NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Suspension complaints
118 reportsClear category filter25,000 miles · Dec 7, 2011
SteeringSuspension
UPON HITTING A BUMP AT 30 TO 40 MPH , STEERING VEERS FROM SIDE TO SIDE, ALSO KNOWN AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE"VERY UNSETTLING TO SAY THE LEAST,AFTER SOME RESEARCH ONLINE I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT OTHER FORD 4X4 OWNERS HAVE THE SAME THING. I FOUND A COMPANY THAT SAYS THE STEERING GEOMETRY IS WRONG AND HAVE A FIX, WC MOTORSPORTS (508-2…
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UPON HITTING A BUMP AT 30 TO 40 MPH , STEERING VEERS FROM SIDE TO SIDE, ALSO KNOWN AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE"VERY UNSETTLING TO SAY THE LEAST,AFTER SOME RESEARCH ONLINE I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT OTHER FORD 4X4 OWNERS HAVE THE SAME THING. I FOUND A COMPANY THAT SAYS THE STEERING GEOMETRY IS WRONG AND HAVE A FIX, WC MOTORSPORTS (508-203-9450)THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING , MY TRUCK HAS UNDER 40,000 MILES AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG AND FORD HAS BEEN IGNORING FOR YEARS. WHAT DO I DO ?DO YOU WANT TO BUY IT? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10438947
52,500 miles · Nov 15, 2011
SteeringSuspension
BETWEEN SPEEDS OF 40-65MPH TRUCK WILL GO INTO "DEATH WOBBLE" AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE, ROUGH SPOT IN ROAD, OR DIPS ( EX. OVER PASSES, BRIDGES). TRUCK WILL SHAKE VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT ALMOST CAUSING A WRECK. ONCE THIS HAPPENS I HAVE TO LET OFF GAS APPLY BRAKE SLOWLY TILL TRUCK STOPS THE SHAKING. TRAFFIC BEHIND ME HAS TO …
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BETWEEN SPEEDS OF 40-65MPH TRUCK WILL GO INTO "DEATH WOBBLE" AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE, ROUGH SPOT IN ROAD, OR DIPS ( EX. OVER PASSES, BRIDGES). TRUCK WILL SHAKE VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT ALMOST CAUSING A WRECK. ONCE THIS HAPPENS I HAVE TO LET OFF GAS APPLY BRAKE SLOWLY TILL TRUCK STOPS THE SHAKING. TRAFFIC BEHIND ME HAS TO BRAKE, ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENTS, NOT TO MENTION HOW HARD IT IS TO CONTROL THE TRUCK WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I HAVE ALMOST HAD A WRECK EVERY TIME THIS HAD OCCURRED. FIRST STARTED WHEN I BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN FEB. 2010 WITH 52,500 MILES. STILL HAPPENS TO THIS DAY AFTER REPLACING FRONT END PARTS, TRUCK NOW HAS 68K MILES. I'VE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING, NOT TO MENTION IT IS ONGOING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10435978
69,000 miles · Jun 25, 2011
Suspension
2005 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY, 69,000 MILES. TRAVELING APPROX 65 MPH, HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE HIGHWAY AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION STARTED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. I VERY NEARLY LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. THIS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE, BUT HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS CORRECT AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST INCIDENT, …
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2005 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY, 69,000 MILES. TRAVELING APPROX 65 MPH, HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE HIGHWAY AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION STARTED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. I VERY NEARLY LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. THIS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE, BUT HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS CORRECT AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST INCIDENT, THE TIRES WERE BALANCED AND THE LUG NUTS WERE TORQUED TO FORD SPECS. REPLACED FRONT STEERING DAMPER, DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. TALKED TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF A SIMILAR PROBLEM. AFTER A FEW HOURS RESEARCH ONLINE, THIS PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED AND FREQUENT WITH THE FORD SUPER DUTY LINE FROM 05"-08". IT SEEMS TO BE AN ENGINEERING DEFECT AND FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT IT DOES APPEAR THAT FORD HAS OFFERED ANY REMEDIES. THE NHTSA ALSO KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM. I VIEWED FOUR NHTSA VIDEOS THAT DEMONSTRATED THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM THAT I AM EXPERIENCING WITH MY TRUCK. I HAVE FOUND NO ACTION ON THE PART OF THE NHTSA. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10408904
93,000 miles · Jun 20, 2011
Suspension
2005 FORD F-250 SUPER CAB SUPER DUTY WOBBLE DANGEROUSLY WHEN DRIVING OVER THE SLIGHTEST RIPPLE OR BUMP IN THE ROAD OVER 50 MPH. EXTREMELY HARD TO CONTROL AND HARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FRONT TIRES ARE SO OUT OF CONTROL AND WOBBLING. THE WHOLE TRUCK IS LIKE IT IS IN AN EARTHQUAK, WINDSHIELD CRACKS AND CUP HOLDERS FELL OUT.…
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2005 FORD F-250 SUPER CAB SUPER DUTY WOBBLE DANGEROUSLY WHEN DRIVING OVER THE SLIGHTEST RIPPLE OR BUMP IN THE ROAD OVER 50 MPH. EXTREMELY HARD TO CONTROL AND HARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FRONT TIRES ARE SO OUT OF CONTROL AND WOBBLING. THE WHOLE TRUCK IS LIKE IT IS IN AN EARTHQUAK, WINDSHIELD CRACKS AND CUP HOLDERS FELL OUT. **TT
