Maverick Steering Issues - Bad Sound

[Glen Baker LLC]

You own a brand new 2026.
Your truck is under full warranty.
It is not up to you to find the cause of the problem. It's Ford's job to diagnose and remedy the problem.
Screw the dealership.
You gave them adequate chance to remedy the situation.
Time to talk Ford directly and open a case.

Link
https://www.ford.com/help/contact/?srsltid=AfmBOopDL-t9Dqyu2GvhTXkjOEzIGF7pvReH1ea4SRtyP_zDywNvfv8L

Give them a call you have nothing to lose.

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[Mr. Twister]

can they put it up on a lift when it's occurring and see if the noise goes away? If it doesn't then they have a prime opportunity to use an 'earpiece' and find exactly where it's coming from - if it does go away then some component is being stressed when it is weighted down. They can do 'something'. They should also be a little more concerned as if there is some steering component under stress that there's the possibility that eventually something is going to break or rupture and that's not too great when you're out there driving down the xway....

Yes. Thanks. It does sound like something might snap. I'm concerned for my family. Especially highway driving. I made the dealership service dept acutely aware of my concern while it's being serviced today. You can hear how bad it gets here. Has gotten worse.

 

[HeyBales]

Yes it does make this noise while in park once it has started happening. Sometimes the noise and wheel issue is there even from an overnight cold start. So, it's more than switching drive modes. There is no talking in this video. I filmed it prior to the other video. You can hear how tight the wheel gets and how it does affect the steering. Worrisome. Enjoy the horrid sounds.

My comment about changing drive mode to Sport wasn't a question.

It was a suggestion - because the steering system does adjust amount of assist given all the time.
And that is one way to control via changing drive modes.
Compare while driving if possible despite ICE running, then when you come to a stop after ICE shuts down.

If it changes in sound, as a different amount of assist is given - it shows it's different than strut bearing.

 

[Tbone289]

please elaborate kind sir Why so? did you hear this video when not moving?

Strut bearings allow the strut to rotate in the strut tower as you turn the wheel. They make basically the same noise if you're moving or not. I've had bad strut bearings and replaced them myself, and they sound like this. As they get worse, there is usually some clunking as well over sharp bumps.

As I said though, this would be my first guess, not that it's a sure thing.

 

[Finnster]

OP,
I realize you are not a mechanic, but is it possible for you to find a friend who could put the front-end of your truck on jack-stands while the steering is making this noise? This should eliminate all pressure/stress on the suspension components, but you may still hear/feel something if the problem is indeed in the steering column.
Good luck!

 

[tiktokbrainrot]

It is not up to you to find the cause of the problem. It's Ford's job to diagnose and remedy the problem. Your truck is under warranty.
Screw the dealership you gave them adequate chance to remedy the situation.
Time to talk Ford directly and open a case.

Link
https://www.ford.com/help/contact/?srsltid=AfmBOopDL-t9Dqyu2GvhTXkjOEzIGF7pvReH1ea4SRtyP_zDywNvfv8L

Give them a call you have nothing to lose.

This is the correct answer.

Open a case with Ford Corporate. Start putting the screws to the dealership. If it qualifies, follow through with a Lemon Law Buyback.

Also find another dealer. This one sucks major balls and should be avoided at all costs.

 

[pigsareus]

Yes. Thanks. It does sound like something might snap. I'm concerned for my family. Especially highway driving. I made the dealership service dept acutely aware of my concern while it's being serviced today. You can hear how bad it gets here. Has gotten worse.

re: that sound...yeah it's like walking in a forest in the wind and hearing trees creaking, there definitely is some lurking mechanical problem, certainly not 'normal'.

 

[El Kabong]

If the dealership service is as bad as this, you can invest $8 to show them up, all you need is this (or similar) tool linked below to pinpoint the noise and a friend to make the noise happen.

Definitely think you should not have to do this, it's disgraceful. I would ask that you name the dealership so we can poo on their name, internet-style.

BFXM Car Mechanic Stethoscope, Automotive Stethoscope Engine Diagnostic Tool, Automotive Tools Universal for Car Truck SUV Motorcycle RV

 

[matmondro]

I'm going to venture to say the issue could be in your electronic power steering motor. Ford should replace that under warranty. Totally agree though, this is a safety issue and I'm surprised they'd just let it fly like that.

