2001 FORD F-250 SD Steering Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER (TOMBALL FORD, 22702 TOMBALL PKWY, TOMBALL, TX 77375, (281) 378-3160) WAS CONTACTED, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE AUTHORIZATION FROM THE CONTACT TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH VOLUME OIL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.

Mileage: 157,000

WE HAD TRAVELED APROXIMATELY 450 MILES AND ON THE LAST LEG OF A TRIP IN THE MOUNTAINS. THE DRIVER NOTICED ON THE LAST 150 MILES OF THE TRIP THE STEERING WHEEL HAD CHANGED POSITION WHERE THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL NORMALLY WAS HORIZONTAL, WAS NOW 45 DEGREES OFF AND VERTICAL. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON ARRIVAL TO DESTINATION. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE MOVED AND UNLOADED WHEN THIS WAS ATTEMPTED THE STEERING WHEEL JUST TURNED WITH NOT CONTROL OF THE WHEELS. SO WE WERE UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. AFTER AN INITIAL INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS PLACED ON A FLOOR JACK TO RAISE THE FRONT END TO LOOK FOR PROBLEMS UNDER THE VEHICLE. AFTER TURNING THE WHEELS MANUALLY IT WAS NOTICED THE ARM THAT COMES FROM THE STEERING BOX WAS LOOSE AT THE ELBOW. AFTER CLOSER INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE SHAFT WAS SHEERED OFF AT THE STEERING BOX. WE WERE LUCK IT FAILED WHEN WE WERE NOT ON THE ROAD. IT MUST DID THE FINAL FAILURE WHEN WE DROVE INTO OUR DRIVE WAY AND PARKED. THIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN A DISASTEROUS ACCIDENT IF THIS HAD FAILED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON THE MOUNTAIN ROADS WE HAD JUST DRIVEN ON OUR TRIP.

Mileage: 122,375

LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN WOLF ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2001 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY TRUCK BECAUSE OF STEERING MALFUNCTION (ATTN: JOHN CZERWINSKI). *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN, EVEN WITH BOTH HANDS. WHEN SOME OF THE PRESSURE WAS RELEASED FROM THE BRAKE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN FREELY. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE STEERING PUMP WAS BAD. HOWEVER, THE STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED FIVE TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *JB UPDATED 03/25/15. *JB

I WAS MAKING A SHARP LEFT TURN, FROM A STOP, WHEN I HEARD A SNAPPING NOISE, THEN I NOTICED MY STEERING WHEEL TURNING FREELY, I JUST CONTINUED FORWARD WITH NO STEERING SINCE I WAS KIND OF CROSSED ON THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AND HAD CARS COMING AT ME AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, I WAS ABLE TO GO OVER ONTO THE SIDE WALK CROSSED, I STOPPED THE TRUCK AND WHEN I LOOKED SAW THE SHAFT AT THE STEERING BOX HAD SHEERED IN HALF. I AM A RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND CONSIDER THIS A VERY DELICATE MATTER, HAVE I BEING TRAVELING AT A HIGH SPEED THIS COULD HAVE BEING A SITUATION WITH VERY TRAGIC RESULTS. PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE THANKS *TR

Mileage: 169,450

WHEN THE TRUCK IS STOPPED OR WHEN PARKING, THE POWER STEERING DISAPPEARS. WITH THE BRAKE APPLIED, THE STEERING WHEEL WON'T MOVE AT ALL. WITH THE BRAKE RELEASED, IT'S NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK USED TWO YEARS AGO WITH JUST UNDER 11,000 MILES. IT IS LIKE NEW. THIS PROBLEM IS ANNOYING AT BEST AND COULD BE DANGEROUS IN AN EMERGENCY MANEUVER WITH HARD BRAKING. *TR

