Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING - GEAR BOX - SHAFT SECTOR | ||||||||||||||||
| 03V196000 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | from 03/01/1996 to 09/30/1996 | V (Vehicle) | 171446 | 05/30/2003 | ODI | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 05/27/2003 | 06/03/2003 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, if the intermediate shaft yoke separates from the steering gear input shaft, the steering system becomes disconnected. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | This could result in loss of steering control, potentially resulting in a vehicle crash without warning. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will inspect the steering intermediate shaft yoke to determine if the yoke is fully seated on the steering gear input shaft. if the yoke is fully seated no service is required. if the yoke is not fully seated and bolt groove and spline is visible, the intermediate shaft and bolt will be replaced as well as the bolt at the steering column connection. owner notification began on may 30, 2003. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Ford recall no. 03s02.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||||
| 0399 | 05/12/2003 | 10002781 | Tie rod end inspection procedure. *tt | 09/17/2003 | |
| 16605 | 02/01/2003 | 10002490 | Reduced power steering assist and/or power steering leaks when driven in temperatures equal to or less than -25 degrees celcius. *tt | 09/03/2003 | |
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS | |||||
| 17823 | 05/01/2004 | 10008572 | Power steering leak - service tip. *tt | 08/05/2004 | |
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||||
| 17731 | 04/01/2004 | 10008232 | Whine from power steering. *tt | 07/23/2004 | |
| STEERING - LINKAGES | |||||
| 9810569 | 04/01/1998 | 603601 | Concerns of squeaky / noisy pitman arm. *yc | 02/25/1999 | |
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | |||||
| 04L19 | 09/01/2004 | 10010001 | Customer maintenance reminder - literature program 04l19 - tie rod inspection procedure. *tt | 11/03/2004 | |
| 031513 | 08/04/2003 | 10003192 | Tie rod end inspection procedure. *tt | 10/10/2003 | |
| 03610 | 03/31/2003 | 10001861 | Tie rod end inspection procedure. canada vehicles only. *tt *jb | 07/23/2003 | |
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION - PINION SHAFT | |||||
| 13219 | 09/01/1999 | 6090593 | Information regarding steering gear leaks from input shaft seals. *mjs | 03/21/2000 | |
| 7080 | 09/01/1999 | 6090432 | Information regarding steering gear leaks from input shaft seals. *mjs | 03/20/2000 | |
| STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR | |||||
| 98169 | 04/07/2000 | 609742 | Steering -alignment-toe set procedure service tip. yd | 04/07/2000 | |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | ||||||
| PE01033 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 09/17/2001 | 02/06/2002 | STEERING COLUMN | ||
| Alleged that a loss of mechanical connection between the steering column intermediate shaft and the steering gear input shaft results in complete loss of steering control | ||||||
| PE98024 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 04/21/1998 | 07/21/1998 | TIE ROD END FAILURES | ||
| Alleged tie rod end separates from the adjustment sleeve compropision steering control | ||||||
| EA02001 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 02/06/2002 | 05/29/2003 | STEERING SHAFT SEPARATION | 03V196000 | |
| See attached summary for technical details | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 10/29/2010 | 148200 | ||
| Gem module failure at high speed. caused 4x4 to engage at high speed causing loss of control of vehicle. also, during turns, causes loss of control of steering. did some research of several ford f150 web sites and found several complaints for similar or the same problems. took the vehicle to the ford dealer for repair and was told the gem module was the culprit and that there was significant corrosion in the adjacent fuse junction panel. the service department confessed that they have had several complaints for these kinds of conditions and have had to replace many of these gem modules and fuse panels because of leaks in the windshield or hood cowling. they further told me that unless i replaced these components and any other electrical component, at my expense, they would not warranty any repairs. after a repair bill of $1000.00, ford refused to help claiming it was not a design or component part problem. my concern is the possibility of electrical failures in the future or even damage to the drive train components. | |||
| 03/10/2007 | 160000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford f150. when the contact attempted to turn the steering wheel, it made a cracking and popping noise. in addition, the steering wheel could be lifted up from the anchorage and tilted to the left and the right. his vin was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 03v196000 (steering:gear box:shaft sector), although he received a recall letter in 2008. he was informed by both the dealer and manufacturer (ford of america) that there were no open recalls for the vehicle. the failure mileage was 160,000 and current mileage was 170,000. | |||
| 11/01/2005 | 1 | ||
| While backing out to get on highway consumer ford f150 had no steering. *ts (11/16/05) the steering wheel assembly had broken. the consumers found that a piece on the steering shaft assembly that was made out of aluminum had worn out. *sc | |||
| 07/25/2004 | 68000 | 1 | 03/01/1996 |
| While driving 65 mph the consumer lost steering power. the consumer was not able to maintain control of the vehicle, and crashed into a guardrail. upon impact, both frontal air bags deployed. the vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, and the mechanic determined that the steering shaft broke, and needed to be replaced. *ak *sc *jb | |||
| 11/10/2003 | 104932 | 1 | 05/10/1996 |
| Steering failure: my 1997 ford f150 had a steering failure. vin:1ftdf1861vka90060. the steering shaft separated from the power steering box. the steering shaft connection is aluminum and the gear on the power steering box is steel. the aluminum wore and the steel, naturally did not. basic engineering failure. described exactly in recall no. 03s02 a very thorough search showed no recalls or maintenance notices. please, please, please, if you have a 1997, ford f150 have the connection of the steering shaft to the power steering box check immediately. i cannot imagine a worst failure in a vehicle. no steering. *nm | |||
