I HAD JUST UNHOOKED A 10,000 LB. HORSE TRAILER WITH A HORSE IN IT WHICH IS THIS TRUCKS MAIN JOB. I PULLED OUT OF THE FAR-THOUGHT I FELT MY STEERING PULL TO THE RIGHT & IT SEEMED LIKE I HAD TO OVER-CORRECT THE WHEEL TO PULL I LEFT, I SLOWED DOWN-DROVE DOWN THE ROAD TURNING THE WHEEL LEFT & RIGHT-EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE-DROVE 20 M…
Read full complaint
I HAD JUST UNHOOKED A 10,000 LB. HORSE TRAILER WITH A HORSE IN IT WHICH IS THIS TRUCKS MAIN JOB. I PULLED OUT OF THE FAR-THOUGHT I FELT MY STEERING PULL TO THE RIGHT & IT SEEMED LIKE I HAD TO OVER-CORRECT THE WHEEL TO PULL I LEFT, I SLOWED DOWN-DROVE DOWN THE ROAD TURNING THE WHEEL LEFT & RIGHT-EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE-DROVE 20 MINUTES BACK TO MY HOTEL, GO TO PULL IN A PARKING SPOT & MY TRUCK WENT STRAIGHT ALMOST HITTING THE CAR PARKED IN THE SPOT TO THE LEFT I WAS PULLING INTO. I BACKED UP, MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD SPIN AROUND MANY TIMES IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. MY STEERING WAS COMPLETELY GONE! I SHIVER TO THINK OF WHAT A NIGHTMARE IT COULD HAVE BEEN HAD IT NOT BROKE IN A PARKING LOT!!!!!!!!!!! IT IS AT FORD OF OCALA. THEY CALLED & SAID A NUT HAD FALLEN OFF & THEY PUT IT BACK ON & PUT LOCK TIGHT ON IT-I AM SUPPOSED TO FEEL SAFE??????? HAS THIS HAPPENED TO ANYONE ELSE???..UPDATED 03-13-13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE NUT ON THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING COLUMN CAME OFF. IT WAS SITTING ON THE FRAME. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS CHARGED $58.00 TO HAVE IT PUT BACK ON. UPDATED 03/14/13
NHTSA ODI #10393183
Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2010
Steering
2008 FORD F-250 SD. S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING-LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM REGARDING FORD COMPLAINT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HER HUSBAND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY LOOSE AND WOBBLY. HER HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO LIFT THE STEERING WHEELS OUT OF THE SHAFT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING AND BOLT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10361988
4,500 miles · Sep 17, 2010
SteeringSuspension
2008 FORD F-250 SUPERDUTY DRIVING AT 40-70 MPH STRAIGHT OR TURNING (IE: ON A FREEWAY FLY-OVER). THE FRONT-END SHAKES/SHIMMIES WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP, POTHOLE, OR SURFACE THAT IS UNEVEN TO THE POINT YOU LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. HAPPENS MOST ALL THE TIME IF ON FLY-OVER, AND ON STRAIGHT ROADS SOMETIMES. DEALER SAYS IT IS TIRE PRESSURE…
Read full complaint
2008 FORD F-250 SUPERDUTY DRIVING AT 40-70 MPH STRAIGHT OR TURNING (IE: ON A FREEWAY FLY-OVER). THE FRONT-END SHAKES/SHIMMIES WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP, POTHOLE, OR SURFACE THAT IS UNEVEN TO THE POINT YOU LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. HAPPENS MOST ALL THE TIME IF ON FLY-OVER, AND ON STRAIGHT ROADS SOMETIMES. DEALER SAYS IT IS TIRE PRESSURE, DOES NOT WORK. THEN TOLD TO REPLACE STRUTS OR ADJUST STEERING DAMPER. WORKS TEMPORAILY. NO USED PARTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10356131
88,000 miles · Jul 29, 2010
Steering
I BOUGHT A 2008 FORD F-250 EXTENDED CAB TRUCK AND WHEN I GO OVER A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD THE FRONT END SHAKES REAL BAD TO THE POINT I ALMOST LOST CONTROL GOING DOWN A HIGHWAY AT 55MPH. I CHECKED THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES AND THEY WERE AT 70PSI IN THE FRONT AND 80PSI IN THE BACK. THE DOOR STICKER SAID THE PRESSURES SHOULD …
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT A 2008 FORD F-250 EXTENDED CAB TRUCK AND WHEN I GO OVER A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD THE FRONT END SHAKES REAL BAD TO THE POINT I ALMOST LOST CONTROL GOING DOWN A HIGHWAY AT 55MPH. I CHECKED THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES AND THEY WERE AT 70PSI IN THE FRONT AND 80PSI IN THE BACK. THE DOOR STICKER SAID THE PRESSURES SHOULD BE 70 IN THE FRONT AND 80 IN THE BACK. I HAVE REPLACED THE SHOCKS AND STEERING STABILIZER SHOCK AND IT DID NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THE OLD SHOCKS APPEARED TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE YET. I THEN REPLACED THE TIRES EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE STILL GOOD AND THEY WERE WORN EVENLY. STILL DID NOT FIX IT. I THEN DROPPED MY AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES TO 60PSI FRONT AND BACK TO IF IT MADE A DIFFERENCE. STILL DID NOT FIX IT. I HAD THE DEALERSHIP LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I OWNED A 1999 F-250 AND IT NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. I HAD 165,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I TRADED IT IN FOR THIS ONE. I GOOGLED MY PROBLEM AND FOUND A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO COME UP WITH A REPAIR FOR THIS SOON. I WON'T LET MY WIFE DRIVE THIS TRUCK FOR FEAR OF THIS HAPPENING AND HER ENDING UP IN A WRECK. FORD NEEDS TO THINK ABOUT THE PEOPLE AND CHILDREN THAT RIDE IN THERE VEHICLES AND THE LIVES THAT THEY COULD TAKE. I AM A FORD DRIVER ALL MY VEHICLES ARE FORD AND I'M NOT MAD AT FORD YET BUT THEY NEED TO CURE THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS FOR SURE A DESIGN FLAW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10346223
15,000 miles · May 13, 2010
SteeringTraction Control System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND VIBRATE. THE STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL ALSO FAILED. UPON DECELERATION THE FAILURE WOULD STOP. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTH…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND VIBRATE. THE STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL ALSO FAILED. UPON DECELERATION THE FAILURE WOULD STOP. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE OWNER THAT SOME OF THIS YEAR AND MODEL HAD THE "DEATH SHAKE" BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT; SHE WAS ADVISED TO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,000.
NHTSA ODI #10330354
26,898 miles · Nov 12, 2009
Steering
1. DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 65MPH+ IN A 2008 FORD F-250. 2. HIT A MINOR SEAM IN THE PAVED ROAD. 3. FRONT END WOBBLE (KNOWN ON MANY INTERNET SITES AT THE "FORD DEATH WOBBLE". MY TRUCK WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND I TOOK IT TO FORD DEALER THE NEXT DAY. THEY TIGHTEN THE PITMAN ARM. THERE WAS A FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED …
Read full complaint
1. DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 65MPH+ IN A 2008 FORD F-250. 2. HIT A MINOR SEAM IN THE PAVED ROAD. 3. FRONT END WOBBLE (KNOWN ON MANY INTERNET SITES AT THE "FORD DEATH WOBBLE". MY TRUCK WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND I TOOK IT TO FORD DEALER THE NEXT DAY. THEY TIGHTEN THE PITMAN ARM. THERE WAS A FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM AND IT INDICATED IMPROPER TIRE PRESSURE. TOTALLY NOT TRUE. THE FRONT END WOBBLE WAS SO SEVERE IT MADE ME CROSS INTO ON-COMING LANES OF TRAFFIC. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS COMING THE OTHER WAY OR THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE FORD DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE FRONT STABILIZER SHOCK. THE VERY NEXT DAY THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED. VIOLENT FRONT END WOBBLE AT 65MPH+ AND WHEN A SMALL BUMP WAS HIT. I HAD TO SLOW THE TRUCK DOWN TO 20MPH ON AN INTERSTATE FREEWAY IN ORDER TO GET THE WOBBLE TO STOP AND ALMOST CAUSED ANOTHER ACCIDENT. TWO HOURS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN! VIOLENT WOBBLING OF THE FRONT END. THE DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRUCK. HOWEVER, AFTER RESEARCHING THE MATTER ON THE INTERNET THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF CASES OF THIS SAME PROBLEM. CHECK OUT: WWW.SUPERDUTYWOBBLE.COM OR OTHER SITES. THIS HAS GOT TO BE A MANUFACTURING ERROR THAT DESERVES A RECALL NOTICE. THE FORD DEALER CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG! PLEASE HELP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10292007
Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2009
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIMMY DURING WIDE TURNS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAKES HIM FEEL AS IF HE WILL LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HE RECEIVED AN INVESTIGATION LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING WHAT HE SHOULD DO ABOUT THE SHIMMY. THE CONTA…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIMMY DURING WIDE TURNS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAKES HIM FEEL AS IF HE WILL LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HE RECEIVED AN INVESTIGATION LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING WHAT HE SHOULD DO ABOUT THE SHIMMY. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10265630
