Three problems related to steering column have been reported for the 1999 Ford F-150. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Approximately two weeks ago (10/2014) I noticed that the headlights on my 1999 Ford F-150 were not working. A few times once I returned to home I noticed that when I shifted the truck into park, the headlights came on. It did not appear to matter if the high beam or low beam lights were activated. I started to inspect the headlight operation and noticed that when I tilted the steering wheel to it's lowest position, typically it's operating position, the headlights turned off. When I tilted the wheel up slightly to the next position, the headlights would come on. Today, 10/19/2014 I removed the trim around the steering column and noticed that there are two wires that have broken and separated from the wiring harnesses that attach to the turn signal assembly and several contacts that are loose in the upper harness. I have taken photos and a video showing the parts that are loose and or broken. Because these broken wires and contacts are loose and affect the operation of the headlights, I am concerned about the risk of a short or sparks that they could create and without fully operational headlights, the vehicle is not drivable. I am the second owner of the truck and purchased it at around 11,000 miles. The steering column has never been taken apart nor has the trim around the steering column been removed. These wires could be seen moving as the steering wheel was tilted up and down prior to the signal assembly being removed as the headlights turned on and off with the light switch left in the on position.
While shifting from park to drive a bolt fell out of the internal area of the steering column. I put the truck back in what appeared to be park and got out to retrieve the bolt from the floor of the truck, when the truck moved backwards and causing damage to the door and rear quarter panel. The truck was not really in park as it appeared on the the gear selector, it was in reverse. The truck would no longer start in what appeared to be park. Soerens Ford of brookfield, WI. Determined the bolt was a steerage linkage bolt. The bolt sits with the head facing downward and had simply vibrated loose out of the hole because there is nothing locking it in place. Ford has determined that it is an insurance problem because of the body damage and the insurance company is calling a design defect.
Consumer states that while driving at any speed and no warning the steering bolts are lose and it is causing the steering wheel to jump around, making it hard for consumer to steer the vehicle. Dealer notified.