Mileage: 12,000

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2001 F250 7.3 DIESEL TRUCK. I ALONG WITH MANY OTHER PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY ARE SCARED TO DRIVE THEIR TRUCKS. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS, BUT THE MOST RECENT WAS IN AUGUST 2011. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH ( THE SPEED DOESN'T MATTER FOR THE FAILURE). THE TRUCK IS VERY HARD TO KEEP CONTROL OF, IT SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND WALKS BACK AND FORTH. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE TRUCK IN ONE LANE. IT GOT SO BAD THAT I COULDN'T KEEP CONTROL OF IT AND BEGAN GOING FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER TRYING TO GET CONTROL. OTHER VEHICLE'S ON THE ROAD GOT AWAY FROM MINE OR I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM. IT TOOK A WHILE TO GET CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. I DON'T KNOW HOW WE DIDN'T GO FLYING OFF THE HIGHWAY AND KILLED. THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS TRUCK. THERE IS SO MUCH "PLAY" IN THE STEERING THAT CAN'T BE CORRECTED. THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO FIX IT. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS!!!! TO DRIVE AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED IF SOMETHING IS NOT DONE. APPARENTLY THIS IS NOT THE BEGINNING OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I AM PRETTY SURE PEOPLE HAVE DIED AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE, BUT IT WENT UN NOTICED BECAUSE THEY WERE BLAMED FOR "OVERCORRECTING". THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 201,300

I OWN A 2001 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY 4X4 TRUCK. AFTER PURCHASING TRUCK USED, I REPLACED ALL STEERING COMPONENTS WITH O.E EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS AT CERTIFIED REPAIR FACILITIES. ALL FACILITIES CERTIFIED ALL STEERING PARTS IN ORIGINAL SPECIFICATION FORM. DESPITE ALL THIS, THE TRUCK WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY UPON HITTING ANY KIND OF ROUGH ROADS OR POTHOLES. AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS, I REALIZED THIS IS DEFECT WITH THE TRUCK EVEN GOING TO 2007 MODEL YEAR. THIS TRUCK IS DANGEROUS!! DANGEROUS!! DANGEROUS!!!!!!!!. NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FAIR MARKET VALUE GIVEN TO THE BUYERS. SOMEONE WILL GET KILLED. A DRIVER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FEAR DRIVING A TRUCK ON ANY ROAD EXCEPT A PERFECTLY SMOOTH ONE WHICH DOES NOT EXIST. I ALMOST DIED DRIVING THIS TRUCK CROSSING THE WALT WHITMAN BRIDGE FROM NJ TO PA. I AM NOT ALONE. NHTSA HAS COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE F250 SD 4X4 GOING INTO 2007 MODEL YEAR. GIVE FAIR MARKET VALUE AND RECALL THE TRUCKS. OWNERS CAN GET THE CREDIT TOWARD PURCHASE OF NEW OR USED FORD TRUCKS MODELS THAT DO NOT SUFFER FROM THIS DEFECT. FORD WILL NOT LOSE IF THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR MISTAKE WHILE NO ONE DIED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED YET!!!!. *TR

Mileage: 184,176

VIOLENT SHAKE IN STEERING UPON ENCOUNTERING LESS THAN SMOOTH ROAD. *TR

Mileage: 175,000

I HAVE A 2001 FORD F250. I HAVE OWNED IT FOR YEARS. MY STEERING IS REALLY STIFF. I HAVE HAD IT TO 2 FORD DEALERSHIPS & THEY SAY THEY CAN,T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I KNOW IT IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE I'VE OWNED LOTS OF TRUCKS & NEVER HAD SUCH A PROBLEM. IT IS REAL HARD TO CONTROL AT HIGHER SPEEDS. IT MAKES YOU CONSTANTLY TRYING TO CORRECT LEFT TO RIGHT STEERING. THANK YOU *TR

