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...

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

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

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

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