RoadVitals

1996 Ford F-250 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.
17
Latest Dec 25, 2014
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.
10%
of 176 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.
1
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 1996 Ford F-250 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 17 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

Steering
Filed Dec 25, 2014

THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT BUT TO LET EVERYONE KNOW WHAT I HAVE FOUND TO BE PART OF THE PROBLEM ON THE STEERING NOT RETURNING AFTER A TURN. THE STEERING COLUMN BEARING IN THE TOP OF THE COLUMN IS BAD. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE AT LEAST 20 OF THESE FOR THIS COMPLAINT AND FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE LOCKING OF THE STEERING WHEN BREAKING IS A HYDROBOOST PROBLEM NOT A STEERING PROBLEM. FORD NEED TO RESEARCH THIS AND CORRECT IT BEFORE THERE IS A DEATH BECAUSE OF IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10668218
Incident
Dec 25, 2014
Mileage
300,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 4, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F250 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME VERY LOOSE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,600.

NHTSA ID
10399114
Incident
Apr 8, 2011
Mileage
77,600 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 9, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F250 DIESEL. THE CONTACT WAS ENTERING A RESIDENTIAL PARKING GARAGE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING IT TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A WEAK STEERING COLUMN WHICH WOULD REQUIRE REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 263,000.

NHTSA ID
10386991
Incident
Feb 22, 2011
Mileage
263,000 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 18, 2010

1996 FORD, F250, 7.3 LITER DIESEL: HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED AT CONNECTION TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE IS DUE TO FAILURE OF AN INTERNAL PLASTIC COMPONENT THAT CONNECTS THE TUBING TO THE CONNECTING NUT/FITTING. REPLACED WITH A FABRICATED HYDRAULIC HOSE THAT DID NOT HAVE ANY INTERNAL PLASTIC COMPONENTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10366654
Incident
Nov 17, 2010
Mileage
80,280 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 6, 2003

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE TECHNICIAN BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY LOOSE. TECHNICIAN REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10042400
Steering
Filed Aug 26, 2002
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT VEHICLE SUDDENLY MADE A 45% TURN AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR. STEERING COLUMN SPLIT IN HALF. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, WENT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC BEFORE SLAMMING ON BRAKES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8017152
Incident
Aug 20, 2002
Steering
Filed Jun 4, 2001

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH POWER STEERING WENT OUT, MECHANIC FOUND RETAINING RING THAT HOLDS THE PRESSURE SIDE OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID HOSE IN PLACE HAD SNAPPED. HE CHANGED A COUPLE OF THEM PER WEEK. VEHICLE HAS STANDARD POWER BOOSTER.*AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
889655
Incident
May 29, 2001
BrakesHeating & air conditioningElectrical+3 more
Filed Oct 18, 2000

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. CONSUMER HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID VEHICLE NEEDED A TUNE UP AND COIL PACK REPLACE. DEALER SAID THAT PLUGS WOULD NOT COME OUT BECAUSE THEY WERE STUCK. SO CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE PLUGS WON'T COME OUT. DEALER CHARGED A $1000 TO TAKE THEM OUT.*AK THE LIGHT AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE STARTER FAILED THREE TIMES. A/C FAILED. THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILED. BRAKE CALIPER AND ROTOR FAILED. WIRES UNDERHOOD RUST OUT. POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED. *YH

NHTSA ID
873293
Incident
Oct 9, 2000
EngineSteering
Filed Sep 13, 1999

BOLT THAT HOLDS THE POWER STEERING SNAPPED IN HALF. AFTER SNAPPING IN HALF, VIBRATED OUT TOWARDS POWER STEERING PUMP PULLEY, CAUSING THE PULLEY TO LOCK UP, AND BREAKING THE POWER STEERING PUMP BRACKET. THI S CAUSED THE MAIN DRIVE BELT TO COME OFF, LEAVING CONSUMER WITHOUT BRAKES OR STEERING. *AK

NHTSA ID
847585
Incident
Sep 11, 1999
Steering
Filed Dec 7, 1998

BEARING FAILED ON BELT TENSIONER CAUSING ME TO LOSE THE SERPENTINE BELT WHICH CONTROLS POWER STEERING,COOLING,CHARGING,AND BASICALLY EVERYTHING.ENGINE DID OVERHEAT,BUT I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO CLOSE TO AN EXIT IN WEST VIRGINIA.AFTER I TALKED TO SOME PEOPLE I FOUND THAT AT LEAST 6 OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS.I CONTACTED FORD BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF THESE PROBLEMS.TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS WAS 131.00 WHICH PORT CITY REFUNDED ME.

NHTSA ID
701158
Incident
Aug 1, 1998
Steering
Filed Nov 18, 1997

STEERING SECTOR SHAFT FAILED, CAUSING NOISE WHILE TURNING CORNERS.

NHTSA ID
525039
Incident
Apr 7, 1997
Steering
Filed Aug 26, 1997

SHORT SHAFT (PITMAN ARM) CAME OUT OF STEERING WHEEL AND BROKE. HAD LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE . TOOK TO DEALER & INFORMED NOT REPAIRING IT BECAUSE OF MISUSE OF VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
816745
Incident
Jul 28, 1997
Body & structureSteering
Filed Feb 12, 1997

CENTER CROSS MEMBER DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA ID
602694
Incident
Dec 26, 1996
Steering
Filed Jan 28, 1997

WHILE DRIVING STEERING BOX TOTALLY FAILED, COULD NOT STEER VEHICLE, STEERING BOX REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP, PROBLEM HAS NOT REOCCURRED, SPEED 25 MPH. *AK

NHTSA ID
808283
Incident
Jan 13, 1997
Steering
Filed Jan 13, 1997

WHILE DRIVING, BOLTS THAT HOLDS STEERING BOX TO FRAME SHEARED OFF, ONE LEFT HANGING, CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *AK

NHTSA ID
807481
Steering
Filed Dec 16, 1996

WHILE DRIVING THOUGH PARKING LOT, EXPERIENCED. STEERING GEAR BOX BOLT FAILURE, WHEN BOLTS SNAPPED OFF FRAME, LEAVING GEAR BOX DANGLING, DLR REPLACED STEERING GEAR BOX AND BOLTS, MONTHS PRIOR EXP ERRATIC SHATTERING AND STEERING CONTROL WHEN BRAKING. *AK

NHTSA ID
806433
Steering
Filed May 10, 1996

BRACKET HOLDING POWER STEERING PUMP IN PLACE BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING/BRAKES. *DH

NHTSA ID
504613
Incident
May 2, 1996

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .