NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
80 reportsClear category filter123,000 miles · Jul 16, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND WOBBLED OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL HARSHLY IN ORDER FOR THE FAILURE TO SEIZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WOBBLING OF THE FRONT END CAUSED THE RADIATOR TO EVENTUALLY BURST. THE FAILUR…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND WOBBLED OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL HARSHLY IN ORDER FOR THE FAILURE TO SEIZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WOBBLING OF THE FRONT END CAUSED THE RADIATOR TO EVENTUALLY BURST. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE TIRES AND PERFORMED AN ALL WHEEL ALIGNMENT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
NHTSA ODI #10734536
134,000 miles · May 21, 2015
Steering
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 20-40MPH VEHICLES POWER STEERING WAS LOST AND TRUCK BEGAN TO PULL TO THE RIGHT VEH WAS DIFFICULT TO KEEP ON THE ROAD..AFTER MAKING TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET VEH STARTED PULLING LEFT..AFTER MOVING STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT FROM CENTER A FEW TIMES..POWER STEERING WAS CORRECTED FOR THE TIME OF D…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 20-40MPH VEHICLES POWER STEERING WAS LOST AND TRUCK BEGAN TO PULL TO THE RIGHT VEH WAS DIFFICULT TO KEEP ON THE ROAD..AFTER MAKING TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET VEH STARTED PULLING LEFT..AFTER MOVING STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT FROM CENTER A FEW TIMES..POWER STEERING WAS CORRECTED FOR THE TIME OF DRIVING..THIS INSTANCE HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE AND IS USUALLY AT LOW SPEEDS.I TOOK VEH TO SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT VEH NEEDS STEERING GEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10717792
88,000 miles · Apr 13, 2015
Steering
WHEN I TURNED OFF THE HIGHWAY THE STEERING WAS ALMOST STUCK- AS IF THE TRUCK HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. I MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON AND THEN IT STEERED OK. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10705424
105,000 miles · Mar 17, 2015
Service BrakesSteering
SLOWING DOWN EXITING TO THE LEFT OFF HI-WAY AFTER ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR AT 70MPH. BRAKE PEDAL FELT LIKE IT KICKED BACK, BOTH BRAKES AND STEERING LOCKED UP, SLID UNTO SHOULDER, THEN EVERYTHING RELEASED LIKE NORMAL. BROUGHT TO DEALER, THEY REPLACED HYRO-BOOSTER SYSTEM AND FLUIDS. ISSUE SEEMED CORRECTED, EXITING RIGHT ON HWY NO I…
Read full complaint
SLOWING DOWN EXITING TO THE LEFT OFF HI-WAY AFTER ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR AT 70MPH. BRAKE PEDAL FELT LIKE IT KICKED BACK, BOTH BRAKES AND STEERING LOCKED UP, SLID UNTO SHOULDER, THEN EVERYTHING RELEASED LIKE NORMAL. BROUGHT TO DEALER, THEY REPLACED HYRO-BOOSTER SYSTEM AND FLUIDS. ISSUE SEEMED CORRECTED, EXITING RIGHT ON HWY NO ISSUE, HOWEVER EVERYTHING LOCKED UP AGAIN FIRST TIME EXITING LEFT. AFTER 10 DAYS RESEARCHING ISSUE, DEALER ASSURED REPLACING DAMPER ASSEMBLY(?) AND ALL FOUR TIRES WOULD RESOLVE. ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN SAME DAY AS PICKUP. BEING TOWED BACK TO DEALER FOR THIRD ATTEMPT TO CORRECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10694874
44,000 miles · Nov 20, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND SWERVED OFF OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. T…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND SWERVED OFF OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
NHTSA ODI #10659835
77,600 miles · Nov 18, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 62 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BOTH FRONT TIRES BEGAN SHAKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 62 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BOTH FRONT TIRES BEGAN SHAKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,600.
NHTSA ODI #10658992
71,288 miles · Nov 2, 2014
Steering
INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. THE POWER STEERING WILL STOP WORKING WHILE DRIVING DURING TURNS, THE STEERING BECOME VERY HARD LIKE (MANUAL). THE FAILURE LASTS ABOUT 4 SECONDS. NOT SURE HOW TO PROCEED, AFRAID TO DRIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10651950
77,000 miles · Aug 22, 2014
SteeringSuspension
I TOOK MY 2008 FORD F-250 TO THE FORD DEALER TO HAVE AN ALIGNMENT AND OIL CHANGE. I HAD THE VEHICLE ALIGNED APPROXIMATELY EIGHT MONTHS AGO BUT THE ALIGNMENT HAS STEADILY DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE HAS A LITTLE OVER 77,000 MILES. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER. I HAVE NEVER BEEN "OFF-ROADING" O…
Read full complaint
I TOOK MY 2008 FORD F-250 TO THE FORD DEALER TO HAVE AN ALIGNMENT AND OIL CHANGE. I HAD THE VEHICLE ALIGNED APPROXIMATELY EIGHT MONTHS AGO BUT THE ALIGNMENT HAS STEADILY DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE HAS A LITTLE OVER 77,000 MILES. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER. I HAVE NEVER BEEN "OFF-ROADING" OR "MUDDING" IN THE VEHICLE. ALL MILES ARE HIGHWAY/CITY MILES. LITTLE TOWING HAS BEEN DONE WITH THE VEHICLE. ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICES HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY FORD DEALERSHIPS. THERE HAVE BEEN NO MODIFICATIONS TO THE VEHICLE NOR HAVE THERE BEEN ANY ACCIDENTS THAT WOULD EFFECT THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED AND STATED THAT MY STEERING GEAR BOX IS ABOUT TO GO OUT. THE FIX FOR THIS WOULD BE OVER $1100.00 WHICH I AM UNABLE TO AFFORD AT THIS TIME. IT SEEMS THE GEAR BOX IN THE "SUPER DUTY" WOULD LAST LONGER UNDER THESE REASONABLE CONDITIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10627470
55,000 miles · Jul 28, 2014
Steering
WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE, IT FEELS LIKE THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND THE VEHICLE TURNS REALLY HARD AND IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO RETURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO CENTER WITHOUT USING EXCESSIVE FORCE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE YOU CANNOT RECOVER FROM THE TURN AND THAT YOU ARE GOING TO CRASH. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEA…
Read full complaint
WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE, IT FEELS LIKE THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND THE VEHICLE TURNS REALLY HARD AND IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO RETURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO CENTER WITHOUT USING EXCESSIVE FORCE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE YOU CANNOT RECOVER FROM THE TURN AND THAT YOU ARE GOING TO CRASH. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TONIGHT. THEY WILL HOPEFULLY HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM TOMORROW AND FIX THE ISSUE. I SUSPECT IT IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT I READ THE NHSTA HAS INVESTIGATED BEFORE, AND I AM WONDERING WHAT IT TAKES FOR A RECALL TO BE ISSUED. I HOPE IT DOESN'T TAKE PEOPLE DYING IN A CRASH BEFORE SOMEONE STEPS UP AND TAKES THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY. WE HAVE MAINTAINED THIS VEHICLE METICULOUSLY AND ALL SERVICE ON THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE THE DAY WE BOUGHT IT. UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS NOT THE FIRST SAFETY ISSUE WE HAVE HAD WITH THIS TRUCK. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10617043
148,000 miles · Jul 16, 2014
Steering
LOUD POP NOISE ON DRIVERS SIDE FELT THROUGH FLOORBOARD. STEERING BECAME ERRATIC WITH TRUCK VEERING LEFT TO RIGHT AND VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP IN LANE. IF IT HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS I WOULD HAVE GONE OFF THE ROAD FOR SURE. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR ALIGNMENT AND FRONT END INSPECTION AND NOTHING FOUND OUT OF ORDER. DAY AFTER THAT IT DI…
Read full complaint
LOUD POP NOISE ON DRIVERS SIDE FELT THROUGH FLOORBOARD. STEERING BECAME ERRATIC WITH TRUCK VEERING LEFT TO RIGHT AND VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP IN LANE. IF IT HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS I WOULD HAVE GONE OFF THE ROAD FOR SURE. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR ALIGNMENT AND FRONT END INSPECTION AND NOTHING FOUND OUT OF ORDER. DAY AFTER THAT IT DID IT AGAIN. JUST CAME BACK HOME NOW AND IT DID IT AGAIN WITH A POLICE OFFICER BEHIND ME. HE FOLLOWED ME TO MY HOUSE AND THOUGHT I HAD BEEN DRINKING BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO BE OUT OF CONTROL AT ONLY 20MPH. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE NOW BECAUSE THE FREQUENCIES BETWEEN NORMAL AND NOT ARE SHORTENING.VEHICLE SUSPENSION IS NOT MODIFIED FROM STOCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10610977
Official recalls
5Apr 25, 2008
FORD IS RECALLING 64,754 MY 2008 F-250 AND F-350 SINGLE REAR WHEEL, 4X4, 156 INCH WHEEL BASE PICK UP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO PIECE DRIVE SHAFT FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE FUEL SPILLAGE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." DURING A 30 MPH FRONTAL IMPACT INTO A RIGID BARRIER, THE FUEL TANK CAN MOVE FORWARD AND CONTACT A FRAME CROSS MEMBER, POTENTIALLY CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE WHICH CAN RESULT IN FUEL SPILLAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRACKET ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 23, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Feb 28, 2008
FORD IS RECALLING 87,515 MY 2008 F250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." SOME 40% SPLIT AND CAPTAIN'S CHAIR DRIVER'S SEATS, EQUIPPED WITH LUMBAR SUPPORTS, MAY HAVE IMPROPER WELDS AT THE JOINT OF THE SEAT BACK PIVOT BRACKET AND THE SEAT BACK FRAME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT SIDE PIVOT BRACKET MAY CRACK OR BREAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A REINFORCEMENT TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK FRAME ON THE 40% SPLIT OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIR SEAT EQUIPPED WITH LUMBAR SUPPORT OR, IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT BACK FRAME WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Nov 21, 2007
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ASSEMBLED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY PREVENT THE DRIVER AIR BAG FROM PROPERLY DEPLOYING AND REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE YOUR DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 20, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Mar 26, 2007
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A 6.4L DIESEL ENGINE, EXCESSIVE TEMPERATURES IN THE DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM MAY RESULT FROM EXCESS HYDROCARBONS IN THE EXHAUST.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LACK OF POWER OR ROUGH OPERATION, UNUSUAL NOISES FROM THE ENGINE OR EXHAUST, WHITE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST, AND POTENTIALLY A VISIBLE FLAME OUT THE TAILPIPE CAN OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Mar 26, 2007
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A 6.4L DIESEL ENGINE, INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE OF THE BATTERY POSITIVE (B+) WIRE TO THE RIGHT HAND SPLASH SHIELD BOLT MAY RESULT IN THE BATTERY B+ WIRE CONTACTING THE SPLASH SHIELD BOLT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LONG TERM CONTACT COULD CAUSE WIRE CHAFE, RESULTING IN COPPER WIRE BEING EXPOSED. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE BATTERY B+ WIRE COULD SHORT TO GROUND INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BATTERY B+ WIRE LOCATION AND, IF NECESSARY, REPOSITION THE WIRE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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
1PE13014 · 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
Illustration