30,000 miles · Mar 23, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering
2008 FORD F250 CREW! WHERE DO I BEGIN? I'VE HAD THIS TRUCK IN MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT! MOST RECENTLY FOR POWER STEERING ISSUES! I'M HAVING IT WORKED ON FOR THE THIRD TIME TODAY! ALONG WITH ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFTS, WHICH IT HAS BEEN IN AT LEAST TWO OTHER TIMES FOR! THE POWER STEERING DOESN'T WORK AT LOWER …
Read full complaint
2008 FORD F250 CREW! WHERE DO I BEGIN? I'VE HAD THIS TRUCK IN MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT! MOST RECENTLY FOR POWER STEERING ISSUES! I'M HAVING IT WORKED ON FOR THE THIRD TIME TODAY! ALONG WITH ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFTS, WHICH IT HAS BEEN IN AT LEAST TWO OTHER TIMES FOR! THE POWER STEERING DOESN'T WORK AT LOWER SPEEDS WHEN TRYING TO MANEUVER AROUND OR EVEN WHEN TRYING TO TURN AROUND! YOU LITERALLY HAVE TO CRANK AS HARD AS YOU CAN TO GET IT TO TURN AND BEING A FAIRLY FIT 28 YEAR OLD CONSTRUCTION WORKER I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORK THAT HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL ON A TRUCK THAT HAS POWER STEERING! I JUST ABOUT RAMMED A LIGHT POLE WHILE OUT PLOWING AT ABOUT 15 MILES AN HOUR WITH MY 2 YEAR OLD RIDING IN THE BACK! THIS OF COURSE WAS BEFORE I HAD IT IN THE LAST TIME AND IT IS A LITTLE BETTER BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND I DON'T WANT TO BE DRIVING THIS TRUCK TRYING TO GET ONTO A ROADWAY WITH ANY OF MY FOUR CHILDREN WHEN IT DECIDES TO ACT UP AND GET HIT BY A MACK TRUCK! I HOPE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE WITH THIS AND HOPE TO HEAR BACK! THANK YOU!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10262866
1,553 miles · Sep 12, 2007
Steering
2008 FORD F-250 4-WD POWER STEERING. IF YOU ARE ON A MUDDY OR ICEY ROAD AND START TO LOSE CONTROL YOU CANNOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL QUICK ENOUGH TO REGAIN CONTROL IT'S LIKE THE POWER STEERING BELT BROKE. THIS WAS MENTIONED ON THE T.V. SHOW MOTOR WEEK SO THIS IS NOT JUST MY TRUCK DOING THIS. THIS IS ONE REASON I TRADED MY 2004 P…
Read full complaint
2008 FORD F-250 4-WD POWER STEERING. IF YOU ARE ON A MUDDY OR ICEY ROAD AND START TO LOSE CONTROL YOU CANNOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL QUICK ENOUGH TO REGAIN CONTROL IT'S LIKE THE POWER STEERING BELT BROKE. THIS WAS MENTIONED ON THE T.V. SHOW MOTOR WEEK SO THIS IS NOT JUST MY TRUCK DOING THIS. THIS IS ONE REASON I TRADED MY 2004 PICKUP. I DIDN'T CONTACT FORD MOTOR CO. OR THE DEALER BECAUSE THEY WON'T RESPOND TO MY COMPLAINT ABOUT THE TIRES MADE IN MEXICO
NHTSA ODI #10202848
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE13014 · Alleged Loss Of Steering
Opened May 7, 2013 · Closed Jan 31, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)
The Office of DefectsInvestigation (ODI) opened PE13-014 after identifying five complaints alleging steering gear failure in model year (MY) 2008 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pick-up trucks and to evaluate the relationship between the design history of the steering gear assembly and the alleged defect.As background, ODI investigated steering gear sector shaft fractures in approximately 1.3 million MY 1999 - 2001 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks and MY 2000 - 2001 Ford Excursion sport utility vehicles in Engineering Analysis EA01-009.The investigation determined that the sector shaft failures were the result of extraordinary, possibly multiple, impacts and not the result of fatigue.No defect in design, manufacturing or materials was identified in the sector shaft.EA01-009 was closed August 19, 2003 with 169 complaints, resulting in a rate of 12.9 incidents per 100,000 vehicles after approximately one year of service.Ford increased the diameter of the sector shaft from 1.375 inches to 1.625 inches at the start of MY 2005 production, increasing the resistance of the steering gear assembly to torsional overload by approximately 48% and changing the failure mode from sector shaft fracture to cracked or broken sector shaft gear teeth.The redesigned steering gear assembly