NHTSA ODI #10407652
52,000 miles · Oct 30, 2010
Suspension
I HAVE HAD 3 INCIDENTS OF WHAT I HAVE FOUND TO BE CALLED THE "DEATH WOBBLE" IN MY 2005 F-250 4 DOOR CREW CAB 4 WHEEL DRIVE PICK UP TRUCK WHERE THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE GOES INTO A VIOLENT BOUNCING AND SHUDDERING AFTER PASSING OVER A BRIDGE JOINT OR SIMILAR UNEVEN SPOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE TRAVELING APPROX. 65 MPH. THIS RESUL…
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I HAVE HAD 3 INCIDENTS OF WHAT I HAVE FOUND TO BE CALLED THE "DEATH WOBBLE" IN MY 2005 F-250 4 DOOR CREW CAB 4 WHEEL DRIVE PICK UP TRUCK WHERE THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE GOES INTO A VIOLENT BOUNCING AND SHUDDERING AFTER PASSING OVER A BRIDGE JOINT OR SIMILAR UNEVEN SPOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE TRAVELING APPROX. 65 MPH. THIS RESULTED IN A NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL AND COULD NOT BE STOPPED UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO SLOW TO APPROX. 35MPH. THIS CAUSED A NEAR COLLISION WITH A VEHICLE ALONGSIDE ME AS WELL AS A NEAR REAR ENDING FROM THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME AS I HAD TO SLOW TO 35MPH IN THE HIGH SPEED LANE. EACH TIME THIS OCCURRED I HAD MY 2 YOUNG DAUGHTERS IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME. I HAVE READ THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRACK BAR BEING AT AN IMPROPER ANGLE TO THE DRAG LINK? I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH MANY YEAR MODEL FORDS AND THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR AN AFTERMARKET FIX AS I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHICH COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10363004
39,600 miles · Oct 28, 2010
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SUPERDUTY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH OVER A SLIGHT BUMP, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE. THE CONTACT APPLIED HEAVY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE SHAKING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED; THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SUPERDUTY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH OVER A SLIGHT BUMP, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE. THE CONTACT APPLIED HEAVY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE SHAKING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED; THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 39,600.
NHTSA ODI #10362825
31,000 miles · Oct 14, 2010
Suspension
ON MY 2005 FORD F250 SUPERDUTY TRUCK WITH ONLY 31000 MILES, THE FOUR CAB ENERGY SUSPENSION MOUNTS ARE DETERIORATING. ONE LOWER PART OF THE REAR DRIVER SIDE MOUNT IS GONE CAUSING THE CAB TO BOUNCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10360446
45,000 miles · Sep 15, 2010
Suspension
I OWN A FORD 2005 CREW CAB SUPER DUTY, THE VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY THROUGH THE FRONT END, HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO FORD DEALERSHIP FOR "REPAIR" BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10355849
90,000 miles · Aug 5, 2010
SteeringSuspension
DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS , THE TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY AFTER HITTING A BUMP . THE ISSUE IS COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS A DEATH WOBBLE . YOU SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 45 MPH OR SLOWER & IT STOPS . YOU CAN THEN RESUME YOUR TRIP . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10347435
71,200 miles · Jul 31, 2010
Suspension
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A FORD 2005 F250 SUPER DUTY TRUCK. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, I HIT AN UNEVEN SPOT ON THE ROAD THAT CAUSED THE FRONT END TO WOBBLE VIOLENTLY. I FELT I COULD NOT CONTROL THE TRUCK AND HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS NEARBY. WHEN THE TRUCK REACHED APPROXIMATEL…
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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A FORD 2005 F250 SUPER DUTY TRUCK. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, I HIT AN UNEVEN SPOT ON THE ROAD THAT CAUSED THE FRONT END TO WOBBLE VIOLENTLY. I FELT I COULD NOT CONTROL THE TRUCK AND HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS NEARBY. WHEN THE TRUCK REACHED APPROXIMATELY 30 - 35 MPH, THE WOBBLE CEASED. ON MY WAY BACK HOME, THE WOBBLE OCCURRED AGAIN. THIS TIME I WAS TRAVELING AT 60 - 65 MPH AND HIT ANOTHER ROUGH SPOT ON THE ROAD. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR A WHILE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS EXAMPLES FROM OTHER F250 AND F350 OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT CAN BE FOUND ON THE INTERNET. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND BLAMES THE WOBBLE ON UNDERFLATED TIRES. THE WOBBLE OCCURS ON PROPERLY INFLATED TIRES ALSO AS DETAILED BY OTHER TRUCK OWNERS. BUT EVEN IF THE TRUCK'S TIRES ARE UNDER INFLATED, A VIOLENT WOBBLE SHOULD NOT OCCUR. MANY OTHER VEHICLES ARE IN USE WITH UNDER INFLATED TIRES, YOU DON'T HEAR OF A VIOLENT WOBBLE AFTER ENCOUNTERING A POT HOLE OR AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10346501
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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