Investigations
SECTOR SHAFT FRACTURES
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA01009 — closed, opened 2001-03-02 and involving the FORD SUPER DUTY.
NHTSA investigation EA01009 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 2001-03-02 and currently closed. The subject of record is FORD SUPER DUTY, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for FORD. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2003-08-19 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
An Engineering Analysis like EA01009 is the deeper technical phase that follows a PE. NHTSA requests design, warranty, and field-failure data from the manufacturer, conducts its own testing when needed, and determines whether the evidence supports a safety defect finding that would compel a recall.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "THIS EA WAS OPENED BASED ON A RESPONSE RECEIVED FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) SUBMITTED DURING SQ00-018. FORD STATED IN AN INTERNAL SERVICE MESSAGE THAT IT HAD CHANGED THE STEERING GEAR SECTOR SH..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related FORD files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
THIS EA WAS OPENED BASED ON A RESPONSE RECEIVED FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) SUBMITTED DURING SQ00-018. FORD STATED IN AN INTERNAL SERVICE MESSAGE THAT IT HAD CHANGED THE STEERING GEAR SECTOR SHAFTS AND PITMAN ARMS INSTALLED 1999 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES SUPER DUTY VEHICLES ON MARCH 22, 1999. FORD STATED THAT THESE DESIGN CHANGES WERE IMPLEMENTED TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS IN VEHICLE STEERING AND HANDLING, AND THAT VIRTUALLY ALL OF THE REPORTED FRACTURED SECTOR SHAFTS WERE THE RESULT OF EXTRAORDINARY, POSSIBLY MULTIPLE, IMPACTS. AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS ATTACHED.
About This Investigation Type
An Engineering Analysis (EA) is the in-depth phase following a Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA engineers conduct testing, collect data from manufacturers, and perform detailed technical analysis to determine whether a safety defect exists. An EA may lead to a voluntary recall by the manufacturer or, in rare cases, a mandatory recall order.
Other FORD Investigations
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.