2012 Ford F-150 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 204about this part
- Share
- 11%of 1,784 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 204 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Ford F-150, 11% of the 1,784 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While turning the steering wheel, it is making a noise like someone is using an air tool under the hood. I was driving into work and the steering wheel will catch and hang up so you can not turn all the way. This issue could be very dangerous if it did that while driving in traffic. I feel that this could be a serious safety concern.”
NHTSA complaint #11316980, filed 2020-03, 135,000 miles“I was driving my truck in a grocery store parking lot when a power steering assist warning can on an I lost steering. The steering wheel feels lock and thankfully I was not driving at highway speed. I googled this and have seen lots of complaints about the same issue resulting in accidents and loss of life. Come on Ford...”
NHTSA complaint #11180175, filed 2019-02, 102,258 miles“My truck lost power steering while turning with trailer on farm road. The steering was very hard, so that, I almost collided with bee hives. At first, the electric power steering screeched, the then I got a service message service advance trac . Finally, I got a message of power steering fault . I suspect the steering rack assembly (epas).”
NHTSA complaint #11104810, filed 2018-06, 73,835 miles“Lack of steering wheel returnability to center line on left hand turns. When making a slight left hand curve over 45 MPH it is difficult to get the steering wheel to return to centerline. Ford has issued a TSB 11-08-18 for trucks build before 7/11/11 for the exact same issue I am having. My 2012 f150 has 39,000 miles at this time and is not safe to drive!”
NHTSA complaint #10980954, filed 2017-04, 39,000 miles“While driving my 2012 F-150 I received a power steering warning light on the dashboard computer and the steering went out almost cause me to swerve into oncoming traffic. This happened without warning while my vehicle was in motion. The steering went out and I had to muscle the wheel to turn the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11232378, filed 2019-07, 115,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10095995Nov 17, 2016Some 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…
- 10058662Aug 1, 20152012-2015 f150, expedition and navigator: all require integrated wheel end (iwe) replacement. Service kit has all parts required for replacement
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 2012 Ford F-150
682 complaintsEngine
483 complaintsVehicle speed control
194 complaintsElectrical system
173 complaintsBrakes
137 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
129 complaintsOther or unknown
122 complaintsFuel system
119 complaintsAir bags
37 complaintsElectronic stability control
36 complaintsBody and structure
24 complaintsSuspension
19 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 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