1997 Ford F-150 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 202about this part
- Share
- 7%of 2,758 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 111,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 202 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Ford F-150, 7% of the 2,758 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 111,000 miles. 13 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I just started having issues with my steering. I was turning right and my steering wheel locked up and I had to tug hard to unbind and regain control of my truck. I have not had an accident, but this just started happening and has happened several times while driving and turning.”
NHTSA complaint #10946552, filed 2017-01, 169,500 miles“I was driving home from town when all the ball bearings fell out of the steering column and the steering wheel became loose and the truck began to sway from right to left, it was controllable at the low speed I was going but thank god I wasn't on an interstate or highway at a higher speed I could have run off the road or worse had a head on collision ! …”
NHTSA complaint #10458004, filed 2012-05, 135,606 miles“As I was leaving the on ramp to enter heavy traffic on I-25 in denver the steering wheel became disconnected where the steering shaft meets the steering gear box. There was no steering capabilities of the pick-up. I was able to stop without causing any problems but was within feet of being in heavy traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #10231903, filed 2008-06, 72,215 miles“I am sending in a full letter to explain the failures . It centers around TSB 99b29 and lack of owner notification of a bad front cover design that can lead to engine failure, which occurred in this case. Additionally, I had a tie rod failure that was not addressed under warranty, but later broke while driving. Also, my crank shaft pulley / dampener assembly fell off while highway driving (70 MPH). There are other issues including door lock / key sticking. Campaign id number : 03v196000 component: steering:gear box:shaft sector. The engine cover gasket failed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10100805, filed 2004-03, 71,000 miles“I lost all steering control on my 1997 Ford F-150 extended cab pick up truck. The steering rod had come loose from the steering gear. I questioned the Ford dealer who made the repairs as to how this could happen. They stated that they had never seen this type of problem before. Since then I witnessed another Ford vehicle encounter the exact same problem. Due to large amount of explorers, expeditions and f150's on the road today, this was very concerning to me. Fortunately in both cases we were traveling at a very low rate of speed and was able to come to a stop without incident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10010771, filed 2003-03, 91,619 milesRelated recalls
- 03V196000May 27, 2003On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, if the intermediate shaft yoke separates from the steering gear input shaft, the steering system becomes…Covers: Ford F-150 1997, Expedition 1997, F-250 1997
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% |
| 2025 | 3 | 3% |
| 2024 | 4 | 2% |
| 2023 | 17 | 4% |
| 2022 | 10 | 2% |
| 2021 | 43 | 4% |
| 2020 | 10 | 1% |
| 2019 | 22 | 2% |
| 2018 | 83 | 4% |
| 2017 | 59 | 4% |
| 2016 | 64 | 3% |
| 2015 | 84 | 5% |
| 2014 | 160 | 10% |
| 2013 | 216 | 7% |
| 2012 | 204 | 11% |
| 2011 | 419 | 19% |
| 2010 | 48 | 6% |
| 2009 | 29 | 9% |
| 2008 | 53 | 14% |
| 2007 | 29 | 6% |
| 2006 | 55 | 9% |
| 2005 | 34 | 3% |
| 2004 | 75 | 4% |
| 2003 | 15 | 4% |
| 2002 | 25 | 3% |
| 2001 | 33 | 3% |
| 2000 | 68 | 6% |
| 1999 | 50 | 5% |
| 1998 | 96 | 7% |
| 1997 | 202 | 7% |
| 1996 | 20 | 6% |
| 1995 | 25 | 4% |
| 1994 | 20 | 3% |
| 1993 | 9 | 2% |
| 1992 | 5 | 1% |
| 1991 | 7 | 2% |
| 1990 | 7 | 3% |
| 1989 | 8 | 4% |
| 1988 | 3 | 2% |
| 1987 | 2 | 2% |
| 1986 | 3 | 5% |
| 1985 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford F-150
529 complaintsTires
305 complaintsFuel system
246 complaintsBrakes
233 complaintsBody and structure
226 complaintsVehicle speed control
223 complaintsSuspension
204 complaintsElectrical system
198 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
151 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
148 complaintsWheels
115 complaintsAir bags
99 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford F-150
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology