TSB 16040 — Ford Service bulletin
16040 is a service bulletin on file with NHTSA for 2 Ford models, 1995–1997 model years. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
What the bulletin says. EXPERIENCING A CLICKING / POPPING NOISE FROM THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN AREA WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA's own summary of the document, quoted from the public manufacturer-communications file.
Vehicles and model years 16040 names
| Vehicle | Model years |
|---|---|
| Ford Explorer | 1995, 1996, 1997 |
| Ford Ranger | 1995, 1996, 1997 |
Every document filed under 16040
| Document ID | Filed | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 16040 | July 1, 2002 | Service bulletin |
What 16040 covers
Steering — the component vocabulary NHTSA files this communication under.
Questions buyers ask
What is TSB 16040?
16040 is a service bulletin filed with NHTSA by Ford, covering 2 Ford models across the 1995–1997 model years. NHTSA's summary reads: EXPERIENCING A CLICKING / POPPING NOISE FROM THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN AREA WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL.
Which vehicles does 16040 cover?
NHTSA's file names Ford Explorer (1995–1997); Ford Ranger (1995–1997). A bulletin number can be re-issued against more vehicles later, so check the model-year list on this page against your own.
Is TSB 16040 a recall, and is the repair free?
No. 16040 is repair guidance the manufacturer sent its dealers, not a safety defect finding. You pay for the work unless the vehicle is still under warranty. Recall repairs, by contrast, are always free.
How do I get the full text of 16040?
Take the document ID to a dealer's service desk, or search NHTSA's manufacturer-communications records. This page carries every document ID filed under 16040, its date, and NHTSA's own summary from the public file.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. This page lists only what NHTSA's manufacturer-communications file records under 16040. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.