Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
98V116000FORD MOTOR COMPANYfrom 09/03/1997 to 05/19/1998V (Vehicle)9000005/26/1998MFRFORD MOTOR COMPANY05/29/199806/02/1998
Defect SummaryVehicle description: medium duty trucks and chassis-cabs. one or more of the four rivets on the lower steering shaft flex coupling may not have been crimped during the sub-assembly process.
Consequence SummaryIf a rivet is not crimped, the flex joint can rotate on the shaft and there would be a reduction in or loss of steering control.
Corrective SummaryDealers will inspect the lower steering shaft rivets and replace any shafts with uncrimped rivets.
NotesOwner notification began may 26, 1998.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.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
STEERING
1651501/01/200410005089Oil leak at high pressure pump fittings and/or plug. this includes super duty f-series. oasis. *tt01/29/2004
0101710/18/2001631905Subject regarding 198196 bolt-on steering stops service group, all models 0307, hr0307a and hr1000a. *slc06/25/2002
STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
04L1909/01/200410010001Customer maintenance reminder - literature program 04l19 - tie rod inspection procedure. *tt11/03/2004
STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR
98272104/01/1998603585Some vehicles may experience a popping / squeaking noise in the steering column while turning. *yc02/25/1999

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
STEERING
PE98061FORD MOTOR COMPANY11/18/199812/07/1998STEERING SHAFT FRACTURE
 Alleged that the steering shaft may fracture

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
STEERING
03/22/199973000203/22/1999
 The second gear has gone out of the transmission. the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer. *jb *sc the lights at the bottom of the door were inoperative. the steering wheel was out of alignment.
04/12/199946781408/12/1998
 The vehicle pulled to the left and the right, the tire were cupping on the edges, the cloth seat were wearing, the radius arms were loose, the lights were inoerative, there was a squeak in the cowel, the engine experienced gasket and seal problems, however once the engine was replaced, it burned oil fast.*scc *jb
03/19/20001
 The consumer accelerated from a stop to make a left turn the vehicle suddenly turned right midway in the turn, the vehicle hit a guard damaging right control arm, axle mount, right headlight and fender, the consumer believes this accident occured due to faulty steering component. nlm
04/14/2000
 After making a turn steering wheel will not self center. the dealer has repaired vehicle on several occasions; however, the problem still exists. ford denies that there is a problem. *ak *ml
06/14/1999
 While traveling 50 mph, and as a result of making a sudden stop, consumer experienced loss of steering. dealer has been notified and refuses to work on this until ford autorizes. *ak.et.
04/13/1999303/29/1999
 While driving at 60 mph driver pushed the front steering sensor button on the gear switch and vehicle lost all power, including power brakes and steering. vehicle was put into neutral to start again / come to a stop. *ml
03/31/199903/01/1999
 Hwy speed steering erratic, floating, jerking. *ak
03/05/1998
 Owner wishes to notify nhtsa of a recall concerning the lower steering shaft which is missing or has crimped rivets. owner did not locate the recall on the nhtsa web site.
STEERING - COLUMN
12/27/20022
 While traveling on the highway and without prior warning the consumer lost control of the vehicle, this failure was as a result of the steering column locking up. please furnish additional information dealer is aware of the problem.*jb
STEERING - COLUMN LOCKING - ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
12/03/20000
 While driving down a road and putting foot on brakes steering wheel locked up. vheicle has abs on back brakes only. *ak
STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
05/05/200110/01/1998
 My truck was involved in a accident. mention was made by the driver that the steering column seemed to go out. i ignored his comments and simply assumed that he was driving too fast and lost control. on may 11, 2001 i read an article in the kansas city star that indicated your agency was opening an investigation into fractures in the steering gear shaft of ford f-series super duty trucks. i faxed the article to the shop repairing my truck. henry mills, mills automotive, marshall, missouri, inspected the vechicle, called me back almost immediately informing that this sector had broke on my truck. he contacted the local ford dealer, who i understand went and looked at the vechile and informed mr. mills that ford had not issued any bulletins on the problem and could do nothing about it at this time. i decided i should bring this to your attention. please keep me informed of your findings.i*ak
05/18/2000110/01/1998
 No summary
05/18/2000109/01/1998
 I suffered closed head trauma with amnesia in the accident. the truck had no grass or dirt on the front undercarriage. the front body clip was destroyed as well as the side doors and bed. the left wheel steering linkage was sheared off. turning the steering would not turn the wheels. i read in the paper that you have upgraded investigation on steering problems in this model.
