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 PITMAN | ||||||||||||||||
| 03V349000 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | from 04/24/2003 to 04/25/2003 | V (Vehicle) | 300 | 10/01/2003 | MFR | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 09/22/2003 | 09/30/2003 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | On certain pickup trucks, the pitman arm to steering gear retaining nut was not fully tightened to the required specification. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | If the pitman arm to gearbox attachment nut loosens, a noise and a loose feel in the steering could occur. if the condition progressed and service was not sought, the nut could back off completely and the pitman arm could separate from the gear causing a loss of steering. if the warning is not heeded and steering is lost, a crash may result. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will tighten the pitman arm retaining nut to specifications. owner notification began on october 1, 2003. owners should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Ford recall no. 03s07.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||||
| 17086 | 08/01/2003 | 10003181 | Noise from the front end of the vehicle which appears to be coming from the steering idler arm. *tt | 10/09/2003 | |
| 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 - GEAR BOX - SHAFT PITMAN | |||||
| 03B08 | 07/01/2003 | 10003473 | The pitman arm retaining nub may not be tightened to specifications. this could result in customer complaints of a noise or vibration. ford is providing a no-charge customer satisfaction program , #03b08, to tighten the pitman arm nut to | 10/21/2003 | |
| 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 - PUMP | |||||
| 031703 | 03/17/2003 | 10001918 | Whine noise from the power steering pump most noticeable while turning at slow speeds. *tt *jb | 07/25/2003 | |
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||||
| 17731 | 04/01/2004 | 10008232 | Whine from power steering. *tt | 07/23/2004 | |
| STEERING - LINKAGES - ARM - IDLER AND ATTACHMENT | |||||
| 17346 | 11/01/2003 | 10008177 | Steering idler arm noise. *tt | 07/22/2004 | |
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | |||||
| 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 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | |||
| 09/01/2004 | 2 | 12/01/2003 | |
| Dt: the contact owns a 2003 ford f150. contact received recall on campaign id number 03v349000 concerning steering gear box. while driving home on june 22, 2005, and after just pulling his boat trailer steering malfunctioned just as stated in the recall. he contacted ford dealership, and they stated that this vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin. the steering gear box was replaced twice. *ak | |||
| STEERING - GEAR BOX - SHAFT PITMAN | |||
| 11/28/2010 | 85000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford f-150. while driving approximately 55 mph the steering wheel became loose and easily turned the vehicle to the left. once the vehicle began steering towards the left the steering wheel became very stiff and difficult to turn. within a few seconds, the failure ceased and the contact was able to drive normally. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. the manufacturer was notified and the contact was told that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with nhtsa campaign id number 03v349000 (steering:gear box:shaft pitman). the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileage was 85,000. | |||
| 10/11/2007 | 57719 | 1 | 07/17/2003 |
| Steering gear failure. the vehicle had a large amount of play in the steering wheel. at times loss of steering would occur and you could end up in the next lane. *tr | |||
| 10/12/2007 | 57719 | 1 | 07/01/2003 |
| When driving steering wheel was very loose. steering gear was separating and was replaced at the dealer. trying to find out why my vehicle was not covered under recall nhtsa campaign #03v349000. *tr | |||
| 07/10/2003 | 1000 | 4 | 06/24/2003 |
| 2003 f-150 supercrew xlt 4wd noise present in front-end. especially when backing out of driveway sounds like an idler arm or steering linkage (tie rods) also noise in steering gear/pitman arm. result is loose steering espcially while at high speeds. loose steering is present even at lower speeds and vehicle tracks road in an unusual fashion. have discussed with ford service dept on 4 occasions. they have been unable to provide a remedy. they tell me its characteristic of the vehicle. *la | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | |||
| 08/13/2004 | 1 | ||
| Consumer complained that vehicle was using a lot of oil. it used a quart of oil every 3000 miles. vehicle had no grease fittings on the tie rod ends nor on the steering. this made them squeak. subsequently without the grease fittings these parts will drop out . consumer took vehicle to dealer, and dealer told him that it would take about a couple of hours to repair vehicle. but when consumer called back he was told that the parts needed to repair the vehicle were on back order. it would take about 2-3 weeks to get them. consumer insisted vehicle was making a lot of noise, and consumer was afraid something will happen.*ak | |||
| 07/10/2003 | 1000 | 4 | 06/24/2003 |
| 2003 f-150 supercrew xlt 4wd noise present in front-end. especially when backing out of driveway sounds like an idler arm or steering linkage (tie rods) also noise in steering gear/pitman arm. result is loose steering espcially while at high speeds. loose steering is present even at lower speeds and vehicle tracks road in an unusual fashion. have discussed with ford service dept on 4 occasions. they have been unable to provide a remedy. they tell me its characteristic of the vehicle. *la | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION | |||
| 03/01/2004 | 3 | ||
| While driving down hill in the rain, the rear wheels suddenly locked. the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and the cause was determined to be a failure with the rack and pinion and the drive shaft. recently, the consumer has experienced the same problem. *jb | |||
| 08/15/2004 | 19612 | 3 | 02/05/2003 |
| Rear ended while driving at 48 mph. dealership replaced the rack and pinion steering twice along with the carrier. three visits to the dealership and problem recurred. *ak | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION - RACK | |||
| 03/17/2005 | 35500 | 4 | 04/01/2003 |
| Took my 2003 f150 xl 4x4 to get a front end alignment the technecian told me he could not do the alignment due to the upper and lower ball joints were bad (worn out) i took me truck to the nearest ford dealership and was instructed that i voided my warranty when i put on a bigger tire. the original size was a 255/70/16 and i put on 235/85/16 on the original rim. i have 35500 miles on my truck. i feel that this is another way that the dealership and the manufacturer gets away with ripping customers off. *ak | |||