Ford Recalls 115,000 F-Series Super Duty Trucks Over Possible Steering Column Defects

The affected vehicles were built between Feb. 19, 2019, and Sept. 30, 2020, and include models F250, F350 and F450. 

A Ford Super Duty truck. Courtesy of Ford

The Ford Motor Company has recalled 115,539 F-Super Duty trucks that may have malfunctioning steering columns, in which the upper shaft could separate.

In a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety recall report dated Sept. 22, Ford indicated that the affected vehicles were built between Feb. 19, 2019, and Sept. 30, 2020, and include models F250, F350, and F450. The company estimates that about 1 percent of these trucks could be defective.

According to the report, a steering column upper-shaft separation could result in a loss of steering capacity, which could increase the risk of an accident. In affected vehicles, the steering column upper-shaft hard slider does not satisfy the anti-pull apartment load specifications. In addition, there are no warning signs that would alert the driver to a steering column shaft separation.

The issue regarding the Ford Super Duty steering column problem was brought to the company’s attention at the end of June. Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group analyzed the upper-shaft design history in July and August, which showed that a second staking was added to the upper-shaft hard slider design. (Staking is a manufacturing process that uses heat to join plastic parts together by deforming a component to create a strong bond.)

The auto giant also reviewed all customer claims and reports on vehicles manufactured in March 2020 or earlier and determined there was a difference in parts manufactured after March 2020.

Following this, the Ford team reviewed supplier and maintenance records to determine the population of the affected parts, which were assembled into the trucks at its Kentucky plant prior to Oct. 1, 2020.

As of Sept. 11, the company was aware of seven warranty claims, three field reports, and four customer hotline calls related to the defect. To date, Ford is not aware of any reports of accidents or injuries related to the malfunction.

“Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have their steering column upper shaft inspected for evidence of extension,” the report states.

“Parts that do not pass inspection will be replaced. Parts that pass inspection will be modified to improve pull-apart retention.”

Vehicle owners will not be charged for the service.

Ford indicated that these vehicles were not produced in VIN order. Owners of these types of trucks requiring more information should call Ford’s toll-free line at 1-866-436-7332 or contact a local Ford or Lincoln dealer.

According to Kelly Blue Book (KBB), a national vehicle valuation and automotive research company, Ford has had several recalls in the past few years, including a 2024–25 recall of certain Mustang vehicles, a 2024–26 recall of particular Ranger vehicles, a 2025 recall for seatbelts on F015 hybrid models, a rear camera recall affecting various models, and several others

KBB reported that the company also recalled about 2 million 2015–18 Ford Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab pickups for a defective seat belt device that could cause fires. The affected vehicles were sold in North America, and there were 17 incidents of smoke or fire in the United States and six in Canada. However, Ford indicated it was not aware of any accidents or injuries as a result of the defects.

More than 1 million Ford Fusion vehicles built between 2013 and 2018 were also recalled for loose steering bolts that could cause detachment of the steering wheel, noted KBB. The company stated it was aware of just two accidents related to that issue.