2000 Ford Expedition steering problems

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The contact owns a 2000 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to prevent oversteering. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the steering shaft. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred because the aftermarket replacement part was too short. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 315,000.

NHTSA complaint #11614220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I WAS DRIVING THE DOWN THE STREET GOING TO WAL-MART ON PENDLETON PIKE IN INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA THE CAR SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL ON ITS OWN. I SHIFTED IT BACK IN GEAR DROVE ON TO WAL-MART THEN TO WENT TO ALDIS. WHEN I CAME OUT OF ALDIS ALSO ON PENDLETON PIKE THE CAR WOULDN'T COME OUT OF PARK WITHOUT KEY BEING IN ACC POSITION FOOT ON BRAKE AND PLAYING WITH GEARSHIT FOR APPROX 15 MINS IT WAS LOCKED. THEN THE POWER WINDOWS ALSO WENT OUT IN THE SAME TIME THAT THIS ALL HAPPENED. NOW MY CAR WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR WITHOUT MESSING WITH GEARSHIFT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND MESSING WITH IGNITION SWITCH MUTIPLE TIMES BEFORE I CAN GET CAR INTO MOTION.

NHTSA complaint #11180073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, AN ABNORMAL BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM UNDER THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY VEERED INTO THE RIGHT LANE AND NEARLY CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MOVED TO THE SHOULDER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE OF THE DRIVE SHAFT ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TRANSFER CASE, SHAFT LINKAGE AND OXYGEN SENSORS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000.

NHTSA complaint #10565703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

DRIVING ON 4 LANE TWISTY PARKWAY, THE LEFT TIE ROD BROKE WITHOUT ANY WARNING, LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL, APPLIED BRAKE AND TRIED TO CONTROL VEHICLE, TOOK ABOUT 200 YARDS TO COME TO A STOP. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH, HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER WHERE CAR IS ALWAYS SERVICED AND MAINTAINED, AND REPLACED ALL 4 TIE RODS.

NHTSA complaint #10158486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

IN EARLY JAN 2006, WE HAVE A POPPING SOUND AND MOVEMENT IN THE STEERING WHEEL OF OUR 2000 EXPEDITION. WE COULD FEEL IT MOVING IN THE STEERING WHEN DRIVING AND WERE CONCERNED. WE HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON OUR EXPEDITION SO WE TOOK IT TO GERMAIN FORD IN COLUMBUS, OHIO. THEY SAID THE LEFT FRONT STABILIZER LINK BOLT HAD BROKE IN HALF AND THE STABILIZER BAR WAS SLIPPING ON AND OFF CAUSING THE MOVEMENT AND SOUND. THEY TOLD ME THIS WAS NOT A WARRANTY ITEM. MY EXPEDITION HAS ONLY 51,000 MILES AND IS DRIVEN BY MY WIFE TO WORK. AT THE SAME TIME THE DEALER TOLD ME BY BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I SAID HOW CAN A STEEL BOLT IN THE STEERING LINKAGE ACTUALLY BRAKE AND NOT BE COVERED? I ASKED FOR THE SERVICE MGR AND HE ACTUALLY SAID TO ME "THEY DON'T MAKE THINGS LIKE THEY USE TO". I THEN RECALLED A SERVICE NOTICE SOME TIME BACK ABOUT SOMETHING IN THE FRONT END OF EXPEDITIONS SO I LOOKED THROUGH MY FILES. SURE ENOUGH, FORD SENT OUT A SERVICE BULLETIN IN 6-04 "TITLED TIE ROD INSPECTION PROCEDURE". WHILE THE SERVICE BULLETIN COVERS A COUPLE ITEMS IT BELIEVE IT SHOWS FORD KNEW THEY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT ENDS AND SENT OUT A SERVICE NOTICE TO EXCUSE THEMSELVES AND TO AVOID PAYING FOR REPAIRS. WHEN THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT COVER, I CALLED THE WARRANTY HOTLINE. THE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME "BALL JOINTS ARE WEARING OUT SOONER THEN THEY WOULD EXPECT" BUT IT WAS NOT A WARRANTY ITEM SO I HAD TO GET THOSE REPAIRED AS WELL. IN SUMMARY, I BELIEVE THE BOLT BREAKING COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT FOR A CUSTOMER TO SPEND $800 TO REPLACE A BROKEN BOLT IN THE FRONT LINKAGE AND BALL JOINTS ON AN EXCELLENT CONDITION VEHICLE WITH ONLY 51,000 MILES IS OUTRAGEOUS. I AM GUESSING OTHER EXPEDITION OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AND WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT FOR GETTING FORD TO REIMBURSE THE $800 I HAD TO SPEND IN REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10149195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN DRIVING 45-50 MPH AND THE TIE ROD BROKE ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT. WHEN THE CONSUMER SPOKE TO FORD, THEY STATED IT HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN WITH THAT VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT FORD 7 MONTHS AGO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. THERE WAS NO WARNING, IT JUST HAPPENED. THIS HAPPENED JULY 9, 2005 AT 5:30 PM. THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE REALIGNED AND THE OTHER TIE ROD NEED TO BE CHECKED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNSTEERABLE AND IT PULLED ABOUT 3 FEET TO THE RIGHT. AT THAT TIME, THE CONSUMER STOPPED THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10128307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

CONSUMER STATES THE SUSPENSION ON THE FRONT END PASSENGERS SIDE FAILED. THE TIE ROD END BROKE AND THE WHEELS WERE UNCONTROLLABLE. WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED THERE WEREN'T ANY LIGHTS OR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED 800 MILES AGO AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A FUTURE PROBLEM. *JB THE OUTER RIGHT TIE ROD CAME APART. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE RIGHT INNER AND OUTER TIE ROD. THE BROKEN PART OF THE ROD DID NOT SHOW ANY SIGNS OF RUST/CORROSION OR LACK OF LUBRICANT.*SB