was used in approximately 1.1 million MY 2005 through 2009 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks, including the subject vehicles.Figure 1 shows the basic steering system design used in Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009 and PE13-014. Figure 2 shows the locations of failures resulting from impact related torsional overloading of the sector shaft for the subject vehicles and the prior generation Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009.Figure 3 shows an example of a failed sector shaft investigated in EA01-009 and comparisons of fracture surfaces of sector shafts failing from fatigue loading and from torsional overload.Ford provided field return part analysis of failed steering gears from MY 2005 through 2009 Super Duty trucks found evidence of broken sector shaft gear teeth and piston damage consistent with incidents of single event overload (Figure 4).Laboratory analysis found no evidence of fatigue or material property defects in any of the fractures.Analysis of complaint rates by vehicle build month showed no patterns indicating potential manufacturing quality issues and no difference before and after Ford introduced design changes to the input shaft and sector shaft seals in July 2007 to address potential leak concerns (Figure 5).Analysis of failures by time in service indicates a random failure pattern/distribution, consistent with incidents of impact induced overload (Figure 6). The complaint rate for the subject vehicles after approximately 5 to 6 years, 7.1 incidents per 100,000 vehicles, is lower than the rate observed in EA01-009. Furthermore, similar to the condition investigated in EA01-009, a number of incident records include evidence of impact loads (e.g., curb strikes) and several alleged crashes include incidents in which information suggests that the steering gear failure was most likely a result of crash forces, rather than the cause of the crash.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at ww
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
The Office of DefectsInvestigation (ODI) opened PE13-014 after identifying five complaints alleging steering gear failure in model year (MY) 2008 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pick-up trucks and to evaluate the relationship between the design history of the steering gear assembly and the alleged defect.As background, ODI investigated steering gear sector shaft fractures in approximately 1.3 million MY 1999 - 2001 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks and MY 2000 - 2001 Ford Excursion sport utility vehicles in Engineering Analysis EA01-009.The investigation determined that the sector shaft failures were the result of extraordinary, possibly multiple, impacts and not the result of fatigue.No defect in design, manufacturing or materials was identified in the sector shaft.EA01-009 was closed August 19, 2003 with 169 complaints, resulting in a rate of 12.9 incidents per 100,000 vehicles after approximately one year of service.Ford increased the diameter of the sector shaft from 1.375 inches to 1.625 inches at the start of MY 2005 production, increasing the resistance of the steering gear assembly to torsional overload by approximately 48% and changing the failure mode from sector shaft fracture to cracked or broken sector shaft gear teeth.The redesigned steering gear assembly was used in approximately 1.1 million MY 2005 through 2009 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks, including the subject vehicles.Figure 1 shows the basic steering system design used in Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009 and PE13-014. Figure 2 shows the locations of failures resulting from impact related torsional overloading of the sector shaft for the subject vehicles and the prior generation Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009.Figure 3 shows an example of a failed sector shaft investigated in EA01-009 and comparisons of fracture surfaces of sector shafts failing from fatigue loading and from torsional overload.Ford provided field return part analysis of failed steering gears from MY 2005 through 2009 Super Duty trucks found evidence of broken sector shaft gear teeth and piston damage consistent with incidents of single event overload (Figure 4).Laboratory analysis found no evidence of fatigue or material property defects in any of the fractures.Analysis of complaint