2017 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy
- 37owner reports
- 42,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 11, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
59 of the 1,441 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 37 of those describe power steering loss.
Tick what matches of 37 reports
Power steering loss on other F-150 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2015, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Power steering loss is the steering wheel suddenly going heavy, usually with a warning on the dash. Nearly six in ten complaints in this group mention a warning light or message, and almost two thirds mention driving or highway speed rather than parking.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering rack (7 reports) and the EPS motor or module (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the steering system covers the 2017 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the steering system on the F-150
Champion ford edinboro / steering shaft. Closed jun 15, 2018.
Steering shaft separation. Closed may 29, 2003, led to recall 03V-196.
Steering column. Closed feb 6, 2002.
Tie rod end failures. Closed jul 21, 1998.
None of these investigations covers the 2017 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 19,127 and 82,500 miles, from the 22 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2017 Ford F-150 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some 2016-2019 F-150 vehicles may exhibit DTC C0051 in the ABS module. This DTC compares steering angle between the power steering control module (PSCM) and ABS and may set due to towing, driving in heavy winds, loose suspension or steering gear components, ...
What owners wrote
“First experienced slight steering weaving for a week. Then electric power steering assist completely went out. $2,450 bill to replace. This issue has been to common with F150's and should be a recall fix for free issue. Requesting assistance”
Filed Sep 11, 2025
“The power steering failed while driving. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer service shop. The dealership has said that there is over 400 vehicles with the same issue. The dealership confirmed that it's a steering box issue.”
Filed Jul 24, 2023
“Electric power steering assembly unexpectedly fails resulting in increased risk of injury or fatality from collision.”
Filed Aug 8, 2022
“The power steering abruptly stopped working while driving after two violent jerks to the left on the steering wheel. I was able to maintain my lane travel thankfully but it was a close call”
Filed Jul 30, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 37 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Timing chain or cam phaser rattles 164 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 162 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 120 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 114 reports
- Doors, latches or locks fail 101 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 99 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 82 reports
- Transmission drops into neutral or downshifts on its own 69 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 58 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 54 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 47 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 45 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 44 reports
- Rear window shatters or explodes 44 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 30 reports