| 12/08/2003 | 100000 | 1 | |
| While turning the steering wheel binds and makes a grinding noise. the consumer has to use excessive effort to straighten the wheel. the vehicle was towed to the dealer for analysis but the technician could not resolve the problem. *ak the problem has been reported to the manufacturer but they refused to provide any assistance. *nm | |||
| 06/14/2003 | 109000 | 1 | |
| Consumer states steering has failed while driving. dealer notified. *ak | |||
| 15000 | 1 | ||
| Consumer states received a recall notice. took vehicle to dealer, and dealer stated that vehicle was fine. dealer never looked at car.*ak. | |||
| 05/02/2003 | 112000 | 1 | 05/01/1999 |
| Consumer stated that while driving and without warning the steering shaft snapped and caused the consumer to lose steering control. *ts *scc *jb | |||
| 165000 | 1 | ||
| While backing out of the driveway, the consumer turned the steering wheel, and it continued to turn without stopping. the consumer opened the hood and noticed the steering wheel shaft had separated from the steering box. *jb | |||
| 03/12/2003 | 1 | 03/18/2002 | |
| A bolt from the steering wheel broke, and caused consumer to lose control of the vehicle, which was subsequently involved in an accident. *jb | |||
| 12/15/2002 | 60000 | 1 | |
| Power steering gear bolts broke. there was a pop noise and consumer could turn steering wheel in either direction but front wheels would not turn. dealer replaced broken bolts from gear. repaired power steering leak at hose from reservoir to pump. *tt | |||
| Consumer states of having problem with a crank rods dealer was contacted. ts | |||
| 07/04/2001 | 1 | ||
| Right front outside tie-rod end separated at the ball/socket joint. this occured while turning into a driveway so speed was not a factor. these tie-rod ends are factory sealed so maintenance is impossible. | |||
| 1 | |||
| While attempting to make a right hand turn the consumer lost control and the vehicle ended up in a field, the steering wheel could be turned like a roulet wheel. nlm | |||
| 1 | |||
| Some of the steering assembly components wore prematurely due to lack of lubrication. nlm | |||
| 07/20/2000 | 1 | 03/01/1997 | |
| Steering box that is attached to frame had fallen off. vehicle was without steering, and consumer lost control without a prior warning. *ak the driver lost steering because bolts holding the steering box to the frame cracked. *yh | |||
| 07/19/2000 | 1 | ||
| A bolt within the steering mechanism had unscrewed, causing steering wheel to spin while tires stayed straight, resulting in loss of vehicle control. mechanic tightend the bolt. *ak | |||
| 10/31/1997 | 1 | 10/10/1997 | |
| Steering is very hard to control while driving. the vehicle would drift without warning. the engine needs oil every month. had been to dealership numerous times to have problems repaired. they still exist. *ml | |||
| Noisy steering, vibration in steering wheel. | |||
| 07/22/1999 | |||
| Steering problems; when turning right 10mph heard a noise.turned steering to right and left, wheel didn't respond.*ak | |||
| 10/18/1998 | |||
| Consumer is having a problem with the steering. it is hard to manage when doing 4mph, the truck carries to the left or right on its on., the problem has caused consumer to run off the road several times. dealer has not been contacted. *ak | |||
| 07/24/1998 | |||
| Vibration can be felt in steering wheel while driving. vibration appears to be from suspension/steering gear, not steering wheel itself. | |||
| 11/10/1997 | 10 | 06/26/1996 | |
| Consumer had taken the vehicle to dealer for repairs of the lugs: nuts:bolts, but dealer did not had the parts to repair vehicle for the first time, and now the vehicle has the same problem. dealer has been contacted. *ak consumer has became aware of recall 98s14, regarding the lugs/nuts/bolts. steering not operating properly, it locks up when it rains. transmission does not operate properly, consumer was informed of recall 97s86, however dealer stated that consumer would have to work with their schedule for repairs. windshield wipers start by themselves. turn signals worked too fast, dealer found a loose wire. brakes did not work efficiently, takes a longer distance to stop. a/c was not cold enough. serpentine belt was replaced. door was out of adjustment, making it hard to open from the inside. *slc | |||
| Steering wheel clunks when accelerating and decelerating, and when on bumpy pavement. | |||
| 04/01/1996 | 1 | 11/01/1996 | |
| When driving at approx 40 mph, goes through 50 mph,steering wheel will begin to vibrate. dealer checked the vehicle 3 times. said it was common problem, cannot fix problem. *ak *slc | |||
| 03/02/1997 | |||
| While driving down the freeway about 70mph, has to put a lot of pressure on the steering wheel in order for the vehicle to go staight. if taking some of the pressure off the steering wheel, the vehicle will go out of control. *ak | |||
| When driving and trying to turn the steering overreacts, hard to steer . please describe .*ak | |||
| 1 | 05/09/1996 | ||
| When driving at 40 mph the truck sways. *ak steering is very sensitive vehicle wanders at highway speeds can not tow with vehicle or can not control at all.*jb | |||
| STEERING - COLUMN | |||
| 04/06/2003 | 88000 | ||
| Steering had too much play causing vehicle to lose control and crash. dealer notified. *ak | |||
| 01/01/1999 | 02/20/1997 | ||
| Vehicle experiencing problem with erratic operation of right side turn signal and stop light; whenever steering column tilt wheel is in an upright postion, the turn signal and stop light would work properly. if steering wheel is move below normal postion , the right side turn signal & stop light will not operate. dealer was not notified at this time. reporting and seeking nhtsa help in this matter. *ak | |||
| STEERING - COLUMN LOCKING - ANTI-THEFT DEVICE | |||
| 10/26/2004 | 1 | ||
| While traveling about 20 mph the steering wheel locked up. consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over. vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. consumer received recall 03v196000 concerning steering gear. consumer informed the mechanic that this problem still occurred, and had not been resolved. *ak | |||
| STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | |||
| 04/14/2003 | 160000 | ||
| While driving the consumer noticed that the steering could be turned completely around and around. the consumer popped the hood and found that the rod that attached to the steering wheel and gear box detached due to a bolt that had come off. *nlm | |||
