# 2003 FORD E-250 — STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
> NHTSA complaint `505946` · 2004-11-09 · Ford Motor Company
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** Yes
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** FORD
- **Model:** E-250
- **Year:** 2003
- **Manufacturer:** Ford Motor Company
- **Component:** STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
- **Miles at failure:** 30,427
- **Speed:** 10 mph
## Narrative
A FORD 2003 VAN, WITH 30,000 MILES EXPERIENCES A STEERING FAILURE, WHEN THE PITMAN ARM BROKE OFF THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING BOX.  IT CLEANLY SHEARED OFF A SHAFT OF METAL WHICH IS 1 1/4 INCHES OF SOLID STEEL.*AK  SINCE THE DRIVER WAS OPERATING AT LOW SPEED ON THE RAMP OF MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, HE STRUCK A BARRIER WITH MINIMAL SHEETMETAL DAMAGE. THE DRIVER REPORTED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SPINNING FREELY IN HIS HANDS AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. I REPORTED THIS TO FORD, WHO'S STAFF DETERMINED THAT THE SHAFT DID NOT FAIL DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT. HAD THIS VEHICLE BEEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON A  MAJOR ROADWAY,  THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SO CLEARLY OBVIOUS. AND SURELY A FATALITY WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED.  I RETAINED THE BROKEN PART. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN INCIDENT WHICH SHOULD  BE REPORTED. FORD DETERMINED THAT STRIKING THE BARRIER CAUSED THE  METAL TO FAIL. HOWEVER THE IMPACT WAS MINIMAL AND THOUGH A CENTERED IMPACT ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE THE AIRBAG DID NOT EVEN DEPLOY.
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*