Service bulletin SSM 49662

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

The communication, as NHTSA indexes it (as of 2026-10-19)
Type	Service bulletin
NHTSA id	10189562
Published by NHTSA	2021-03-31
Manufacturer's number	SSM 49662
Manufacturer's date	2021-03-15
NHTSA component	STEERING

NHTSA's summary

Some 2018 F-150 vehicles may exhibit temporary heavy, stiff, or slow steering assist and/or diagnostic trouble code U3003:68 after an engine auto start stop event. This may be due to a reduced steering assist state caused by a low state of charge battery. Follow the Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 414-01 to evaluate the health of the battery, and reprogram the PSCM with the latest software level of the appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool. For claiming, use causal part 3504 and applicable labor operations in Section 3 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.

The document

The document is the manufacturer's. This site does not hold it. NHTSA files a document at one of these two addresses; we have not asked NHTSA which.

Components

Steering

Trouble codes named

U3003

Vehicles listed
FORD F-150	2018

Listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned: the document says which.

Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component
SSM 48563	2020-03-03. Service bulletin. SSM 48563 - 2017-2020 F-150 - No Crank/No Start, Multiple Illuminated Warning Indicators And/Or DTCs Some 2017-2020 F-150 vehicles may exhibit a no crank/no start, auto start stop inoperative, illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and/or powertrain malfunction indicator lamp, transmission shift concerns, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P061A, U0140, U0401, U0101, U0074 and/or U0037 being set in the powertrain control module (PCM), transmission control module (TCM), instrument panel cluster (IPC), front controls interface module (FCIM), anti-lock braking system (ABS) module and/or power steering control module (PSCM). This may be due to the 15525 transmission wire harness not being properly secured. Visually inspect the harness for possible damage and proper routing at the rear of the engine down to the transmission. Repair as necessary. If no concerns are found, proceed with normal diagnosis.
SSM 47701	2019-03-04. Service bulletin. Some 2016-2019 F-150 vehicles may exhibit DTC C0051 in the ABS module. This DTC compares steering angle between the power steering control module (PSCM) and ABS and may set due to towing, driving in heavy winds, loose suspension or steering gear components, alignment, or harness or connector concerns with the ABS or PSCM circuits. The ABS pinpoint tests AE, LA, or LB may direct a replacement of the PSCM after disconnecting/reconnecting PSCM connectors. Do not replace the PSCM using ABS Pinpoint tests AE, LA, LB. Refer to the Workshop Manual (WSM) Section, 211-02 to locate the correct PSCM pinpoint tests for the PSCM DTCs that are retrieved during the PSCM self-test. The ABS pinpoint tests are in the process of being updated.
SSM 47638	2019-01-07. Service bulletin. 2013-2019 vehicles equipped with a LKS system with customer complaints of steering wheel vibration, steering pull or vehicle drift may be due to an alert and/or steering aid input from the LKS. The LKS system detects unintentional drifting toward the outside of the lane and alerts and/or aids vehicle to stay in the lane. Be sure the customer understands how the lane departure warning feature settings work for Alert (steering wheel vibration) and Aid (steering input toward lane center). Further information on the LKS can be found in the owners manual. If the customers concern is due to the LKS functioning as intended, do not attempt to repair.
SSM 47589	2018-11-19. Service bulletin. Some 2016-2018 F-150 vehicles may exhibit a steering drift, pull, and/or wander. To diagnose these conditions refer to Pinpoint Test (PPT) H - Steering System Pull, Drift, Wander or Steering Wheel is Off Center in Workshop Manual (WSM) Section, 211-00. Do not use PPT I - Poor Returnability Sticky Steering or Binding to diagnose drift, pull, and/or wander symptoms. These Pinpoint Tests are in the process of being updated.
SSM 47489	2018-09-24. Service bulletin. When connecting the Vehicle Communication Module (VCM) and Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) or Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) to the DLC located on the driver side under the steering column at the GWM, make sure that the ignition is off before connecting the VCM. If the ignition is on or the engine is running during the connection, it can result in various warning lights being illuminated with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), no start, no crank conditions or the IPC inoperative. If a vehicle displays these issues, disconnect the equipment from the DLC and disconnect the vehicle battery. Wait 10 minutes and reinstall with the ignition off. Clear any DTCs present and retest.