# Ford F-150 power steering warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 4 - **Most complaints:** 2016 (2) - **Related recalls:** 7 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 4 owner complaints about the power steering warning light on the Ford F-150 (2015-2026 models), most for the **2016** model year (2). There are **7 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. ## Ford F-150 power steering warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the power steering light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2016 | 2 | 113 | 2% | | 2017 | 1 | 84 | 1% | | 2019 | 1 | 69 | 1% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Ford F-150 recalls related to the power steering warning light **[25V309000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=25V309000)** (2025 models, reported 2025-05-09): A lower intermediate shaft that detaches can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will inspect and replace the lower intermediate shaft fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025. **[25V022000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=25V022000)** (2024 models, reported 2025-01-17): A fractured steering gear can cause the steering to bind or lock, resulting in a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 19, 2025. **[24V329000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=24V329000)** (2024 models, reported 2024-05-10): A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the lower steering shaft fastener, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2024. **[23V847000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V847000)** (2023 models, reported 2023-12-15): A deactivated air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. **Remedy:** Dealers will inspect and replace the clock spring as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2024. **[22V253000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V253000)** (2022 models, reported 2022-04-14): Damaged or separated wiring may result in the steering column not moving as intended in certain crash conditions, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will inspect the steering column wiring harness and repair the wiring, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 9, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed July 28, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available by the end... **[21V407000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V407000)** (2021 models, reported 2021-05-29, **park outside / do not drive advisory**): Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until the repair is complete. Vehicles will be towed in for service, and dealers will remove and replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 4, 2021. **[15V279000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=15V279000)** (2015 models, reported 2015-05-12): If the intermediate shaft was improperly riveted, it could separate from the intermediate shaft flex coupling, resulting in a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. **Remedy:** Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the intermediate shaft and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 22, 2015. Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Ford F-150 owners report - "A part of the power steering was inoperable. The floorboard was saturated with water, which damaged the wiring harness. The driver was unaware because of the rubber floor mats. A mechanic suggested that the contact disconnect the battery. The parking brake failed to release. The contact associated the failure with..." -- owner of a 2019 Ford F-150, complaint filed 2026 - "When the engine stopped, power-steering assist was lost and the driver had to coast the vehicle safely to the side of the road. The engine restarted immediately. When attempting to drive away, the transmission appeared to be starting in approximately third gear rather than first gear. After the vehicle was moving,..." -- owner of a 2017 Ford F-150, complaint filed 2026 - ""While operating my 2016 Ford F-150, the vehicle lost power-steering assist. Ray Skillman Ford diagnosed an internal failure of the power steering control module and replaced the steering gear assembly. The vehicle had approximately 94,620 miles. Sudden loss of steering assist significantly increased the effort..." -- owner of a 2016 Ford F-150, complaint filed 2026 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the power steering warning light means The power steering light means the car has detected a fault in the steering assist system, and steering may feel much heavier, especially at low speed and when parking. On most newer cars with electric power steering, a low battery or charging voltage is a common cause. On older cars with hydraulic steering, low fluid or a slipping belt is more likely. You can still steer without assist, but it takes much more effort. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Low battery or charging voltage** (common) 2. **Electric power steering motor or module fault** (common) 3. **Low power steering fluid (hydraulic systems)** (common) 4. **Steering torque or angle sensor fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Power steering warning light](/warning-lights/power-steering). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Ford F-150 power steering light? Yes. NHTSA lists 7 related recalls (25V309000, 25V022000, 24V329000, 23V847000, 22V253000, 21V407000, 15V279000) covering 2015-2025 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Ford F-150 years have the most power steering light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2016, 2017 and 2019 F-150 model years have the most complaints mentioning the power steering warning light, with 2 for 2016. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Ford F-150 with the power steering light on? Drive to a shop this week. If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. If steering becomes heavy, jerky or locks up, or the light is red, pull over and stop driving; have the car towed, because sudden loss of assist at speed or in a tight turn can cause a crash. ### How do I check if my Ford F-150 has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Ford dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Ford F-150 warning lights - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/ford-f-150): 8 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/ford-f-150): 41 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/ford-f-150): 4 complaints ## Power steering warning light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ram-1500): 1061 complaints - [Chevrolet Colorado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-colorado): 810 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ford-explorer): 498 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-silverado): 389 complaints - [Honda Civic](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-civic): 387 complaints - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-cr-v): 362 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chrysler-pacifica): 252 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-wrangler): 248 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-grand-cherokee): 231 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-accord): 220 complaints ## Ford F-150 - [Ford F-150 specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/ford-f-150) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ford-f-150 Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.