This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Vehicle experiences a violent shaking in the steering and front suspension called "the death wobble". occurs as speeds between 40 and 70 mph. Occurs if road is somewhat bumpy. Occurs often and could result in loss of control. It requires that I slow down to about 5 mph before it stops. This immediate need to slow down if dangerous if someone is following me (especially a large truck.)
I was driving my pick up Ford 150 1998 32 mile for hour and I lose control of my steering wheel. My steering wheel do not respond.. steering wheel went loose turning and turning with no control of the truck...
The prn12 shift lever has been slowly loosening over a period of 6 months, and has resulted in not being able to start the vehicle in park. Also, when shifting into park, the shifter will not engage, and will allow the vehicle to roll forward or backward. No accidents have been caused as a result of the excess play in the shifter. I checked the internet for possible causes and found many threads explaining the cause as two star bolts that have either loosened, or completely fallen out in some cases. I have tightened the bolts myself, but I believe this is a situation that the dealers should address.
The contact owns a 1998 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the power steering assist failed while driving 5 mph. The contact was able to maneuver the steering wheel however, the vehicle would not change direction when the steering wheel was turned. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000. The VIN was not available.
Failure was immediate, Ford F150 fuel tank straps. While driving down the road apparently the tank straps gave way and the fuel tank dropped. Before coming to a stop and after catching some uneven pavement, fuel tank was pealed open and losing about 8 gallons gas. Fire dept was called and they cleaned up spill. Both straps broke and fuel tank is un-repairable. Updated 08/05/11 the consumer stated he experienced other problems with the vehicle, such as a leaking power steering gear box, brake lines had to be replaced, there was a leak in the 4-wheel drive gear box, the muffler hangers, ball joints, tie rod ends and shocks all had to be replaced. Updated 08/11/1
Steering shaft cracked at the base where connected to the steering box. I lost my steering completely. Thankfully I was pulling into my parking space at work and was not driving on a road or traveling at a higher rate of speed. I have the old part and was told by the mechanic who is fixing the vehicle to report the incident as in their opinion it is a mechanical defect that may have had deadly consequence. My vehicle is a 1998 Ford F150 and has approx 99,000 miles on it. Although the vehicle is older, it certainly is not the oldest vehicle on the road and I have always maintained it and have never used the vehicle for any off road or hard use.
I had just turned off interstate 287 onto intervale road (a local road). I was approaching an intersection with a very sharp left hand curve. As I proceeded to enter the curve I had no steering. The steering wheel would turn, but the vehicle did not respond. This happened without any warning or noise. I attempted to brake, but there was loose sand and gravel and I ended up sliding into a utility pole straight ahead, without airbag deployment and only minor damage to the right front side of the vehicle. I was secured by the seat belt, but my head struck the sun visor. Police at the scene examined the vehicle and confirmed loss of steering. Subsequent investigation by the shop to which my truck was towed revealed that the sector shaft was broken where the pitman arm is attached. After further investigation I was told that this part should never fail in a vehicle, regardless of mileage. I was further told that if the part was pounded all day with a sledge hammer that it should not fail. The mechanic said that he had only heard of one failure ever of this part in a high speed accident. Furthermore, this part is located on the left side of the vehicle which did not suffer any impact from the accident. I contacted Ford with this information and they are totally indifferent to it. They want me to pay up to $60,000 to hire an expert witness to prove that the part failed prior to the accident and was defective. I have been unable to use this vehicle since 2004 and have no resolution or commitment from Ford to do anything. This accident could have easily resulted in death had this part failed at highway speeds. I wonder how many fatal accidents have been caused by this failure that was never properly investigated. The consumer stated the vehicle was turned over to state farm insurance to repair. The consumer provided a picture of the vehicle and would like a list of repair shops. Updated 08/23/07
Left tie rod on my 1998 Ford F150 broke while driving. I bought truck new in 1999. Mileage on truck was 29900. Had truck towed to dealer, they informed me that right tie rod needed to be replaced too along with the lower ball joints and idler arm. I was on the highway just 20 minutes before. I was lucky. Service manager told me he has needed to replace them after 15000. From the factory there are no grease fitting for lubrication. Also none on replacements. Please call or E-mail with any questions, thank you.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hazard, KY, USA