1st Feb 2006, 15:20
I have the 1.4 Fiesta Zetec, luckily for me I bought the car when it was 3 years old and they threw a years warranty in with the car! At 24,100 miles the groaning started so I took it to the Ford Service Center who have ordered the new steering rack.
2nd Feb 2006, 03:41
Where was the leak? Eg, If you parked the car and checked underneath. Was the leak towards the front? My 1.6 fiesta 2003 is leaking a red clean liquid... Power steering fluid. How neccessary is it to replace the steering rack in the scenario? CLayton, JHB South Africa.
10th Mar 2006, 13:12
My 1.4LX Fiesta has also now been diagnosed as requiring a new steering rack, its 6 months out of warranty and only done 21,000 miles. It possibly also requires the power-steering pump changed, but I'll find out in the next few days.
It had a major service and MOT only 2 months ago and the report indicates that the system was checked and no leaks found, I'll no doubt be investigating this issue. Apart from this issue its been fine.
5th Jun 2006, 13:45
My 1.4 LX 2002 (02) fiesta was diagnosed with this problem at the end of 2005. Ford told me I needed a new steering rack at a cost of about £550. I told them that was ridiculous as I couldn't afford it and the car was only 1 month out of warranty. They agreed to pay 45% of the bill, but it still cost me over £300.
I'm very happy with the car now, apart from a belt noise/squeak that it's developed - anyone else have this problem? It's going in to be checked out later this week - hopefully it won't be another expensive job!!
17th Jun 2006, 11:53
I have a 52 reg 1.4 turbo diesel fiesta. Noisy power steering lead me to check the fluid level and found the level was below minimum. It is leaking from the rack which acording to my local Ford dealer is a common fault on the "New Shape" Fiesta.
19th Jul 2006, 05:42
19th July 2006 Noon.
I was directed to this site from Fiesta Owners GB forum where I posted a comment about my 2002 Fiesta 1.4LX.
After only 36000 miles it started leaking steering fluid.
Ford dealer from whom I bought it from new, and has regularly serviced it, diagnosed a leaking steering pump. They wanted to replace the pump, and to be safe, the steering rack as well. Total cost over £1000.
I got them to agree to change the seal in the pump (£12) + labour = £200.
This was probably not necessary as unfortunately, the fluid is still leaking.
New rack diagnosed.
This is definitely a common problem, but Ford will not have any of it.
I am told by people who know better than me that the fault lies with the rubber gaiters being too big, allowing the ingress of water, that rusts the inner rack, and presumably perishes the seals – these cannot be replaced alone.
I want to use these reports to draw this conclusive manufacturing defect to the attention of Ford.
Do any of you object to me using your reports?
23rd Jul 2007, 11:12
I have a 52 reg fiesta and have just been told that it needs a new steering rack / pump at a cost of £720.96.
I have looked on another website and noted that there were a lot of other fiesta owners struggling with the same problem.
I have just got off the phone to Ford Customer "care" centre and they say that there is no such common problem and it is just because it is quite old. The car is four years old.
A lot of the owners on the other website have contacted Watchdog. Ford really need to be made aware of how strongly we feel about them pretending this problem doesn't exist.
7th Apr 2008, 00:02
I had the same problem, the car was 1 month over 5 years old. We put the car in for an M.O.T and to see what the problem was, the Ford main dealer rang us back and told us what the problem was and how much is what going to cost (around £800) I was speechless, the mileage on the car was under 20,000, so me to the car had not done the mileage and wasn't the age you would expect that sort of repair to be needed, Ford customer service didn't want to know and even put the phone down when I told them that hundreds of people had this same problem and I felt it needed investigation.
21st Apr 2008, 13:55
I have a 2002 Fiesta (a Netherlands version of the First Edition) and I, too, have the leaking steering issue. It's been leaking for over a year now and I'm sure it's going to be the rack and the pump, but I'm not about to stick 1300 euros into it (I've owned the car from the beginning). Right now though, I'm just topping the reservoir up every 600 km or so).
I'm going to check the Dutch car boards and see if there are any real discussions concerning this problem, and moreover, see if they're taking any group action.
Clearly, this is more than a few cars having problems...
2nd Aug 2009, 12:07
I have a 52 plate Fiesta LX with a leak coming from the power steering also. The power steering has been groaning for a while, and I too have just been topping up the reservoir every so often. However, this won't work anymore and I have noticed massive oily patches on my front drive! I have been told that the pump needs replacing, something I cannot really afford. Having read the comments above, I am worried that the rack will need replacing too.
I have had unending problems with this car, I have owned in less than three years and have had to have the ignition coil replaced three times and the leads replaced twice. The trim is constantly falling off also, hardly surprising when Ford only glue it on! I will never buy a Ford again.
9th Jun 2010, 09:14
I have a 52 plate Ford Fiesta (41000 miles) and have had the same problem!! It started with a groaning noise, so I topped up the fluid. It keeps happening, so I have taken it to a garage today and they have said I need a new steering rack. Not sure how much it will cost though. The mechanic told me that he has seen this many times on this shape Fiesta...
26th Oct 2010, 07:52
Same problem here - 2002 Fiesta, leaking steering rack. I'm still topping up with fluid every so often. Ford quoted £1000+ to replace steering rack and pump.
5th Nov 2010, 17:11
Hi, can anyone help me please? I have a 2002 mk6 Fiesta LX, and have had the same problem. Which steering rack do I need? There are two types, 2 3/4 turns (lock to lock) or 3 1/3 turns (lock to lock)?
Thanks.
6th Feb 2011, 03:52
A lot of the smaller parts on the Ford Fiesta don't last long; this really concerns me because all the parts are so expensive, and this does not make it a good car anymore. I recently replaced a coil pack, which cost me R800 bucks, and what I have seen so far, I'm going to replace the steering rack as well.
4th Apr 2011, 10:54
I have got an 02 Fiesta Ghia.
It's leaking steering fluid, where it is going I have no idea. I'm very concerned on how much it will cost to repair. It's going into a Ford garage where my brother in law works. I'm dreading what he finds!
11th Mar 2012, 14:31
I have a Fiesta 1.4 petrol Zetec, and although it's almost 88000 miles, I am still on the same steering rack, although it's not leaking power steering fluid (I did change power steering pump approx 9 months ago). I think in next year I might just change the steering rack, as I intend to keep the car, and now and again the steering does get a bit heavier to use.
Front shocks & springs, wishbone, drop links and tracking has been done, so it can't be linked to that.
28th Apr 2012, 02:25
Hi there... I'm from Meyerton/JHB South Africa.
I recently bought a 2005 model Fiesta. As soon as I lock the wheels to the left or right, I hear a "squeaking" noise. After taking off the wheels, I noticed that it's the belt that slips. Can you give me some advice on how to adjust the tension please! Thanks a lot... Ashlay 073 389 0511.
31st Jan 2006, 10:30
I have a fiesta 1.4 zetec, which is three years old. It has just had to have its power steering pump replaced and now I have found out that it also requires replacement of the steering rack.