I HAVE A 2001 FORD F250 SD CREW/4X4 AND THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FRONT END STEERING SYSTEM. TODAY WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT MY TRUCK BEGAN TO SHIMMY AND SHAKE SO HARD THAT AT 55MPH BY THE TIME I GOT THE TRUCK SLOWED TO ABOUT 15MPH I WAS OVER INTO THE LANE OF THE ON COMING TRAFFIC (LUCKLY NO ONE WAS THERE). THE OTHER DAY WITH MY WIFE IN THE TRUCK WE TURNED A CORNER AND THE TRUCK STARTED TO SHIMMY REALLY HARD AND I LOST SOME RESPONSE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK THE STEERING BECAME SOMEWHAT UNRESPONSIVE, AND I WAS FORCED TO ALLOW THE TRUCK TO TRACK INTO THE BAILY POST OFFICE PARKING LOT. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY TRUCK BUT THE MECHANICS TELL ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT THAT THEY CAN FIND. THE TRUCK DOES NOT DO THIS ALL THE TIME, IT COMES AND GOES, SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT AND THEN IT CAN GO WEEKS WITHOUT HAPPENING. I WORKED AS A MECHANIC FOR 25 YEARS AND I AM TELLING YOU THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THIS TRUCK AND I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED HUNDREDS MAYBE EVEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FORD F-SERIES TRUCKS AND FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR SUCH A BAD DESIGN FLAW THAT CAN CAUSES A LIGHT SHIMMY TO TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF THESE TRUCKS AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING, WHICH MAY CAUSE SERIOUS HARM OR EVEN DEATH TO THE OWNER. MY WIFE WILL NOT EVEN RIDE IN THE TRUCK ANY MORE BECAUSE SHE IS TOO SCARED TO DO SO. THANK YOU FOR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. GARY *TR

Mileage: 130,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-250 SD. WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER IS USED, IT CAUSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FUSE TO BLOW. SMOKE APPEARED OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO BURNED WIRES AND ALL OF THE ISSUES WERE CONNECTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. HE BELIEVES THAT THE WIRES WERE BURNED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE TOW PACKAGE BURNED AND THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHTS NO LONGER WORK. ALL OF THE DOORS APPEARED TO BE SHORT AND DO NOT CLOSE OR OPEN PROPERLY. IN ADDITION, THE OVERDRIVE FAILED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN THE CONTACT PRESSES THE BUTTON, NOTHING HAPPENS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND DOES NOT HAVE ANY SAFETY RECALLS THAT APPLY TO THE VIN. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

Mileage: 142,000

CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAS FAILED 2 DIFFERENT TIMES ON A 2001 POWERSTROKE FORD F250. FIRST TIME WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT. SECOND TIME ON THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP AND STEER DUE TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. *TR

Mileage: 62,000

MY 2001 F-250 SUPER DUTY DIESEL HAS STEERING PROBLEMS. ITS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE NUMBER ONE SELLING TRUCK IN THE NATION FOR WHO KNOWS HOW MANY YEARS, WOULD SELL A TRUCK TO THE PUBLIC THAT HAS POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. WHEN I AM TRYING TO PARK I HAVE NO POWER STEERING AT ALL. I KNOW THAT IT IS DUE TO RECEIVING ALL THE POWER TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM, BUT WITH ALL THE TECHNOLOGY OUT THERE TODAY WHY WOULD FORD HAVE A PROBLEM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO HAVE POWER BRAKING AND POWER STEERING AT THE SAME TIME. MY 77 HIGH BOY HAD BETTER STEERING WITH 35 INCH TIRES THAN MY 2001 HAS. *NM

Mileage: 41,681

TWICE THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS FAILED (NEEDING REPLACEMENT BOTH TIMES) RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID AND SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ASSISTED STEERING. FIRST HAPPENED ON APRIL 9,2004 AT 22,219 MILES. THEN AGAIN AT 38,175 MILES ON FEB. 22,2006. *NM

Mileage: 22,219

I WAS DRIVING EAST ON BURKE HILL RD AT APPROX. 35 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WENT ON MY PICK UP TRUCK, THEN I HIT A PINE TREE AND BROKE THE RADIATOR, THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT QUARTER PANEL WAS FOLDED BACK TO THE DRIVERS DOOR AND I SAW A PIECE OF THE UNDER CARRIAGE HANGING DOWN AND COME TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE SPECTAR ARM BROKE BY THE FRONT TIRE(DRIVERS SIDE), AND WHEN THE GARAGE PICKED THE TRUCK UP IN THE AIR THEY FOUND OUT THE TRANSFER CASE WAS BROKE NEARLY IN HALF. THEY FELT THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THE BROKEN SPECTAR ARM. *NM

