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.
44
Latest Oct 25, 2021
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.
14%
of 304 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.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4
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 2000 Ford F-350 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 44 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
The 25 most recent of 44, in the owner's own words
The death wobble. Hitting a bump - no matter the size and without warning - may cause your entire vehicle to wobble/shake uncontrollably and loose ability to steer. You’re only recourse is to let off of the accelerator and TRY to hold the truck in the lane and pray you don’t have to brake or make a turn. It has happened multiple times but the worse was while traveling I-10 in San Antonio, Texas while pulling a horse and trailer.
NHTSA ID
11438157
Incident
Oct 3, 2021
Steering
Filed Feb 16, 2020
THERE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THE STEERING THAT MY MECHANIC SAYS IS CALLED THE DEATH WOBBLE'. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE STEERING BEGAN TO WOBBLE UNCONTROLLABLY. MY FRONT TIRES ARE NEW, STEERING COMPONENT ALL TIGHT AND INFLATION IS ACCURATE. I PULLED TO THE AIDE OF THE ROAD AND ALMOST CRASHED. THE 'WOBBLE' OCCURS SPORADICALLY AND IS NOT PREDICABLE. IT HAS OCCURRED 6-7 TIMES IN THE TWO YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE TRUCK. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERED AS IT IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION. MY MECHANIC IS SAYING IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS.
NHTSA ID
11309470
Incident
Feb 12, 2020
Steering
Filed Feb 10, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED SINCE PURCHASE THE VEHICLE HAS A SHIMMY IN THE FRONT END PASSENGER SIDE. THIS OCCURS AT 35-45 MPH, WHEN THE TIRES HAVE AT LEAST 10,000 MILES WORTH OF WEAR. THE TIRE BRAND HAS BEEN CHANGED MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE TYPE OF TIRE DOES NOT AFFECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALERSHIP OR MECHANIC, BUT THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIE ROD END TWICE, CENTER LINK, AND SPINDLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THESE EFFORTS HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ID
10149971
Incident
Feb 10, 2006
Mileage
336,169 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Apr 4, 2005
WHILE DRIVING 5-70 MPH CONSUMER LOST POWER STEERING/BRAKING. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEAALERSHIP REPAIRED THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKE COMPONENTS, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *AK
NHTSA ID
10117358
Incident
Feb 8, 2005
Mileage
22,300 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 3, 2004
THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES,AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED VIBRATING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE ROD NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
NHTSA ID
10075658
Incident
Jun 3, 2004
BrakesSteering
Filed Oct 10, 2003
Crash reported
LOST STEERING AND BRAKES TOWING A TRAILER ON AN OFF RAMP. HIGH WAY 80 IN WAMSUTTER WY. SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES AT THE SAME TIME SEEMS TO BE UNSAFE TO ME. TO HAPPEN ON A HIGH WAY OFF RAMP TOWING A TRAILER MAKES IT EVEN WORSE. *LA
NHTSA ID
10041594
Incident
Sep 28, 2003
Mileage
63,424 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 25, 2003
CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE DRIVING A BAD SMELL COMING FROM UNDER HOOD DUE TO POWER STEERING FLUID SPRAYING ONTO MANIFOLD. *AK
NHTSA ID
10034465
Steering
Filed Apr 18, 2003
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM
NHTSA ID
10017195
Incident
Apr 18, 2003
Steering
Filed Oct 30, 2002
THE CONSUMER WAS BACKING UP IN A PARKING LOT AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING HIS POWER STEERING WENT OUT. ALSO THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. TS
NHTSA ID
8021927
Incident
Aug 22, 2002
Steering
Filed Jul 25, 2002
LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT LOW SPEED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THIS MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE TRUCK WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE AND STEER AT THE SAME TIME. MY WIFE IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO STEER THE TRUCK AND I AM JUST ABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY.*JB
NHTSA ID
764711
ElectricalSteeringTires & wheels
Filed Jul 7, 2002
TIRE FAILED ON ASPHALT, NO LOAD, NO WARNING. TOTAL SEPARATION , ONLY BEAD THE TIRE TREAD LEFT. NO ROAD HAZARD AT TIME. SAME AS TWO PREVIOUS FIRESTONES TIRES, NOT THE SAME TYPE OR YEAR. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: DIESEL WOULD DIE OUT FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN CAME BACK ON BY ITSELF. LOSS OF STEERING AND ALL POWER DURING LOST POWER OR CURVES AND HILLS. FORD REPROGRAMMED COMPUTER AFTER SEVERAL VISITS THERE.*AK
NHTSA ID
763906
Incident
Jul 6, 2001
Steering
Filed Mar 25, 2002