01/17/2000605/01/1998
 6 alignments in 24,000 miles, a broken 14mm suspension bolt, a steering gearbox failure, 3 sets of brakes & rotor/caliper replacement indicates major design/material & quality problems. the vehicle has also left me stranded 5 times for other not listed engine related failures. ford customer relations is useless, could care less & is non-supportive. *ak
06/05/1998
 Consumer contacted the dealer in reference to recall number 98v116000, manufacturer's number 98s17. scheduled an appointment. took vehicle to dealer, parts were not available. *ak
 Recall # 98v116000 ford/lower control arm. owner is still experiencing a prolbem with truck after having recall work performed. when hitting a bump, etc in the road, the truck violently vibrates. in some cases, jerking steering wheel from hand. *ak
05/29/1998
 Nhtsa recall # 98v11600 mfr # 98s17, consumer contacted the dealer to have recall corrected, dealer unaware of recall. refused to replace any parts. *ak
STEERING - GEAR BOX - SHAFT SECTOR
01/30/200357000
 While reversing , vehicle lost steering power. the steering wheel will turn, but the vehicle will not go in the direction that it's being turned. the vehicle's steering sector shaft had broke.
1
 The vehicle had a twisted sector shaft. *scc *jb
09/10/2002
 While driving steering sector shaft broke, causing loss of steering.*ak
11/15/2001103/01/1999
 Steering sector shaft broke. it happened just as consumer pulled off the freeway. no injuries were sustained.*ak *tt
10/01/19981
 Loss of control caused by steering sector shaft failure, body damage to the vehicle due to loss of control. cj
08/28/1999
 While driving a bolt broke out of the steering manual shaft sector, causing vehicle to lose control. *ak
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
09/15/2002209/01/2001
 When making a turn power steering return line popped out causing loss of steering capabilities, this occurance almost resulted in an accident .*ak *nlm
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - POWER STEERING FLUID
10/21/1999
 Powersteering hose broke, causing a leakage. when the consumer applied the brakes, there weren't any brakes. consumer pressed hard on the brakes, and after a delay, the brakes kicked in. *ak
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP
03/01/2001
 Consumer started vehicle/applied brakes, and heard a noise. she turned wheel and heard another noise. had vehicle towed to dealer, who replaced a power steering gasket. a few weeks later, consumer noticed a leak, dealer replaced power steering pump. *ak
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
03/01/2001
 Consumer started vehicle/applied brakes, and heard a noise. she turned wheel and heard another noise. had vehicle towed to dealer, who replaced a power steering gasket. a few weeks later, consumer noticed a leak, dealer replaced power steering pump. *ak
07/20/2001105/01/1999
 The power steering went out and the brakes were not working properly, the vehicle shook very hard when the brakes were applied. in july of 2000 the newspaper in beckley, wv , the register-herald, ran an article that nhtsa reports that the ford f-series super duty truck had problems of losing their steering and brakes. and they could go out without any warnings. that happened to my truck. ford denies knowing anything about it. what do you know about the report? i have asked to talk to ford engineers and have been refused. what can you do about this? what do you know about this?*ak
05/01/1999
 Brakes comepletely release when applied and hitting bump in road,must depress pedal to the floor to stop,on several occaisions.i've had three near accidents in past 30 days. *ak
1
 While driving the hydro boost failed causing loss of steering and brakes causing the truck to drift into ditch resulting in damage to the side panel, the consumer believes the brakes and steering should not be designed to be controlled by a common unit. nlm
10/04/20002
 Driver was preparing to enter parking space when vehicle suddendly lost all power brakes and steering possibly caused by hydroboost unit loss. *ak consumer states this is the second time the power steering unit has been replaced. *slc
05/21/2000103/01/1998
 Loss of power steering and brakes on 5% down grade. after stopping safly due to trailer brakes and exhuast brake. restarted engine and both returned. towed to bottom of grade. dealer in south lake tahoe checked with no indication of a fault. *ak
12/08/1999106/01/1999
 The failure is that steering locks up when brake is applied. the harder the brake is depressed the harder it is to turn the wheel, until a point is reached when the steering wheel can no longer be turned. *ak
11/20/1998110/01/1998
 Steering is to reactive to minor movements of steering wheel.minor movements of steering wheel causes vehicle to respond much to fast for driver control.local ford dealer advises to adjust tire pressures.also states ford knows they have a problem but do not have answers of what to do!
