Steering failures on 2015 F-150s show a pattern of serious, sometimes life-threatening issues. The most critical: electronic power steering giving up entirely while driving—steering wheel locks or becomes unmovable, often at highway speeds. Owners have crossed center lines, nearly hit oncoming traffic, and had to force the wheel with extreme effort just to regain basic control. No warning usually comes beforehand; the failure is instantaneous.
A second category is chronic drift, wander, or pull. Vehicle pulls persistently left or right, requiring constant steering correction. Owners report trying alignments, tire work, and steering component replacements without permanent fix. Some say the truck pulls 40% of the time one direction, 10% another, depending on road conditions or turns.
A third failure mode is the steering wheel seizing or locking suddenly during normal turning—sometimes at 5 mph in a parking lot, sometimes at highway speeds. Owners report intermediate shaft internal fractures, seized gears, and binding that requires forcing the wheel hard to break loose.
Loose or rattling steering columns also appear, along with vibration and grinding noises when turning at low speed. Some owners faced 4+ service visits without lasting resolution.
Less common but reported: false "hands on wheel" alerts that trigger constantly regardless of actual grip, and transmission-related roll-away while parked.
Repair costs cited: $972–$2,000, often with incomplete success. Many owners say Ford is aware of these patterns but offers no recalls or permanent fixes.
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Power Steering Assist (EPSA) Failure
Complete loss of power steering assist while driving, rendering the steering wheel extremely hard to turn or immobile. Occurs without warning or with brief warning indicators.
When: Various speeds (5–70 mph), at any time during driving. Mileage range 25,450–139,318 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes extremely hard to turn or locks completely; Service Power Steering Assist warning light illuminates; Steering Assist Fault or Electronic Power Assist Fault codes appear; Vehicle becomes difficult or impossible to maneuver to safety; Sometimes accompanied by cruise control failure and loss of brakes or brake lights
Codes mentioned: Steering Assist Fault, Electronic Power Assist Fault, Service Power Steering Assist
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of electronic power steering rack, steering control module, or complete electronic power steering assist unit. Costs cited: $1,700–$2,000. Parts replaced include steering gear (GL3Z3504C, BL3Z9E926B throttle body, BL3Z 12029C coil assembly, BL3Z 12A402A ignition wire boot, CYFS 12 YT4 spark plugs).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford issued NHTSA Campaign 15V279000 (Steering) covering some vehicles; some owners report VINs not included in recall. Service bulletins SSM 47589 address steering drift/pull/wander issues. Dealers sometimes state the issue is "working as designed" or unfixable.
Steering Wheel Seizure / Locking
Steering wheel suddenly becomes locked, seized, or extremely tight during normal driving, preventing the driver from turning the wheel or requiring extreme force to regain control.
When: At low speeds (5–55 mph) during normal driving maneuvers (turns, curves, lane changes), sometimes intermittently. Occurs as early as 3,500 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel suddenly seizes or locks; Steering wheel becomes extremely tight when attempting to turn; Requires excessive force to turn steering wheel; Often occurs during turns or curves; Steering may temporarily bind or hang up in one direction; Vehicle crosses center line or drifts during the event; Warning lights for Electronic Power Assist, Advanced Trac, Hill Start Assist, or brake-related faults may appear
Codes mentioned: Electronic Power Assist Fault, Advance Trac Fault, Hill Start Assist Fault
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of steering column, steering sensor, sleeve, steering unit, or intermediate shaft reported. Internal fracture of intermediate shaft noted in at least one case. Some dealers unable to diagnose or replicate the failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some vehicles covered under NHTSA Campaign 15V279000. Dealers sometimes cannot diagnose or replicate the failure. Manufacturer acknowledged the issue in at least one case.
Steering Drift, Wander, or Pull
Vehicle steering drifts, wanders, or pulls to the left or right, requiring the driver to maintain constant pressure on the steering wheel to keep the truck going straight. Occurs especially during lane changes, turns, or at highway speeds.
When: At speeds of 25–70 mph, particularly during lane changes, turns, or when cruising straight. Can occur as early as 1,200 miles; some owners report chronic issues over years of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering drifts or wanders to left or right; Vehicle pulls strongly to one side (left or right); Requires continuous corrective steering pressure; Occurs during lane changes and turns, or even when driving straight; Steering feels overly sensitive or 'light' at highway speeds; Steering does not return smoothly to center after a turn; Steering wheel feels off-center even after alignment
Codes mentioned: SSM 47589 (Ford service bulletin for steering drift/pull/wander)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report alignment checks, tire rotation, steering mechanism replacement, intermediate shaft replacement, and ball joint inspection. A steering 'kit' cost one owner $300 plus $80 alignment; problem recurred. Some dealers installed multiple components without resolving the issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford issued Service Bulletin SSM 47589 (2016–2018 models, though reported on 2015 units). Some dealers acknowledge the problem but claim no remedy exists. Dealers sometimes offer 'kits' not covered under warranty.
Steering System Loss with Engine / Drivetrain Faults
Power steering loss coupled with multiple system failures including cruise control failure, transmission downshift, engine shutdown, brake light failure, or multiple warning codes. Often occurs at highway speeds.
