NHTSA Complaint #10179543 — 1998 FORD F-150

I HAD JUST TURNED OFF INTERSTATE 287 ONTO INTERVALE ROAD (A LOCAL ROAD). I WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WITH A VERY SHARP LEFT HAND CURVE. AS I PROCEEDED TO ENTER THE CURVE I HAD NO STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR NOISE. I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT THERE WAS LOOSE SAND AND GRAVEL AND I ENDED UP SLIDING INTO A UTILITY POLE STRAIGHT AHEAD, WITHOUT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND ONLY MINOR DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS SECURED BY THE SEAT BELT, BUT MY HEAD STRUCK THE SUN VISOR. POLICE AT THE SCENE EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED LOSS OF STEERING. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION BY THE SHOP TO WHICH MY TRUCK WAS TOWED REVEALED THAT THE SECTOR SHAFT WAS BROKEN WHERE THE PITMAN ARM IS ATTACHED. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION I WAS TOLD THAT THIS PART SHOULD NEVER FAIL IN A VEHICLE, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. I WAS FURTHER TOLD THAT IF THE PART WAS POUNDED ALL DAY WITH A SLEDGE HAMMER THAT IT SHOULD NOT FAIL. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT HE HAD ONLY HEARD OF ONE FAILURE EVER OF THIS PART IN A HIGH SPEED ACCIDENT. FURTHERMORE, THIS PART IS LOCATED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH DID NOT SUFFER ANY IMPACT FROM THE ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED FORD WITH THIS INFORMATION AND THEY ARE TOTALLY INDIFFERENT TO IT. THEY WANT ME TO PAY UP TO $60,000 TO HIRE AN EXPERT WITNESS TO PROVE THAT THE PART FAILED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND WAS DEFECTIVE. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO USE THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2004 AND HAVE NO RESOLUTION OR COMMITMENT FROM FORD TO DO ANYTHING. THIS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN DEATH HAD THIS PART FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I WONDER HOW MANY FATAL ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THIS FAILURE THAT WAS NEVER PROPERLY INVESTIGATED. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OVER TO STATE FARM INSURANCE TO REPAIR . THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A PICTURE OF THE VEHICLE AND WOULD LIKE A LIST OF REPAIR SHOPS. UPDATED 08/23/07 *TR