| 1 | 07/01/1996 | ||
| While driving 35mph, lost all steering power. connection from steering wheel to steering gear box came off without warning. dealer contacted. *ak *yh | |||
| 03/04/2001 | 1 | ||
| The universal joint on the end of the steering column disconnected causing loss of steering ability, the consumer is requesting reimbursement, the steering gear box was also replaced. nlm | |||
| 07/30/2001 | 1 | 10/01/1996 | |
| We were backing our truck into our driveway when all of a sudden the vehicle completely lost all of its steering ability. we immediately investigated the problem and found that the lower steering column shaft had separated from the sector shaft on the st. *ak | |||
| 03/02/2001 | 12/01/1996 | ||
| On friday 03/02/01 i lost control of the steering in my ford f-150 when something in the steering box failed.for specifics of what the exact failure was, please contact the mechanic who made the repair. they are rockville auto boutique, 360 sunrise highway, rockville centre, ny 11570. phone 516 766 7525. *ak | |||
| 03/04/2001 | 1 | 10/01/1996 | |
| Lower steering shaft universal joint became disengaged from the steering gear box commection. this created an inability to steer the truck. | |||
| 09/03/2000 | 1 | ||
| Lower steering shaft came off input shaft of steering gear box causing a complete loss of control. *slc | |||
| 07/20/2000 | 1 | 03/01/1997 | |
| Bolts securing steering box to frame broke. steering box fell loose, and all steering control was lost. little warning that anything was wrong. service personnel indicated that this has happened 'a handful' of times.*ak | |||
| While driving at approximately 35 mph steering box fell off, disconnected from frame due to bolts that sheared off, causing loss of steering. vehicle ran through yard and into a tree. *ak | |||
| 12/21/1999 | 1 | 11/27/1996 | |
| The steering gear assembly failed due to broken/sheared off bolts that fell off. *mjs | |||
| 10/30/1999 | 1 | 03/01/1997 | |
| Steering gear box broke off of frame while driving truck out of driveway at home. unable to steer truck, very very dangerous situation!! the dealer said that the bolts just broke off no sign of wear on bolts. dealer was unable to explain why this happened. | |||
| 06/11/1999 | 1 | 05/01/1998 | |
| No summary | |||
| 06/01/1996 | 1 | 05/03/1996 | |
| Failure on the steering wheel gear box, consumer alleged play in the steering wheel.*ak *slc | |||
| STEERING - GEAR BOX - SHAFT PITMAN | |||
| 09/18/1998 | 0 | ||
| While driving about 35 mph consumer lost steering control due to shaft pitman disconnecting. dealer was contacted. *ak | |||
| 09/25/1996 | 06/28/1996 | ||
| Pitman arm had fallen off from the steering sector shafts due to missing retainer nut and washer, resulting in an accident/injury. *ak | |||
| STEERING - GEAR BOX - SHAFT SECTOR | |||
| 95000 | 1 | ||
| Upon reversing out of an alley at 5 miles intermediate steering shaft separated from the steering gear. this resulted in loss of steering. as a result, consumer lost control of the vehicle and went onto the sidewalk.*ak | |||
| 1 | |||
| The vehicle was taken to the dealer for recall # 03v196000, however after the mechanic started to work on the vehicle, he informed the consumer that all the parts were not available, and to take the car and they would call consumer when the parts arrived, the consumer felt unsafe driving the vehicle, and therefore the vehicle was at the shop for 4 days. *jb | |||
| 05/11/2003 | 145000 | 1 | 04/01/1998 |
| The vehicle loss steering and total control of the vehicle while making a slight turn. the dealer stated the steering shaft separated. the consumer found a recall but was told that her vehicle was not included. recall# 03v196000 *ak *scc | |||
| 08/21/2002 | 1 | 04/01/2000 | |
| Steering column failed at steering shaft gear input.... could spin the wheel like a frisby after going off the road. no sound, no noise, no warning..and, thank god, no body around. | |||
| 06/29/2001 | |||
| Consumer was on road traveling and steering felt like it was loose. steering wheel normally felt tight and sturdy, and it was starting to have too much play. dealer ordered a lower column shaft possibly because of wear and tear. vehicle was also re-aligned and went back to normal.*ak | |||
| 12/01/1999 | |||
| Pitman arm broke between the steering shaft and gear, causing drive to lose control of the vehicle, resulting in a crash. dealer was not willing to inspect the defective part . also, left ball joint were bad, causing tires to wear out. | |||
| 1 | 03/27/1996 | ||
| Light rattling in steering sector. | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP | |||
| 07/11/2001 | 09/01/2000 | ||
| Upon backing out of a parking space i felt a hard jolt and the truck shut off. i inspected the engine and could not find any leaks or anything out of the ordinary. i then restarted the engine with no problem. when i tried to turn the staeering wheel, i found it very hard to turn. i looked under the hood again and noticed the power steering pump wheel had a little shimmy to it and no leaks. i took the truck to the dealership. i was told at the dealership that these pumps go out anywhere from 10k miles and up. unsat.*ak | |||
| 03/08/2001 | 1 | ||
| Failure of steering pump at low speed, causing loss of power steering. pump has been repaired.*ak *slc | |||
| 04/10/1998 | 2 | 02/01/1998 | |
| 1st service at 3000 mileage-a/c leaked twice; later - alignment at the back (bed) area was croocked due to shocks; built-in floor mats almost caused an accident when the gas pedal became stuck to the the floor mat while driving; lastly,power steering wheel locked itself while driving on the road and was unable to manuever/control the pick-up's steering wheels; joeten representatives concluded that power steering pump failed/broke. | |||
| 10/21/1997 | 05/29/1997 | ||
| Power steering unit is failing to operate properly. vehicle has been in the dealer shop on four occasions , and has two pumps replaced and the unit still gives off a hissing noise when vehicle is on. dealer informed consumer that it was normal for the pump to run like that. *ak | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 06/13/2003 | 1 | ||
| While driving and without warning lost steering control. dealer notified. *ak | |||
| 1 | |||
| While making right or left turns steering wheel becomes hard to turn due to power steering.*ak | |||
| 05/28/2003 | 1 | ||
| While driving and without warning lost steering control and it will be hard for the consumer to control the vehicle. dealer notified. *ak | |||
