Owners describe two primary steering nightmares. First, complete or near-total power steering failure: the wheel either locks solid or loses all assist, leaving drivers fighting a rock-hard steering wheel at highway speeds. This happens without warning, often accompanied by "Power Steering Assist Fault" or "Service Advancetrac" messages. In some cases, power-cycling the truck (shut off, restart) temporarily restores function. Second, intermittent assist loss where drivers must muscle the wheel through turns for weeks or months, never knowing if assist will work on the next turn. A third group reports highway instability—the truck drifts lane-to-lane or resists steering input erratically, especially in wind. One owner noted Ford suggested "one-finger steering" because the EPAS system was too responsive to normal hand movements.
The core issue centers on the electronic power steering (EPAS) system. Dealers and independent mechanics point to failed EPAS gear motors, position sensor magnets, or the entire steering gear requiring replacement. One independent mechanic diagnosed nonresponsive EPAS electronics unable to communicate with the steering column. Repair costs hover around $1,600–$2,600. Critically, many owners report identical failures persist even after dealers replace the EPAS unit.
Ford's recall (14V316000, issued June 2014) covers only F-150s built May 26 – June 19, 2014. Owners built even days or weeks outside that window—despite exhibiting the exact same symptoms and owning vehicles on dealer lots when the recall rolled out—are routinely denied coverage. This narrow window has angered owners who cannot understand why a truck with the same fault is not recalled.
Failure modes owners describe
Complete power steering loss / steering lockup
Total loss of steering control or sudden steering lockup requiring manual force. The steering wheel either becomes impossible to turn or becomes rock-hard. Restarting vehicle sometimes temporarily restores function.
When: 26,000 miles to 307,000 miles; most commonly reported between 50,000–120,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks solid or becomes extremely stiff mid-drive; Complete inability to turn vehicle; Jerking or autonomous steering movement; Vehicle veers off road or into lane uncontrollably; Warning messages: 'Power Steering Assist Fault', 'Service Advancetrac', 'Hill Descent Control Fault'; Brakes and turn signals may also fail simultaneously; Temporary recovery after power cycling (turning truck off and on)
Codes mentioned: Power Steering Assist Fault, Service Advancetrac, Hill Descent Control Fault, Advanced Track Steering fault
Repairs/costs cited: Electronic Power Steering (EPAS) gear motor replacement required; dealer estimates range $1,600–$2,583 including alignment. Some owners report failure recurs after repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 14V316000 (14S09) issued 06/12/2014 for F-150s manufactured May 26, 2014 – June 19, 2014 only. Recall stated incorrectly installed EPAS gear motor position sensor magnet causes loss of steering control. Many owners outside recall window denied coverage despite identical symptoms. Ford customer service: 1-800-392-3673.
Intermittent power steering failure requiring excessive muscle
Intermittent loss of power-assist steering where the driver must apply substantial physical force to turn the wheel. Assist function returns unpredictably, making steering behavior inconsistent and dangerous.
When: Starting weeks to months after purchase; becomes more frequent over time; mileage 38,000–198,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering requires significant muscular effort; driver muscles through turns; Inconsistent assist: sometimes normal, often requiring full-body force; Wheel does not return easily to center after turning; Stiff, notchy, or binding sensation while steering; Power steering works intermittently—fails and recovers unpredictably; Becomes worse in cold weather or at startup; Overhead steering wheel vibration reported in some cases
Codes mentioned: Power Steering Assist Fault (intermittent), Electronic Power Steering module nonresponsive
Repairs/costs cited: EPAS unit or steering gear replacement; some owners cite $800+ repair costs for belt and electrical diagnostics. Independent mechanics diagnosed electronic power steering motor failure or rack-and-pinion defect. Some repairs fail to permanently resolve issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 14V316000 applies only to May 26 – June 19, 2014 production window. Owners built outside this narrow window are routinely denied recall coverage despite reporting identical symptoms. Ford refers out-of-window owners to NHTSA Hotline.
Highway instability and directional drift with EPAS fighting driver input
While driving highway speeds, vehicle drifts side-to-side or resists driver steering commands. EPAS system appears to fight or override driver intention, especially with wind, traffic aerodynamics, or lane changes. Steering behaves erratically and unpredictably.
When: Reported from 26,000 miles onward; primarily highway and high-speed driving
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle drifts from one lane to another without driver input; Wind or nearby vehicles push/pull truck in unwanted directions; Inconsistent steering ratio: same wheel input produces different vehicle response each time; Steering feels 'off'—no consistency in how much wheel input produces vehicle movement; Driver fighting vehicle to stay in lane, especially on interstates; Extreme stress and anxiety while driving; Ford service advised 'one-finger steering' because EPAS is too sensitive to driver input
Repairs/costs cited: No standard repair identified; dealer unable to reproduce issue. Owners describe this as design flaw in EPAS sensitivity/calibration rather than component failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford denied the issue exists; dealer took 30-mile test drive and reported problem could not be replicated. No recall issued for this behavior.
Cold-weather EPAS binding or stiffness at startup
At cold startup, steering wheel exhibits excessive binding, requiring substantial force to turn. Binding gradually lessens as vehicle warms but remains significantly stiffer than normal throughout operation.
When: During cold weather; startup condition; reported at 31,000–166,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering binds or locks with hard spots during initial turns from cold; Requires extreme force to turn wheel from full left to right or vice versa; Force required decreases as engine warms but never fully resolves; Moisture discovered inside power steering module (in one case); Condition persists across multiple days of cold weather
Repairs/costs cited: One case diagnosed as moisture intrusion into power steering module; independent mechanic repaired. Most cases not repaired; dealers unable to service.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response recorded for cold-weather binding; one owner was referred to NHTSA after dealer could not service vehicle.
Steering grinding noise and mechanical binding
Loud grinding, popping, or mechanical binding sound emanates from steering column or front-end area during turns, particularly at maximum steering angle. Occurs when turning wheel with some force or speed.
When: Reported at 60,000–80,600 miles; onset while driving normally
Symptoms owners cite: Loud grinding or gear-grinding noise when turning wheel, especially to maximum angle; Notchy, hard spots in wheel rotation that must be overcome with force; Popping sensation in steering; Noise sounds like starter not catching during engine crank; Associated with stiffness and loss of power assist in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Intermediate steering shaft U-joints suspected; replacement attempted in one case but did not resolve notchy, stiff condition. Another case resolved by full EPAS unit replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific manufacturer response to grinding noise. One owner scheduled dealer service; another replaced entire EPAS unit.
Synthesized from 151 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.