FYI: NHTSA steering investigation is underway

[FW_Linc/Merc]

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday (7/11/14) it's investigating steering problems in about 500,000 Ford cars.

The investigation covers 2004 to 2007 Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis and Marauder models.

NHTSA says a heat shield in the car can rust, dislodge and cause the steering shaft to jam. It has received 5 complaints about the issue and knows of one injury. In that case, the steering froze as a driver entered a high entrance ramp, causing the car to roll over and cause injuries.

Ford Motor Co. says it will cooperate with the NHTSA on the investigation.

Anyone have this problem? I replaced my steering shaft but have no rust yet so in my case I have no worries about a heat shield.

[Zack]

I think they are referring to the drivers side exhaust manifold heat shield.

[Zim Hosein]

The investigation covers 2004 to 2007 Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis and Marauder models.

Would this be one of the biggest recalls in history, if in fact Ford decides it is necessary? :confused:

[guspech750]

5 complaints.

NFG.


Sent from The White House on taxpayers dimes.

DTR + 4.10's + Eaton swap = Wreeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom

[johnnyrauder]

just 04 to 07 cv and gm and marauder we recalled do to a heat shild melting anyone else hear that...an why not 03s

[massacre]

How many '07 Marauders were affected?

:loco:

[massacre]

A lot of Mustang guys are having steering shaft problems when going to longtube headers, the heat melts some plastic or rubber inside the shaft.

[justbob]

It is a scary feeling.. My F150 decided to lock up on me a few times before I installed these cute buggers.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/12/epeve2ed.jpg


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
"Since 2004"

[ncmm]

Local news in Kansas City just reported it. . .must be important

[johnnyrauder]

that goes without saying

[kirk]

What's different between the '03-04 with respect to this that the '03 is not included?

[RF Overlord]

Merging with the other steering recall thread.

[MERCULES]

I am glad I saw this thread, I have only had my Marauder a few months and I have noticed that the steering feels like it stiffens periodically with slight movements driving straight down the highway. Very creepy when it did it today at about 70mph momentarily. I was going to add some power steering treatment to the reservoir thinking it may lubricate it and take out hard spots although I had only experienced hard spots on other cars when cornering so I thought this was odd. Now I am thinking there may be other issues. Any suggestions? Is it a bad idea to add Lucas power steering treatment?

[vegasmarauder]

I think there are 2 seperate issues. The recall would be for the heat shield coming loose and physically binding up the steering shaft Z-linkage (can't think of another term to describe it). Must have been a change in materials from 03. Probably saved Ford .03 a car.

The intermittant binding when turning the wheel is a problem with the actual Z-linkage. Age, lack of lubrication and weather corrosion cause the shafts to bind up and then the bearings in the lower end of the steering column to get loose/fail. New steering shaft is the only real fix. Some have lubbed the crosses and joints and free'ed up the shaft, but if it's binding, it's failing.

I think I saw them for about $160 somewhere.

The recall will probably be for replacing/securing the heat shield and not the Z linkage.

[Logizyme]

or 2003 is over ten years old so the NHTSA does not give a crap about it any more.

Kinda like the steering shaft inspect/replaced recall only affecting 05+ even though parts are the same all the way back to 03, cars just to old for Ford / Government to care.

[chucky]

I saw this on Fox News this morning that the NHTSA is investigating Ford vehicles. The focus is on "jammed steering shafts" and could effect 500,000 ford vehicles one of which is the 2004 MM. Ford has had issues with intermediate steering shafts before but this May be something else. FYI Something to keep an eye on.

[MERCMAN]

It is a scary feeling.. My F150 decided to lock up on me a few times before I installed these cute buggers.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/12/epeve2ed.jpg


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
"Since 2004"

Yikes! put on some feet covers!

[sailsmen]

By Mike Ramsey

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an investigation into a potential flaw in up to 500,000 Ford Motor Co. vehicles that could lose steering control.

The investigation covers model-year 2004 to 2007 Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis and Mercury Marauder vehicles.

The notice of the investigation said an exhaust manifold heat shield could come loose and become lodged in the steering shaft and prevent it from turning. There have been five reports of problems, including one that caused a rollover accident and injury.

Separately, Chrysler Group LLC, a unit of Fiat SpA, said it was recalling 895,000 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee sport-utility vehicles from model years 2011-2014 to repair wiring to the lamp in the visor vanity mirror that could short circuit and lead to a fire.

The recall comes after an investigation where there were five reported incidents of the visors smoking or catching fire.

Write to Mike Ramsey at michael.ramsey@wsj.com

[Zack]

Any decent marauder owner has converted to long tubes by now

[Spectragod]

LT's on mine, no heat shields....


Post count +1

[MOTOWN]

Long tubes BUBS!

[lji372]

......................... It was funny :D

[RF Overlord]

Merging with the other two threads on this topic.

[jwibbity]

already being cover by 3 other threads......:P :P

[RF Overlord]

Merging with the 3 other threads.

[sflrainmaker01]

Any decent marauder owner has converted to long tubes by now

Now, any excuse for not installing long tubes can be thrown to the wind! It's become more of a safety feature (use that one on the wife to speed up your purchase of long tubes) rather than just better performance and sound! :P

[slickster]

yea i had binding issues with my old mm. when i removed it i hit it with a hammer to get the joint loose Didint work!!! spray some grease on it from time to time.