When: Highway speeds (50–70 mph) during normal cruising, sometimes while towing. Mileage 25,450–100,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering fails suddenly; Cruise control cuts off or fails; Multiple warning lights appear: Advanced Trac, Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control Fault, Check 4X4, brake-related warnings; Engine may stall or transmission may downshift abruptly; Loss of brake lights, turn signals, or other electrical functions; Vehicle shudders or runs rough; Difficulty maintaining vehicle control
Codes mentioned: Steering Assist Fault, Advanced Trac Fault, Hill Start Assist Fault, Hill Descent Control Fault, Check 4X4, Parking Brake Fault
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported a corroded wire in the steering column; entire steering column replaced. Another reported throttle body, coil assembly, ignition wire boots, and spark plugs replaced at $972.56. Some failures have caused dealership technicians to require 20+ miles of test driving to reproduce the issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships have acknowledged hearing of this failure pattern before. Some owners report being asked to sign waivers. NHTSA Campaign 20V332000 (Service Brakes) mentioned in one complaint; note unclear if applicable.
Steering Wheel Loose / Excessive Play
Steering wheel develops noticeable looseness, excessive axial movement, rattling, or play within the steering column, sometimes with wobbling felt by the driver or visible by eye.
When: Can develop as early as 37,000 miles; progressive deterioration reported (loosening 'exponentially' with each trip).
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel has noticeable play or loose movement; Excessive axial movement in steering shaft within column; Rattling noise inside steering column; Steering wheel wobbles visibly or by feel; Steering feels unstable or imprecise
Repairs/costs cited: One owner identified a loose and deteriorated bolt at the steering shaft. Steering column components may need tightening or replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated the vehicle was not covered under warranty at 49,000 miles (exceeding the 36,000-mile warranty by ~13,000 miles).
Steering Angle Sensor / Hand-on-Wheel Monitoring False Alerts
Vehicle displays repetitive false alerts demanding driver keep hands on the steering wheel, regardless of actual hand placement or pressure. Requires driver to remove hand from wheel to dismiss alert—a counterintuitive safety issue.
When: Intermittent but frequent; can occur immediately after purchase (first documented at 493 miles). Triggers at all speeds and times of day.
Symptoms owners cite: Repetitive false 'hands on wheel' warning messages; Alarm bell sounds repeatedly; Warning persists regardless of hand placement, pressure, or which hand is used; Can re-trigger within milliseconds of clearing alert; Driver must remove hand from wheel to hit 'OK' button (counterintuitive safety trade-off); Or driver must shake/swerve wheel to clear the alert
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer claimed issue was "working as designed" or unfixable. No repairs documented as successful.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated multiple times that the issue cannot be fixed or is working as designed.
Vehicle Rolling from Park (Transmission Shift Issue)
Vehicle rolls backward or forward while in Park gear with engine off, even when shifter was properly placed in Park. Indicates possible transmission or shifter mechanical failure.
When: While parked with engine off; reportedly occurs with 2017 models and owner suspects ongoing unfixed issue.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backward while in Park and engine off; Shifter does not move when driver attempts to shift out of Park; Vehicle rolls despite driver turning key to 'Off' and removing key
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented; owner did not complete service.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented. Owner expressed concern that if the problem persists on 2017 models two years later, it suggests an unfixed defect.
Steering Wheel Does Not Return to Center
After turning the steering wheel left or right, it fails to return smoothly to center position and requires the driver to manually force it back or fight resistance.
When: At low to moderate speeds (25–50 mph) during and after turning maneuvers.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel fails to return to center after a turn; Driver must force or fight the steering wheel to center it; Occurs intermittently, sometimes triggered by specific turn angles or road conditions; May involve resistance or binding in one direction
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers typically unable to diagnose or replicate; no error codes present in most cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer opened a case in at least one complaint but no documented repairs or resolution.
Steering Vibration, Clunking, or Grinding Noise
Steering system produces vibration, grinding, or clunking noises, especially when turning at low speeds or during braking. Vibration felt in steering wheel and audible from cabin.
When: Intermittent (few days a week) within first year of use, occurring at low speeds (<25 mph), especially during turns or at stop lights.
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration and humming or grinding noise when turning; Cyclic vibration felt in steering wheel; Audible from passenger seat; Occurs at low speeds (< 25 mph) during turns and when slowing down; Noise and vibration persist whether or not brakes are engaged; Occurs in both 4x4 and 4x2 modes; Clunking noise when steering at ~40 mph, worse over bumps/rough terrain
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of front IWE (independent wheel-end) assemblies (found to have partial leak) and front left hub assembly (found to have resistance/grinding). Multiple service visits (3–4+) without permanent resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Verified by service staff at two different dealerships but no lasting fix achieved.
Steering Sensitivity or Responsiveness Issue (EPAS Tuning)
Electronic power steering system exhibits overly sensitive, unresponsive, or poorly calibrated behavior, particularly when towing or at highway speeds. Steering may over-assist or under-assist, requiring driver compensation.
When: At highway speeds, especially when towing a trailer. Occurs consistently during normal driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering overly sensitive at highway speeds; Difficult to control trailer under tow; Steering does not want to go straight after turning (requires counter-steer with high resistance); Steering assists left or right more than intended, then over-corrects; Final steering position is canted slightly left or right rather than straight
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; owner demonstrated issue on dealer test vehicle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented.
Synthesized from 80 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.