NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
131 reports65,000 miles · Sep 19, 2016
Structure
BED RAILS ARE ROTTING PREMATURELY CAUSING SAFETY CONCERN WHEN TRUCK IS TOWING OR THERE IS WEIGHT IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK I FEEL THAT THIS MAY CAUSE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR PASSENGERS IN THE TRUCK AS WELL AS OTHER MOTORIST ON THE ROADWAY. FIFTH WHEEL HITCH CONNECTION SHIFT BECAUSE OF ROTTED RAIL CAUSING JAM IN HITCH CREATING TRAVEL H…
Read full complaint
BED RAILS ARE ROTTING PREMATURELY CAUSING SAFETY CONCERN WHEN TRUCK IS TOWING OR THERE IS WEIGHT IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK I FEEL THAT THIS MAY CAUSE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR PASSENGERS IN THE TRUCK AS WELL AS OTHER MOTORIST ON THE ROADWAY. FIFTH WHEEL HITCH CONNECTION SHIFT BECAUSE OF ROTTED RAIL CAUSING JAM IN HITCH CREATING TRAVEL HAZARD
NHTSA ODI #10908044
91,500 miles · Aug 27, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 FORD F350 DIESEL CREW CAB PICKUP FROM HAYFORD FORD IN ISANTI MN. I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE A TOTAL OF 1500 MILES SINCE I PURCHASED IT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THAN 20 DAYS SINCE I PURCHASED IT. THEY NOW SAY I WILL HAVE A BILL OF $8000 DOLLARS TO REPAIR THE CONTAMINATED DIESEL FUEL SYSTEM…
Read full complaint
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 FORD F350 DIESEL CREW CAB PICKUP FROM HAYFORD FORD IN ISANTI MN. I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE A TOTAL OF 1500 MILES SINCE I PURCHASED IT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THAN 20 DAYS SINCE I PURCHASED IT. THEY NOW SAY I WILL HAVE A BILL OF $8000 DOLLARS TO REPAIR THE CONTAMINATED DIESEL FUEL SYSTEM. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A FUEL TANK DELAMINATION ISSUE ON THESE VEHICLES THAT CAUSES THIS PROBLEM. THAT CAN LEAD TO A STALLING OF THE ENGINE IF NOT DETECTED PRIOR TO TOTAL FAILURE. FORD WILL NOT EVEN HONOR THE WARRANTY I PURCHASED FROM THEM. I NOTICED THE INCREASE IN ENGINE OIL VOLUME PRIOR TO ANY FAILURE WHICH LED FORD TO DIAGNOSE A FUEL PUMP FAILURE PRIOR TO ENGINE FAILURE. I UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN FAILURES WHILE THE VEHICLES ARE IN MOTION, WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE POSSIBILITY OF SERIOUS ACCIDENTS.
NHTSA ODI #10901936
80,000 miles · Aug 9, 2016
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOBBLED AND VIOLENTLY VIBRATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILU…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOBBLED AND VIOLENTLY VIBRATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10894286
91,000 miles · Jul 23, 2016
Steering
MY WIFE DROVE THE TRUCK TO WORK. SHE SAID IT WAS ACTING WEIRD. IT HAD SLACK GOING TO THE RIGHT. IT WAS HARD TO TURN TO THE LEFT. WHEN SHE GOT HOME IT WAS WORSE. I OPENED THE HOOD TO CHECK IT FOR FLUID.THE FLUID WAS GOOD. I GOT INSIDE TO CHECK OUT THE STEERING. IT HAD A LOT OF SLACK BOTH DIRECTIONS. AFTER A FEW TURNS THE HORN WEN…
Read full complaint
MY WIFE DROVE THE TRUCK TO WORK. SHE SAID IT WAS ACTING WEIRD. IT HAD SLACK GOING TO THE RIGHT. IT WAS HARD TO TURN TO THE LEFT. WHEN SHE GOT HOME IT WAS WORSE. I OPENED THE HOOD TO CHECK IT FOR FLUID.THE FLUID WAS GOOD. I GOT INSIDE TO CHECK OUT THE STEERING. IT HAD A LOT OF SLACK BOTH DIRECTIONS. AFTER A FEW TURNS THE HORN WENT OFF AND I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO GET IT TO GO OFF. I THEN TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING AGAIN. I COULD HEAR SOME GRINDING FROM THE GEAR BOX. I DISCONNECTED THE HORN AND RECONNECTED THE BATTERY. I STARTED THE TRUCK AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AGAIN. THIS TIME FLUID STARTED TO SPRAY ALL OVER. I COULDN'T LOCATE THE SOURCE. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM IN THE GEAR BOX. I DON'T KNOW WHY THE HORN WENT OFF. IT IS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. IT IS IN MY DRIVEWAY PARKED. ALL I KNOW IS THAT IF IT HAD GONE OUT WHEN MY WIFE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY ONLY GOD KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. SHE TAKES OUR THREE CHILDREN TO DAY CARE. THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE THAT IS BIG ENOUGH TO CARRY THE ENTIRE FAMILY. THE TRUCK HAS ONLY 91000 MILES. I LOOKED IT UP AND THERE HAS BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THIS IS GOING TO COST. MY VIEW IS THAT IT IS A DEFECT IN THE TRUCK THAT WAS KNOWN AND WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF ANY POSSLBLE PROBLEMS. IT IS SATURDAY NIGHT AND WE CANT CALL FORD GARAGE TILL MONDAY. WE WILL CALL AND ASK THEM WHAT WE CAN DO.
