IllustrationSECOND FAILURE OF CONTINENTAL TRUCK TIRES. *TR
2008 Ford F-350
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Ford F-350 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 93.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all F-350 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
190–25K
1925–50K
2950–75K
1775–100K
21100–150K
12150K+
117 reports with mileage · 14 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports9 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
131 reportsDRIVING ON A CORNER ONRAMP THE TRUCK'S POWER STEERING GAVE OUT AND THE VEHICLE BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE STEERING RETURNED. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING. NO ISSUES WERE FOUND WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP. RECENTLY HAD THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FLUSHED AND THAT SEEMED TO…
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DRIVING ON A CORNER ONRAMP THE TRUCK'S POWER STEERING GAVE OUT AND THE VEHICLE BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE STEERING RETURNED. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING. NO ISSUES WERE FOUND WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP. RECENTLY HAD THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FLUSHED AND THAT SEEMED TO IMPROVE THE PROBLEM; HOWEVER, IT'S STARTING TO RETURN. WILL BE TAKING IT BACK IN AGAIN TO SEE IF THE ISSUE CAN BE FIXED. *TR
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 08B06 WAS ISSUED BY FORD IN DECEMBER 2008. THIS NOTICE EXPIRED IN JUNE 30, 2009. I RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. THE SAME ISSUE HAS DEVELOPED THAT WAS IDENTIFIED IN THE ABOVE BULLETIN. THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID NOT GET THE SERVICE PERFORMED AND NOW FORD WILL NOT HONOR THE BUL…
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CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 08B06 WAS ISSUED BY FORD IN DECEMBER 2008. THIS NOTICE EXPIRED IN JUNE 30, 2009. I RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. THE SAME ISSUE HAS DEVELOPED THAT WAS IDENTIFIED IN THE ABOVE BULLETIN. THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID NOT GET THE SERVICE PERFORMED AND NOW FORD WILL NOT HONOR THE BULLETIN. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE OR THE FORD CUSTOMER SATISFACTION BULLETIN SHOULD BE REOPENED OR RECREATED. THIS IS WITH REGARDS TO ENGINE COOLANT LEAK AND A KNOWN DEFICIENCY WITHIN THE COOLING SYSTEM. *TR
FAILURE OF FLEXIBLE JOINT IN THE EXHAUST UP-PIPE CREATES A FATAL SAFETY HAZARD FOR ALL OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. EXHAUST GASES LEAK FROM THE FAILED JOINT AND ENTER THE CAB OF THE TRUCK THROUGH THE HEATER VENTS. THIS CAN CAUSE THE OCCUPANTS TO BE OVERCOME BY EXHAUST GASES WHILE DRIVING, LEADING TO A FATALITY. THERE HAVE BEEN S…
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FAILURE OF FLEXIBLE JOINT IN THE EXHAUST UP-PIPE CREATES A FATAL SAFETY HAZARD FOR ALL OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. EXHAUST GASES LEAK FROM THE FAILED JOINT AND ENTER THE CAB OF THE TRUCK THROUGH THE HEATER VENTS. THIS CAN CAUSE THE OCCUPANTS TO BE OVERCOME BY EXHAUST GASES WHILE DRIVING, LEADING TO A FATALITY. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS IDENTIFIED IN FORD BLOGS WITH REGARDS TO THIS AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F -350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY VEERED TO FROM SIDE TO SIDE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F -350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY VEERED TO FROM SIDE TO SIDE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000 .
