Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||||
| 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 | |
| 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 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 | |
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 | |||
| 01/20/1999 | 2 | 06/01/1998 | |
| Single vehicle accident. frontal impact - my son was driving. *ak | |||
| STEERING - COLUMN | |||
| 185000 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle was making a left hand turn when the steering column came apart. driver then slammed on the brakes until vehicle came to a stop. *ak | |||
| STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | |||
| 11/10/1998 | 1 | 05/27/1998 | |
| Steering gear assembly failed. *yc | |||
| 04/23/1999 | 2 | 07/01/1998 | |
| Consumer was turning right at approximately 10 mph when the steering failed which almost caused an accident. dealer did not detect the problem the first time , but then it happened again, and currently dealer is replacing the steering gear box. *ak *ml | |||
| STEERING - GEAR BOX - SHAFT SECTOR | |||
| 06/05/2001 | 1 | 12/01/1998 | |
| While backing out slowly, steering wheel disconnected from steering mechanism, resulting in loss of steering, dealer said that intermediate shaft bolt was stripped, there was no accident.*ak *jb | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP | |||
| 12/01/1998 | 6 | 11/19/1998 | |
| The power steering pump malfunctioned, causing the power steering fluid to crystallize, resulting in loss of power steering. dealer replaced power steering pump 4 times, and has replaced starter and repaired the coolant system once. *ak *ml | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 10/19/2000 | 2 | 11/01/1997 | |
| Crash involved my vehicle striking another vehicle which had turned into my path to make a left turn at a lighted intersection. police determined that other driver was at fault. other vehicle (a vw jetta) was struck in the side, yet both airbags deployed. my vehicle was struck in the front with sufficient force to break front axle, yet neither airbag deployed. i contacted dealer who referred me to their 1-800 customer hotline, who then referred me back to dealer to pursue technical problems such as this. therefore, i'm now contacting you. | |||
| 07/26/1999 | 04/01/1998 | ||
| While traveling consumer passed out and vehicle ran off road. also, noticed fumes inside cab. driver believes that carbon monoxide fumes were coming into the vehicle, causing him to pass out. *ak *ml | |||
| 09/01/1998 | 1 | 07/01/1998 | |
| Power steering failed. | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - KNUCKLE - SPINDLE - ARM | |||
| 01/28/2000 | |||
| Left wheel broke off and there was a noise due to a spindle breaking,which could have caused loss of vehicle control. currently the noise has returned. please provide further information. *ak | |||
| 11/15/1998 | 1 | 10/01/1998 | |
| Brakes have been examined twice for squeakiness. dealer has stated that they cannot duplicate problem. noises have worsened since last exam on 12/15/98. there are several areas of rust on the underside of my truck and on the outtake manifold in the enginge. dealer has stated that's normal to repeated inquiries about this rust. i have already had throttle assembly piece, the butterfly valve replaced in nov of 1998. i now have sqeaky noises coming from the rear axle as well, which i will schedule for exam this week, 1/11/99. | |||
| 08/12/1998 | 1 | 06/15/1998 | |
| Upper ball joint separated from the vehicle causing loss of control and minor collision, rust found outside both the sides of the knuckle and a missing bolt. | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - LINK - DRAG - CONNECTION | |||
| 01/26/1999 | 1 | 12/18/1997 | |
| Front shocks and front spindle connecting drag assembly replaced. mjs | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | |||
| 05/02/2006 | 58864 | 1 | |
| Dt*: the contact stated while driving at any speed a squeaking noise came from the front of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the upper and lower control arms, tie rods and bearings were replaced. | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION | |||
| 1 | 05/01/1998 | ||
| The day after purchasing the vehicle, (1998 ford ranger) the consumer had to get the rack and pinion steering changed. (see odi number 10052130 for consumer complaint regarding 2002 ford escape).*mr *cb *jb | |||
| Rack and pinion has failed at only 38,000 miles and within 2 years without warning. cause unknown.*ak | |||
| 1 | 12/18/1997 | ||
| Rack and pinion failed. mjs | |||
| STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR | |||
| 09/07/2010 | 98000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns 1998 ford ranger. the contact stated that there was complete rusting on the frame of the vehicle. the dealer was notified but did not return the contacts call. the manufacturer was not contacted. the vehicle was repaired. the failure mileage was 98,000 and the current mileage was 125,348. nw | |||
| 1 | 09/01/1998 | ||
| The wheels lock and freeze. yh | |||
| 12/01/1998 | 50 | 03/01/1998 | |
| A vibration has developed under all braking conditions (15,000 miles on). the steering wheel will shudder and twitch from side to side. entire vehicle will vibrate. worst under low braking pedal pressure. as the vehicle slows, the sensation is as if the brakes are making varying braking contact with the rotors/drums, consistant with the wheel revolution speed. at low speed and light brake pedal pressure, the steering wheel will suddenly spin 90-180 degrees to the left, causing the vehicle to change driving lanes, unless firmly held back. dealership inspected and drove the vehicle. experienced vibration/shudder and wheel pull. states braking and steering systems components are in normal condition, brakes are unadjustable, complaint is common, and usually gets worse. can offer no solution. *ak | |||