| 05/28/2003 | 129000 | 1 | 01/01/1996 |
| While driving, the vehicle lost power steering. *ak there was also a squeaking noise in the steering column. *ph *jb | |||
| 05/26/2002 | 08/01/2001 | ||
| Drove vehicle 60 miles to airport and worked just fine. returned to vehicle one hour later and started it up. heard rattling noise from under the hood. put vehicle in reverse and there was almost zero movement in steering wheel. was not able to drive vehicle and to have it towed. if this were to happen while driving it could have catastrophic results. wish to urge manufacturer to reimburse since warranty no longer applies. vehicle was well maintained and should not have failed at this point in it's life cycle.*ak | |||
| 12/23/2001 | 1 | 09/01/1996 | |
| Steering failed while driving 20 mph. consumer was unable to turn wheel. *ak *yd | |||
| Power steering bracket broke which threw main belt off, causing failure of brakes and power steering. consumer feels that there should not be only 1 belt that operates brakes and steering. *ak | |||
| While making a left turn the power steering failed, causing complete loss of steering control. cause unknown. please give any further details. *ak | |||
| 09/05/1996 | 4 | ||
| On highway driver needs two hands to steer the vehicle. steering is hard to handle, sometimes oversteering occurs, dealer contacted three times. dealer has aligned the front end and adjusted the toe, camber and caster, however consumer still complains of steering wheel stiffness, dealer can not remedy. check engine light illuminated. *slc | |||
| 1 | |||
| Power steering failed. | |||
| 10/06/1998 | |||
| While driving at 6-7 mph, heard a large bang, and lost steering and vehicle went onto the sidewalk. the vehicle was towed to dealer, and they stated the bolts on the power steering gear sheared off. dealer replaced the parts with no investigation of the cause or if it will happen again. *ak | |||
| 10/01/1996 | 1 | 06/01/1996 | |
| Steering failed. | |||
| 1 | 03/08/1996 | ||
| Steering veers to the right. | |||
| 09/13/1996 | 1 | 07/27/1996 | |
| Steering shakes and makes noise when turning or when vehicle hits a bump.*ak | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES | |||
| 03/28/2005 | 65000 | 03/01/1997 | |
| Caught problem before tragedy | |||
| 07/06/2002 | 2 | 07/01/2099 | |
| On both occasions while taking turns at low speed tie rods snapped where threaded rod attaches to main housing of tie rod. in both cases i was able to stop vehicle before striking either oncoming traffic or other objects. when i brought my vehicle in for repairs i asked the dealer if this was a common occurence he hesitated then said no. then while walking to service area to fill out forms i passed two other trucks with same problems of snapped tie rods. while relating this story to several environmental police officers who drive similar vehicles, they reported that they were on theri third and forth sets of tie rods for their vehicles. | |||
| 06/21/2002 | 1 | 01/01/2098 | |
| Passenger side tyrod failed at the balljoint on highway at 65mph. we had a mechanic replace the tyrod and he discovered the driver's side tyrod extremely worn. no crash involved-thank goodness. thought it should be reported. we are original owners of the ford-f150 with just over +65,000 on vehicle. please contact us if you have further questions. thanks. k. pagano. *ak | |||
| 1 | |||
| Consumer experiening problems with front end squeaking when turning steering wheel. dealer replaced pitman arm. *tt | |||
| 06/04/2002 | 1 | 02/01/2000 | |
| While backing vehicle in parking lot, heard a noise. drove approximately two blocks when i was not able to steer the vehicle upon inspection discovered the tie rod had broken.*ak | |||
| 05/18/2002 | 1 | ||
| While driving 25 mph and making a turn, steering wheel kept turning but vehicle was still going straight. dealer determined the pivot arm had disconnected.*jb | |||
| 05/11/2002 | 2 | 11/01/2000 | |
| No summary listed for this vehicle. *ak | |||
| 08/14/2000 | 04/01/1997 | ||
| One of five 1997-1998 ford f-150 pickup trucks owned by the new york state department of transportaion which have had tie rod failures after reaching 75k miles or more. *ak | |||
| 08/10/2001 | 04/01/1997 | ||
| One of five 1997-1998 ford f-150 pickup trucks owned by the new york state department of transportaion which have had tie rod failures after reaching 75k miles or more | |||
| 08/14/2000 | 04/01/1997 | ||
| One of five 1997-1998 ford f-150 pickup trucks owned by the new york state department of transportaion which have had tie rod failures after reaching 75k miles or more. *ak | |||
| 01/27/2002 | 1 | 08/01/1999 | |
| Drivers side tie-rod fell off while driving the vehicle and punctured the wheel (rim) causing instant deflation of tire pressure. lost all steering capabilities and front left wheel was jambed with the tie rod causing vehicle to come to a complete stop. ford installs zerkless tie rods (suppose to have lifetime lubrication?), the rubber boot is not tight fiitting allowing moisture to find its way inside. it appears that the tie rod was corroded from the inside out. this is suppose to be a major complaint among f-150 owners. this is a manufacture defect that could become deadly if incident occures at highway speeds. | |||
| 05/01/2001 | 1 | 06/01/1997 | |
| I had noticed a squeak from the front end when making turns. i found nothing loose so i ignored it for a while. after doing some investigating found there to be problems with pitman arms on these vehicles. i checked mine and found that to be the noise and replaced the part. i kept the old part. it appears dry and soon to wear out. | |||
| 08/01/2001 | 5 | 07/30/1997 | |
| Airbag light is on. vehicle taken to dealer 5 times. dealer cannot solve problem. *ak consumer states that the throttle stuck on vehicle while driving in heavy traffic when vehicle only had 8193 miles on it, dealer replaced throttle body and air intake, throttle stuck again at 28104 miles, dealer replaced same parts. pittman arm was replaced. *slc | |||
| 10/26/2001 | 1 | 08/01/1998 | |
