HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING LINE SEEPAGE-COLD CLIMATES ONLY (EXCLUDING HERITAGE F-150).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Ford F-150 steering problems
moderate 53 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
53
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 53 steering complaints filed for the 2008 Ford F-150, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 53 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2008 F-150 steering system generates repeated complaints across 53 documented cases, with a dominant pattern centered on lower steering shaft U-joint corrosion. Owners report the joints bind and lock during turns, forcing sudden effort to maintain control and sometimes causing oversteer into oncoming traffic. The universal joints corrode severely due to lack of grease fittings—no serviceable lubrication points exist. Replacement shafts cost $460 to $1,300; Ford offers an updated part (ending in 'B' instead of 'A'), confirming Ford's awareness of the problem. Owners note Ford recalled the identical component in 2005–2011 cars, Lincolns, and Mercurys but excluded F-150 trucks.
Secondary steering issues include power steering system failures (pump, lines, rack-and-pinion leaks) and complete loss of power assist without warning. Steering wheel covering deteriorates and separates, causing grip loss at highway speeds. Steering column tilt mechanisms fail and remain non-functional even after replacement. Some trucks develop severe steering vibration that persists after replacement of driveshaft, transmission, and universal joints.
Multiple owners state they discovered these problems in online forums and Ford discussion boards with hundreds of reports, indicating this is not an isolated defect. Dealers consistently claim ignorance of the issue, refuse warranty coverage, or cannot source repair parts.
Same Ford F-150 steering reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Lower Steering Shaft U-Joint Corrosion & Binding
Universal joints on the lower steering shaft corrode severely, causing the joints to bind and seize. The joints lack grease fittings and cannot be lubricated during service. Corrosion compromises joint function, requiring shaft replacement. Temporary lubrication may provide short-term relief but the problem returns.
When: Typically 30,000–87,000 miles; some failures reported within first few years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel difficult or impossible to turn; Steering binds or locks up, especially during turns; Steering wheel does not self-center after turns; Sudden release of binding, causing oversteer and near-collisions; Stiff, heavy steering feel; Intermittent binding with unpredictable release; Visible corrosion on U-joint inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Lower steering shaft replacement; Ford part 8L3Z-B767B is updated version (original part ended in 'A'). Owners report replacement costs of $460–$1,300; some dealers stock these shafts due to frequency of failures. Temporary fix: external lubrication of joints, effective for days to weeks.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford issued a recall for steering shaft issues in 2005–2011 mid-sized cars, Lincoln, and Mercury models, but excluded F-150 trucks despite having identical lower steering shaft component. Owners state Ford dealers have not acknowledged the problem and some refused to perform warranty work.
Power Steering System Failure (Pump, Lines, Rack & Pinion)
Power steering system components fail, including pump, hydraulic lines, and rack-and-pinion assembly. Power steering fluid leaks occur without impact damage. Failures cause sudden loss of power assist, making steering extremely difficult or impossible at speed.
When: 30,000–130,000 miles; some reported within warranty period
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering suddenly fails or becomes intermittent; Steering becomes very hard and difficult to control; Power steering fluid leaks visible under vehicle or in engine bay; No warning lights or indicators prior to failure; Difficulty steering, especially at low speeds or during turns
Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack replacement (approx. $1,300), steering column replacement (approx. $470), power steering pump replacement, cooling tube replacement. Some repairs failed to resolve the underlying issue. One owner reported needing both rack and column replacement within one week.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers contacted but repairs often not covered under warranty after expiration. One manufacturer stated cooling tube delay was a supply issue and they were trying a new part.
Steering Wheel Deterioration (Grip Loss)
Steering wheel covering deteriorates or separates, causing grip loss. One owner reported steering wheel cover separating; another reported top of wheel showing major wear and falling apart.
When: 33,000–81,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel grip deteriorates or separates; Hand slips on steering wheel while driving at highway speed; Top of steering wheel worn or falling apart; Vinyl steering cover separates from wheel
Repairs/costs cited: Steering wheel cover or wheel replacement needed. One owner reported manufacturer would not assist with repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer declined to assist with repair of steering wheel cover separation.
Steering Column Tilt Mechanism Failure
Steering column tilt/adjustment feature malfunctions, preventing raise-or-lower operation. Issue persists even after column replacement.
When: 4,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering column will not raise or lower; Tilt feature does not function
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column replacement attempted; tilt feature still non-functional. Dealer unable to source replacement parts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated no recalls existed; unable to receive parts for further remedy.
Steering Wheel Excessive Vibration
Steering wheel vibrates excessively during normal operation. Vibration occurs across various speeds and conditions. Root cause not definitively identified by dealers.
When: 2,000–6,500 miles reported; one case at 19,000 miles with cold-tire condition
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive steering wheel vibration at 55–60 mph; Vibration occurs at various speeds and without warning; Steering shakes when tires are cold (improves when warm)
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle had driveshaft, universal joints, transmission, and four tires replaced over nine weeks without resolving vibration. One case ruled as normal due to soft tire compound; dealer declined repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unable to duplicate failures in diagnostic sessions; suggested multiple replacement components without success.
Steering Stops Wear & Aluminum Bracket Risk
Steering stops wear prematurely, allowing wheels to contact stops when fully turned. Risk of aluminum steering bracket cracking if rack-and-pinion not properly adjusted.
When: 31,000 miles on new truck; never off-road
Symptoms owners cite: Steering stops worn; Wheels contact steering stops when turned fully to either side; Risk of aluminum bracket cracking
Repairs/costs cited: Requires rack-and-pinion adjustment or replacement of steering stops.
Synthesized from 53 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford f-150. While turning left or right, the steering wheel stiffened. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering was leaking and the rack and pinion and hose needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Steering became stiff. Vehicle was hard to maintain even on straight road. After my inspection, I found that the steering shaft was horribly corroded at the universal joint. I will not drive this vehicle until I repair it. It is at the point where it could break and loose all control of steering. Very dangerous. I have been a mechanic for over 30 years I have never seen this in any vehicle, no…
Had steering trouble with your 2008 Ford F-150?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2008 Ford F-150?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 53 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 52 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 42,100 and 88,000 miles, with the median around 64,450. A quarter of owners report trouble before 42,100; a quarter make it past 88,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Ford/F-150.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.