM

NHTSA ID
10147319
Incident
Jan 9, 2006
Mileage
754,400 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 12, 2005

WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY I WAS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN I HEARD SOMETHING SNAP IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THEN I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN COMPLETELY AROUND AND THERE WAS NO CONTROL OF THE FRONT WHEELS. AFTER TAKING THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THEY REPLACED THE UPPER STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY, THE STEERING SHAFT, AND REPLACED THE CLOCK SPRING UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS COST A TOTAL OF $810.16. I WAS ON MY WAY OUT OF TOWN THAT DAY AND WAS HEADING FOR THE INTERSTATE. I AM SO THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT GOING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHY THIS HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 YRS OLD AND HAS 63,878 MILES ON IT. *NM

NHTSA ID
10145033
Incident
Nov 17, 2005
Mileage
63,878 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Jul 11, 2005
Crash reported

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 15 MPH AND LOST CONTROL DUE TO A CODDER PIN SNAPPING IN HALF CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TO COME ENTIRELY OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE DISK BRAKE STAYED CONNECTED TO THE RIM AND WAS ALSO REMOVED ENTIRELY FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE BRAKE LINES TO BE SEVERED WHICH CAUSED NO PRESSURE. WITH NO PRESSURE IN THE BRAKE LINES I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE OTHER WHEELS BUT WAS FORCED TO LET THE VEHICLE COME TO A SKIDDING STOP, WHICH HAPPENED BY HITTING A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE A YEAR PRIOR THEY HAD WORKED ON THE SAME WHEEL TO PACK THE BEARINGS AND DO OTHER SMALL MAINTENANCE. BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD CLAIMED NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCIDENT, WHICH SEEMS STRANGE SINCE A VEHICLES WHEEL SHOULD REMAIN ON WHEN GOING 15 MPH.

NHTSA ID
10128308
Incident
Jul 1, 2005
Mileage
31,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jan 5, 2005

(1) TRUCK'S BED SPREADING APART AND IGNITION/WIRING SHORTAGE (2) THE BED OF MY TRUCK HAS SPREAD APART FOR NO REASON AT ALL. I CANNOT EVEN SHUT MY TAILGATE. MY TRUCK'S BATTERY CONTINUES TO RUN DOWN. WHEN I TURN ON MY TRUCK, THE STARTER DOESN'T WANT TO STOP. A LIGHT DISPLAYS, "DOOR OPENED!" THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE MUSIC GOES ON AND OFF. (3) I TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE DEALER TO GET THE BED FIXED. THEY SET ME AN APPOINTMENT. I MADE ANOTHER TRIP OVER AN HOUR ONE WAY TO GET FIXED AND THEN THEY DIDN'T FIX. MY WARRANTY HAS JUST RECENTLY RAN OUT. I AM HAVING SEVERAL PROBLEMS AND DON'T KNOW WHAT IS THE MATTER. I HAVEN'T HAD NO LUCK WITH TALKING WITH A FORD MECHANIC. THE WIRES IN THE STEERING COLUMN LOOKS TOO TIGHT OR LOOSE. THERE IS A CONSTANT BUZZING SOUND. MY CLOCK AND MILEAGE READINGS ERASES. MY WINDOWS STOP WORKING. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN I PLACE THE TRUCK IN DRIVE. MOST OF THE TIME EVERYTHING STARTS WORKING ONCE PLACED IN PARK. I ONLY HAVE CLOSE TO 70,000 MILES. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MONTHS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10105819
Incident
Dec 30, 2004
Mileage
20,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Jun 14, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

THERE WAS NO COTTER PIN INSTALLED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SPINDLE. AS A RESULT, THE ENTIRE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10072086
Incident
Feb 27, 2004
Mileage
21,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 6, 2004