 

[Darryl]

Hey! Yes they have the videos, multiple, and service schedulers heard it in person. I've had a loaner for a week and they're saying they can't hear it . I'm about to pick it up, drive it 30 mins or so then let them enjoy the symphony of sound.

This is probably a classic case of "it's not doing it with us". When I encounter a problem that I can't duplicate, I request a ride with the customer. I have the service writer tell the customer to come by while the problem is occurring. And I ride with him. Then if necessary , we may swap positions. And I'll drive in order to both hear and feel and see how I can get the problem to occur. That way I know HOW to duplicate the problem in the shop. So I'll know if I solved it. Having said that, it sounds like it may be the steering gear itself.

 

[Darryl]

I'm going to venture to say the issue could be in your electronic power steering motor. Ford should replace that under warranty. Totally agree though, this is a safety issue and I'm surprised they'd just let it fly like that.

I agree. I recommend that he get someone at the dealership to ride or sit WITH him while the problem is occurring. Replacement of a steering gear involves additional diagnostics and obtaining an RVC ( Repair Validation Code) BEFORE a part can be installed. Otherwise Ford won't pay. Having said that, in cases such this where a technician has ruled out other possibilities and made a hotline contact, we can usually "finesse" the system in order to get the approval code even if we don't actually hear the problem in our presence. But it's not as simple as just assuming and ordering. Again, if he can bring it in and duplicate the problem in the dealership's presence, that gives the tech the ammunition he needs to get the approval process moving.

 

[Darryl]

Make sure you document these visits and the time frame.
Check out your State's lemon law guidelines.
Quite possibly minute you start talking about lemon law. They may get serious about repairing your truck.

The wrong tech got this vehicle. We have certain techs that have the reputation of being impatient and only doing a cursory test drive because the pay system penalizes spending a lot of time diagnosing a problem because a tech may spend a long time trying to duplicate a problem. If the problem won't happen when he's testing it, he gets paid NOTHING. Other techs are more thorough and will take the additional time to get the problem to occur. Bringing it in to the dealership WHILE it's occurring is a tremendous help. It will also help in the unlikely event the lemon law has to be invoked.

 

[icegradner]

I agree. I recommend that he get someone at the dealership to ride or sit WITH him while the problem is occurring. Replacement of a steering gear involves additional diagnostics and obtaining an RVC ( Repair Validation Code) BEFORE a part can be installed. Otherwise Ford won't pay. Having said that, in cases such this where a technician has ruled out other possibilities and made a hotline contact, we can usually "finesse" the system in order to get the approval code even if we don't actually hear the problem in our presence. But it's not as simple as just assuming and ordering. Again, if he can bring it in and duplicate the problem in the dealership's presence, that gives the tech the ammunition he needs to get the approval process moving.

In his later post, he said they did go for a drive with the tech. The dealership service person just told the OP it didn’t happen often enough and to pound sand. Sadly.

 

[vandeda2024]

This is probably a classic case of "it's not doing it with us". When I encounter a problem that I can't duplicate, I request a ride with the customer. I have the service writer tell the customer to come by while the problem is occurring. And I ride with him. Then if necessary , we may swap positions. And I'll drive in order to both hear and feel and see how I can get the problem to occur. That way I know HOW to duplicate the problem in the shop. So I'll know if I solved it. Having said that, it sounds like it may be the steering gear itself.

Awesome! Kudos on actually caring, and i truly mean that! Can you imagine if all techs and dealers operated like that? It shows that you really care to solve the problem! I hope you inspire and encourage your fellow techs to do the same!

 

[Darryl]

In his later posted, he said they did. They just told the OP it didn’t happen often enough and to pound sand. Sadly.

Wow! I didn't see that. That's crazy. Given that the vehicle is very new, Even a poor excuse for a tech would at least throw a part at it. The dealership has resources to assist with difficult problems. If the case is as he says, the best course of action at this time is either to use a different dealership if one is nearby AND/OR contact FORD. We've had customers to contact Ford when they perceived (wrongly or rightly) that their concerns were not being addressed. Ford takes these cases seriously, ESPECIALLY with recent purchases and follows up. They'll even send a field service engineer to assist with diagnostics after a certain procedure is followed. A dealership's bad rating can cost them money.

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