NHTSA complaint: 2000 FORD F-150 — STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
I WAS TRYING TO AVOID REAR ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE TRAFFIC HAD COME TO AN ABRUPT STOP, SO I JERKED MY TRUCK TO THE RIGHT AS HARD AS I COULD. I COULD NOT STEER OUT OF IT BECAUSE THE STEERING BOX BROKE. I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME ON HIS RIGHT REAR BUMPER WITH MY LEFT FRONT BUMPER. RON BLACKWELL FORD'S HEAD MECHANIC SAID THE STEERING BOX BREAKING IS A SAFETY FEATURE. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT HITTING A CAR AT 30 MPH SHOULD MAKE THE STEERING BOX BREAK. THE ONLY DAMAGE DONE TO MY TRUCK WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY BUMPER. THE HEADLIGHT WASN'T EVEN BROKE. I THINK IT BROKE FROM THE EXTREME PRESSURE OF TURNING IT SO HARD TRYING TO AVOID A COLLISION NOT FROM HITTING THE CAR.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation