NHTSA Complaint #10059077 — 1999 FORD F-150

WHILE SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE A BOLT FELL OUT OF THE INTERNAL AREA OF THE STEERING COLUMN. I PUT THE TRUCK BACK IN WHAT APPEARED TO BE PARK AND GOT OUT TO RETRIEVE THE BOLT FROM THE FLOOR OF THE TRUCK, WHEN THE TRUCK MOVED BACKWARDS AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE DOOR AND REAR QUARTER PANEL. THE TRUCK WAS NOT REALLY IN PARK AS IT APPEARED ON THE THE GEAR SELECTOR, IT WAS IN REVERSE. THE TRUCK WOULD NO LONGER START IN WHAT APPEARED TO BE PARK. SOERENS FORD OF BROOKFIELD, WI. DETERMINED THE BOLT WAS A STEERAGE LINKAGE BOLT. THE BOLT SITS WITH THE HEAD FACING DOWNWARD AND HAD SIMPLY VIBRATED LOOSE OUT OF THE HOLE BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING LOCKING IT IN PLACE. FORD HAS DETERMINED THAT IT IS AN INSURANCE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE BODY DAMAGE AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS CALLING A DESIGN DEFECT.*AK