Power Steering Fluid problems of the 2009 Ford F-150

I am the proud owner of a 2009 Ford f150 with just over 42k miles. The steering has increasingly become more-and-more difficult over the past several months. My truck has been for the most part- pampered. I do pull a small utility trailer and the truck is not a daily driver. I first noticed the issue last March (2016) after sitting for 6-weeks and the steering difficulty has become more pronounced. The power-steering fluid is at the proper level, there are no leaks and tire pressure is normal. Yet the truck steer's and handles as though I have low/no air in the front tires and/or the power steering pump is failing. I plan on taking the truck into the service department at my local dealership for a complete diagnostic check. My overall concern is to communicate the importance that steering and handling is vital to the "safe-operation" of a motor vehicle especially a truck. I previously owned a 1999 f150 and even with over 100k miles, steering was never an issue. In fact, I have owned and operated many vehicles with over 100k miles both in the military and in civilian use and have never experienced "steering" issues of this nature. I am therefore concerned as to the nature of this specific failure on a vehicle that has not seen heavy duty use or been driven excessively. Respectfully yours, made-in-America - please don't fail me.

Cool morning truck was fine day before, but this am steering was "hard" like truck lost it's "power" in power steering. The power steering level was about 1/4 inch below min so I filled to proper level. ( I just had it at dealer and fluid was checked "ok" two months prior). A few days later level had gone down a bit so I added more staying between min and max lines. Next couple weeks power steering would fade in and out (at all speeds) and worked whenever it wanted to. Intermittent hard to turn and at times worked fine. Took to dealer on 4 30 14 (this day steering was working fine) and was told it was a leaking power steering pressure hose operation 3719-a r&r 4. 6l 2009. Cost out of pocket about 390. 44. I am the only driver of this truck and I drive like an old man cause I am an older man, lots of tlc. So why in the heck would this fail so early at less then 70,000 miles? recall needed??.

Power steering hose is leaking fluid. Multiple dealers have stated that the part is on back order and fulfillment of a replacement order will take anywhere from several weeks to almost a year based on previous experiences they've had. They also stated that Ford ordered dealers to stop selling any hoses they currently have in inventory. Dealers have all stated that I should keep an eye on fluid level, keep driving it, and hope it doesn't get worse or fail completely.

Power steering hose leaking fluid. Mechanic tried ordering replacement and was told by Ford there is a national back-order of 4500 units.

The contact owns a 2009 Ford f150. While driving approximately 20 mph, the steering wheel became extremely sluggish and difficult to turn. The contact was able to reach his destination and noticed that the lower power steering hose was leaking fluid. The manufacturer and dealer were notified, they both informed the contact that the part was on a national back order. The manufacturer was uncertain when the part would become available. The contact had been waiting on the part since March of 2012. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.

During an inspection the power steering hose was found to be leaking. Advised by service agent to take to dealer as a warranty issue. Took it to the dealer, they said new power steering hose is required and sent on my way after being told hose is ordered. More than a week later I find out, after searching online that people have been waiting 10 weeks for the same replacement part from Ford, the only supplier of this particular hose! I contacted Ford because the dealership does not respond to phone calls and was told that the dealer says that it is safe to drive. Well I feel that any leaking power steering hose is a safety issue. The response from Ford was to purchase a large container of power steering fluid and continually top up the fluid. They said this advice was from the dealer. This issue needs to be reported simply because the more you drive the higher the risk of a catastrophic failure of the steering and the risk of death or injury to the driver and occupants. It also needs to be highlighted the blase attitude of Ford and their dealers to this matter. It was certainly of big enough concern initially for the dealership to try and find a rental vehicle that they would pay for in lieu of loss of transport as was concerned that the vehicle was not safe to drive for long distances.