The problem
On certain chassis cab trucks, the steering gear May have some gears with a gear piston that was assembled with an incorrect re-circulating ball tube retainer. An incorrect retainer May result in an improperly retained re-circulating ball tube, which May not keep the re-circulating balls in place during steering gear actuation.
The risk
If the re-circulating balls become dislodged a vehicle operator May notice noise and increased steering efforts that May eventually progress to impaired steering or potential loss of steering which could result in a crash.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the steering gear for a specific date code and replace if necessary free of charge. The recall began on April 4, 2005. Owners May contact at 1-800-392-3673.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 05V-135 (05V135000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 05S30 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Steering › Gear box › Shaft pitman |
| Report date | April 6, 2005 |
| Owners notified | April 6, 2005 |
| Vehicles affected | 481 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the steering
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 05V-135 repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will inspect the steering gear for a specific date code and replace if necessary free of charge. The recall began on April 4, 2005. Owners May contact at 1-800-392-3673.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 481 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.