Mileage: 53,000

STEERING FEELS LOOSE, WANDERS. STEERING WHEEL JUMPS BACK AND FORTH WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP. NOTICEABLE AT HIGH AND LOW SPEEDS. MAKES VEHICLE CONTROL A PROBLEM AT TIMES. HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR APPROXIMATELY A YEAR. HAS BEEN CHECKED BY DEALERSHIP MORE THAN ONCE, AND THEY STATE THAT THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.*AK

Mileage: 26,000

I HAVE A 2001 FORD F250 WITH THE 7.3 L ENGINE. THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICAL IS THAT THE POWER STEERING IS UNRELIABLE. IT WORKS GREAT 99% BUT OCCASIONALLY IT JUST GOES DEAD. IT SEEMS THAT USING THE BRAKES AND TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WILL CAUSE THE STEERING TO GO DEAD SUCH AS IN A PARKING LOT WHERE YOU ARE TRYING TO TURN THE WHEEL AND USE THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR. THE OTHER DAY I WAS GOING UP AN ON RAMP WITH A TURN AT THE TOP AND HAD NO STEERING TO TURN THE TRUCK. I ALMOST HAD A WRECK. THE DEALERSHIP SEEMS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM... THE FELLAS ON THE FORD TRUCK WEB SITE HAVE HAD THEIR PROBLEMS AS WELL. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS MIGHT BE AN ISSUE FOR A POSSIBLE RECALL.*AK

Mileage: 36,000

2001 FORD F250 SUPERDUTY UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE W/78985 MILES ON VEHICLE. ONE UPPER WAS WORN TO ALLOW AN INCH OF MOVE IN WHEEL. FORD HAS A PROBLEM WITH PREMATURE BALL JOINT WEAR AS I HAVE THIS VEHICLE WITH THE PROBLEM, HAD A MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS BALL JOINTS FAILED WITH 40000 MILES OR LESS. F250 DIAGNOSED AT FRONT END ALIGNMENT FACILITY THEY SAID 70000 MILES IS GOOD ON FORD BALL JOINTS AS THEY REPLACE A LOT OF THEM IN 40000 AND 50000 MILES. FORD HAS DETERMINED THIS A WEAR AREA AND WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM. I CONTEND THIS NOT FAIL UNTIL WELL ABOVE 100000 MILES. IT IS NOT A TIRE, BRAKE PADS, FILTERS, OR BELTS. *AK

Mileage: 78,985

POWER STEERING FAILURE OF SOME SORT HAS CAUSED POWER ASSIST TO BE APPLIED AT FULL CAPACITY AT ALL TIMES. THERE IS NO STEERING FEEL WHATSOEVER, AND THERE IS NO SELF-CENTERING OF THE STEERING. AN EXTREME LEVEL OF ATTENTION TO CAREFUL STEERING IS REQUIRED TO OPERATE THE TRUCK DUE TO THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH OF THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMING AN EXTREME RESPONSE BY FRONT WHEELS. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, WITH BRAKES APPLIED, THE STEERING WHEEL CAN EAISLY BE SPUN FROM LOCK TO LOCK BY JUST PUSHING ON THE WHEEL SLIGHTLY - IT WILL CONTINUE TO TURN UNTOUCHED. *AK

Mileage: 58,000

TRAILER ARM BROKE FROM DIFFERENTIAL, ALMOST CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL, AFTER ARM FELL INTO STEERING STABILIZER, AND JAMMING. *JB

Mileage: 35,000

WHEN BRAKING HARD THE STEERING LOCKS UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES AND FORD SAYS IT IS NORMAL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I ALMOST HIT 2 VEHICLES BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM! DT