2002 F-150 SUPER CAB, MAKES A POP RIGHT WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION, STANDING STILL (VEHICLE RUNNING OR NOT) AND MOVING, ALSO GETTING A VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. PERSONAL INVESTIGATION WAS TO CHECK THE LUGNUTS FOR TIGHTNESS, ALL OK, THEN REMOVED BEARING COVER OFF FRONT WHEELS, FOUND NO LOCKING MECHANISM ON RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING NUT. GOING TO DEALER TOMORROW (4/7/2004) VEHICLE HAS 26,500 MILES. OWNED SINCE NEW, FRONT WHEELS HAVE NEVER BEEN REMOVED. NOTICED SEVERAL "POPPING" COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE - WONDER IF THEY HAVE LOCKING MECHANISMS ON THEIR BEARING NUTS? *LA

NHTSA ID
10065666
Incident
Mar 14, 2004
Mileage
26,500 mi
SteeringTires & wheels
Filed Aug 15, 2003
2 injuries reported

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STEERING GOING OUT.*MR STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO BRAKE FAST, AS A RESULT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED. *PH ALSO THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED 2 FLAT TIRES TWO WEEKS AFTER THE INCIDENT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10034469
Steering
Filed May 28, 2003

A POPPING NOISE COULD BE HEARD IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM FIVE TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLOCK SPRING, TIGHTENED THE BOLTS IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT. THE POPPING NOISE COULD STILL BE HEARD. *TT

NHTSA ID
10021713
Steering
Filed Dec 31, 2002
Crash reported

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT THE PITMAN ARM ON THE VEHICLE. ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE PITMAN ARM FELL OFF WHICH IT CAUSED COMPLETELY LOST OF STEERING AND THE CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY WAS CONTACTED AND HAS AGREED THAT THERE WAS NO BOLT PUT INTO THE PART THAT FELL OFF BUT THERE STILL NOT DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. TS PHOTOS ATTACHED. *TT

NHTSA ID
10001731
Incident
Nov 23, 2002
Mileage
6,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 2, 2002

VERY SERIOUS FAILURE!!! WHILE BACKING UP A STEEP HILL IN 4WD. THE TRUCK'S PITMAN ARM CAME COMPLETELY OFF OF THE SPLINED SHAFT THAT COMES OUT OF THE STEERING BOX. SO, THERE WAS NO LONGER ANY CONNECTION BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE FRONT WHEELS. THE RETAINING NUT AND LOCK WASHER CAME OFF, TOO, AND WERE RECOVERED. THE LOCK WASHER IS OF THE HELICAL SPRING TYPE, AND HAS A BLACK OXIDE FINISH. BECAUSE OF THIS FINISH, IT IS EASY TO DEDUCE FROM THE WEAR MARKS ON THE WASHER. THAT THE RETAINING NUT WAS NOT TORQUED AT THE FACTORY. LUCKILY THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT ALMOST ZERO SPEED IN A DRIVEWAY. CLEARLY, HAD IT OCCURRED AT FREEWAY SPEED (WHICH IS WHERE THE TRUCK WOULD HAVE BEEN 2 MILES LATER), THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. THE OWNER OF THIS CAR, WOODY PORTER, IS MY FATHER-IN-LAW. I WAS DRIVING IT AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE, AND FILLED OUT THIS FORM FOR HIM WITH HIS PERMISSION. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, YOU MY CONTACT ME, JOHN GUNTHER, AT 650-802-8384. THANKS. DT

NHTSA ID
770334
Incident
Jul 27, 2002
Steering
Filed Nov 18, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL PULL TO THE RIGHT AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED TS

NHTSA ID
8022892
Incident
Nov 4, 2002
Steering
Filed Oct 25, 2002

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER STATES CANT CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL, WHEN MAKE LEFT OR RIGHT. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ID
8021603
Incident
Oct 24, 2002
Steering
Filed Sep 27, 2002

CONSUMER HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING COLUNM. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *MR

NHTSA ID
8019736
Incident
Mar 15, 2002

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .