1997 Ford Expedition steering problems

“The contact owns a 1997 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel became loosened while making a left turn. The contact stated that the "Check Suspension" and "Check ABS" messages were displayed on the instrument panel along with the oil, brake, and battery warning lights being illuminated. The contact called a local dealer and was informed that the part needed to repair the steering wheel was no longer in stock. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was provided the same information as from the dealer. The contact also stated that moisture had begun to leak from the sunroof. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000.”

“STEERING IS EXTREMELY OVERACTIVE AND SEEMS TWITCHING, MEANING AT LOW SPEED OR AT HIGH RATE OF TRAVEL VERY SLIGHT MOVEMENTS OF THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO MOVE SUDDENLY, AND UNCONTROLLABLY, PREVIOUS OWNER WENT OFF HIGHWAY AND FELT UNSAFE IN VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I IMAGINE THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE VARIABLE ASSIST POWER STEERING BUT CANNOT FIND ANY DIAGNOSTIC AIDE IN RESOLUTION OF ISSUE.”

“THE STEERING IS VERY LOOSE AND HARD TO KEEP ON ROAD, I CALLED FORD HEADQUARTERS TO SEE IF IT WAS UNDER RECALL AND THEY SAID NOT MY VIN WAS INCLUDED. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE O/D LIGHT BLINKING. MY TRANSMISSION SHIFT GREAT UNTIL THE LIGHT STARTS BLINKING.I THINK IT IS A BAD CRUISE CONTROL SENSOR. I READ WHERE A LOT OF THOSE SHORTED OUT AND STARTED FIRES.”

“THE STEERING ON THE VEHICLE IS LOOSE AND WONDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD CONTACTED A MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME WHERE STEERING SHAFT SLIDES TOGETHER IS REALLY LOOS AND STEERING SHAFT NEEDS REPLACED”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REMAIN IN POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO STEER THE VEHICLE IN EXCESS TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V196000 (STEERING), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AT 35 MPH, THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BECOMING LOOSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V196000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.”