Complaint 557836

Complaint Summary

STEERING:LINKAGES

Owner Narrative

I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 FORD F-150 SUPERCREW ON OCT 7 2005. I HAD FINISHED COMING THROUGH A SHARP 180 DEGREE TURN GOING APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MILES AN HOUR. WHEN I STRAIGHTENED THE STEERING WHEEL THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE TRUCK STOPPED IN ABOUT 100 FEET. WHEN I GOT OUT I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE INNER TIE ROD HAD BROKEN FREE FROM THE TRUCKS STEERING ROD AND WAS HANGING DOWN. I DID NOT WRECK THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS SHAKEN UP AS I HAD MY 4 MONTH OLD AND 3 YR OLD IN THE TRUCK WITH ME. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT FORD HAD ISSUED A "LETTER OF INSPECTION" THAT I HAD NOT RECEIVED REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH THE TIE RODS. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AT A COST OF $80 AND I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIE ROD, BUT SINCE ONE FAILED, I AM REPLACING ALL THE TIE ROD COMPONENTS, THE COST IS $164 FOR PARTS. I FEEL THAT FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HAD I BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY, TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WE WOULD HAVE ROLLED THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY BEEN KILLED, PLEASE HELP. LT DAN D'AURORA US NAVY NURSE CORPS. *NM

Owner-submitted narrative on file with NHTSA. Complaint narratives are self-reported and have not been verified.