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2011 F 150 Electric Power Steering Issues

25 messages,  Last post on Oct 13, 2012 at 12:00 PM

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#1 of 25 2011 F 150 Electric Power Steering Issues by temj12

Jul 06, 2012 (12:44 pm)

I have a 2011 F 150 with electric power steering issues. I have come across others who are having the same problem. The issue is what feels like a loose joint in the steering shaft. Some people refer to it as popping. It feels like a loose ball joint would feel. I have had it to a local Ford dealer and they essentially "blew me off." They can find nothing when they put it on a lift and do a visual. It is something that would require more than that. It does not occur when you are making turns. It is when you are driving straight, especially when you hit small bumps in a row. I am concerned about the safety of it. The truck has 10,000 miles. It seems to occur more with higher temperatures. I have filed a report with NHTSA.gov and they have responded back that they are looking into it. The only way anything will come of it is that other people have filed a report with the same problem.

#2 of 25 Re: 2011 F 150 Electric Power Steering Issues [temj12] by brtruck

Jul 11, 2012 (9:31 pm)

Replying to: temj12 (Jul 06, 2012 12:44 pm)
I have a brand new 2012 with the exact same issue. The truck has a whopping 400 miles on it. I live in AZ and in the mornings it feels OK, but in the afternoons when it gets hotter, it gets worse. I thought I was crazy because it made no sense. I have taken it in to Ford and gotten no where. It feels like a chatter or popping in the steering wheel. It is over smaller imperfections and does not feel suspension related because it has nothing to do with larger bumps. Have you had the problem since new? Any info you can provide would be great to address with Ford. I love my truck when it is parked, but when I drive it, it makes me nuts. Thanks.......

#3 of 25 Re: 2011 F 150 Electric Power Steering Issues [brtruck] by temj12

Jul 12, 2012 (11:05 am)

Replying to: brtruck (Jul 11, 2012 9:31 pm)
I thought that this problem applied to the 2011 model because that was the first year of the electric power steering. I have thought of trading mine for a 2012, but that won't be happening now. I have also taken mine to a Ford dealer to find the problem. They test drove it and could not find a problem. A test drive around the block is not going to produce the problem. They said that they put it up on the rack and could find nothing wrong. You would have to go into the steering shaft to find the problem. The service advisor "blew me off" by saying that I was not used to electric power steering, referred to as epas. I told him that I knew the difference between the ease of the power steering and the problem I had. I have contacted two other dealers to see if they have dealt with the problem and they say no. I have filed a written complaint with NHTSA.gov. If there are enough complaints, they will force a recall. If you go to F150online.com and type in electric power steering problem, you will find others with the same problem. I don't think I can stand to drive this truck over a long period of time with this problem. I, too, like mine other than this, but this is a ridiculous problem. The reason they are not coming up with an answer is that they are not having to pay out enough warranty claims. You will find of the aforementioned site that they have replaced parts in the steering, but in some of the follow-up the problem came back. Let me know if you come up with a dealer finding a solution.

#4 of 25 Re: 2011 F 150 Electric Power Steering Issues [temj12] by brtruck

Jul 12, 2012 (12:18 pm)

Replying to: temj12 (Jul 12, 2012 11:05 am)
I finally found someone to listen in Phoenix. I have a great tech that looked/drove the vehicle and has a 2 part approach he is going to try. First, he is going to replace the lower steering linkage. It may not be expanding/contracting properly in the heat. If this does not fix the problem, then he is going to replace the steering rack. Apparently, as best as I can understand, the steering rack is a computer that may be affected by the heat. I will post back if one or the other fixes the problem. Parts are a week out. I, like you, cannot drive it much longer with the current condition.

#5 of 25 Re: 2011 F 150 Electric Power Steering Issues [brtruck] by temj12

Jul 12, 2012 (4:21 pm)

Replying to: brtruck (Jul 12, 2012 12:18 pm)
Thanks for getting back to me. Please let me know what you find out. We live in Michigan and Tennessee. I can't get anyone in Nashville to work with me, but I have a dealer in Michigan who will listen to me. I intend to bring a copy of your message and any follow-up to him when we are back in August. I have called him and asked him about it; he was not familiar with the problem. However, he said that he would work with me and get it fixed. I have been looking at Dodge trucks as an alternative, but I don't want to leave Ford if I don't have to do it.

#6 of 25 Re: 2011 F 150 Electric Power Steering Issues [temj12] by wwest

Jul 15, 2012 (10:58 am)

Replying to: temj12 (Jul 12, 2012 4:21 pm)
I have noticed that not just a few of the new EPS designs will go in "derated" mode, not "full" assist, if the power semiconductor devices begin to approach the point of overheating.
 
It sounds as if Ford may be using a slightly different technique to prevent EPS overheating, converting from a tightly closed-loop servo system, continuous, "finite" assist, to more of a "Bang-Bang" servo technique.
 
A "Bang-Bang" servo system will not provide power assist until the difference between the desired stearing position differs from the actual position by a specified, wider amount.
 
Porsche seems to think that an electro-hydraulic system is a better answer, a small electrically driven hydraulic pump.

#7 of 25 Re: 2011 F 150 Electric Power Steering Issues [wwest] by brtruck

Jul 21, 2012 (5:00 pm)

Replying to: wwest (Jul 15, 2012 10:58 am)
They replaced part of the steering shaft. It did not fix the problem. They are doing the EPAS unit this week. Will keep you posted. The tech drove the truck after the steering shaft was replaced in the heat of the day and confirmed the problem. It was shaking the steering wheel and making the usual clunking noise. It is 100% heat related. We had a few cooler days with overcast skies and the truck drove perfectly on those days..........

#8 of 25 Re: 2011 F 150 Electric Power Steering Issues [brtruck] by temj12

Jul 23, 2012 (10:17 pm)

Replying to: brtruck (Jul 21, 2012 5:00 pm)
Thanks very much for the update. I have been watching this thread to see what they had to do.

#9 of 25 Electric power steering failure modes. by lateralg

Jul 28, 2012 (1:14 pm)

Sorry to hi-jack this thread, but I urgently need information on Ford electric power steering failure modes.
 
2013 Escape FWD 2.0: Dramatic torque steer at launch, but more serious, at ~ 40 MPH WOT kickdown. Huge amount of correction required to keep the vehicle in one lane. I'm required to constantly input alternating left-right-left major corrections.
 
It also has very poor on-center feel.
 
1) Any suspected causes?
2) I like to find schematics of the control system ... where's a good place to look?
 
FWIW, One of my reference popints is my 2011 Ford Edge, which also has electric power steering, but negligible torque steer.
 
Both the Escape and Edge are claimed to have "Torque Steering Composition"

#10 of 25 Re: Electric power steering failure modes. [lateralg] by kcram HOST

Jul 28, 2012 (8:23 pm)

Replying to: lateralg (Jul 28, 2012 1:14 pm)
Likely not going to get much help here in the Pickups board for those crossovers. Us4e the "Browse by Vehicle" entries to the right to get to the Escape and Edge forums where you may get faster assistance.
 
kcram - Pickups/Wagons/Vans+Minivans Host

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