Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Motorcraft STG-454 service replacement steering gears manufactured July 1, 2014, to October 17, 2014. These steering gears are for use on 2008-2010 model year F-250 and F-350 vehicles equipped with 6.4L diesel engines. The affected steering gears may not install properly, and as a result, there may be insufficient clamp load on the joints which may cause the steering gear retention bolts to fracture.
Steering gear retention bolt fractures may cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a spacer between the steering gear and the vehicle frame rail to ensure adequate clamp load on the joints, free of charge. The interim notices were mailed on April 22, 2015. A second notice will be mailed to owners when parts become available. A remedy began on July 13, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S08.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.