Some 2011 - 2014 Mustang vehicles equipped with a 3.7L V6 engine and MT82 manual transmission may exhibit a vibration felt in the shifter, and/or the seat track and steering wheel, on deceleration between 3500 and 2000 engine RPM. This an operating characteristic of the vehicle and no repairs should be attempted.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Ford Mustang steering problems
severe Owners of the 2011 Ford Mustang have filed 25 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 60,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 Mustang | 12 |
| 2008 Mustang | 6 |
| 2009 Mustang | 3 |
| 2010 Mustang | 3 |
| 2011 Mustang (this page) | 25 |
| 2012 Mustang | 16 |
| 2013 Mustang | 10 |
| 2014 Mustang | 21 |
| 2015 Mustang | 16 |
3crashes
1injury
What stands out
Of the 16 model years of Ford Mustang we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 25.
Owners have filed 25 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.
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.
SOME 2010-2016 EPAS EQUIPPED VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT STEERING RELATED NOISES. THE WORKSHOP MANUAL (WSM) DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN UPDATED IN SECTION 211-02. WHEN DIAGNOSING AND REPAIRING EPAS STEERING NOISES USE THE UPDATED PROCEDURES.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD: SOME 2011 MUSTANGS MAY HAVE A CLUNK NOISE FROM THE STEERING OR SUSPENSION SYSTEM.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD: MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES WHEN WORKING ON FRONT END SUSPENSION OR STEERING. 2011 MUSTANG.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2011 Mustang steering system exhibits multiple failure modes, but intermittent loss of electronic power steering dominates the complaints. Owners describe sudden power loss ranging from half-second dropouts at parking-lot speeds to complete lockup at highway speeds. The steering wheel becomes unmovable, and restarting the vehicle temporarily restores function—until it fails again. Warning lights like "Service Advanced Trac" and "Power Steering Assist Failure" typically illuminate during these events.
Steering angle sensor malfunction also appears frequently, causing the ABS to engage on its own and the vehicle to pull hard to one side. One owner waited six weeks for parts because Ford outsourced the steering component supply. Some complaints describe violent front-end vibration above 55 mph, particularly during lane changes.
A second pattern involves steering unresponsiveness: the wheel simply won't turn, or locks in place. Owners report this most often during low-speed maneuvers like parking.
Ford issued a Technical Service Bulletin but no recall for the Mustang, despite recalling 450,000+ identical-year models (Fusion, Taurus, Flex, Lincoln) for the same intermittent electrical connection problem in the steering gear. Dealers have told owners they see this failure more often in Mustangs than any other model. Repair costs run $1,500 to $3,500, and Ford has offered no assistance to affected owners.
Same Ford Mustang steering reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Intermittent Loss of Electronic Power Steering
The electric power steering assist cuts out without warning while driving, ranging from brief half-second losses at low speed to complete lockup at highway speed. Owners report needing to turn off and restart the car to restore steering function. Warning lights typically include 'Service Advanced Trac' and 'Power Steering Assist Failure' indicators.
When: 3 to 10+ years into ownership; mileage ranges from 2,000 to 104,000 miles; some owners report it recurring after dealer software updates
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power steering assist for brief periods or complete failure; Steering wheel becomes heavy or impossible to turn; Steering wheel locks up completely while driving; Service Advanced Trac warning light illuminates; Power Steering Assist Failure indicator comes on; Problem resolves temporarily after restarting vehicle; Intermittent nature makes diagnosis difficult
Codes mentioned: Service Advanced Trac light, Power Steering Assist Failure indicator, Service Steering Now light
Repairs/costs cited: Complete power steering system replacement quoted at $1,500 to $3,500; one owner charged $1,733 for entire power steering system replacement; dealers cite internal steering gear failure or steering angle sensor malfunction; steering rack and pinion replacement mentioned
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) but no recall for 2011 Mustang despite recalling 450,000+ vehicles (2011–2012 Ford Fusion, Taurus, Flex, and Lincoln models) for identical intermittent electrical connection issue in steering gear; dealers told owners Ford sees more of this problem in Mustangs than other models but excluded them from recall
Steering Angle Sensor Failure
The steering angle sensor malfunctions, typically triggering electronic stability control and ABS issues. When the sensor fails, the vehicle experiences uncontrolled pulling and the electronic power steering assembly requires replacement.
When: 62,000 miles reported in one case; other cases at varying mileages
Symptoms owners cite: ABS engages independently without braking input; Vehicle pulls sharply to one side without driver input; Traction control light illuminates; Steering wheel jerks or becomes difficult to control; Traction control and stability control malfunction
Codes mentioned: Steering angle sensor failure code, Advanced Trac indicator
Repairs/costs cited: Electronic power steering assembly replacement required; parts availability delayed (one owner waited 6 weeks for GPAS system replacement from outsourced supplier)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer diagnosed but no recall issued; manufacturer made aware but offered no assistance in some cases
Front-End Vibration and Shaking at Highway Speed
The front end vibrates or shakes violently when driving above 55 mph, often triggered by lane changes or corrections. One case involved brake pad and caliper replacement without resolution, with later diagnosis pointing to faulty steering box.
When: At speeds above 55 mph; one case at 93,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking and vibration of front end at highway speeds (55+ mph); Traction control light comes on during vibration episodes; Problem occurs during lane changes and steering corrections
Codes mentioned: Traction control light
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic replaced brake pads and brake calipers without resolving issue; steering box replacement recommended by mechanic but vehicle not yet repaired
Steering Unresponsiveness or Failure to Turn
The steering wheel does not respond to driver input, refusing to turn in the desired direction. One case involved the wheel locking upside down with wheels stuck to the right; another involved the wheel simply not turning during a 25 mph turn.
When: Varying circumstances: parking lots, low-speed maneuvers, and at 25–30 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel does not turn despite driver input; Wheel locked in full-right or full-left position; Check Trac System or Check Engine warning lights illuminate
Codes mentioned: Check Trac System light, Check Engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Manual cranking of wheel heard to produce loud thud in one case before function restored; dealer unable to diagnose in another case
Steering Pull During Braking
When brakes are engaged, the steering wheel directs the vehicle sharply to the left or right without driver input, typically blamed on tires sticking to the road during braking.
When: Early in vehicle life: one case at 1,800 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle pulls sharply left or right when brakes engaged; Uncontrolled directional change during braking
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer attributed to tires sticking during braking; manufacturer offered no assistance
Steering Column Clunking and Wear
Owners report a clunking sound when turning the steering wheel during parking. Dealer diagnosis indicates steering column replacement needed.
When: Timing not specified; one case identified during unrelated transmission service
Symptoms owners cite: Clunk noise when turning steering wheel during parking
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column replacement recommended by dealer
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2011 Ford Mustang?
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 2011 Ford Mustang?
It's a meaningful issue. 25 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 22 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 44,000 and 86,000 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 44,000; a quarter make it past 86,000. 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/2011/Ford/Mustang.
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.