NHTSA complaint #10121205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE IS 2000 FORD EXPEDITION APPROX. 60,000 MILES. TOOK A TRIP AROUND 150 MILES, MOST OF WHICH AT 70-72 MPH. STAYED THE WEEKEND, THEN SUNDAY ON THE WAY HOME AT ABOUT 35 MPH PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD BROKE, FRONT END OF THE TRUCK BOUNCED UP AND DOWN UNCONTROLLABLE WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC, SLOWED DOWN QUICKLY AND PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. DROVE SLOWLY 5 MPH TO NEAREST SERVICE GARAGE, LEFT VEHICLE OVERNIGHT, MECHANIC REPLACED THE TIE ROD. I DO HAVE OLD PART.

NHTSA complaint #10102895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A RATTLE AND LOOSE. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT IT MAY COME OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10099026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE TO UNCONTROLLABLY. *BF AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE OUTER TIE ROD END ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE ALL CONTROL OF THE STEERING.

NHTSA complaint #10097331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

I HAD JUST HAD MY 2000 EXPEDITION INSPECTED THE MONTH BEFORE. I WAS DRING UP AN ON RAMP TO AN INTERSTATE AND MY CAR SWERVED OUT OF CONTROL. I WENT OFF THE ROAD. SEVERAL CARS ALMOST HIT ME AND I THEM. IT TURNED OUT THAT MY TIE ROD ON MY FRONT LEFT TIRE HAD BROKEN. VERY DANGEROUS. VERY UPSETTING.

NHTSA complaint #10096203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

FORD FAILED STEERING ON 2000 EXPEDITION. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAD A TIE ROD FAILURE AT ABOUT 30 MPH. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT A RECALL BE SENT OUT FOR HIS VEHICLE. A REVIEW OF DATABASE RELATIVE TO TIE ROD FAILURES ON 2000 FORD EXPEDITION VEHICLESREVEALED INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO WARRANT OPENING A SAFETY DEFECT INVESTIGATION AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10095198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

TIE ROD BROKE WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10094044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC INFORMED DETERMINED THAT THE IDLE ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT THREE TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED.

NHTSA complaint #10092004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN IT FELT LIKE THE TRUCK WAS SKIPPING. CONSUMER THEN PULLED OF THE ROAD. UPON EXITING THE TRUCK CONSUMER NOTICED THAT 3 OF THE WHEELS WERE FACING FORWARD, AND THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS TURNED INWARDS. THE TRUCK WAS THEN TOWED TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WAS NOT DRIVABLE. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE STEERING LINKAGE, AND INDICATED THAT A TIE ROD HAD FALLEN OFF, AND THE OTHERS WERE LOOSE, ALL 4 TIE RODS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY ALSO HAD TO REPLACED THE LOWER BALL JOINTS.

NHTSA complaint #10081688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AND WOULD START TO TURN STEERING WHEEL EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT, IT WOULD ALMOST BECOME FREE WHEELING. THIS CAUSE THE DRIVER TO ALMOST LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE STEERING WHEEL CHECKED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10040601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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AT HIGH SPEED, ON LONG SUSTAINED, STEEP GRADES 5-7%, AT HIGH RPM, THE STEERING LOCKS UP FOR 2-10 SECONDS. THE STEERING MAKES A NOISE AND THEN BREAKS FREE. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES AND THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM AND CAN NOT REPRODUCE THIS EVENT. EVERY TIME I DRIVE INTO THE COLORADO MOUNTAINS THIS PROBLEMS RECURS. THIS PROBLEM NEVER SHOWS UP ON FLAT TERRAIN. THIS PROBLEM IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE FORD REPRESENTATIVE HAS INDICATED TO ME THAT 5 OTHER COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN GIVEN BUT THAT NO ONE HAS EVER REPRODUCED THE PROBLEM. *JB ****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****769312

NHTSA complaint #10008531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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WHEN APPLYING TENSION STEERING AND GOING AROUND A CURVE, TENSION IN WHEEL BROKE FREE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK INTO DIRECTION OF THE TURN.COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL. DEALER CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #8014200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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A SEVERE OVERSENSITIVE STEERING WHEEL, HARDER TO CONTROL WHEN DRIVING. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #883895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

COULD NOT KEEP VEHICLE IN HIGHWAY LANE ,HAD TO CORRECT STEERING CONSTANTLY ON TRIP TO FLA. WENT TO FORD DEALER IN FLA. AND GOT NOTHING WRONG WITH TRUCK ,DROVE HOME AT 55MPH TO DEALER ,IT TOOK 3 SERVICE VISITS TO FIND THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #738417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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STEERING BECAME HEAVY, PULLED OVER TO INVESTIGATE, TIRE WAS BULGING ALL AROUND SIDEWALL. LIMPED ALONG SHOULDER AT 2 OR 3 MPH AND 50 TARDS LATER, TIRE EXPLODED. *AK( DOT NUMBER: W2T6 TIRE SIZE: P265/70/17 )

NHTSA complaint #731287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

WHILE DRIVING T 3 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE STEERING GEAR BOX CAME APART. TWO BOLTS MADE A LOUD NOISE AND BROKE, AS THE CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE THE 3RD BOLT CAME FLYING OFF. CONSUMER HAD NO CONTROL OF VECHICLE, IT WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALER HAS NO ANSWER AND OFFERED A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE TO THE CONSUMER.

NHTSA complaint #868363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING POWER ASSIT SYSTEM CUTS ON AND OFF, CAUSING ERRATIC MOVEMENTS AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #867588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.