NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
67 reportsClear category filter30,500 miles · Jan 29, 2009
SteeringSuspension
I HAVE A 2005 F-250 THAT HAS A VIOLENT FRONT END SHAKE AT AROUND 60MPH AFTER HITTING A RUT OR SMALL POTHOLE, PROBLEM DOES NOT GO AWAY UNTIL I SLOW DOWN. TAKEN TO DEALER AND THEY: "INSTALLED UPDATED STEERING DAMPENER AND BRACKET PER 07-10-10 RETORQUED SUSPENSION FASTENERS.... R&R LONG AND SHORT DRAG LINK CHECK TOE RECENTER STEER…
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I HAVE A 2005 F-250 THAT HAS A VIOLENT FRONT END SHAKE AT AROUND 60MPH AFTER HITTING A RUT OR SMALL POTHOLE, PROBLEM DOES NOT GO AWAY UNTIL I SLOW DOWN. TAKEN TO DEALER AND THEY: "INSTALLED UPDATED STEERING DAMPENER AND BRACKET PER 07-10-10 RETORQUED SUSPENSION FASTENERS.... R&R LONG AND SHORT DRAG LINK CHECK TOE RECENTER STEERING WHEEL. THE SAME PROBLEM DEVELOPED SHORTLY AFTER. I WILL BE TAKING TO DEALER AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10256851
52,000 miles · Nov 9, 2008
SteeringSuspension
TSB FRONT END OSCILLATION IIRC. OR AS KNOWN ON THE INTERNET AS THE DEATH WOBBLE (WHICH SEEMS VERY FITTING AS THE TRUCK GOES COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL, IT FEELS AS IF THE WHOLE FRONT END IS COMING APART!)? SEVERE SHAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS OR ON ROUGH ROADS-JUST DRIVING ALONG AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN SEVERE SHAKING OCCURS SO SEVERE THAT…
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TSB FRONT END OSCILLATION IIRC. OR AS KNOWN ON THE INTERNET AS THE DEATH WOBBLE (WHICH SEEMS VERY FITTING AS THE TRUCK GOES COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL, IT FEELS AS IF THE WHOLE FRONT END IS COMING APART!)? SEVERE SHAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS OR ON ROUGH ROADS-JUST DRIVING ALONG AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN SEVERE SHAKING OCCURS SO SEVERE THAT THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, ALMOST LIKE BOTH FRONT TIRES BLOW OUT AT THE SAME TIME, SEVERE STEERING DIFFICULTIES WHEN THIS HAPPENS, IF YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THEN TAKE OFF IT STOPS?INTERMITTENT BUT INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS! HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 2 WEEKS?ONCE ON A GRAVEL ROAD, ONCE ON A ROAD WITH POTHOLES AND ONCE ON RT43 SMOOTH AS GLASS ROAD AT A SPEED OF 65MPH?THIS IS ALWAYS A SUDDEN ONSET- NO WARNING?THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR WHEN WE WERE GOING ON RT43..THIS COULD HAVE KILLED US HAD IT BEEN A TWO LANE ROAD AS WE WERE JUST DOING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 65MPH AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE FRONT END IS ALL OVER THE PLACE AND OUT OF CONTROL! IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL...I HAD THE BRAKES TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS JUMPING ALL OVER THE ROAD, HAD THERE BEEN A CAR BESIDE US WE WOULD HAVE COLLIDED WITH THEM! THIS IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET AS THE DEATH WOBBLE BUT HAD IT NOT HAPPENED TO US WE WOULD NOT KNOW ABOUT IT! THERE SHOULD AT MINIMUM BE A WARNING THIS COULD GET PEOPLE KILLED IF IT IS NOT ADDRESSED...PLEASE, INVESTIGATE THIS ON THE F250 OURS IS A 2005 BUT I HAVE READ THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM! THIS IS A HAZARD! 11-2-08 WAS THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT THE OTHER TWO TIMES HAPPENED WITHIN 2 WEEKS BEFORE! THIS IS A SCARY SITUATION, I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT THERE WEREN'T A LOT OF OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD OR I FEAR THAT I WOULDN'T BE AROUND TO WRITE THIS COMPLAINT...IT IS THIS SEVERE...NO EXAGGERATION! THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10248066
37,000 miles · Nov 1, 2008
Steering
2005 F250 STEERING WOBBLES WHEN HITTING POT HOLES. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4-5 TIMES. WOBBLE IS SO BAD HAD TO PULL OVER TO COMPLETE STOP NEARLY CAUSED AND ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10247419
40,000 miles · Oct 24, 2008
Steering
DRIVING SPEED LIMIT, ON HIGHWAY 241, ROAD BUMP/ASPHALT NEW VS OLD TRANSITION POINT, OTHER TIME MINOR POT HOLE, ONCE WHILE MAKING A RIGHT BANKED TURN ON THE 241, ANOTHER TIME WHILE DRIVING ON 57 WENT OVER A ROAD PATCH. SEVERE FRONT SHAKE UNTIL I STOP, CAUSES CARS AROUND TO DRIVE DEFENSIVELY AND I AM TRYING TO KEEP CONTROL. WIFE…
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DRIVING SPEED LIMIT, ON HIGHWAY 241, ROAD BUMP/ASPHALT NEW VS OLD TRANSITION POINT, OTHER TIME MINOR POT HOLE, ONCE WHILE MAKING A RIGHT BANKED TURN ON THE 241, ANOTHER TIME WHILE DRIVING ON 57 WENT OVER A ROAD PATCH. SEVERE FRONT SHAKE UNTIL I STOP, CAUSES CARS AROUND TO DRIVE DEFENSIVELY AND I AM TRYING TO KEEP CONTROL. WIFE IS AFRAID OF DRIVING TRUCK AND IS CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY, IT IS VERY SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS, THE WHOLE TRUCK SHAKES LIKE A BLOWN TIRE UNTIL I STOP. CHANGED STEERING DAMPENER, ADJ STEERING BOX PLAY, CHECK TIRE PRESSURE. ONLY HAPPENED ONCE SINCE REPAIR, BUT I DRIVE VERY CAUTIOUSLY AND SLOWER THAN MOST TRAFFIC NOW. CAN'T SELL TRUCK BECAUSE I WOULD NOT DO THIS TO SOMEONE ELSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246656
