The problem
On the involved vehicles, the manual steering gears may contain steering gear recirculatory balls that could fracture. This fracturing is a result of improper heat-treatment during manufacture and can eventually cause increased steering effort.
The fix
The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the ball bearings of the steering gear, without charge to owner.
Contacts
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and light trucks.System: steering; steering gear recirculatory balls.Consequences of defect: under continued operation, loss of steering control,loss of vehicle control, and an accident could occur.Note: increased steering efforts will be accompanied by an audible popping orgrinding noise and momentary steering hang-up. If any of these conditions areexperienced, the vehicle should not be operated.
What to do
- Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
- Call a dealer. Any authorized Ford, Mercury dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 77V218000.
- Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
- Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.