NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Suspension complaints
118 reportsClear category filter20,000 miles · Jul 8, 2010
Suspension
MY 2005 FORD F-250 PICKUP TRUCK HAS A VIOLENT FRONT END SHAKE WHEN IT HITS EVEN A NORMAL SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD TRAVELING AT SAFE HIGHWAY SPEED. THE TRUCK NOW HAS ONLY 20,000 MILES ON IT, BUT IT HAS DONE THIS SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW. IT IS DEALER MAINTAINED AND THE TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED AND FILLED TO CORRECT PRESSURE APROX. EV…
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MY 2005 FORD F-250 PICKUP TRUCK HAS A VIOLENT FRONT END SHAKE WHEN IT HITS EVEN A NORMAL SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD TRAVELING AT SAFE HIGHWAY SPEED. THE TRUCK NOW HAS ONLY 20,000 MILES ON IT, BUT IT HAS DONE THIS SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW. IT IS DEALER MAINTAINED AND THE TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED AND FILLED TO CORRECT PRESSURE APROX. EVERY 5,000 MILES. FORD SAYS IT IS DUE TO IMPROPER TIRE PRESSURE. HOWEVER, THEY ARE THE ONES WHO FILLED THE TIRES TO THE CORRECT PRESSURE. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BEFORE AND HAVE BEEN GIVEN LAME EXCUSES BY BOTH THE NHTSA AND FORD. PLEASE LET ME SAY THIS AGAIN. THIS IS NOT A SHAKE IN THE FRONT END. THIS IS A VERY VIOLENT REACTION WHEN THE TRUCK HITS A BUMP. THE TRUCK MUST ALMOST BE BROUGHT TO A STOP IN ORDER TO STOP THE TRUCK FROM SHAKING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS ON A HIGHWAY IT BECOMES VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE CARS FOLLOWING MUST JAM ON THEIR BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP FROM REAR ENDING THE TRUCK. THE FRONT END SHAKES SO VIOLENTLY THAT IT IS HARD TO HOLD ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL. ANYONE DRIVING ALONGSIDE OR BEHIND THE TRUCK IS IN DANGER WHEN THIS OCCURS. I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING WITH THE F-250. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED OR TAKEN LIGHTLY. SOMEONE WILL EVENTUALLY DIE OR BE SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO THIS DEFECT. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE IT IS TO LATE. THIS IS AS DANGEROUS AS THE STICKING ACCELERATOR PROBLEM. I AM A 58 YEAR OLD MAN WITH A VERY SAFE DRIVING RECORD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10341943
126,823 miles · Jul 4, 2010
Suspension
FRONT SHAKES VIOLENTLY AT TIMES ON MY 2005 FORD F-250. FEELS LIKE THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK IS SHAKING APART. THE ONLY WAY I HAVE FOUND TO STOP IT IS TO DRASTICALLY SLOW DOWN MY TRUCK, WHICH IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD WHEN OTHER VEHICLES ARE FOLLOWING BEHIND ME. I SOMETIMES HAVE TO SLOW FROM 55 MPH TO 35 MPH. UPDATED 07/08/…
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FRONT SHAKES VIOLENTLY AT TIMES ON MY 2005 FORD F-250. FEELS LIKE THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK IS SHAKING APART. THE ONLY WAY I HAVE FOUND TO STOP IT IS TO DRASTICALLY SLOW DOWN MY TRUCK, WHICH IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD WHEN OTHER VEHICLES ARE FOLLOWING BEHIND ME. I SOMETIMES HAVE TO SLOW FROM 55 MPH TO 35 MPH. UPDATED 07/08/10 *BF UPDATED 07/09/10.*JB *TR
NHTSA ODI #10341408
25,000 miles · May 24, 2010
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH OVER A ROUGH PATCH ON THE ROAD, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND VIBRATED AND SEEMED AS IF IT WOULD LOSE CONTROL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND ALWAYS OCCURRED ON DRY PAVEMENT. THE VEHICLE WOULD FUNCTIO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH OVER A ROUGH PATCH ON THE ROAD, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND VIBRATED AND SEEMED AS IF IT WOULD LOSE CONTROL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND ALWAYS OCCURRED ON DRY PAVEMENT. THE VEHICLE WOULD FUNCTION NORMALLY IF IT WAS SLOWED TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,500.