46,000 miles · Sep 29, 2008
SteeringSuspension
WE HAVE CONTINUOUS ISSUES WITH THE SHIMMY AND UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKE IN THE FRONT END OF OUR 2005 F250 SUPER DUTY (GAS). AT SPEEDS OF 55 AND HIGHER, THE TRUCK WILL SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY OFF THE ROAD AT THE SLIGHTEST UNEVEN OR BUMP IN THE ROAD. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALERSHIPS NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE ONLY THING THEY HAVE DONE IS TO RE…
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WE HAVE CONTINUOUS ISSUES WITH THE SHIMMY AND UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKE IN THE FRONT END OF OUR 2005 F250 SUPER DUTY (GAS). AT SPEEDS OF 55 AND HIGHER, THE TRUCK WILL SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY OFF THE ROAD AT THE SLIGHTEST UNEVEN OR BUMP IN THE ROAD. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALERSHIPS NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE ONLY THING THEY HAVE DONE IS TO REPLACE THE DAMPER ASSEMBLY ON JUNE 6TH. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND SEEMS TO BE MORE ERRATIC AND FREQUENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10243840
44,000 miles · Sep 26, 2008
SteeringSuspension
FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY AFTER HITTING POT HOLES OR BUMPS IN THE ROAD. TO THE POINT WHERE A COLLISION IS HIGHLY POSSIBLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10243494
58,000 miles · Sep 3, 2008
SteeringSuspension
I OWN A 2005 SUPER DUTY POWER STROKE AND WHEN I HIT A POT HOLE OR WHEN I'M TAKING A TURN TO THE LEFT FROM 40 MPH TO 50 MPH MY TRUCK GETS THE DEATH WOBBLES UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKES AND GET DOWN TO ABOUT 15-20 MPH. I DON'T EVEN LIKE DRIVING IT CAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. IT'S KIND OF SAD WHEN YOU PAY SO MUCH FOR …
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I OWN A 2005 SUPER DUTY POWER STROKE AND WHEN I HIT A POT HOLE OR WHEN I'M TAKING A TURN TO THE LEFT FROM 40 MPH TO 50 MPH MY TRUCK GETS THE DEATH WOBBLES UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKES AND GET DOWN TO ABOUT 15-20 MPH. I DON'T EVEN LIKE DRIVING IT CAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. IT'S KIND OF SAD WHEN YOU PAY SO MUCH FOR A NICE TRUCK AND YOUR AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I THINK FORD NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL ON THESE TRUCKS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED, IT REALLY IS THAT BAD! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10240851
45,000 miles · Aug 6, 2008
Steering
WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 65MPH FRONT END OF TRUCK BEGINS TO SHAKE AND BECOMES ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER UNTIL SPEED IS REDUCED TO 35MPH (WHICH CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ON A BUSY INTERSTATE) THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED I HAD THE TIRES BALANCED THINKING THAT WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM,BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES SI…
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WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 65MPH FRONT END OF TRUCK BEGINS TO SHAKE AND BECOMES ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER UNTIL SPEED IS REDUCED TO 35MPH (WHICH CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ON A BUSY INTERSTATE) THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED I HAD THE TIRES BALANCED THINKING THAT WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM,BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES SINCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10237304
25,000 miles · Jul 19, 2008
SteeringSuspension
FORD SD F250 4WD - LIKE OTHERS, SEVERE SHIMMY, ESPECIALLY ON EXPANSION JOINTS ON FREEWAYS. CAN AND DOES SPOOK THE DRIVER. SCARY MOMENTS. DEALER CHECKED, AND SAID STEER STABILIZER SHOULD BE REPLACED?? AT 61,000 K - NO WAY. OTHERS ARE SAYING SAME THING, INCLUDING BALL JOINTS BEING WORN OUT??? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10234915
47,000 miles · Jul 10, 2008
SteeringSuspension
WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOVE 50MPH THE FORD 2005 F250 SUPER DUTY BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY TO THE POINT OF LOOSING CONTROL. THEY ONLY WHY TO STOP THE SHAKING IS TO SLOW DOWN IMMEDIATELY AND FORCE ANY FOLLOWING TRAFFIC TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES TOO. THE ITEMS THAT BRING ON THIS SHAKE (OSCILLATION) ARE THE FOLLOWING. THE PROBLE…
