Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||||
| 0427 | 10/07/2005 | 051715 | 10018061 | Steering shudder during low speed maneuvers - 4.0l engine. *tt | 12/14/2005 |
| 031912 | 02/09/2004 | 0427 | 10007369 | Steering shudder felt when turning, driving at slow speeds or at stop. *tt | 06/16/2004 |
| 17254 | 10/01/2003 | 10004908 | Clicking/popping noise from upper steering column area when turning. 2004 e series and explorer sport trac also included. *tt | 01/14/2004 | |
| 031912 | 09/29/2003 | 012501 | 10004041 | Steering wheel shudder during low speed turning maneuvers. 2004 explorer sport trac included. *tt | 11/14/2003 |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | ||||||
| PE09020 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 04/21/2009 | 08/19/2009 | VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS | ||
| In response to an information request (ir) letter sent by the office of defects investigation (odi), ford stated consumer reports of higher than expected efforts when shifting into and out of park could be a result of a groove being worn into the swing arm ramp of the steering column. the swing arm is a component bolted to the steering column that assists in shifting through the transmission gears.an engineering evaluation conducted by ford of returned steering columns found the groove could be created over time if consumer shift more quickly from the drive or reverse to park than the brake shift interlock (bsi) solenoid pin retracts after the brake pedal is applied. in november of 2004, ford released a redesigned bsi solenoid with a shorter pin retracting time as a serviceable component. ford has noted the shorter retraction time significantly lessens the likelihood of bsi solenoid pin to swing arm contact even with rapid consumer shifts.ford also issued a technical service bulletin, tsb 04-22-12, to instruct service technicians on the proper diagnosis and vehicle repair. reviewing complaints to odi and data submitted by ford, odi has identified 200 alleged incidents of unintended vehicle movement after consumers believe they have shifted the vehicle into park, resulting in 85 alleged crashes and 32 alleged injuries.in addition to the reports of alleged incidents of unintended vehicle movement, odi has also identified 883 reports of consumers alleging difficulty or the inability to shift the vehicle into park.this preliminary evaluation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea09-013) to further assess the scope, frequency and risk to motor vehicle safety of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. | ||||||
| STEERING - COLUMN | ||||||
| PE09020 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 04/21/2009 | 08/19/2009 | VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS | ||
| In response to an information request (ir) letter sent by the office of defects investigation (odi), ford stated consumer reports of higher than expected efforts when shifting into and out of park could be a result of a groove being worn into the swing arm ramp of the steering column. the swing arm is a component bolted to the steering column that assists in shifting through the transmission gears.an engineering evaluation conducted by ford of returned steering columns found the groove could be created over time if consumer shift more quickly from the drive or reverse to park than the brake shift interlock (bsi) solenoid pin retracts after the brake pedal is applied. in november of 2004, ford released a redesigned bsi solenoid with a shorter pin retracting time as a serviceable component. ford has noted the shorter retraction time significantly lessens the likelihood of bsi solenoid pin to swing arm contact even with rapid consumer shifts.ford also issued a technical service bulletin, tsb 04-22-12, to instruct service technicians on the proper diagnosis and vehicle repair. reviewing complaints to odi and data submitted by ford, odi has identified 200 alleged incidents of unintended vehicle movement after consumers believe they have shifted the vehicle into park, resulting in 85 alleged crashes and 32 alleged injuries.in addition to the reports of alleged incidents of unintended vehicle movement, odi has also identified 883 reports of consumers alleging difficulty or the inability to shift the vehicle into park.this preliminary evaluation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea09-013) to further assess the scope, frequency and risk to motor vehicle safety of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. | ||||||
| STEERING - COLUMN LOCKING - ANTI-THEFT DEVICE | ||||||
| PE09020 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 04/21/2009 | 08/19/2009 | VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS | ||
| In response to an information request (ir) letter sent by the office of defects investigation (odi), ford stated consumer reports of higher than expected efforts when shifting into and out of park could be a result of a groove being worn into the swing arm ramp of the steering column. the swing arm is a component bolted to the steering column that assists in shifting through the transmission gears.an engineering evaluation conducted by ford of returned steering columns found the groove could be created over time if consumer shift more quickly from the drive or reverse to park than the brake shift interlock (bsi) solenoid pin retracts after the brake pedal is applied. in november of 2004, ford released a redesigned bsi solenoid with a shorter pin retracting time as a serviceable component. ford has noted the shorter retraction time significantly lessens the likelihood of bsi solenoid pin to swing arm contact even with rapid consumer shifts.ford also issued a technical service bulletin, tsb 04-22-12, to instruct service technicians on the proper diagnosis and vehicle repair. reviewing complaints to odi and data submitted by ford, odi has identified 200 alleged incidents of unintended vehicle movement after consumers believe they have shifted the vehicle into park, resulting in 85 alleged crashes and 32 alleged injuries.in addition to the reports of alleged incidents of unintended vehicle movement, odi has also identified 883 reports of consumers alleging difficulty or the inability to shift the vehicle into park.this preliminary evaluation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea09-013) to further assess the scope, frequency and risk to motor vehicle safety of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 11/15/2003 | 0 | 2 | 01/29/2003 |
| This ford explorer sport track was bought new. i previously had a ford explorer. the reason i traded was because of the roll over rate. the dealership where i purchased this vehicle gave me a run down on the newly designed explorer tellin me that the new design had corrected the roll over problem in whick ford motor company has had several law suits. i have two grandchilden we are raising and i most curtainly don't feel safe in this vehicle after reading the articles on this site and the article in the fort worth star telegram. i have had this vehicle in the shop twice for transmission problems and powersteering problems. both times they said they found nothing. please advise me in what i should do. | |||
| 09/04/2003 | 2100 | 07/31/2003 | |
| Steering wheel binds while trying to merge onto the interstate. this binding does not allow the vehicle to be turned. | |||
| 06/10/2003 | 100 | 60 | 05/28/2003 |
| Steering wheel shakes while making sharp, slow right or left turns. dealer not sure what the problem is, says all sport tracks do that, however when i bought it, it didn't. i drove another new one from the dealer while mine was in service...and the steering was fine. also, the a/c compressor is out and being replaced and i've only made one payment.*ak | |||