On certain vehicles, the steering gear attaching bolts may have been over-torqued during vehicle assembly, potentially weakening the bolts. If a steering gear attaching bolt fractures, there may be an audible noise at low speed and the steering wheel alignment may be off center. If both bolts were to break, the vehicle might not respond to steering inputs which could result in a loss of control and a crash causing injury or death.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the steering gear to frame attaching hardware.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE TWO BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-TIGHTENED. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH OF THE BOLTS FRACTURING, CAUSING THE STEERING GEAR TO BECOME LOOSE.
Safety Risk
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE "CLUNKING" NOISE WHEN STEERING AS WELL AS DECREASED STEERING EFFECTIVENESS POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
On certain motorcycles, the handlebar bolts are too short, and, may not have received adequate tightening torque during vehicle assembly. These bolts could loosen, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the 25mm handlebar bolts with 30mm bolts, and torque new bolts to specs.
On certain pickup trucks, the front wheel bearings may have received an insufficient quantity of grease during the manufacturing process. This may result in bearing degradation and eventual hub assembly separation. Hub assembly separation may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause a crash without warning.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the front hub and bearing assemblies.
On certain vehicles, a manufacturing issue with the front lower ball joint could result in premature wear. If the vehicle is operated for an extended period of time in this condition, the ball joint may eventually experience excessive wear and looseness, resulting in increased steering effort, reduced vehicle self-centering and noise in the front suspension. In extreme cases, when the driver continues to operate the vehicle in this condition, the lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing a loss of vehicle steering control.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front lower ball joints.
On certain motorcycles, the internally wired handlebars may crack at the hole where the wires exit the bars. Should these cracks progress to the point of breaking the handlebar, a loss of steering control could result, which could cause a crash leading to injury or death.
On certain motorcycles, the voltage regulator installed during vehicle assembly has greater body thickness than designed. Under certain conditions, the regulator may contact the front fender, impeding the operator's ability to steer the vehicle. This could result in a crash, which could cause injury or death.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE RIGHT FRONT STEERING KNUCKLE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. BECAUSE OF A BROKEN COOLING LINE, PARTS CAST IN TOOL CAVITY #63 ON JULY 18 AND JULY 19, 2006, MAY HAVE A COLD SHUT CONDITION AND COULD FRACTURE.
Safety Risk
THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RECALLED VEHICLES TO IDENTIFY THE DEFECTIVE PARTS AND REPLACE IF THEY ARE WITHIN THAT LOT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 8, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
On certain vehicles, the right front steering knuckle may have been improperly manufactured and could break. This may cause a loss of steering control and result in a crash.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the right front steering knuckle.
On certain vehicles, the front lower ball joints may become contaminated. With continued operation, the contamination can lead to corrosion, accelerated wear, and possibly separation from the steering knuckle, causing a loss of vehicle steering control and a crash.
On certain vehicles, the connection at the intermediate shaft or the intermediate extension shaft may become loose or the intermediate shaft sleeve may develop a crack under certain operating conditions. The connection may separate or the shaft sleeve may fracture, which could result in the loss of steering control and an increased risk of a crash.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the steering intermediate shaft. In addition, the dealer will inspect the sliding yoke and the intermediate extension shaft and replace them if necessary.
On certain vehicles, deformation at high loads may cause loss of clamping force of the outer tie rod and allow the nut to loosen. This may eventually lead to a fatigue fracture of the outer tie rod assembly. Tie rod separation could lead to a loss of steering control which could result in a vehicle crash.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will replace outer tie rods with updated versions.
On certain motorcycles, the bolt that attaches the steering damper body to the frame bracket may not have been tightened sufficiently during vehicle assembly. If the bolt loosens and backs out completely, the steering damper could inhibit free movement of the steering assembly leading to a loss of steering control which could cause a crash with injuries or death.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will tighten the steering damper mounting bolt to specs.
On certain vehicles, the power steering pressure hose may separate at one of the crimps, causing a fluid leak. Power steering fluid leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an under hood fire. Additionally, a steering fluid leak may lead to a loss of power steering assist, requiring increased steering effort at low speeds.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the power steering pressure hose.
On certain vehicles, the steering shaft pinch bolt hole may be incorrectly located. As a result, the steering shaft may separate from the steering gear which could lead to a sudden loss of vehicle control and a crash.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if required, replace the steering shaft.
On certain motorcycles, the handlebar clamp bolts may not have received adequate tightening torque during final vehicle assembly. The fitment of the handlebar clamps is a task undertaken by the dealers. Triumph failed to notify dealers of a change in the clamp design which requires a higher torque value. As a result, the handlebar could loosen and cause a loss of vehicle control and a crash.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will apply correct tightening torque to the handlebar clamp bolts.
On certain vehicles equipped with a 2.4L engine, the high pressure power steering hose is routed in a high temperature area, which could cause it to age prematurely and develop a leak. Power steering fluid leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an under hood fire.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the high pressure power steering hose with an updated part that has increased temperature capability.
Certain vehicles may have been built with a power steering hose that is not to specification. Under extreme steering manoeuvres, such as turning the steering wheel fully to the left or right while braking, the hose may fracture and leak fluid. If this were to occur, power steering assist would be lost and increased steering effort would be required. On vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, it could also result in loss of power brake assist and increase braking effort would be required. If power steering fluid were to spray onto hot engine parts, an engine compartment fire could occur.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the power steering hose(s) for two suspect date codes and replace them if required.
On certain vehicles, if the steering wheel is repeatedly turned under conditions where high steering effort and power assist are required, for instance, when fully turning the wheel while the vehicle is stopped, a fatigue crack may develop in the steering relay rod.
On certain vehicles equipped with an 8.1L engine and Hydromax brake system, the power steering hose may come into contact with a portion of the intermediate steering shaft. If the hose contacts the intermediate steering shaft, a hole could be worn in the hose and a loss of hydraulic fluid would occur. If there is a sufficient amount of fluid loss, the driver will hear noise from the power steering pump, the brake warning light and warning tone will activate, and increased effort may be required for steering and braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will reposition the power steering hose. If the steel braiding of the hose is exposed, dealers will replace the hose.
