1999 FORD E-150 Steering Problems

While turning into a parking space the bolts to the steering box sheared off with complete loss of steering. Further inspection showed severe cracking and loss of metal in the steering box area. After doing some searches I found that this is common issue in the E series vans. I did do a recall search and a CSA search to see about having this problem resolved safely by a certified shop. Unfortunately I haven't found any recall information on what is obviously a serious safety issue. Apparently the bolts shear off at low speeds while turning. The real concern is should one bolt only crack and not let the steering box become useless the vehical may be at highway speed when the failure does occour causing complete loss of control of the vehicle. I've read hundreds of emails on this subject and none had a resolution provided by the Ford Motor Company. I would think that something this critical would have been addressed by now. Concidering the recalls for comparatively much lesser safety issues. Thank you for reviewing this matter.

THE 3 MOUNTING BOLTS ATTACHING THE STEERING BOX TO THE FRAME BROKE/SHEARED OFF AS THE VEHICLE WAS BEING PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. 1999 FORD E150 VAN. A LOUD POPPING NOISE OR BANG WAS HEARD AND TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING WAS THE RESULT OF THE STEERING BOX DANGLING FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPOSITIONED ON A FLAT DRIVEWAY, NO INCLINE AT ALL. NO INJURIES RESULTED , BUT IF THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED DURING OPERATION, STEERING WOULD HAVE BEEN INOPERABLE LEADING TO AN ACCIDENT WHICH EASILY COULD HAVE LED TO SERIOUS INJURY TO THE DRIVER, PASSENGERS, AND OTHER VEHICLES AND THEIR OCCUPANTS. *TR

Mileage: 141,537

MAJOR SHAKING IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND STEERING CONTROL GREATLY REDUCED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON GOING, AND THE DEALER KEEPS TELLING ME IT IS NORMAL. IF THIS IS NORMAL, THAN THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE HIGHWAYS BEFORE DEATH OCCURS. *JB

Mileage: 99,200

LTR FM DENIS BITTENBENDER (PA) WRITER IS A QUADRIPLEGIC USE OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT TO OPERATE VEHICLE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT FAILED CAUSING ACCIDENT REQUEST NHTSA TEST EQUIPMENT DEFECT, REPLY TO THE ALLENTOWN OFC DOT 2004-4251. *LA THE VEHICLE HAD RUN OFF THE HIGHWAY AND RAN INTO A TREE IN WHICH THE VEHICLE VEERED AT A 30 DEGREE ANGLE TO THE RIGHT AN DID NOT RESPOND TO ANY ACTIONS THE CONSUMER TRIED TO PERFORM. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE BRAKE UNIT FAILED AND THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE UNIT. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *SC IT WAS ALSO POSSIBLE THE VAN HAD A STEERING PROBLEM. *JB

VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A TREE. *PH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. NHTSA DID SOME TESTING BUT COULD NOT PIN POINT THE PROBLEM. A RECALL WAS INITIATED WHICH THE CONSUMER RECEIVED AUGUST 24, 2003, 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE OUT OF SERVICE FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS THE CONSUMER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF REARRANGING HIS SCHEDULE TO COMPLY WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. FIVE DAYS AFTER THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE BRAKE UNIT FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE UNIT AFTER SOME INSTALLER/MANUFACTURER DISAGREEMENTS. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. *NM

Mileage: 48,000

TIE ROD BROKE LOOSE ALMOST MAKE VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. TIE ROD ALSO BROKE TWO YEARS AGO. *LA

Mileage: 52,000

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH TIE RODS BROKE AND CAME LOOSE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED.*AK

Mileage: 65,000

THE STEERING LINKAGE FELL OFF MY 1999 FORD E150 VAN NEARLY CAUSING A SEVERE ACCIDENT. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VAN. MY FOUR CHILDREN WITH HER. SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VAN AFTER THE LINKAGE FELL OFF. SHE BARELY HAD TIME TO STOP BEFORE GOING THROUGH A FENCE. I AM AN ENGINEER. IT WOULD SEEM THAT STEERING LINKAGE WOULD BE COMPRISED OF COMPONENTS WITH AN INSIGNIFICANT RISK OF FAILURE. WE DO NOT TRUST THE VAN ANYMORE. IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED TO MY FAMILY IF THEY WERE ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE LINKAGE FELL OFF.

Mileage: 72,161

THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THE DRIVER APPLIED THE PEDAL HARDER BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE TOTALLY AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE PITTED AND RUSTED AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE WORN. THE POWER STEERING GEAR BOX LEAKED. *NLM *NLM

E-150 VAN STEERING COLUMN "CLUNKS" DURING TURNS. IDENTIFIED PROBLEM WHEN VAN WAS NEW. TOLD THAT IT WAN'T DANGEROUS. SOUND IS INCREASING WITH AGE.

Mileage: 1,300

AT 35MPH CONSUMER WOULD TRY TO MAKE A TURN BUT VEHICLE WILL DELAY THE TURN. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. *AK

STEERING WHEEL CANNOT BE MOVED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WHEN FOOT IS ON BRAKE, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PARK ON A HILL. DEALER CLAIMS IT IS NORMAL DESIGN ,AN IT CANNOT BE FIXED. *AK

STEERING WHEEL WILL CRUNCH WHEN GOING AROUND CORNERS, DEALER REPLACED STEERING BOX. AFTER 200 MILES, ONE BOLT OF STEERING BOX SHREADED OFF. *AK *SLC

TIE ROD CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING AND CRASHED TO A STOP. *SLC

WHILE ENTERING THE HIGHWAY THE RIGHT TIE ROD BROKE CAUSING THE VAN TO SHAKE AND LOOSE STEERING ABILITY, THE VEHICLE CAREENED DIAGONALLY ACROSS THE HIGHWAY CROSSING ALL FOUR LANES UNTIL IT STOPPED IN THE MEDIAN. NLM

COULD HEAR A NOISE WHEN TURNING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED STEERING PUMP ASSEMBLY. NOISE STILL PRESENT AFTER REPAIRS AND HAS NOT YET BEEN FIXED. *AK *ML