RoadVitals

2004 Ford F-250 Sd 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.
15
Latest Dec 30, 2013
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.
6%
of 254 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.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

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 2004 Ford F-250 Sd submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 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

SteeringSuspension
Filed Dec 30, 2013

FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY AFTER HITTING A ROUGH SPOT ON PAVEMENT AT HIGHWAY SPEED. CONTINUES UNTIL SPEED IS REDUCED TO LESS THAN 50 MPH. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ON YOUR DATABASE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, SO WHY ISN'T SOMETHING BEING DONE ABOUT IT? THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. MY WIFE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HANDLE THIS HAPPENING TO HER. THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND I HAD THE TRUCK CHECKED, BUT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. EVEN THOUGH IT'S TEN YEARS OLD, TRUCK ONLY HAS A LITTLE OVER 24,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10557862
Incident
Dec 27, 2013
Mileage
23,900 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 24, 2012

TRAVELING AT REGULAR MOTORWAY SPEEDS (55 - 70) THE TRUCK VIBRATES VIOLENTLY AND CONSTANTLY. IT STOPS ONCE THE VEHICLE SLOWS TO BELOW 30MPH. I HAVE CHECKED OTHER COMPLAINTS AND WILL BE CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE AND SEEING IT A STEERING DAMPENER CAN BE ADDED. THIS VEHICLE WAS UNLOADED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT AND HAD ABOUT 1/2 A TANK OF FUEL ON BOARD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10462909
Incident
Jun 22, 2012
Mileage
136,560 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jul 5, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT HIS THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND STEERING CONTROL BOX WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE A FAILURE WITH THE STEERING. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID
10410483
Incident
Dec 20, 2004
Mileage
60,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 11, 2010

SEVERE PROBLEMS ON 2004 F250 SUPERDUTY CREW CAB 4X4. AS OF 6/11/2010 HAS ONLY 32,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. STEERING WHEEL INTERMITTENTLY LOCKS UP AT LOW SPEED (INTERSECTIONS ETC.) AND IS NOW LOCKING UP AT HIGHER SPEEDS (45MPH +). CAUSED TRUCK TO VEER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC BUT ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED. TRUCK ALSO VIOLENTLY VIBRATES (INTERMITTENTLY) WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. TRUCK IS BECOMING TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THE NHTSA TO TAKE ACTION BECAUSE MANY OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY SEEMINGLY CLAIMS (THROUGH OTHERS EXPERIENCES WITH SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AT FORD DEALERSHIPS) THAT NO PROBLEMS EXIST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10335827
Incident
Jun 11, 2010
Mileage
32,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 10, 2010

MY 2004 FORD F-250 HAS A STEERING PROBLEM, THE TRUCK OCCASIONALLY PULLS HARD TO THE LEFT ESPECIALLY AFTER I MAKE A SHARP RIGHT TURN. I'VE TALKED WITH SOME OTHER FORD OWNERS AND THEY ALSO HAVE STEERING PROBLEMS. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING BOX. *TR

NHTSA ID
10335593
Incident
May 1, 2010
Mileage
90,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Apr 23, 2010

LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN SMITH'S OFFICE ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING ONGOING ISSUES WITH HIS 2004 F250 VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ROUGH, THERE WAS A SEVERE RATTLE IN THE DOORS, BLACK SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT END WAS LOOSE, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED TWICE, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING, TRANSMISSION AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND ULTIMATELY THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT BLEW A HOLE THROUGH ONE OF THE CYLINDERS. *JB UPDATED 05/03/10. *JB

NHTSA ID
10327417
Incident
Jul 28, 2004
SteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 8, 2009

VEHICLE SHIMMY AND SHAKE, STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATION STARTS AT APPROX. 50 MPH AFTER GOING OVER SLIGHT BUMP IN ROADWAY. CONTINUES UNTIL BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND SPEED IS REDUCED TO UNDER 45 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10291416
Incident
Jun 15, 2009
Mileage
70,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 27, 2009

ON 2004 FORD SUPER DUTY, F-250, THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE LEFT FRONT BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE. THE VEHICLE HAS 58,246 MILES ON IT WITH NO ACCIDENTS OR MISUSE. THIS IS PRE-MATURE FAILURE OF MAJOR SUSPENSION PARTS. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT ALSO STATED THAT FORD KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINTS DUE TO THE WEIGHT OF THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10289986
Incident
Oct 27, 2009
Mileage
58,246 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 1, 2009

