Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||||
| 16040 | 07/01/2002 | 636235 | Experiencing a clicking / popping noise from the upper steering column area when turning the steering wheel. *tt | 11/06/2002 | |
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - POWER STEERING FLUID | |||||
| 996777 | 08/01/1999 | 608466 | Exhibiting a power steering fluid leak from the steering gear boot(s). *tt | 12/02/1999 | |
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||||
| 13440 | 11/01/1999 | 610879 | Experiencing very light steering vibration / shimmy / nibble at engine idle or low speeds (parking lot type maneuvers). *tt | 05/16/2000 | |
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION - RACK | |||||
| 13049 | 08/01/1999 | 6091841 | Exhibiting a power steering fluid leak from the steering gear boot(s). *tt | 11/15/2000 | |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | ||||||
| PE99045 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 07/06/1999 | 10/29/1999 | STEERING KNUCKLE SEPARATIONS | ||
| The steering knuckle ( at the upper ball joint) and axle separate.the pinch bolt is found to be missing. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 06/01/2010 | 196000 | ||
| Multiple issues with vehicle when turning either right or left vehicle comes to a complete stops then a very loud bang is heard, told it was hub but replaced hub and still happens, was also told it was u-joint on drive shaft have yet to replace it have not notified dealer as of yet | |||
| 03/15/2003 | 1 | ||
| Consumer states that while driving at any speed and with no warning steering bolts are lose and it is causing the steering wheel to jump around, making it hard for consumer to steer the vehicle. dealer notified.*ak | |||
| 07/01/2002 | 1 | 11/01/1997 | |
| While traveling 10-15mph on highway and without prior warning, consumer was turning left approching her driveway and the steering wheel became hard to turn. dealership was aware of problem. *ak consumer states that the rack and pinion part of the steering unit failed. ford motor company repaired the problem. *scc | |||
| 05/06/2001 | 0 | ||
| When truning the steering it would get hard in different places.*ak | |||
| 05/10/2000 | 1 | ||
| Camber caster and toe misadjusted. nlm | |||
| 09/17/1999 | |||
| Engine misses and stalls in various situations including highway speeds and from a stop. dealer has been unable to repair after replacing ignition wires and vaccuum assembly. i consider this to be a very dangerous situation because of loss of power steering and brakes. it also causes the vehicle to act as if the brakes have been applied causing a stop from high speeds. | |||
| 07/25/1999 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle lost control over vehicle while towing trailer, resulting in crashing into barriers. (ohio traffic crash reports). mjs | |||
| 02/24/1999 | |||
| When driving at any speed and making any type of turn, the steering wheel is jumping and consumer almost lost control of the vehicle. *ak | |||
| 1 | |||
| Vehicle has very sensitive steering when driving 50 mph or more. | |||
| 11/01/1996 | |||
| While driving 50 mph the steering vibrates, causing the driver to lose control of the steering wheel. please describe. *ak | |||
| STEERING - COLUMN LOCKING - ANTI-THEFT DEVICE | |||
| 12/18/2001 | 3 | 07/01/2099 | |
| The keyless number pad on vehicle quit working, then the remote for anti theft system quit working and finally the automatic door locks quit working | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - POWER STEERING FLUID | |||
| 03/22/1999 | |||
| Rack and pinion steering is defective. also, power steering makes loud noises when turning. would lose power steering fluid. will be taking to dealer to have it checked. *ak | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP | |||
| 07/22/1999 | 2 | 07/19/1999 | |
| Vehicle experienced several engine problems, consumer stated that the engine sounded like no oil was in it when started, dealer has replaced gaskets, upper intake cam tensioner three times, and there was a coolant leak. left front door hinge replaced, it was making noise. power steering pump was replaced, it was noisy when turning the wheel. vanity mirror on driver's side would not close all the way and popped when opened, dealer replaced it. the right front of the vehicle was lower than the left front. brakes were squeaky, dealer replaced front brake pads and turned rotors. a tap noise was heard while playing cd's. vehicle experienced several transmission problems, while going over bumps and railroad tracks, transmission jumped out of gear, dealer intalled overhaul kit because the clutch had burned. 4 wheel drive was inoperable and made a rubbing/groan noise, when reversing and putting intor drive, consumer heard popping noise, dealer replaced rear transfer case flange and removed driveshaft. vehicle would not start, it would turn over, dealer found the pcm was not wiring, dealer replaced pcm. *slc | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 09/01/2002 | |||
| Tranfer case will lock up four wheel drive. and there was difficulty in steering. see service bullentin 99-14-2. *ak | |||
| 09/16/2000 | 6 | 07/01/1997 | |