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WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOVE 50MPH THE FORD 2005 F250 SUPER DUTY BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY TO THE POINT OF LOOSING CONTROL. THEY ONLY WHY TO STOP THE SHAKING IS TO SLOW DOWN IMMEDIATELY AND FORCE ANY FOLLOWING TRAFFIC TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES TOO. THE ITEMS THAT BRING ON THIS SHAKE (OSCILLATION) ARE THE FOLLOWING. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN: 1. ON A HIGHWAY GOING OVER 50 MPH 2.HIITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD. ONCE A BUMP IS HIT ABOVE 50MPH, THE OSCILLATION (LEFT TO RIGHT) BEGINS. I HAVE BEEN IN SEVERAL INCIDENTS WERE THE CARS BEHIND ME MUST MANEUVER OR STOP AND RISK RUNNING INTO OTHER VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10233773
Official recalls
3Jul 13, 2011
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Jun 10, 2005
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND MAY OR MAY NOT RESTART.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE (FICM) WIRE HARNESS OR REPLACED, AND/OR HAVE A NEW INJECTION CONTROL PRESSURE (ICP)) SENSOR CONNECTOR INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Jun 9, 2005
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND CHASSIS CAB VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L GASOLINE ENGINES, THE FUEL JUMPER LINE MAY HAVE AN INCORRECT END FORM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE FUEL LINE MAY SEPARATE AT THE CONNECTION TO THE MAIN FUEL BUNDLE. IF THE FUEL LINE SEPARATES, AN OPERATOR MAY NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR AND/OR FUEL ON THE GROUND, LOSS OF POWER, AND THE ENGINE WILL EVENTUALLY STALL. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN EXTERNAL RETENTION CLIP AT THE FUEL JUMPER LINE TO THE MAIN FUEL BUNDLE CONNECTION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 20, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA08007 · Violent Front End Oscillation
Opened Mar 14, 2008 · Closed Mar 31, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Suspension:front
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
PE07057 · Violent Front End Oscillation
Opened Nov 15, 2007 · Closed Mar 14, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front
ODI HAS RECEIVED 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND OSCILLATIONS COMMENCING AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.THIRTEEN OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGED DRIVING LANES UNCONTROLLABLY.FOUR OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS.IN ONE CASE THE CONSUMER ALLEGES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE, IT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND A FORD TSB (07-10-10) DESCRIBING THE SUSPENSION SHIMMY ISSUE AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.FORD HAS DESCRIBED SHIMMY AS SELF-EXCITED OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING WHEELS WITH ACCOMPANYING WHEEL TRAMP.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO DETERMINE IF THE SHIMMY CONDITION THAT OCCURS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR STARTLES THE DRIVER, THUS PRESENTING A SAFETY RISK.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
ODI HAS RECEIVED 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND OSCILLATIONS COMMENCING AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.THIRTEEN OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGED DRIVING LANES UNCONTROLLABLY.FOUR OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS.IN ONE CASE THE CONSUMER ALLEGES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE, IT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND A FORD TSB (07-10-10) DESCRIBING THE SUSPENSION SHIMMY ISSUE AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.FORD HAS DESCRIBED SHIMMY AS SELF-EXCITED OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING WHEELS WITH ACCOMPANYING WHEEL TRAMP.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO DETERMINE IF THE SHIMMY CONDITION THAT OCCURS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR STARTLES THE DRIVER, THUS PRESENTING A SAFETY RISK.
Suspension:front
ODI HAS RECEIVED 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND OSCILLATIONS COMMENCING AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.THIRTEEN OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGED DRIVING LANES UNCONTROLLABLY.FOUR OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS.IN ONE CASE THE CONSUMER ALLEGES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE, IT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND A FORD TSB (07-10-10) DESCRIBING THE SUSPENSION SHIMMY ISSUE AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.FORD HAS DESCRIBED SHIMMY AS SELF-EXCITED OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING WHEELS WITH ACCOMPANYING WHEEL TRAMP.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO DETERMINE IF THE SHIMMY CONDITION THAT OCCURS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR STARTLES THE DRIVER, THUS PRESENTING A SAFETY RISK.
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