Diagsheet

2016 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet

Power steering cuts out or goes heavy

  • 29owner reports
  • 59,850median miles
  • $2,800median quote
  • 1involved a crash

Newest report Aug 24, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

63 of the 2,036 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 29 of those describe power steering loss.

Tick what matches of 29 reports

2
15
4
4
20

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering rack (10 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the steering system covers the 2016 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the steering system on the F-150

AQ17-001opened Jan 4, 2017
Steering · model years 2015

Champion ford edinboro / steering shaft. Closed jun 15, 2018.

NHTSA summary
NHTSA opened AQ17-001 to determine whether Champion Ford Edinboro, Inc. (Champion Ford), of Edinboro, Pennsylvania, complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and, in turn, that a dealer not sell a new vehicle subject to a recall unless the recall remedy has been performed (49 U.S.C. ?30120(i)).NHTSA issued an information request (IR) letter to Champion Ford on January 4, 2017.Champion Ford responded to this request on January 19, 2017.Also on January 4, 2017, an IR letter was issued to Ford Motor Company (Ford) and a response was received from Ford on January 25, 2017.Finally, another IR was issued to Champion Ford on May 31, 2017, and Champion Ford's response letter was submitted to NHTSA on June 14, 2017.NHTSA's investigation indicated that Champion Ford did sell and deliver recalled vehicles that did not have the recall remedy completed at the time the vehicles were delivered to the customers.NHTSA therefore concluded that Champion Ford was liable for civil penalties for violations of the Safety Act, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. ?30165.Under a Settlement Agreement dated April 16, 2018, Champion Ford agreed to pay compromised civil penalties in the amount of $20,000.Champion Ford als
EA02-001opened Feb 6, 2002
Steering · model years 1997

Steering shaft separation. Closed may 29, 2003, led to recall 03V-196.

NHTSA summary
SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY FOR TECHNICAL DETAILS
PE01-033opened Sep 17, 2001
Steering · model years 1997 to 1998

Steering column. Closed feb 6, 2002.

NHTSA summary
PE98-024opened Apr 21, 1998
Steering · model years 1996 to 1998

Tie rod end failures. Closed jul 21, 1998.

NHTSA summary
There is no summary currently available

None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.

What owners paid

6 of the 29 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,300 to $3,000.

$1,300$2,800$3,000
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 36,100 and 89,200 miles, from the 24 reports that gave a mileage.

216
418
419
520
121
222
424
425
326

What owners wrote

“"While operating my 2016 Ford F-150, the vehicle lost power-steering assist. Ray Skillman Ford diagnosed an internal failure of the power steering control module and replaced the steering gear assembly. The vehicle had approximately 94,620 miles. Sudden loss of steering assist significantly increased the effort required to steer the truck and created a safety concern. The repair cost me $3,804.27."”

Filed Aug 24, 2026 · 94,620 miles

“While driving vehicle between approximately 30-50mph and making a slight turn left or right and lane changes, vehicle steering would stick. Power steering would get stuck and driver would have to manually correct the steering wheel in the opposite direction after lane changes or slight turn to prevent further veering off of the vehicle. Only occurs when vehicle speed is approximately 30-50mph.”

Filed Feb 6, 2026

“Driving out of town for a trip and out of nowhere at“Steering Assist Fail” alert hill decent alert”

Filed Apr 11, 2025

“I was driving home on the 4 lane from baseball practice and my power steering went out all of the sudden and now I have to fight to get it to turn. I took it to the Ford dealership I bought the truck at and they said the steering rack had went out and I needed a new one. That's a $3000 repair and I feel that a truck in that year model under 150,000 miles should lose power steering”

Filed Feb 22, 2024 · 150,000 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 29 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

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