NHTSA to Investigate Steering on Ford Trucks

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has decided to proceed with an investigation of more than 800,000 Ford trucks after dozens of owners said they lost steering control. At least 50 owners of 1999 and 2000 Super Duty F-Series pickups have complained about a fracture in the steering gear sector shaft, which makes the front wheels turn when the driver moves the steering wheel.

At least 41 crashes and 13 injuries have been reported to Ford Motor Co. and NHTSA. Ford also has received 36 warranty claims about the problem. NHTSA, which released details of the investigation as part of its monthly report into possible defects, said fractures in the steering gear sector shaft are extremely rare. Ford told the agency that the sector shaft fractures were the result of the crashes, not the cause.