STEERING ACTS ERRATICALLY, PULLS TRUCK LEFT OR RIGHT VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE. WAS TOLD BY DEALER AFTER A POWER STEERING FLUSH, THERE IS A FAILURE IN THE STEERING BOX. *TR
I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN AND I COMPLETELY LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER. I COULD NOT BUDGE THE WHEEL AT ALL. MY BRAKES STILL WORKED, BUT IT DIDN'T FEEL 100%. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10-15 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. WHEN IT HAPPENS, I CAN SHIFT THE TRUCK INTO NEUTRAL AND REV THE ENGINE AND I'LL GET MY STEERING BACK. …
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I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN AND I COMPLETELY LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER. I COULD NOT BUDGE THE WHEEL AT ALL. MY BRAKES STILL WORKED, BUT IT DIDN'T FEEL 100%. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10-15 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. WHEN IT HAPPENS, I CAN SHIFT THE TRUCK INTO NEUTRAL AND REV THE ENGINE AND I'LL GET MY STEERING BACK. ALSO, IF I SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN THE TRUCK OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN, THE STEERING WILL WORK. THE ONLY TIME IT HAPPENS IS WHEN I'M SLOWING DOWN FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS, 55+ MPH. IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN TOWING ALSO. THIS IS MY FATHER TRUCK, BUT I USE IT FOR THE FAMILY BUSINESS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
REPORTING BF GOODRICH COMMERCIAL TA TIRES: SIZE 245R7517 THIS IS THE 2ND INCIDENT INVOLVING THE BF GOODRICH TIRES ON THE SAME VEHICLE. 1ST ACCIDENT (2012) ... TIRE BLEW-UP ON RIGHT FRONT CAUSING IN EXCESS OF $3,000 TO TRUCK, RIM AND SIDE BOARD. TYPE OF VEHICLE IS A FORD F-350 SUPER DUTY DUAL WHEEL CREW CAB. WE HAVE USED BF GOO…
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REPORTING BF GOODRICH COMMERCIAL TA TIRES: SIZE 245R7517 THIS IS THE 2ND INCIDENT INVOLVING THE BF GOODRICH TIRES ON THE SAME VEHICLE. 1ST ACCIDENT (2012) ... TIRE BLEW-UP ON RIGHT FRONT CAUSING IN EXCESS OF $3,000 TO TRUCK, RIM AND SIDE BOARD. TYPE OF VEHICLE IS A FORD F-350 SUPER DUTY DUAL WHEEL CREW CAB. WE HAVE USED BF GOODRICH FOR YEARS UNTIL INCIDENT #2 ON MAY 20,2013. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED APPROX.$2,600.00 ON RIGHT REAR, INNER TIRE BLOW-OUT. THE TIRE ACTUALLY THREW THE ENTIRE TREAD OFF LEAVING THE BELTS ON TOP OF THE INNER TIRE. AFTER CALLING BF GOODRICH, THEY CLAIM NO OTHER COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED OR REGISTERED WITH THE 17" BF GOODRICH COMMERCIAL TA AND I WOULD HAVE TO SEND THE TIRE TO THEM FOR LAB INSPECTION. PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT, WE INSPECTED VISUALLY ALL TIRES TO MEET D.O.T REQUIREMENTS. ESTIMATING TREAD WEAR,ETC, WE FEEL THIS TIRE STILL HAD AROUND 7000 TO 10000 MILES BEFORE BARS WOULD SHOW. WE HAVE TAKEN PICTURES OF THE TIRE BEFORE SENDING TO BF GOODRICH. A STATEMENT FROM THE DRIVER IS AVAILABLE. THE TIRE STARTED MAKING A "THUMP" SOUND RIGHT BEFORE COMING APART. I HAVE MY DOUBTS THIS COMPANY WILL REPLACE ANY TIRE(S) OR ASSUME ANY DAMAGES. IT WILL PROBABLY TAKE MORE SEVERE CASES BEFORE THERE IS A RECALL OR DAMAGES ACCEPTED BY BF GOODRICH. *TR
DURING U-TURN, A CURB WAS TRAVERSED BY RIGHT FRONT TIRE. AFTER STEERING CAME BACK STRAIGHT, STEERING WHEEL WAS OFF CENTER 25 DEGREES WITH TRUCK PULLING LEFT. AN ALIGNMENT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THAT LASTED A MONTH. STEERING WHEEL DRIFTED BACK TO 25 DEGREES OFF CENTER AND TRUCK PULLED TO LEFT. A SECOND ALIGNMENT WAS COMPLETED BY…
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DURING U-TURN, A CURB WAS TRAVERSED BY RIGHT FRONT TIRE. AFTER STEERING CAME BACK STRAIGHT, STEERING WHEEL WAS OFF CENTER 25 DEGREES WITH TRUCK PULLING LEFT. AN ALIGNMENT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THAT LASTED A MONTH. STEERING WHEEL DRIFTED BACK TO 25 DEGREES OFF CENTER AND TRUCK PULLED TO LEFT. A SECOND ALIGNMENT WAS COMPLETED BY A DIFFERENT DEALER CORRECTING PROBLEM FOR THE MOST PART. VEHICLE STILL PULLS LEFT AND OR RIGHT ON CERTAIN ROADS, WITH PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL THAT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED OUT. CONCLUSION IS STEERING BOX IS PRETTY "LIGHT DUTY" FOR A SUPER DUTY RATED TRUCK. TRUCK WAS ON SECOND STEERING GEAR BOX WITH FIRST DEVELOPING A DRIFTING ISSUE SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE - DEALER DETERMINED CORRECTION COULD ONLY BE MADE BY BOX REPLACEMENT. CURRENT MILES ARE 37,600. FUEL PRICES INHIBITING MILES. *TR
Official recalls
608V344000 · Trailer Hitches
Jul 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.
08V191000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
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.
08V096000 · Seats
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.
07V541000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
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.
07V139000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
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.
07V140000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery
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