2021 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy
- 26owner reports
- 47,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 10, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
41 of the 1,015 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 26 of those describe power steering loss.
Tick what matches of 26 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 EPS motor or module (5 reports) and the steering rack (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the steering system covers the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The steering gear may have internal damage, which could result in difficulty steering, or the inability to rotate the steering wheel while driving.
All 29 recalls on the 2021 Ford F-150, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
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 2021 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 19,888 and 79,000 miles, from the 13 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 6 service bulletins or notices for the 2021 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 2021 F-150 vehicles may exhibit a lack of steering assist upon start-up along with a Steering Assist Fault message in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) with DTC U3001:68 and/or U3001:89 along with U3000:96 in the power steering control module (PSCM).
Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles may experience a lack of steering assist upon start-up along with a Steering Assist Fault message in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) U3001:89 and U3000:96 in the power steering control ...
Some 2021-2022 Mustang Mach-E and F-150 vehicles may exhibit a Reverse Brake Assist Unavailable message after module programming has been completed.
Some 2021 F-150 vehicles built on or before 17-Mar-2021 may experience a lack of steering assist upon start-up along with a Steering Assist Fault message in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) U3000:96 and U3001:68 in the ...
2 more on the 2021 Ford F-150 page.
What owners wrote
“Electronic power steering rack failed. Vehicle matches the build date and Dearborn plant of Recall 21S28 but VIN is excluded.”
Filed Aug 10, 2026
“Was driving and all the sudden the steering went out. Was really hard to steer and almost crashed. Very dangerous. Came up "Steering Assist Fault"”
Filed Mar 7, 2026
“The steering had a failure while driving on the highway. Driving straight, not making any turns, and a steering error came across the dash for the failure. Complete loss of steering functions. THis happened at 58000 miles. The problem is now occuring daily and is thought to be the power steering module. All steering control is lost.”
Filed Sep 25, 2025 · 58,000 miles
“Getting multiple messages like service advancetrac, pre collision assistance not available, and steering assist fault. Vehicle makes noice randomly when turning but not every time”
Filed Aug 10, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 26 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 Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 94 reports
- Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 85 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 80 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 72 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 67 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 64 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 51 reports
- Windshield wipers stop working 35 reports
- Fuel pump failure 31 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 30 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 29 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 25 reports