Upon starting vehicle there is a constant banging noise. Took to dealer and dealer states vehicle spun a rod, and cause coolant to get in oil and engine.

- Orange Beach, AL, USA

Consumer states tie rods broke while driving causing wheel to move erratically. Consumer not able to keep control of vehicle. This is the 2nd time incident has occurred in 1 year. The first time occurred at 40K miles.

- Cortland, NY, USA

While driving 15mph tie rod: Inner broke off, causing loss of control.

- Tobyhanna, PA, USA

Tie rod end broke in two while backing out of a parking space. Dealer and factory both refuse to acknowledge the seriousness of the failure, and they imply that because I did not go to the dealership for oil changes, I should not expect any further assistance or investigation on the matter. I consider it extremely fortunate that the failure was in a parking lot, had it been on the highway there could have been serious injury to myself and other innocent parties.

- Schaumburg, IL, USA

Another tie rod was faulty, only the boot was holding stud to the tie rod.

- Hibbing, MN, USA

While turning into driveway, left tie rod broke off and caused tire to turn outwards.

- Phillipsburg, NJ, USA

While driving 55-60 mph front end started shaking, there was a noise and vehicle dropped on right front. Dealer determined that right tie rod had broken. On 6 June 2001 the left tie rod broke again.

- Churchville, NY, USA

While driving in reverse, left outer tie rod separated from vehicle, causing loss of control.

- Bath, MI, USA

While trying to get out of a parking lot, the left tie rod ends fell off from vehicle. All the tie rods were replaced by the consumer who wants refunded from the manufacturer. The consumer believes the premature failure of the tie rod was due to defective parts.

- Wakeman, OH, USA

Front suspension is a "sealed ball/socket system" supposedly needing no grease. The tie rod driver's side/inner just popped off at low speed. It was determined that the socket was dry causing excessive wear/corrosion on the joint. Was also told that the pittman arm is also dry and in need of grease - actually, replacement, now. I am continually assured by Ford service dept., that the truck does not need to have grease added as it has a "sealed ball and socket joint system" these parts should be mandated to have grease fittings for preventative maintenance capabilities. ****hubs**** design flaw with the diameter of the hubs in relation to the wheel/rotors, etc., on the 1997 trucks, the diameter of the hubs did not allow for even a minor amount of normal corrosion. This results in the mechanic's inability to remove the hub for service without damaging the hub assy. (there is no "lip" or difference of diameter to tap he edge of the hub assy to remove it from the wheel assy. This happened on the truck when it was less than 1 year old and had not been exposed to salt water/air.

- Northville, MI, USA

While driving vehicle began to vibrate, consumer got out of the vehicle but could not see anything, consumer then proceeded to drive about 5mph when the vehicle began to vibrate again, plus there was a squeaking noise, vehicle was taken into a mechanic, and consumer was informed that the tie rod end on the drivers side had fallen out of position.

- St Leolin N.B., CD, USA

While driving 55 mph and without prior warning left front tie rod end broke, causing loss of vehicle control. No collision or injuries occurred.

- Albany, NY, USA

Tie rod end on left front broke, while vehicle was parked, dealer notified and unwilling to assist in this matter. Consumer states as he was parking in the parking lot, the tie rod end came apart, no prior warning.

- Auburn, MA, USA

Front tie rod end broke off. Vehicle was parked, but if consumer was driving, there could have been a serious accident.

- Lawton, OK, USA

While backing up left/ upper tie rod popped out of socket, and vehicle had no steering, consumer felt this was a manufacturing defect.

- Winnipegi, CD, USA

Front right inner tie rod rusted, and felt vehcle operating poorly while making a right hand turn. Dealer has been contacted.

- Detroit, MI, USA

Inner tie rod fell off while consumer was in park postion, causing a complete loss of control. There was no indication or prior warning.

- Bemidji, MN, USA

I was pulling out of my driveway, horse trailer attached to the truck when the tie rod broke. Is this a defect in manufacturing? why would Ford manufacturing make parts such as tie rods non greasable, thus breakable. I could have been killed if this had happened one minute later.

- Chesterland, OH, USA

While traveling on the road at 20 mph vehicle lost control due to a tie rod end failure. Dealer / manufacturer notified. Provide further details.

- Merrill, WI, USA

While traveling on highway noticed loss of steering. Dealer stated that inner tie rod broke. A second tie rod end was found to be worn and was replaced also.

- Delhi, NY, USA