GEN 2 2017 Steering Locked up on highway

[teeoster]

I have my 2017 Ford Raptor at the dealer right now for the steering locking up. It first happened to my young daughter and she could not overcome the locked steering wheel and drove off the highway because of it. This is a severe safety issue and needs to be addressed by Ford immediately. How is this much data out there around a problem like this and Ford is not reacting? Does someone have to die, or many someone before they will stand up and fix this?

This is not a Raptor specific issue as It looks like there are a lot more F150's with this issue once I started digging into it.

The truck has 50,000 miles on it and the repair is $3,800! Ford denied the warranty claim on it. The part alone is $1400 from Rock Auto, $1800 from the web dealer part sites.

Anyone else experience this issue??

 

[smurfslayer]

First I’ve heard of this. @FordTechOne ?

it sounds scary, and dangerous.

 

[FordTechOne]

I have my 2017 Ford Raptor at the dealer right now for the steering locking up. It first happened to my young daughter and she could not overcome the locked steering wheel and drove off the highway because of it. This is a severe safety issue and needs to be addressed by Ford immediately. How is this much data out there around a problem like this and Ford is not reacting? Does someone have to die, or many someone before they will stand up and fix this?

This is not a Raptor specific issue as It looks like there are a lot more F150's with this issue once I started digging into it.

The truck has 50,000 miles on it and the repair is $3,800! Ford denied the warranty claim on it. The part alone is $1400 from Rock Auto, $1800 from the web dealer part sites.

Anyone else experience this issue??

You just posted in the other thread that you took your truck off road and now the steering is sticking...why would you let your young daughter drive it if you knew there is an issue?

Clearly there is no definitive data, or Ford would have issued a recall per NHTSA requirements. "Digging" for information doesn't mean watching YouTube clickbait, these trucks use a simple rack & pinion steering gear like every other light duty vehicle in existence. The only difference is that the assist is electric instead of hydraulic. A lot of people confuse a loss of steering assist with the steering "locking up"; I have never seen a single steering system "lock up" regardless of brand in all my years unless there was severe, obvious damage present.

 

[teeoster]

I tried to keep the long story short but It all happend on the same day. I rode my dirtbike to the hill climb area, she drove the truck. On the way back from the hill climb area she she had the issue with the steering locking up. Trucks been down since. Dealer confirmed the issue today.

The steering locks in place and requires force to make come out of the "set' it takes. Then it take a "set" in the next position. Its not consistsnt...shut it off and go again and it can be totally fine.

 

[CoronaRaptor]

That would scare the bejesus out of anybody. What are the parts that are being replaced on it?

 

[teeoster]

Its the complete "steering gear' that's needs to be replaced. I call it the rack and pinion unit.

The truck is also in for its 3rd cam phaser replacement. The last one was in July and they were clacking away 3 days after I left the dealer. Cam phasers are being covered under warranty thank god.

 

[CoronaRaptor]

Its the complete "steering gear' that's needs to be replaced. I call it the rack and pinion unit.

The truck is also in for its 3rd cam phaser replacement. The last one was in July and they were clacking away 3 days after I left the dealer. Cam phasers are being covered under warranty thank god.

I guess the steering rack is out of warranty because of the early build date in '17? Be interesting to know what failed exactly inside the rack, but I bet there is a core charge on that and it will be getting sent back for rebuild, so dissecting it won't be an option?

 

[FordTechOne]

Its the complete "steering gear' that's needs to be replaced. I call it the rack and pinion unit.

The truck is also in for its 3rd cam phaser replacement. The last one was in July and they were clacking away 3 days after I left the dealer. Cam phasers are being covered under warranty thank god.

Did the dealer say if there was any DTCs in the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM)? It almost sounds like a damaged motor belt; one member on here (trying to remember his name) has successfully disassembled his rack motor and replaced the belt. Maybe once the old one is out you can pull the cover and inspect; if they’re installing a brand new rack there shouldn’t be a core charge.

Do the phasers only make noise on a cold start, or is the noise occurring at idle as well?

 

[teeoster]

Hi,

I'm going to inquire with the warrenty people again today. If its not covered I'm going to replace it myself. Starting with disassembling the old one and trying for an easy fix might be a possibility.

The cam phasers randomly make noise on startup....sometimes cold and sometimes hot. In July the installed the latest updated kit and it was back ro making noise 3 days later. Very disappointing for so much time and money getting wasted and no real fix in sight. I am at a new dealer this time, hope the 6 weel wait for service is worth it.

 

[FordTechOne]

Hi,

I'm going to inquire with the warrenty people again today. If its not covered I'm going to replace it myself. Starting with disassembling the old one and trying for an easy fix might be a possibility.

Sounds like a good plan. If you need the torque specs send me a DM, the torque procedure is critical on the mounting bolts.

The cam phasers randomly make noise on startup....sometimes cold and sometimes hot. In July the installed the latest updated kit and it was back ro making noise 3 days later. Very disappointing for so much time and money getting wasted and no real fix in sight. I am at a new dealer this time, hope the 6 weel wait for service is worth it.

For a phaser to fail 3 days after install is almost unheard of; it sounds like the original dealer either replaced the wrong parts (solenoids instead of sprockets, etc) or install old stock that had a faulty unit out of the box.

Also be sure that you are not hearing wastegate rattle; some have mistaken it for cam phaser noise. It will occur on startup intermittently; TSB 20-2016 was released to address it, the repair is simple.