| This problem started this year when raining. today 9/16/00 in tampa fl. there is a hurrican approching i was getting supplies. the power steering locked up 2x as tring to return home in heavy rain. i called & took this vehicle immediately to autoway ford in st. petersburg who prevesiously noted this problem at last rain.[said manufacture defect] but did nothing or charge at that time. now with a major hurricane approching!! they documented the problem & wanted to keep the car til monday! i said no! storm to hit this area sun/mon.morn, & i would be stranded> took car back home which is on the gulf. i am very frightened & will call the local news on this matter. it,s not just tires now with the ford explorer. | |||
| 03/11/2000 | |||
| While driving on i-95 in florida in the passing lane all of a sudden had no control of steering. car went out of control, flipped over into the grassy median , and was totalled. had the vehicle towed to the insurance agency. *ak | |||
| 10/20/1998 | |||
| Cruise control failed. also,brakes completely faded. vehicle stopped by turning engine off, stop made without power steering or brakes. | |||
| 09/15/1997 | 2 | 02/27/1997 | |
| When driving in heavy rain through puddles, the battery indicator light comes on. the engine continues to run but the power steering ceases to operate and the windshield wipers sometimes fail. this lasts for approximately one to two minutes. | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - KNUCKLE - SPINDLE - ARM | |||
| 06/01/2002 | 1 | 04/01/2002 | |
| The steering column knuckle that holds the two-piece column together (under the dash) was improperly maintained or manufactured. one of two assembly pins was missing causing the steering wheel to free-spin, resulting in complete steering loss.*ak | |||
| 09/21/2001 | |||
| While making a slow turn to park there was a loud noise. vehicle stopped , consumer tried to back up, but again vehicle did not move. consumer saw left front wheel was tilted to one side. had vehicle towed to dealer who noticed the front steering knuckle had broken.*ak | |||
| While driving 45 mph entire spindle assembly disengaged, causing a collision to occur. please give any further details. *ak | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - ROD - RELAY - CONNECTING | |||
| 11/02/1998 | 1 | 11/01/1997 | |
| Noise in front end due to failure of the rod assembly. | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | |||
| When turning there would be moaning noises. no effect on steering ability. took vehicle to first dealer, and mechanic could not locate cause. at an independent mechanic was informed inner tie rod was causing moaning noises.*ak | |||
| 07/01/2001 | |||
| While driving 25 mph consumer lost steering control and vehicle dropped to right side. dealer is replacing broken right tie rod. in oct 1997, left tie rod had broken.*ak | |||
| 05/12/2001 | 1 | 10/01/1997 | |
| Pin and bolt that connect tie rod to front end fell off, causing tire to blow. dealer has inspected vehicle. *ak tire blew in driveway.*jb | |||
| 05/01/2001 | 1 | 06/01/1997 | |
| Two front inner tie rods have been replaced. contacted dealer.*ak also, the outer tie rods failed. *yh | |||
| 01/13/2000 | |||
| While driving at 35 mph front right passenger's wheel collasped, causing loss of vehicle control. dealer replaced ball joints and tie rods. *ak | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION | |||
| 07/01/2002 | 1 | 11/01/1997 | |
| While traveling 10-15mph on highway and without prior warning, consumer was turning left approching her driveway and the steering wheel became hard to turn. dealership was aware of problem. *ak consumer states that the rack and pinion part of the steering unit failed. ford motor company repaired the problem. *scc | |||
| 03/22/2001 | 0 | ||
| While driving about any mph could lose control of vehicle due to steering. took vehicle to dealer, and they found out that rack and pinion was leaking oil and had to be replaced.*ak | |||
| 03/23/1997 | 3 | ||
| Was driving to georgia & steering was not handling properly. took to dealer in ga & vehicle placed on machine. nothing was found. moved to nc 1 1/2 yr later & had regular maintenance done. also had steering checked again due to same problem. nothing found again. vehicle went for inspection & failed due to problem with steering. took to local mechanic & indication was rack & pinion was messing up. took back to dealership & mechanic indicated a problem with the rack & pinion & it needed to be repaired or replaced.*ak | |||
| 03/22/1999 | |||
| Rack and pinion steering is defective. also, power steering makes loud noises when turning. would lose power steering fluid. will be taking to dealer to have it checked. *ak | |||
| 1 | 08/01/1997 | ||
| Rack and pinion steering too sensitive and too tight, causing lack of steering control (wanders). | |||
| 1 | 03/01/1997 | ||
| While driving the engine cut completely off. dealer replaced engine. *ak consumer states that after engine replacement, oil pump assembly failed and then oil was leaking again after that was replaced, dealer has agreed to replace consumer's explorere with a 1998 model. rack and steering was replaced, due to lost fluid in front end. seat bracket failed. *slc | |||
| STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR | |||
| 12/22/2000 | 0 | ||
| While driving lost control of vehicle and side driving a rock wall. then, vehicle stopped and found out that left front and left rear tires were blownout without a prior warning. consumer said it felt like steering wheel locked up. firestone, wildeness at, t-255/70r16 109s radio. *ak | |||
| 12/26/1997 | 1 | 10/22/1997 | |
| Bolt holding steering column together fell out. the steering wheel became separated from the wheels. | |||