UNDER BRAKING POWER STEERING LOCKS UP, UNABLE TO TURN EVEN WITH EXCESIVE FORCE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. CONTACTED 2 SEPERATE DEALERS (4 INSTANCES) AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM OR THIS IS NORMAL.*AK
NHTSA ID
759769
Incident
Aug 23, 2000
Exterior lightingSteering
Filed Feb 12, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported
POWER STEERING GETS STIFF AND/OR GOES OUT (DOES NOT WORK) WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED WHILE I AM DRIVING AND/OR AT A STAND STILL.AT TIMES THE STEERING LOCKS UP WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED AND THEN COMES BACK GRADUALY. THE TURN SIGNAL WILL NOT STAY ON WHILE I AM DRIVING AND WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO TURN ON IF MY STEERING WHEEL IS SLIGHTLY TURNED
NHTSA ID
758129
Incident
Sep 29, 2000
Steering
Filed Nov 22, 2001
POWER STEERING ASSIST GOES AWAY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. VERY ANNOYING, AND IF I EVER HAD TO STOMP THE BRAKE PEDAL AT SPEED AND NEED TO SWERVE, TURN, ETC. I BELIEVE IT COULD POTENTIALLY BE FATAL TO SOMEONE. FROM THE INFORMATION I HAVE READ THIS IS A PRETTY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. THEY ARE MUCH TOO BIG AND HEAVY TO NOT BE ABLE TO STEER CORRECTLY.*AK
NHTSA ID
754810
Steering
Filed Aug 29, 2001
POWER STEERING LOCKS UP WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. DEALER FIRST SAID THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR VEHICLE. FORD LATER ADMITTED POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WERE LINKED TO SAME BOOSTER. WHEN APPLYING BRAKE IT TAKES AWAY FROM POWER STEERING AND IT LOCKS UP. THERE IS NO REMEDY AT THIS TIME. *AK
NHTSA ID
895443
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
Steering
Filed Aug 22, 2001
WHEN WHEEL HITS A CURB IT WOULD CAUSE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP. STEERING CAN ALSO BE LOCKED UP WHEN ANY OBJECT RESTRICTS WHEEL FROM MOVING. PROBLEM IS GETTNG WORSE. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC INDICATED THAT TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FROM MANUFACTURER PROBLEM IS NORMAL.*AK
NHTSA ID
894918
Steering
Filed Aug 5, 2001
LOSE POWER STEERING ASSIST AT LOW SPEEDS WITH BRAKES ON. DIFFICULT TO STEER AND HAVE COME CLOSE TO HITTING OTHER VEHICLES. *AK
NHTSA ID
749891
BrakesSteering
Filed Jul 16, 2001
WHEN MAKING A SLOW TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION POWER STEERING LOCKS UP. THIS ALSO AFFECTS BRAKES. *AK
NHTSA ID
892918
Incident
May 1, 2000
Steering
Filed Jun 20, 2001
AT SLOW SPEED AND STOPED, THE STEERING WHEEL CAN NOT TURN WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY ASSISTANCE. *AK
NHTSA ID
890775
Incident
Mar 1, 2000
Steering
Filed May 25, 2001
SINCE CONSUMER FIRST OWNED VEHICLE STEERING HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO CONTROL DURING WARM OR HOT WEATHER CONDITIONS. STEERING BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN TURNING AND BRAKING AT SAME TIME. AT SOME POINTS, CONSUMER LOSES CONTROL OF POWER ASSISTED STEERING WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT SAME TIME. THIS PROBLEM COULD BE RELATED TO POWER STEERING PUMP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK
NHTSA ID
889203
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
Steering
Filed May 22, 2001
1 injury reported
STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE CONTROL OF VEHICLE, DEALER REPLACED GEAR BOX, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *AK. CONSUMER STATED THAT DEFECT CAUSED INJURY TO HIS BACK, THE STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES.*JB
NHTSA ID
888899
Incident
Sep 29, 2000
Steering
Filed May 21, 2001
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IT BECOMES DIFFICULT TO STEER. FORD HAS ISSUED A TSB ON PROBLEM. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE.*AK CONSUMER STATES WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, YOU CAN NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. *SLC
NHTSA ID
888686
Steering
Filed May 11, 2001
WHILE MAKING A TURN ABOUT 10 MPH STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. FOUND OUT THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING FLUID IN VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ID
888068
Incident
Apr 25, 2001
Steering
Filed Apr 19, 2001
STEERING HAS NO POWER ASSIST WHEN STOPPED AND BRAKES ARE APPLIED. VEHICLE IS DIFFICLUT TO PARK WHEN ON AN INCLINE DUE TO INABILITY TO TURN WHEEL WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. I ALSO HAVE CONCERN ABOUT HOW THE THE VEHICLE WILL RESPOND IN AN EMERGENCY STOP SITUATION IF THE WHEEL CANNOT BE TURNED WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED HARD. WITH THIS SYSTEM I MAY BE ABLE TO STOMP AND STAY BUT NOT SURE IF I WILL BE ABLE TO STEER. IHAVE TAKEN TRUCK TO DEALER FOR THIS CONDITION BUT WAS REFERRED TO FORD SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGE #12995 AND TOLD THE CONDITION WAS NORMAL.*AK
NHTSA ID
744276
BrakesSteering
Filed Apr 3, 2001
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES HARD, THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TWICE, DEALER SAID IT MET SPECIFICATIONS. *AK CONSUMER STATES STEERING IS GETTING HARDER TO STEER. *SLC
NHTSA ID
884951
Incident
Aug 1, 2000
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