2004 FORD F250SD 78,000 MILES, WENT TO DRIVE FORWARD OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND THERE WAS A LOUD BANG IN THE FRONT END AS IF I DROVE OVER SOMETHING. STOPPED THE TRUCK GOT OUT LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND THERE WAS NOTHING THERE. GOT BACK IN TO DRIVE OUT OF PARKING SPOT, STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN, BUT WHEELS WOULD NOT. HAD IT TOWED TO FORD GARAGE AND THEY SAID THE BOLTS HOLDING THE STEERING BOX TO THE FRAME JUST SNAPPED OFF. THE FORD DEALER SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HAD THAT HAPPEN TO A TRUCK BEFORE AND THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW IT HAPPENED. I KNOW IF I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH I PROBABLY WOULD OF BEEN KILLED IF THAT HAD BROKEN AT THAT TIME. TRUCK IS BEING REPAIRED, BUT PARTS HAVE TO BE ORDERED BECAUSE THEY ARE SPECIAL BOLTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10285903
Incident
Sep 29, 2007
Mileage
80,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 14, 2009

2004 FORD F250. GRADUALLY OVER A ONE YEAR PERIOD, THEN INTERMITTENT, POWER STEERING GEAR BOX SHAFT LOCKS UP AT SLOW SPEED TURNS. POWER STEERING FLUID CONTINUOUSLY CONTAMINATES EVEN AFTER REPEATED CHANGES. PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVING IN INTERSECTIONS, ETC. VEHICLE NOT DRIVABLE AT THIS POINT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10283883
Incident
Nov 1, 2008
Mileage
45,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 2, 2008

DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS I HIT A BUMP AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY UNTIL I SLOWED DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE PAST MONTH. HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN MY VEHICLE TYPE AND THE RELUCTANCE OF THE MANUFACTURER TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. AFRAID OF WHAT POTENTIALLY MAY HAPPEN IF THIS CONTINUES TO OCCUR WITH NO DEALERSHIP/MANUFACTURER INTERVENTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10229604
Incident
Jun 1, 2008
Mileage
128,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed May 6, 2008

MY 2004 F250 2WD SUPERDUTY PICKUP SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHENEVER I HIT THE SMALLEST POTHOLE OR DRIVE OVER RAILROAD TRACKS. THIS CAUSED MY RIGHT TIE ROD TO SEPARATE AND RUN THREE PEOPLE OFF THE ROAD. AFTER NEW TIE RODS THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 81,000 MILES ON IT .NO ONE HAS ANY EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT TO DO TO FIX THIS OTHER THAN AN AFTER MARKET STEERING STABILIZER. SHOULDN'T FORD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS FIX BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED? *TR

NHTSA ID
10226855
Incident
Apr 15, 2008
Mileage
80,259 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed May 1, 2008

AT ABOUT 45 TO 55MPH TRUCK SOMETIMES DEVELOPS A LIGHT SHIMMY IN THE FRONT END. IT OCCASIONALLY BECOMES VERY SEVERE FEELING LIKE THE WHOLE FRONT SUSPENSION IS ABOUT TO COME APART. IT IS ESPECIALLY PREVALENT WHEN THERE IS A SLIGHT LEFT PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL, LIKE WHEN CHANGING LANES. SLOWING WILL ELIMINATE THE BOUNCE, BUT IT IS DIFFICULT TO SLOW QUICKLY WHEN THE FRONT END IS BOUNCING AND SEVERELY VIBRATING. IT CAUSES A NEAR TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10226427
Incident
Apr 26, 2008
Mileage
22,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 6, 2006

WHEN PULLING THE TRUCK FORWARD AFTER BACKING UP, THERE IS A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT STEERING MECHANISM AS I DRIVE FORWARD. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO FORD SERVICE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND THEY INDICATED THAT NO PROBLEM EXISTED. I CALLED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN DEARBORN MICHIGAN FOR HELP, BUT THEY INDICATED THE NOISE WAS NORMAL AND NO OTHER COMPLAINTS HAD BEEN FILED. I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO LOOK INTO THIS AS I FEEL IT IS A STEERING COMPONENT ISSUE AND A POSSIBLE SAFETY ITEM. THE POPPING NOISE IS TRANSMITTED AND MANIFESTS THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL, AND AS AN EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVER I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS CANNOT BE A NORMAL SITUATION AS FORD WOULD LIKE ME TO BELIEVE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10154739
Incident
Apr 6, 2006
Steering
Filed Jun 25, 2005

THE 2004 F250 SUPERDUTY 4X4 TRUCKS NEED A STEERING STABILIZER ON THEM TO STOP STEERING SHIMMY AFTER HITTING BUMPS IN THE ROAD

NHTSA ID
10126585
Incident
Jan 23, 2005

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 .