Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING - GEAR BOX - SHAFT PITMAN | ||||||
| EA01009 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 03/02/2001 | 08/19/2003 | SECTOR SHAFT FRACTURES | ||
| This ea was opened based on a response received from ford motor company to an information request (ir) submitted during sq00-018.ford stated in an internal service message that it had changed the steering gear sector shafts and pitman arms installed 1999 model year f-series super duty vehicles on march 22, 1999.ford stated that these design changes were implemented to make improvements in vehicle steering and handling, and that virtually all of the reported fractured sector shafts were the result of extraordinary, possibly multiple, impacts.an engineering analysis closing report is attached. | ||||||
| STEERING - GEAR BOX - SHAFT SECTOR | ||||||
| EA01009 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 03/02/2001 | 08/19/2003 | SECTOR SHAFT FRACTURES | ||
| This ea was opened based on a response received from ford motor company to an information request (ir) submitted during sq00-018.ford stated in an internal service message that it had changed the steering gear sector shafts and pitman arms installed 1999 model year f-series super duty vehicles on march 22, 1999.ford stated that these design changes were implemented to make improvements in vehicle steering and handling, and that virtually all of the reported fractured sector shafts were the result of extraordinary, possibly multiple, impacts.an engineering analysis closing report is attached. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 05/16/2011 | 184176 | ||
| I own a 2001 ford f250 super duty 4x4 truck. after purchasing truck used, i replaced all sterring components with o.e equpiment specifications at certified repair facilities. all facilities certified all steering parts in original specification form. despite all this, the truck would shake violently upon hitting any kind of rough roads or potholes. after reading other complaints, i realized this is defect with the truck even going to 2007 model year. this truck is dangerous!! dangerous!! dangerous!!!!!!!!. needs to be recalled and fair market value given to the buyers. someone will get killed. a driver should not have to fear driving a truck on any road except a perfectly smooth one which does not exist. i almost died driving this truck crossing the walt whitman bridge from nj to pa. i am not alone. nhtsa has complaints against the f250 sd 4x4 going into 2007 model year. give fair market value and recall the trucks. owners can get the credit toward purchase of new or used ford trucks models that do not suffer from this defect. ford will not lose if they acknowledge their mistake while no one died or seriously injured yet!!!!. | |||
| 08/31/2010 | 175000 | ||
| Violent shake in steering apon encountering less than smooth road. | |||
| 01/01/2006 | 1 | ||
| I have a 2001 ford f250. i have owned it for years. my steering is really stiff. i have had it to 2 ford dealerships & they say they can,t find anything wrong. i know it is dangerous because i've owned lots of trucks & never had such a problem. it is real hard to control at higher speeds. it makes you constantly trying to correct left to right steering. thank you *tr | |||
| 06/15/2005 | 62000 | 2 | 10/15/2000 |
| Cam shaft position sensor has failed 2 different times on a 2001 powerstroke ford f250. first time while driving through a parking lot. second time on the road at highway speeds. vehicle was difficult to stop and steer due to loss of power steering and power brakes. *tr | |||
| STEERING - GEAR BOX - SHAFT PITMAN | |||
| 11/25/2005 | 53000 | 1 | 07/20/2005 |
| I was driving east on burke hill rd at approx. 35 mph when the steering went on my pick up truck, then i hit a pine tree and broke the radiator, the drivers side front quarter panel was folded back to the drivers door and i saw a piece of the under carriage hanging down and come to find out it was the spectar arm broke by the front tire(drivers side), and when the garage picked the truck up in the air they found out the transfer case was broke nearly in half. they felt the cause of the accident was the broken spectar arm. *nm | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP | |||
| 02/22/2006 | 22219 | 2 | 04/27/2001 |
| Twice the power steering pump has failed (needing replacement both times) resulting in loss of power steering fluid and sudden loss of power assisted steering. first happened on april 9,2004 at 22,219 miles. then again at 38,175 miles on feb. 22,2006. *nm | |||
| 03/22/2004 | 36000 | 1 | 05/04/2001 |
| I have a 2001 ford f250 with the 7.3 l engine. the problem with the vehical is that the power steering is unreliable. it works great 99% but occasionally it just goes dead. it seems that using the brakes and trying to turn the steering wheel will cause the steering to go dead such as in a parking lot where you are trying to turn the wheel and use the brakes to stop the car. the other day i was going up an on ramp with a turn at the top and had no steering to turn the truck. i almost had a wreck. the dealership seems aware of this problem... the fellas on the ford truck web site have had their problems as well. it seems like this might be an issue for a possible recall.*ak | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 01/01/2006 | 41681 | 1 | 04/14/2005 |
| My 2001 f-250 super duty diesel has steering problems. its hard to believe that the number one selling truck in the nation for who knows how many years, would sell a truck to the public that has power steering problems. when i am trying to park i have no power steering at all. i know that it is due to receiving all the power to the braking system, but with all the technology out there today why would ford have a problem trying to figure out how to have power braking and power steering at the same time. my 77 high boy had better steering with 35 inch tires than my 2001 has. *nm | |||
| 05/07/2004 | 26000 | 1 | 05/17/2001 |
| Steering feels loose, wanders. steering wheel jumps back and forth when you hit a bump. noticeable at high and low speeds. makes vehicle control a problem at times. have had this problem for approximately a year. has been checked by dealership more than once, and they state that they can't find anything wrong.*ak | |||
| 08/01/2003 | 58000 | 1 | 12/01/2001 |
| Power steering failure of some sort has caused power assist to be applied at full capacity at all times. there is no steering feel whatsoever, and there is no self-centering of the steering. an extreme level of attention to careful steering is required to operate the truck due to the slightest touch of the steering wheel becoming an extreme response by front wheels. when the vehicle is stopped, with brakes applied, the steering wheel can eaisly be spun from lock to lock by just pushing on the wheel slightly - it will continue to turn untouched. *ak | |||
| 2 | 10/01/2002 | ||
| When braking hard the steering locks up. this has happened 2 times and ford says it is normal. this is very dangerous and could cause a serious accident. i almost hit 2 vehicles because of this problem! dt | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - KNUCKLE - SPINDLE - ARM | |||
| 12/26/2003 | 78985 | 1 | 09/19/2001 |
| 2001 ford f250 superduty upper and lower ball joint failure w/78985 miles on vehicle. one upper was worn to allow an inch of move in wheel. ford has a problem with premature ball joint wear as i have this vehicle with the problem, had a mercury grand marquis ball joints failed with 40000 miles or less. f250 diagnosed at front end alignment facility they said 70000 miles is good on ford ball joints as they replace a lot of them in 40000 and 50000 miles. ford has determined this a wear area and will not recognize the problem. i contend this not fail until well above 100000 miles. it is not a tire, brake pads, filters, or belts. *ak | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - LINK - DRAG - CONNECTION | |||
| 02/06/2003 | 35000 | 1 | |
| Trailer arm broke from differential, almost causing vehicle to go into oncoming traffic, due to not being able to turn steering wheel, after arm fell into steering stabilizer, and jamming. *jb | |||