| Front suspension is a sealed ball/socket system supposedly needing no grease. the tie rod driver's side/inner just popped off at low speed. it was determined that the socket was dry causing excessive wear/corrosion on the joint. was also told that the pittman arm is also dry and in need of grease - actually, replacement, now. i am continually assured by ford service dept., that the truck does not need to have grease added as it has a sealed ball and socket joint system these parts should be mandated to have grease fittings for preventative maintenance capabilities. ****hubs**** design flaw with the diameter of the hubs in relation to the wheel/rotors, etc., on the 1997 trucks, the diameter of the hubs did not allow for even a minor amount of normal corrosion. this results in the mechanic's inability to remove the hub for service without damaging the hub assy. (there is no lip or difference of diameter to tap he edge of the hub assy to remove it from the wheel assy. this happened on the truck when it was less than 1 year old and had not been exposed to salt water/air. *ak | |||
| 07/01/2000 | |||
| While traveling approximately 50 mph vehicle shimmied violently. consumer was able to stop vehicle without incident. dealership examined vehicle, and determined that outer left tie rod broke. then, on september 7 2001, while traveling 15 mph, consumer lost steering and braking systems when inner right tie rod broke. please provide any additional information / attachments. *ak | |||
| 07/10/2001 | 1 | 10/01/1996 | |
| As i was making a right hand turn the passenger side tie rod broke. leaving me with no control of steering. luckily i was able to get to the side of the road.*ak | |||
| 09/12/2000 | 2 | 03/01/1997 | |
| A loud noise comes from the pitman everytime the wheel is turn. also, the door ajar light sticks and stays on longer and longer each time. | |||
| 02/01/2000 | |||
| Front steering makes squealing noise when turn steering wheel. *ak | |||
| 02/26/2001 | 2 | 06/01/1998 | |
| The way the tie rods are made when they become slightly worn they pull apart. after talking with some auto repair shops i found that this is a common occurance. | |||
| 01/31/2001 | 1 | 05/01/1997 | |
| Pittman arm referenced eight (8) times in tsb's. rear window also referenced in tsb's. *ak | |||
| 01/19/2001 | 1 | 08/01/1997 | |
| By chance i heard my wife back ruck out of garage and noticed a loud squeak from front end as she steered. with windows up and heater on we had not heard the sound during this winter and don't know how long it had been making noise. we made an appointment and took it to the dealer. as we pulled in the shop with it squeaking at each turn of the steering wheel a mechanic walked over and said that must be a 1997. i said yes and he said the pitman arm is supposed to be lubed for life so there is no grease fitting, and they are known to fail on the 1997's. we get our truck oil changed and lubed every 3000 miles or close to it. he said if we hadn't notice the noise it would have seized up and broke. as i understand it the pitman arm connects the steering box shaft to the steering linkage and a failure would have resulted in a sudden loss of steering. we got it fixed immediately by replacing the pitman arm at a cost of close to $300. how long will the new arm last without grease? i reported it to ford, and they said they would track the vehicles and notify me if there is a recall. then i did some research and found there are at least a couple service bulletins dating back to 97 and 98 that they were aware of this problem in early production. you would think they would notify us of the problem while the warranty would cover the repair and at least to assure our steering would not fail. the bulletin numbers i found are #9810569 in 1998 and bc2360970501 in 1997 both about the pitman arm replacement. the repair was done at metro ford of grand ledge michigan (517-627-3293). *ak | |||
| 01/11/2001 | 1 | 07/12/1997 | |
| Had to replace steering pitman. vehicle was out of warranty. *ak | |||
| 06/01/2000 | 0 | ||
| There was a squeak, and ford called it a groan when turning steering wheel. dealer said it was a defective pitman arm.*ak | |||
| 07/24/2000 | 01/01/1999 | ||
| On both occasions tie rods came apart at the middle without warning!*ak | |||
| 08/01/2000 | 1 | 03/01/1999 | |
| No summary | |||
| 06/09/2000 | 1 | 10/01/1996 | |
| Part failed, causing loss of control. vehicle was forced into oncoming traffic. the dealer and ford were contacted. they both agreed that it shouldn't have failed. they were not concerned about the safety issue, just there warranty liability. when the part failed it damaged the backing plate and punctured the rim, causing tire failure. what may have happened if this was at highway speed?*ak | |||
| 12/01/1999 | |||
| Pitman arm broke between the steering shaft and gear, causing drive to lose control of the vehicle, resulting in a crash. dealer was not willing to inspect the defective part . also, left ball joint were bad, causing tires to wear out. | |||
| 03/27/2000 | |||
| Tie-rod snapped in two after driver engaged reverse to back out of a space. driver lost all steering control. vehicle towed to ford dealer. employee, and, or others could have sustained serious injury or fatality if part had failed while vehicle was being operated at normal driving speed. *ak | |||
| 11/01/1996 | 1 | 05/01/1996 | |
| Steering column linkages failed. | |||
| 11/16/1998 | 1 | 03/01/1997 | |
| Pitman arm & idler arm need replaced after only 40k miles. steering became unpredictable. | |||
| 10/06/1998 | 15 | ||
| Steering linkages make popping noises at low speeds & on rough roads. the noise is louder when turning wheel. developed a lot of play in steering wheel. problem occurred after warranty ran out. will be taking vehicle back to dealer. *ak | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - ARM - IDLER AND ATTACHMENT | |||
| 10/29/2003 | 1 | 10/07/1997 | |
| 1997 ford pickup dlerarm,pittman arm, tie rod end replacement-frozen-creaking: lower ball joints worn; we already replaced brakes,the pistons froze cause brake failure all rotors and brake pad and pistons had to be replaced. *ak why did this happen with only 34,152 miles on this vehicle. is ford using poor quality products. something is wrong with this vehicle, we should not have to have this expense at this low mileage. | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - KNUCKLE - SPINDLE - ARM | |||
| 05/21/2004 | 10600 | 1 | |
| While driving at 30 mph consumer tried to make a right and the vehicle kept going straight. vehicle ended up in a ditch on the side of the road. consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, who verified that the steering arm fell off the steering box. *ak | |||
| 12/29/2002 | |||
| The steering shaft became detached from the steering gear box. | |||
| 09/30/2000 | 1 | 05/01/1996 | |
| Ford said no recall at this time. there should be steering knuckle is weak. *ak | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | |||
| 06/01/2005 | 1 | ||