NHTSA ODI #10332021
65,700 miles · Apr 30, 2010
SteeringSuspension
EXPERIENCED STEERING SHIMMY AT HIGHWAY DRIVING SPEEDS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE PULLING A TRAVEL TRAILER AND WHILE NOT PULLING A TRAILER. RESULTS IN VIOLENT VIBRATION OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TO THE POINT OF BEING DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10328184
100 miles · Apr 8, 2010
SteeringSuspension
I HAVE A FORD F-250 PICK UP. SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW, IT HAS HAD A HARD SUSPENSION. I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE IT WAS BEEFIER THAN THE F-150S I HAVE DRIVEN ALL MY LIFE. THE 250 HOWEVER, WILL SHIMMY AND VIBRATE UNCONTROLLABLY AFTER GOING OVER A BUMP OR HIGHWAY SEAM AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50 AND 75 MILES PER HOUR. THE DEALER …
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I HAVE A FORD F-250 PICK UP. SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW, IT HAS HAD A HARD SUSPENSION. I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE IT WAS BEEFIER THAN THE F-150S I HAVE DRIVEN ALL MY LIFE. THE 250 HOWEVER, WILL SHIMMY AND VIBRATE UNCONTROLLABLY AFTER GOING OVER A BUMP OR HIGHWAY SEAM AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50 AND 75 MILES PER HOUR. THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL AND FORD SENT A LETTER SAYING IT MAY BE THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES. IT IS NEITHER. THIS TRUCK IS HIGHLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE.*TR
NHTSA ODI #10324426
20,000 miles · Apr 7, 2010
Suspension
2005 FORD F-250 CREW CAB 4X4, V-10, 56000 MILES. FRONT SUSPENSION WOBBLES AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN HITTING POTHOLES OR ANY SORT OF GOOD BUMP AT SPEEDS 30 MPH AND ABOVE. NEW LARGER TIRES, 265/75/17 ONLY AMPLIFIES THIS PROBLEM TO AN UNCONTROLLABLE STATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 65+. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS, IT FEELS LIKE I …
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2005 FORD F-250 CREW CAB 4X4, V-10, 56000 MILES. FRONT SUSPENSION WOBBLES AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN HITTING POTHOLES OR ANY SORT OF GOOD BUMP AT SPEEDS 30 MPH AND ABOVE. NEW LARGER TIRES, 265/75/17 ONLY AMPLIFIES THIS PROBLEM TO AN UNCONTROLLABLE STATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 65+. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS, IT FEELS LIKE I AM DRIVING DOWN A WASHBOARD DIRT ROAD AT HIGH SPEED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL SHUTTERING UNCONTROLLABLY. I NEED TO SLOW THE TRUCK DOWN TO 50 OR SO JUST TO GET CONTROL BACK. TIRE PRESSURES ARE AT RECOMMENDED SPECS. WHEN DRIVING UNDER CONTROL AND STRAIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A LOT OF SLOP LEFT TO RIGHT. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW IN FEB 05 AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10324392
80,000 miles · Mar 26, 2010
Suspension
2005 F250 4X4 SUPER CREW BOUNCES VIOLANTLY WHILE DRIVING, HAPPENS FREQUANTLY, GOING TO TAKE IT TO FORD, BASED ON FORUMS,LOOKS TO BE A PROBLEM FOR MORE PEOPLE THAN JUST ME.
NHTSA ODI #10322246
30,000 miles · Mar 14, 2010
SteeringSuspension
2005 F250 4X4 SUPERDUTY 5.4L CREW CAB, HAS VERY DANGEROUS FRONT WHEEL BOUNCE ON HIGHWAY OR NEAR HIGHWAY SPEEDS(50-70)MPH, THE TRUCK WAS IN STOCK CONFIGURATION WHEN THIS STARTED, APPROX. 26,000 MILES HAVE SINCE PUT LIFT KIT ON TRUCK AND HAS HELPED BUT THE BOUNCE TENDENCY IS STILL THERE.LARGER WHEELS AND TIRES HAVE HELPED OUT LOT,…
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2005 F250 4X4 SUPERDUTY 5.4L CREW CAB, HAS VERY DANGEROUS FRONT WHEEL BOUNCE ON HIGHWAY OR NEAR HIGHWAY SPEEDS(50-70)MPH, THE TRUCK WAS IN STOCK CONFIGURATION WHEN THIS STARTED, APPROX. 26,000 MILES HAVE SINCE PUT LIFT KIT ON TRUCK AND HAS HELPED BUT THE BOUNCE TENDENCY IS STILL THERE.LARGER WHEELS AND TIRES HAVE HELPED OUT LOT, WITH THE FACTORY WHEELS/TIRES ON ITS A FOR SURE THING WHEN ON HIGHWAY AND COME ACROSS SERIES OF BUMPS OR A POTHOLE. I AVOID THE HIGHWAY WHEN POSSIBLE DUE TO THE VERY VIOLENT BOUNCE WHEN THIS OCCURS, PLEASE HAVE FORD FIX THIS PROBLEM. SELLING THIS TRUCK WILL NOT FIX PROBLEM, AND I HAVE TRIED DEALER SUGGESTIONS I.E AIR PRESSURE, ALIGNMENT... WAITING FOR FORD TO CORRECT THIS WITH RECALL, BUT NONE THAT I'M AWARE OF, WILL DEATH TO A MOTORIST PROMPT RECALL? I HOPE NOT, THANK YOU *TR
NHTSA ODI #10319537
60,000 miles · Feb 21, 2010
Suspension
NEAR COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING AT 55-60 MILES AN HOUR ON FLAT FREEWAY. SMALL BUMP SENT TRUCK INTO SHUTTERING WOBBLE. NO STEERING ALMOST NO BRAKES TOOK SEVERAL HUNDRED YARDS TO SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 10-15 MPH AND REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10312542
85,000 miles · Feb 9, 2010
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F250. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. HE ALSO BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A VIOLENT FRONT END SHAKING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF OVER 10 MPH WHEN DRIVING OVER MINIMAL BUMPS IN THE ROAD AND UNEVEN SURFACES. THE FORD DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE AN ALIGNMENT PERFOR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F250. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. HE ALSO BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A VIOLENT FRONT END SHAKING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF OVER 10 MPH WHEN DRIVING OVER MINIMAL BUMPS IN THE ROAD AND UNEVEN SURFACES. THE FORD DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE AN ALIGNMENT PERFORMED AND TO ROTATE HIS TIRES WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. HE ALSO HAD SHOCKS INSTALLED IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THERE WERE NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 85,000. UPDATED 3/10/10 *CN UPDATED 06/04/10*JB
NHTSA ODI #10307928
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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