07/29/1998
 While driving 50mph the vehicle experienced a loss of control, unknown as to why the vehicle lost control, and went through a mailbox/tree/ embankment until it stopped on a field on its own. also, the bumper experienced frontal impact damage, but the driver's airbag did not deploy and did not protect the occupant in this accident. caused unknown. please provide details. *ak
STEERING - LINKAGES
10/16/199907/01/1998
 Linkage came apart. drag link and sleeve were stripped at threads. replaced drag link and adjusting sleeve.
STEERING - LINKAGES - ARM - IDLER AND ATTACHMENT
08/01/1998
 I would like to know about the idle arm control valve. what it is used for and why it would go bad?*ak
STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
07/07/200469000108/16/1999
 I turned right into a paint store parking lot after leaving a major highway (m-32) with my 1999 ford f250 (69000 miles) and noticed a slipping feeling in my steering. when i tried to back up to leave the paint store my right front wheel was pointed to the far right and my left wheel was straight. i looked under the right wheel area and saw the tie rod end was separated from the steering rod. i had the truck transported on a flat bed to a repair shop. i had all the tie rod ends replaced. the repair shop, bedford's muffler & brake (9893458732) has seen this same type of failure recently on a ford. i have the failed parts and have contacted ford over a week ago. they have not responded. *la
1
 While mechanic was installing new tires he noticed that the tie rod on the front right side was severely worn, destroyed. *ak
07/28/200355364101/01/1999
 The front tire rod fell off the vehicle. the dealer was notified. *ak both front outer tie rod ends were replaced. *scc *jb
06/14/2002112/01/2002
 While turning into driveway at 30 mph the tie rod end fell off.*ak *nlm
STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR
05/15/1999
 Steering wheel would lock up whenever brakes are appliied. dealer and manufacturer were notified. feel free to provide any further information.*ak
 Steering shaft is clicking in column when turning to lfet or to right. please provide further information.*ak
06/30/200007/20/1999
 While driving at approximately 35-40 mph and pulling a normal load, driver applied brakes when the steering shaft broke unexpectedly, causing loss of control, resulting in an accident. *ak
12/06/19990
 While making a turn either left or right the steering column will pop out. consumer is concerned about this situation. *ak
03/01/1999
 When driving at any speed and when getting off the road and back on, steering wheel is difficult to maneuver and driver loses control. dealer is not aware of problem. problem still exists. provide further information. *ak
07/09/1998
 Received recall notice (#98v116000) & notified dealership. was informed that no parts available for repairs. called manufacturer & was told did not have any parts to send to dealership to repair steering column. *ak
06/01/1998
 98v116000, steering column shaft; consumer received a recall notice from ford. contacted the dealer and they stated that they have not received any information from ford on the recall, and would not be able to look at the vehicle or remedy the problem for at least one week or until notified by ford of the recall. *ak