2018 Ford F-150 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 83about this part
- Share
- 4%of 2,325 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 16,074miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 83 complaints about the steering of the 2018 Ford F-150, 4% of the 2,325 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 16,074 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.
“I was riding down the road the truck started to run hot then it slammed on brakes the power steering went out the panel the instrument panel was black I couldn't roll my windows down the truck was in drive but it wouldn't go and the motor was still running though and then it came all came back up and then it did this all the way home it would slam on break it didn't matter if I was going 30 or 60 and then it shut off before it got home and then the only way to get it going again was to jump it off”
NHTSA complaint #11585017, filed 2024-04, 132,410 miles“The automatic start/stop function turns the truck off at a stop. When waiting to make a left turn across traffic and the engine has turned off and the wheel is engaged in a turning angle, the power steering does not turn back on as the engine turns back on. The result is a loss of power steering through the turn putting me in multiple situations where I have no power steering into oncoming traffic until it finally engages approximately 2 seconds later. …”
NHTSA complaint #11297711, filed 2020-01, 40,000 miles“When the vehicle is stopped the stop/start technology disables the ability to turn the steering wheel. When it's time to accelerate and turn quickly the power steering does not become available for for some time. I have been close to crashing several times and hit a curb on one occasion as a result of not being able to steer. The dealer told me at the last visit this is normal because of the stop start technology and I just have to wait for the power steering to become available when the engine starts. …”
NHTSA complaint #11172831, filed 2019-01, 3,000 miles“On two occasions I have been stopped and waiting to turn left across two lanes of traffic on a four lane state highway. The engine auto stop feature shut the engine off. When I let of the brake, the engine auto started and I began to accelerate. I had no power steering and nearly drove into a ditch. It seems that there is a delay between when the engine auto starts and when the power steering works. This is very dangerous as it is difficult to turn the wheel without power steering. Especially when crossing lanes of oncoming traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #11328393, filed 2020-06, 39,000 miles“I bought this 2018 f150 lariat new, on test drive I noticed vehicle did a lot of weaving to the point I asked salesman to drive it back and verify if steered like his 2017 which he did. This vehicle drifts all over the road and feels like it is getting over run with electrical impulses in the steering causing it to drift left and right constantly and at it's will, if you look down to adjust the heater controls it will be across the centerline or off the shoulder immediately, and there are a lot of complaints about his from owners. …”
NHTSA complaint #11141554, filed 2018-10, 10 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10189562Mar 15, 2021Some 2018 F-150 vehicles may exhibit temporary heavy, stiff, or slow steering assist and/or diagnostic trouble code U3003:68 after an engine auto start stop event. This may be…
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 2018 Ford F-150
1,017 complaintsEngine
510 complaintsOther or unknown
237 complaintsBody and structure
193 complaintsElectrical system
172 complaintsBrakes
92 complaintsEngine cooling
88 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
84 complaintsVehicle speed control
73 complaintsFuel system
64 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
57 complaintsWheels
43 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Ford F-150
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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