| 1997 ford f150 tie rods are extremely loose.***no answer required***. *mr it was demonstrated to the consumer that the ball end could be pulled out of the socket with bare hands. the socket was made of rubber. *sc | |||
| 06/10/2005 | 110000 | 1 | 05/13/2003 |
| 1997 ford f150 driver side inner tie rod end became completely seperated during operation ot the vehicle, resulting in a sudden loss of control. | |||
| 03/28/2005 | 65000 | 03/01/1997 | |
| Caught problem before tragedy | |||
| 03/01/2005 | 1 | ||
| 1997 ford f-150 truck possible defect of tie rod ends. *bf the consumer received a notice from the manufacturer, however the consumer believes they should pay for all repairs. *jb | |||
| 03/02/2004 | 40000 | 1 | 01/07/1997 |
| Tie rod broke at a very gently used 40,000 miles. *ak | |||
| 11/10/2004 | 104000 | 1 | 05/01/1997 |
| The consumer made a left turn at 10 mph and tie rod came out of the socket. consumer pulled over, and had the vehicle towed. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak *jb | |||
| 04/01/2002 | 71000 | 4 | 01/20/1999 |
| I am sending in a full letter to explain the failures. it centers around tsb 99b29 and lack of owner notification of a bad front cover design that can lead to engine failure, which occurred in this case. additionally, i had a tie rod failure that was not addressed under warranty, but later broke while driving. also, my crank shaft pulley / dampener assembly fell off while highway driving (70 mph). there are other issues including door lock / key sticking.*ak campaign id number : 03v196000 component: steering:gear box:shaft sector. the engine cover gasket failed. *tc the serpentine failed, the transmission had an akward shift, the wipers operated periodically by themselves on high speed, there was little heat coming from the vents through the floor. *jb | |||
| 07/23/2004 | 88930 | 1 | |
| While shifting into reverse vehicle failed to move. consumer got out of the vehicle to inspect it, and noticed that both front driver side and passenger side tires were turn inward. consumer had the vehicle towed to a repair shop for inspection and the mechanic determined that both inner tire rods had popped and needed to be replaced. *ak | |||
| 03/01/2001 | |||
| While backing out of the drive way the driver lost control of the front wheels. the driver feels lucky he wasn't driving in traffic or on highway. the driver says, tie rod ends are failing. please provide any further information. | |||
| 10/05/2003 | 95000 | 1 | |
| While leaving a gas station the passenger side tie rod came out of it's socket. the consumer lost control of the vehicle for a short time but was able to stop safely. the consumer repaired the tie rod. the ball joint was dry and rusted. the ball joint was worn due to no grease. there is no way to grease it or to check to see if it needs to be lubricated. *ak *nm | |||
| 100000 | 1 | ||
| While driving on a normal paved road at 25 mph front end suddenly started shaking. this was caused by tie rod end falling apart and separating, not due to normal wear and tear. *ak | |||
| 1 | |||
| While driving 30 mph hit a rail road track and vehicle started traveling to the left, causing consumer to lose control of vehicle due to tie rods , *ak | |||
| 08/22/2003 | 1 | ||
| While driving at 35 mph right side tie rod separated from gear, ball and socket fell off, resulting is loss of steering control. dealer notified. *ak | |||
| 06/23/2003 | 1 | ||
| Dealer stated the tie rod needed to be replaced. consumer indicated that the vehicle was no longer under warranty so he has to pay $400. *ak | |||
| 06/15/2003 | 117000 | 1 | 09/09/1997 |
| Tie rod failure. the left inner tie rod broke while driving at 40 mph causing difficulty in controlling truck. *jb | |||
| 1 | |||
| A tie rod fell off while driving. the front engine seal and intake manifold gasket failed resulting in and antifreeze leak. some of the vehicles lights (dome light and dash light) stayed on although the vehicle was turned off. *ak *nlm | |||
| 1 | |||
| The inner tie rod assembly failed. *jb | |||
| 01/18/2003 | 91619 | 1 | 06/15/1996 |
| I lost all steering control on my 1997 ford f-150 extended cab pick up truck. the steering rod had come loose from the steering gear. i questioned the ford dealer who made the repairs as to how this could happen. they stated that they had never seen this type of problem before. since then i witnessed another ford vehicle encounter the exact same problem. due to large amount of explorers, expeditions and f150's on the road today, this was very concerning to me. fortunately in both cases we were traveling at a very low rate of speed and was able to come to a stop without incident. i purchased this vehicle new and never had work done on the steering previous to this problem. *nlm | |||
| Upon starting vehicle there is a constant banging noise. took to dealer and dealer states vehicle spun a rod, and cause coolant to get in oil and engine. please provide any further information. ts | |||
| 12/10/2002 | 2 | ||
| Consumer states tie rods broke while driving causing wheel to move erratically. consumer not able to keep control of vehicle. this is the 2nd time incident has occurred in 1 year. the first time occurred at 40k miles. mr | |||
| 06/20/2002 | 1 | 07/01/2097 | |
| Tie rod end broke in two while backing out of a parking space. dealer and factory both refuse to acknowledge the seriousness of the failure, and they imply that because i did not go to the dealership for oil changes, i should not expect any further assistance or investigation on the matter. i consider it extremely fortunate that the failure was in a parking lot, had it been on the highway there could have been serious injury to myself and other innocent parties.*ak | |||
| 11/20/2001 | 1 | ||
| Another tie rod was faulty, only the boot was holding stud to the tie rod. *ak | |||
| 03/16/2002 | 1 | 03/01/2000 | |
| While turning into driveway, left tie rod broke off and caused tire to turn outwards. *ak *tt | |||
| 03/10/2002 | 2 | 06/22/1996 | |
| While driving 55-60 mph front end started shaking, there was a noise and vehicle dropped on right front. dealer determined that right tie rod had broken. on 6 june 2001 the left tie rod broke again. *ak *yh | |||
| 01/05/2002 | 1 | 11/06/1996 | |
| While driving in reverse, left outer tie rod separated from vehicle, causing loss of control.*jg *ak | |||
| 11/01/2001 | 2 | 08/01/1996 | |
| While trying to get out of a parking lot, the left tie rod ends fell off from vehicle. *ak all the tie rods were replaced by the consumer who wants refunded from the manufacturer. the consumer believes the premature failure of the tie rod was due to defective parts. *yh | |||