NHTSA ODI #10887997
130,000 miles · Feb 25, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXCEPTIONALLY LOOSE AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOS…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXCEPTIONALLY LOOSE AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE UNKNOWN RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #10838173
15,000 miles · Feb 2, 2016
Engine
I HAVE A 2008 FORD F350 SUPER DUTY ,, AND THERE ARE MANY KNOWN PROBLEMS ON THIS TRUCK THAT FORD IS AWARE OF AND YET THE REFUSE TO FIX THEM .. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE TRUCK AND I AM VERY DISAPOINTED IN THIS TRUCK .. A WEEK AFTER I GOT THE TRUCK THE RAIDIATOR STARTED LEAKING .. TWO DAYS AFTER THAT MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT ,,…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2008 FORD F350 SUPER DUTY ,, AND THERE ARE MANY KNOWN PROBLEMS ON THIS TRUCK THAT FORD IS AWARE OF AND YET THE REFUSE TO FIX THEM .. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE TRUCK AND I AM VERY DISAPOINTED IN THIS TRUCK .. A WEEK AFTER I GOT THE TRUCK THE RAIDIATOR STARTED LEAKING .. TWO DAYS AFTER THAT MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT ,, NOW I HAVE WHITE SMOKE POURING OUT OF THE BACK OF MY TRUCK EVERY MORNING ,, I AM EMBARRASSED TO BE SEEN DRIVING THIS TRUCK .. I WISH I KNOW WHAT I KNOW NOW BEFORE I FORKED OUT TONS OF DOLLERS TO PURCHASE THIS PIECE OF JUNK .. I AM NOT HAPPY ,, AND I WILL TELL EVERYONE I KNOW NEVER TO BUY A FORD!
NHTSA ODI #10823867
24,000 miles · Dec 10, 2015
Steering
I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE IN THE STEERING. IT WILL PULL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AT ANY GIVEN TIME GOING DOWN THE ROAD. WE ARE A FULL SERVICE SHOP AND OWN THIS VEHICLE. WE HAVE CHECKED EVERYTHING AND CONTACTED FORD. THEY RECOMMENDED CHANGING THE STEERING SHAFT THAT GOES TO THE STEERING GEAR BOX. WE DID, BUT IT …
Read full complaint
I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE IN THE STEERING. IT WILL PULL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AT ANY GIVEN TIME GOING DOWN THE ROAD. WE ARE A FULL SERVICE SHOP AND OWN THIS VEHICLE. WE HAVE CHECKED EVERYTHING AND CONTACTED FORD. THEY RECOMMENDED CHANGING THE STEERING SHAFT THAT GOES TO THE STEERING GEAR BOX. WE DID, BUT IT STILL DOES IT. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NEXT. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING THE STEERING GEAR AS WE HAVE NO OTHER OPTIONS.
NHTSA ODI #10809510
98,000 miles · Dec 4, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO TURN IN A CIRCULAR MOTION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEARS IN THE STEERING BOX FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WA…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO TURN IN A CIRCULAR MOTION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEARS IN THE STEERING BOX FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.
NHTSA ODI #10808470
35,000 miles · Sep 21, 2015
Service BrakesFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE CONTACT TO ALMOST CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED SMOKE ENTERING FROM A PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER BRAKE DISC WAS RED FROM THE HEAT AND EMITTED SMOKE. THE CONTAC…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE CONTACT TO ALMOST CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED SMOKE ENTERING FROM A PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER BRAKE DISC WAS RED FROM THE HEAT AND EMITTED SMOKE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED SIX TIMES ON DIFFERENT WHEELS. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT FOR THE WHEELS TO COOL DOWN IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RETURN TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED FOUR TIMES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
NHTSA ODI #10766337
33,000 miles · Jul 21, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 (NA) FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 (NA) FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
NHTSA ODI #10735496
Official recalls
6Jul 28, 2008
KNAPHEIDE IS RECALLING 108 MY 2006-2008 PRO SERIES TRUCK BEDS EQUIPPED WITH AN ICC BUMPER WHICH INCLUDED A PROVISION FOR A BALL HITCH. THERE MAY BE AN INSUFFICIENT WELD ATTACHING THE HITCH CHANNEL TO THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN BENDING OF THE HITCH CHANNEL OR THE HITCH COULD BE PULLED OFF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: KNAPHEIDE WILL OFFER TWO REMEDIES TO ITS CUSTOMERS: (1) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO DO NOT USE THE HITCH, THE HITCH WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TRUCK BED AND REPLACED WITH AN ICC BUMPER; OR (2) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO NEED A HITCH, A RECEIVER HITCH ASSEMBLY WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING HITCH ASSEMBLY AND ALL SUSPECT WELD JOINTS WILL BE RE WELDED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KNAPHEIDE AT 1-877-473-5763.
Apr 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