While traveling at 55 MPH, entered a curve my steering completely locked up causing me to collide with the guard rail. Not only was I put in danger but everyone traveling Kentucky 114 that day was as well. There have been several complaints on the same make and model cars and Ford has done nothing to correct it. There was no warning lights no anything. My car was total and my life was at risk,…
2014 Ford Taurus steering problems
severe 67 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
67
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
4crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 67 steering complaints filed for the 2014 Ford Taurus, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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 67 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.
Among the 12 model years of Ford Taurus in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2014 Ford Taurus has well-documented electric steering failures that can lock the wheel hard or completely, often without warning, across a wide mileage range. Prior model years are under recall for the same issue, but 2014 remains excluded; Ford refuses to cover repairs outside warranty, leaving owners facing $2,000–$4,000 bills. One rear suspension recall exists but repair status is incomplete.
The 2014 Ford Taurus steering system is showing two distinct failure patterns. The first involves complete or near-complete loss of electric power steering assist, where the wheel becomes rock-hard to turn or locks up entirely. This happens at all speeds—parking lot maneuvers to highway cruising—sometimes with warning lights ("Steering Assist Fault," "Power Steering Failure," "Service Advanced Trac"), sometimes without. Owners report the failure can clear temporarily after a restart, only to recur. Repair shops and dealers are diagnosing steering rack/gear or electronic control module failures, with repair costs ranging from $1,800 to $4,000.
The second pattern involves rear suspension toe-link fracture (NHTSA recall 20V072), where the broken link causes sudden loss of steering control at highway speeds, leading to skids and crashes. Several owners cited this specific recall after their vehicles totaled.
Common diagnostic codes mentioned include U3000:49 (steering gear fault) and C200D:49. Owners repeatedly note that prior Taurus model years (2010–2013) carry recalls for essentially identical steering problems, but 2014 models are excluded, leaving them without coverage despite experiencing the same failures. Some dealers claim no recalls apply; others acknowledge the problem as a known design issue. The absence of early warning signs troubles owners—failures often strike without prior symptoms, creating genuine highway hazard conditions.
Same Ford Taurus steering reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Electric Power Steering System Failure—Assist Loss
Power steering assist cuts out suddenly, forcing the steering wheel to become extremely hard to turn or completely locked. Occurs at rest or while driving at any speed. Can be triggered by cold start, fuel stop, or while underway. Warning lights may illuminate ('Steering Assist Fault,' 'Power Steering Failure,' 'Service Advanced Trac,' 'Steering Loss Stop Safely') or failure may be silent. Some occurrences clear temporarily after engine restart; others persist.
When: From under 16,000 miles to 128,000+ miles; most failures cluster between 30,000–100,000 miles; some occur within first 5 years of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes extremely difficult to turn or completely locks; Warning lights on instrument cluster: 'Steering Assist Fault Service Required,' 'Power Steering Failure,' 'Service Advanced Trac,' 'Steering Loss Stop Safely'; Loss of power assist, vehicle defaults to manual steering; Intermittent failures that may clear after restart then recur; No prior warning or symptoms in many cases
Codes mentioned: U3000:49 (steering gear fault), C200D:49 (power steering control module fault)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships and mechanics recommend replacement of steering gear/rack assembly or electronic control module. Repair costs: $1,800–$4,000+. Labor and realignment add to total. Some owners report repeated failures of the same component within a few years of initial repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford offers no warranty assistance outside 60,000 miles. Manufacturers state vehicles are outside recall coverage despite owners noting identical failures in 2010–2013 models under active recalls. Some cases receive case numbers but no assistance. Extended warranties may cover repairs if purchased at time of sale.
Rear Suspension Toe-Link Fracture
Rear suspension toe link breaks, significantly diminishing steering control. Occurs on vehicles exposed to frequent full rear suspension articulation (jounce and rebound), such as rough roads or heavy-duty use. Results in sudden, dramatic loss of steering authority at highway speeds, causing skids and potential crashes. NHTSA recall 20V072 / Manufacturer Recall 20S04 identified this defect in February 2020 but status listed as 'Recall Incomplete.'
When: Reported in mid-highway driving; exact mileage varies; owners cite routine driving on newly paved or rough roads.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of steering control at highway speed; Vehicle swerves uncontrollably in both directions; Dash indicator 'slippery road' may appear before failure; Vehicle skids across lanes or hits median/guardrail
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 20V072
Repairs/costs cited: Fractured rear toe link confirmed on vehicle post-crash. Vehicles have been totaled. No owner reports successful preventive repair prior to failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 20V072 / Manufacturer Recall 20S04 issued February 10, 2020, status 'Recall Incomplete.' One owner filed claim with Ford; was redirected to insurance. No successful recalls or repairs reported by owners in narratives.
Synthesized from 67 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Was in the parking lot at work preparing to leave and started the car up and the battery light illuminated and displayed check charging system. The steering wheel was locked up and wouldn't budge. I turned off the ignition and turned it back on and the car was able to move and I drove it home. Will be taking it to the dealership today.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Ford taurus. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not…
Driving 40 MPH power steering went out almost causing crash off roadway. After regaining control, moved to shoulder. Turned off car, turned on car, then was ok. Then happened again when leaving work - sensors on and no reset this time. Had to carefully limp it home. Tried replacing fuse for steering - but didn't work - will need to go to dealer. Just went out to get picture of codes - but…
Had steering trouble with your 2014 Ford Taurus?
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 2014 Ford Taurus?
It's a meaningful issue. 67 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 50 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 57,602 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 77,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 57,602; a quarter make it past 100,000. 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/2014/Ford/Taurus.
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.