| 10/26/2001 | 1 | 08/01/1998 | |
| Front suspension is a sealed ball/socket system supposedly needing no grease. the tie rod driver's side/inner just popped off at low speed. it was determined that the socket was dry causing excessive wear/corrosion on the joint. was also told that the pittman arm is also dry and in need of grease - actually, replacement, now. i am continually assured by ford service dept., that the truck does not need to have grease added as it has a sealed ball and socket joint system these parts should be mandated to have grease fittings for preventative maintenance capabilities. ****hubs**** design flaw with the diameter of the hubs in relation to the wheel/rotors, etc., on the 1997 trucks, the diameter of the hubs did not allow for even a minor amount of normal corrosion. this results in the mechanic's inability to remove the hub for service without damaging the hub assy. (there is no lip or difference of diameter to tap he edge of the hub assy to remove it from the wheel assy. this happened on the truck when it was less than 1 year old and had not been exposed to salt water/air. *ak | |||
| 1 | |||
| While driving vehicle began to vibrate, consumer got out of the vehicle but could not see anything, consumer then proceeded to drive about 5mph when the vehicle began to vibrate again, plus there was a squeaking noise, vehicle was taken into a mechanic, and consumer was informed that the tie rod end on the drivers side had fallen out of position.*jb | |||
| While driving 55 mph and without prior warning left front tie rod end broke, causing loss of vehicle control. no collision or injuries occurred. please give any further details.*ak | |||
| 05/19/2001 | 1 | 08/01/1998 | |
| Tie rod end on left front broke, while vehicle was parked, dealer notified and unwilling to assist in this matter.*ak consumer states as he was parking in the parking lot, the tie rod end came apart, no prior warning.*jb | |||
| 03/22/2001 | 1 | 06/01/2000 | |
| Front tie rod end broke off. vehicle was parked, but if consumer was driving, there could have been a serious accident.*ak *jb | |||
| 12/04/2000 | 1 | ||
| While backing up left/ upper tie rod popped out of socket, and vehicle had no steering, consumer felt this was a manufacturing defect. *ak *slc | |||
| Front right inner tie rod rusted , and felt vehcle operating poorly while making a right hand turn. dealer has been contacted.*ak | |||
| Inner tie rod fell off while consumer was in park postion, causing a complete loss of control. there was no indication or prior warning .please provide further information.*ak | |||
| 08/20/2000 | 1 | ||
| I was pulling out of my driveway, horse trailer attached to the truck when the tie rod broke. is this a defect in manufacturing? why would ford manufacturing make parts such as tie rods non greasable, thus breakable. i could have been killed if this had happened one minute later. | |||
| 05/07/2000 | |||
| While traveling on the road at 20 mph vehicle lost control due to a tie rod end failure. dealer / manufacturer notified. provide further details. *ak | |||
| 03/18/2000 | 2 | ||
| While traveling on highway noticed loss of steering. dealer stated that inner tie rod broke. a second tie rod end was found to be worn and was replaced also. *ak *ml | |||
| 03/07/2000 | 1 | 09/01/1997 | |
| Tie rod end separated from the vehicle at 60mph. dealer has been notified. *ak | |||
| 01/25/2000 | 10/01/1996 | ||
| Brought vehicle in to comply with recall. no problems previous to recall, after receiving vehicle back all problems started. recall work was not done properly. screws were not reattached to covering over fan belt, oil change and new filter were not done according to recall. knocking started to occur in engine after vehicle was returned to me. called dealership back to report the 2 screws missing anda knocking sound coming from engine. was told to stop in on sat. to have someone put in the missing screws. returned to shop noone was around to do the work. while driving the truck sat. the engine oil lights up. had to find a store to buy oil and add to crankcase. had to do this twice that night. the vehicle is now at the dealeship. i have been told i need a new engine. they will put in a rebuilt engine. i am not satisfied with this solution. i feel that they have ruined my truck and i won't feel safe and secure in it anymore. please contact me so i can explain further. | |||
| 07/22/1999 | |||
| While driving at 35 mph inner tie rod came off, and the ball joints are trying to coming off. *ak | |||
| 06/14/1999 | 6 | 12/01/1996 | |
| Outer tie rod ends falling from sockets, causing sudden and total loss of steering. *ak | |||
| 06/14/1999 | 2 | 09/01/1996 | |
| Truck is used as family transportation, never been involved in any accidents. tie rod end broke turning in to a parking lot. towed to dealer. finally got it fixed 9 days later, was told there was a national backorder on the part. drove the truck 1 day before the other side tie rod broke - pulling out of my driveway at approx. 5m.p.h.. towed again to dealer to have second tie rod replaced. | |||
| 01/16/1999 | |||
| While backing out of the driveway the inner tie rod snapped in half. the dealer is aware of the problem. the tie rod has not been replaced. *ak | |||
| 11/15/1997 | 1 | 03/01/1996 | |
| When driving at about 70-75 mph, slightly turning the wheel owner heard a loud noise . he took vehicle into the dealer for inspection and was informed that the inner tie rod was loose. *ak consumer states just 1000 miles prior to the failure, he had vehicle in the shop for the 60000 mile check up. *slc | |||
| 1 | 03/27/1996 | ||
| Tie rod failure. | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION | |||
| 06/04/2002 | 1 | 01/01/2099 | |
| No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak | |||
| 12/11/1998 | |||
| While driving steering mechanism broke due to a faulty steering pinion bolt and clock spring which resulted in no steering control. please provide further information. *ak | |||
| STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR | |||
| 10/26/2000 | 1 | ||
| Steering column broke while consumer was driving, consumedr lost control of vehicle which ran into a dirt bank. contacted dealer who was not willing to do anything. *ak consumer stated that while driving at 26 mph on a dirt road, a deer ran out of the woods, he hit his brakes and heard a popping sound and had no control of the truck, also the steering was not responding with the turn of the wheel. consumer was injured. *yh | |||