rates by vehicle build month showed no patterns indicating potential manufacturing quality issues and no difference before and after Ford introduced design changes to the input shaft and sector shaft seals in July 2007 to address potential leak concerns (Figure 5).Analysis of failures by time in service indicates a random failure pattern/distribution, consistent with incidents of impact induced overload (Figure 6). The complaint rate for the subject vehicles after approximately 5 to 6 years, 7.1 incidents per 100,000 vehicles, is lower than the rate observed in EA01-009. Furthermore, similar to the condition investigated in EA01-009, a number of incident records include evidence of impact loads (e.g., curb strikes) and several alleged crashes include incidents in which information suggests that the steering gear failure was most likely a result of crash forces, rather than the cause of the crash.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at ww
Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)
The Office of DefectsInvestigation (ODI) opened PE13-014 after identifying five complaints alleging steering gear failure in model year (MY) 2008 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pick-up trucks and to evaluate the relationship between the design history of the steering gear assembly and the alleged defect.As background, ODI investigated steering gear sector shaft fractures in approximately 1.3 million MY 1999 - 2001 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks and MY 2000 - 2001 Ford Excursion sport utility vehicles in Engineering Analysis EA01-009.The investigation determined that the sector shaft failures were the result of extraordinary, possibly multiple, impacts and not the result of fatigue.No defect in design, manufacturing or materials was identified in the sector shaft.EA01-009 was closed August 19, 2003 with 169 complaints, resulting in a rate of 12.9 incidents per 100,000 vehicles after approximately one year of service.Ford increased the diameter of the sector shaft from 1.375 inches to 1.625 inches at the start of MY 2005 production, increasing the resistance of the steering gear assembly to torsional overload by approximately 48% and changing the failure mode from sector shaft fracture to cracked or broken sector shaft gear teeth.The redesigned steering gear assembly was used in approximately 1.1 million MY 2005 through 2009 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks, including the subject vehicles.Figure 1 shows the basic steering system design used in Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009 and PE13-014. Figure 2 shows the locations of failures resulting from impact related torsional overloading of the sector shaft for the subject vehicles and the prior generation Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009.Figure 3 shows an example of a failed sector shaft investigated in EA01-009 and comparisons of fracture surfaces of sector shafts failing from fatigue loading and from torsional overload.Ford provided field return part analysis of failed steering gears from MY 2005 through 2009 Super Duty trucks found evidence of broken sector shaft gear teeth and piston damage consistent with incidents of single event overload (Figure 4).Laboratory analysis found no evidence of fatigue or material property defects in any of the fractures.Analysis of complaint rates by vehicle build month showed no patterns indicating potential manufacturing quality issues and no difference before and after Ford introduced design changes to the input shaft and sector shaft seals in July 2007 to address potential leak concerns (Figure 5).Analysis of failures by time in service indicates a random failure pattern/distribution, consistent with incidents of impact induced overload (Figure 6). The complaint rate for the subject vehicles after approximately 5 to 6 years, 7.1 incidents per 100,000 vehicles, is lower than the rate observed in EA01-009. Furthermore, similar to the condition investigated in EA01-009, a number of incident records include evidence of impact loads (e.g., curb strikes) and several alleged crashes include incidents in which information suggests that the steering gear failure was most likely a result of crash forces, rather than the cause of the crash.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at ww
2008 Ford F-250 Sd Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration