Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
STEERING
03120704/01/2005057210017888Steering wheel at 65 mph (105 km/h) or higher. *tt12/06/2005
1700107/01/200310003857Advancetrac malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code c1277 (steering wheel angle 1 an 2 circuit failure) or c1278 (steering wheel angle 1 and 2 signal faulted) in the ivd module. *tt11/04/2003
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP
1609208/01/2002636109Some vehicles may exhibit power steering noise / vibration from the area of the power steering pump accompanied by bluid leakage from the power steering reservoir cap. *tt11/05/2002
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
1660602/01/200310002491Power steering return hose leak. *tt09/03/2003
STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR
1623609/01/200210008604Steering wheel discoloration under investigation - contact request. *mj08/09/2004

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
STEERING
07/27/20121500001
 I was driving on the interstate on 7/27/12 to take my daughter back to her mother, as i had my daughter during summer visitation. half-way into my trip (525 miles one-way) it started to rain and i hydro-planed, resulting in a one-car accident. i slid from the inner lane (passing lane), across the outer lane, into the shoulder and crashed into a guard-rail. if not for the guard-rail, my vehicle would have fallen about 30-feet from the interstate to the elevation below. after the responding department arrived (highway patrol and local police departments), we evaluated that my daughter and i were ok physically. once i started to evaluate the damage, i looked at the front tires and they are severely warped!! i'm not an automobile aficionado, but my front tires (both) are completely bald on the outer portion of the tires, while the inner threads on the tires show little wear (the tires are only 2 years old). from what i have gathered, the cupping the tires experienced are from a faulty/defective front end alignment. i noticed shortly into my trip, that my steering wheel had a moderate vibration. i have had a similar experience when i used to own a 1997 ford explorer (it always need a front end alignment/adjustment). i was not ticketed for the incident and am coming to the conclusion that the faulty front end alignment may be the cause of the steering vibration, and the wheels cupping, resulting in uneven tread-wear, leading to my hydroplaning accident... *tr
07/27/2012150000
 I was driving on the interstate on 7/27/12 to take my daughter back to her mother, as i had my daughter during summer visitation. half-way into my trip (525 miles one-way) it started to rain and i hydro-planed, resulting in a one-car accident. i slid from the inner lane (passing lane), across the outer lane, into the shoulder and crashed into a guard-rail. if not for the guard-rail, my vehicle would have fallen about 30-feet from the interstate to the elevation below. after the responding department arrived (highway patrol and local police departments), we evaluated that my daughter and i were ok physically. once i started to evaluate the damage, i looked at the front tires and they are severly warped!! i'm not an automoble afficiando, but my front tires (both) are completely bald on the outer portion of the tires, while the inner threads on the tires show little wear (the tires are only 2 years old). from what i have gathered, the cupping the tires experienced are from a faulty/defective front end alignment. i noticed shortly into my trip, that my steering wheel had a moderate vibration. i have had a similar experience when i used to own a 1997 ford explorer (it always need a front end alignment/adjustment). i was not ticketed for the incident and am coming to the conclusion that the faulty front end alignment may be the cause of the sterring vibration, and the wheel's cupping, resulting in uneven tread-wear, leading to my hydroplaning accident...
08/22/2010
 On sunday august 22, 2010 at approximately 10:30 p.m i was driving on the 215 freeway going southbound in the city of riverside, ca. traffic was light, weather was moderate and it was nighttime. while driving my parents' 2003 ford expedition on the far right lane at the speed of 60-65mph i felt the steering wheel lock up and i tried to keep control of the vehicle but the wheels turned to the right and i veered off the lane and into the dirt on the shoulder lane. i lost control of the car, it spun out of control and rolled over two or three times, and took out a big piece of fence and finally stopped. i walked out of the car in complete shock and panic, people pulled over to help, police was called to the scene as well as an ambulance. accident report was taken by the chp and i was taken to the hospital in the ambulance. i suffered from minor injuries to head and body and had nightmares and woke up screaming for a week. the vehicle was totalled and towed away at the scene of accident.
12/20/2009102000
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford expedition. while driving approximately 25 mph on the highway in rainy conditions, the vehicle fishtailed and almost slipped on a ramp until he regained control. he also noticed a vibrating noise. he took the vehicle to a repair shop but there were no definite answers as to what the cause for failure was. he had not spoken with the manufacturer or taken the vehicle to the dealer to-date. the vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. the current mileage was approximately 105,000. the failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
12/01/2004108/10/2003
 Front tires were wearing unevenly on outside edges. took to tire shop for rotate and alignment. they said that alignment was outside manufacturer specs, but there is no adjustment mechanism on vehicle. special camber/castor adjuster kit must be purchased and installed at my expense to allow adjustment. otherwise tires will continue to wear unevenly and cause premature failure and possible loss of vehicle control. *jb
11/01/20037500107/21/2003
 Vehicle has developed noticeable play/shimmy in steering. when vehicle was new play was not there. it was mentioned to dealer. they checked vehicle over but could not find any problems. however, when vehicle is driven over surfaces like rain grooves, or any surface less than smooth, vehicle wanders/shakes bad. i test drove a couple of similar vehicles at different dealers, neither vehicle had the 'play' in the steering. the problem started at 7500-8000 miles. *ak
03/31/20031
 The steering wheel was difficult to turn. *jb
STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
06/01/2003500705/22/2003
 My expedition is a 1yr and 5 months. with less than 500 miles paid for a front end alignment and tire rotation, because of bad vibration at speeds of 60-70 miles an hour. still had vibration, took it back to dealer, they said the truck came with tires out of balance. still had vibration, took it back to dealership, a box dealing with the steering wheel had to be replaced. since then i have paid for another front end alignment and tire balance, now tires have worn so bad dealership will probably blame worn tires for the vibration. there is more!!! the seal on the front windshield came loose and started leaking, and had to be replaced. in the front defrost vent some foam stuff had come loose and would flap around when the vent was on, the dealership called it ( packing) it was replaced or glued back down. the side trim on both sides from the two front doors, to the two rear doors faded badly, and had to be replaced. the dome light had a pinched wire and would flicker when turned on or hit a bump, it was repaired. the power window swith light, driver side went out, and the unit had to be replaced, and now the cruise control will not stay engaged when i hit a bump most of this happened in under a year. *ak
30212/13/2002
 When driving 70 mph or higher steering wheel and the vehicle shook excessively, causing the vehicle to become unstable. dealer has replaced the tires twice, and replaced the steering gear box. however problem recurred. dealer indicated to the consumer that it could not be fixed. *ak
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP
08/29/200657357105/27/2002
 On august 26,2006 took my suv to dealer to have it checked out because the front end was shaking really bad. was told that it needed to have front and rear rotors replaced had another dealer check out only need front rotors replaced had them replaced. on sept 8, 2006 took back to dealer because i heard a whinning noise thought it was the power steering fluid low. it checked out okay dealer check it and was informed that the power steering pump was bad had it replace. picked up my suv and it was still making the same noise. was told to drive for two weeks to let air bleed out line and bring back in two weeks call them to let them know that the noise was still there took to dealer. nothing was done about it. call the ford customer service line and mailed them a letter about what was going on. they told me to take my suv to another ford dealer did that was told that the power steering pump was bad that i had put on in aug. and that something was causing them to go bad. the steering rack is the problem. i call the dealer where i've all of my work done on my suv and talk to the general manager. he was rude and hung up in my face i call back i'm going to take my suv to them tomorrow oct 27,2006 and see if we can come to terms to get my suv fix. but i've see many complaints about the same problem that 'm having. *nm
08/28/200233000103/01/2002
 While driving 30 mph, the vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. suddenly, the vehicle stalled. the driver tried to restart the vehicle and was not able to do so. the vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. the mechanic informed the driver that the alternator and battery needed to be replaced. while unlocking the driver's door with the automatic switch both side rear view mirrors would automatically move up and down. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. the mechanic replaced both side rear view mirror motors. please provide further details. *jb consumer adds both side view mirrors motors replaced 2 to 3 more times. the fog light housing replaced, rear light covers replaced due to moisture, heater core switch replaced from dash. brakes squealing when applied. transmission slipping and power steering pump winding. *tt
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
02/13/2004208/16/2003
 Brakes, steering failed. *ak
STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
08/09/200417493210/23/2002
 Dt: the drivers side tie rod has broken twice. both times was without warning. the dealer has fixed it once and now it is back to the dealer for the second time for same problem. the manufacturer took information from the consumer, but she has not heard back from them. *jb passenger side rear window does not go down from master switch. door ajar light does not go off. left front ball joint separated, then vehicle hit sign. lower control arm broken, upper ball joint bad, spindle broken sway bar link broken, cv boot torn and axle pulled out of front differential. tie rod end on left side broken and vacuum hub cracked on spindle and tire and rim damaged. also fender liner ripped out. spindle, upper control arm, lower control arm, cv boot replaced. clip for axle vacuum hub and wheel and tire, removed front differential to reinstall, axle and clip replaced wheel and tire and performed alignment. damage to hood when knuckle split. *tt *sb
11/27/2004520002
 While driving 65 mph driveshaft and the tie rod broke . as a result, vehicle accelerated. *ak
STEERING - RACK AND PINION - RACK
07/01/200412000408/01/2003
 Consumer complained about front brake rotors. the front brake rotors were checked on three separate occasions but problem recurred. *ak the dealer told the consumer the problem was due to dust. the vehicle was taken to two outside sources who concluded that the brakes were bad and that the rotors needed to be replaced. the consumer has also replaced the steering rack, seat motor and automatic door lock. *nm
STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR
12/16/2003223105/18/2003
 2003 ford expedition. no component metioned in summary. *ak