| 06/01/2001 | |||
| While traveling inside of a parking lot vehicle veered to the right. steering column collapsed. dealership is aware of problem.*ak | |||
| 12/17/2001 | |||
| While driving 15-20 mph steering wheel locked up, consumer was unable to turn steering wheel 360 degrees. please provide any further details.*ak | |||
| 09/25/2001 | |||
| Pe 01 033 : steering column : noise would appear when making a turn. dealer/manufacturer were not notified at this time. feel free to provide any further information concerning this matter. *ak | |||
| 09/30/2001 | 1 | 08/20/2001 | |
| Pe 01 033/steering column: while making a turn, vehicle lost control. tow truck driver informed consumer that steering column separated from gear box. *ak | |||
| 07/24/2001 | 1 | ||
| The steering box and colomn became diconected, rendering vehicle unstable. this was an assembly problem not a product defect. *ak | |||
| 05/18/2001 | 1 | 07/01/1996 | |
| Was driving on interstate 65, mm 95 approximately 75 mph, when the steering went completely out. lost total control of vehicle. local ford dealership stated that the steering shaft had come off sector shaft. i am concerned that this could happen to someone else. i was able to control vehicle until i came to stop on median. steering wheel spun freely in either direction. could have easily been a fatal wreck if this happened on a curve or other vehicles close by.*ak | |||
| 05/03/2001 | 1 | 12/01/1999 | |
| When i was driving with my son in the car, i lost all steering in my vehicle. my steering wheel just started to spin freely as i was drifting into oncoming traffic. after frantically stopping the vehicle, i had it towed back to my local mechanic. after he inspected the steering column, he discovered that the coupling between the lower end of the steering column and steering box had stripped free. the bolt still remained in the coupler. he checked with ford and they told him there has been no recall on the lower end of the steering columns (which he was surprised at), but there had been a service bulletin.*ak | |||
| The steering column makes a watery or whiny noise when turning. i have spoken to others about this via internet bulletin boards and it is not an isolated case. some have had their entire column replaced and still have a problem. one person i spoke to said there was a tsb in effect and that the tie-rod was the culprit. he further stated that ford was on back-order for that part and that it was a nationwide problem. however, it is not listed on your site as a recall and my warranty period is up. i have gone to the dealer numerous times and have had no help in diagnosing and solving the problem. | |||
| 08/15/2000 | 100 | 06/01/1997 | |
| While driving windshield wipers will come on unexpectedly like twice a month without warning. also, a short inside of steering column. *ak washer lever also on steering column, to get washer to operate must push handle in at angle. the dome lamp is defective and stays on when the engine is started. *yh | |||
| While traveling and when making a turn, steering wheel would not respond to the turn . please provide further information. *ak | |||
| 06/02/2000 | |||
| While turning steering wheel became hard to turn within a few seconds . also, steering wheel would shake while turning or driving. vehicle would be taken to dealer for inspection. feel free to provide further details. *ak | |||
| 05/13/2000 | 1 | 03/01/1999 | |
| While driving two bolts which hold the steering shaft snapped in half, resulting in no steering ability which could cause loss of control. *ak the snapping of the bolts did cause loss of control of the steering. *yh | |||
| 02/25/1999 | |||
| A coupling broke on the steering rod causing a collision ,which resulted in minor injuries. the manufacturer has been notified. mjs | |||
| 10/01/1998 | 1 | 06/01/1997 | |
| Bottom leaf separates on both sides of rear spring assemblies & points outward at rear. loud clunking, rattling & vibration in steering column & dashboard. 2 general tires blew out within 250 miles. | |||
| 03/30/1998 | 1 | 03/01/1998 | |
| Steering column locked up while making a lane change, unable to turn wheel , driver hit a semi head on. | |||
| 02/18/1998 | 1 | 04/14/1997 | |
| While driving over 70 mph, vehicle wobbled and wheel broke away from vehicle. vehicle veered to left uncontrollable, ran off the road and crashed into a muddy ditch. no injuries. | |||
| 05/12/1996 | |||
| When driving the truck hears a loud noise in the dashboard, and the truck is hard to control, it goes all over the road. took to dealer and was told it was the steering column, they put extensions on the steering column, but the problem is still reoccurring. *ak | |||
| 12/07/1997 | 2 | ||
| Mfr # 97s86 nhtsa recall # 97v171000; consumer contacted the dealer to have recall work corrected. work was corrected. however, the consumer was involved in an head-on collision traveling 15 mph due to the steering wheel locking up. consumer also stated the driver's and passenger's side air bags did not deploy. *ak | |||
| 01/02/1997 | 1 | 05/01/1996 | |
| Steering column rattles. | |||
| 02/03/1997 | 1 | ||
| Steering column problem. | |||
| 1 | 03/27/1996 | ||
| Knocking in steering column. | |||
| When driving the steering wheel is hard to turn . *ak | |||
| 08/30/1996 | 5 | 07/30/1996 | |
| Steering wheel vibrates/noisy. | |||
| 07/01/1996 | 1 | ||
| Steering wheel vibrates. | |||
| 07/14/1996 | |||
| While driving the steering column makes an very loud noise. manufacturer said that this was under investigation. *ak | |||
| 03/01/1996 | |||
| There is play in the steering wheel, you have to move it back and forth before it takes affect.*ak | |||
| 1 | |||
| Loose steering shaft; the steering column feels loose when turning . *ak *slc | |||
| 08/19/1996 | 1 | ||
| Steering column makes a knocking noise when driving. *ak | |||
| 05/10/1996 | |||
| Failure of the steering wheel, when driving the steering wheel makes a knocking/grinding sound, causing the consumer to lose control of the vehicle.*ak | |||
| 01/01/1996 | 1 | ||
| While driving, the steering wheel vibrates and there is a noise coming from the steering column.*ak consumer feels someting was left out around the steering column. *slc | |||
| 08/06/1996 | |||
| When driving or accelerating you can feel vibrations coming through the steering column. when at a dead stop and turning, steeing wheel from left to right there is a dead feeling.*ak | |||
| Extreme playness in the steering wheel. *ak | |||