NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Suspension complaints
118 reportsClear category filter17,000 miles · Aug 15, 2008
Suspension
2005 F-250 SHORT BED 4X4 SUPER DUTY 5.4 V-8. TRUCK SHAKES OUT OF CONTROL AT HIGH SPEED WHEN ROUGH ROADWAY IS PRESENT. HAS DONE THIS SINCE 18,000 MILES AND GETS WORSE WITH AGE. FORD REFUSES TO FIND THE PROBLEM, AS THEY ONLY DRIVE TRUCK AROUND TOWN. HAVE ASK THEM TO TAKE ONTO INTERSTATE, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE TIME ! FORD REPLACED TH…
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2005 F-250 SHORT BED 4X4 SUPER DUTY 5.4 V-8. TRUCK SHAKES OUT OF CONTROL AT HIGH SPEED WHEN ROUGH ROADWAY IS PRESENT. HAS DONE THIS SINCE 18,000 MILES AND GETS WORSE WITH AGE. FORD REFUSES TO FIND THE PROBLEM, AS THEY ONLY DRIVE TRUCK AROUND TOWN. HAVE ASK THEM TO TAKE ONTO INTERSTATE, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE TIME ! FORD REPLACED THE DAMPER AT 34,000, HELPED, BUT DID NOT FIX! HAVE HAD MY FRONT END MAN LOOK AT FRONT END, AND HE COULD ONLY FIND SLACK IN THE STEERING GEAR BOX, BUT THAT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM EITHER. THIS TRUCK IS UNSAFE AND FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FIX THE ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED! THE LAST TIME IT DID IT I HAD MY 5TH WHEEL TRAILER BEHIND ME AND IT TOOK ME ACROSS 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC INTO THE MEDIAN, AND SCARED ME TO DEATH, TO THE POINT I AM SELLING THE 5TH WHEEL AND TRUCK AS IT IS JUNK, AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AFTER BEING A FORD MAN FOR OVER 35 YEARS. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VIOLENT SHAKING IS TO SLAM BRAKES ON AND REDUCE SPEED TO UNDER 35 MPH. I HAVE PUT UP WITH THE PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME AS THE TRUCK NOW HAS 61,000 MILES ON IT! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10238374
55,000 miles · Aug 14, 2008
Suspension
WHEN TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY FROM SPEEDS RANGING FROM 50-70 MPH IF UNEVEN ROAD IN ENCOUNTERED (POTHOLES, ROUGH ROADS, OBJECTS IN ROAD..ETC) VEHICLE GOES INTO VIOLENT FRONTEND SHAKE. WHEN THIS SHAKING OCCURS IT IS AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO NOT ONLY PERSONS IN VEHICLE BUT IN ANY VEHICLES SURROUNDING OUR OWN. REDUCING SPEED AND BRAKI…
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WHEN TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY FROM SPEEDS RANGING FROM 50-70 MPH IF UNEVEN ROAD IN ENCOUNTERED (POTHOLES, ROUGH ROADS, OBJECTS IN ROAD..ETC) VEHICLE GOES INTO VIOLENT FRONTEND SHAKE. WHEN THIS SHAKING OCCURS IT IS AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO NOT ONLY PERSONS IN VEHICLE BUT IN ANY VEHICLES SURROUNDING OUR OWN. REDUCING SPEED AND BRAKING IS THE ONLY WAY TO REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10238120
32,000 miles · Jul 22, 2008
Suspension
FORD F250 FRONT END SHAKING WHEN YOU HIT ROUGH SPOT ON FREEWAY AT 65 MPH IT 2005 F250. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10235348
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
45,000 miles · Jul 9, 2008
Suspension
MY FORD F 250 TRUCK SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE FRONT SUSPENSION IS UPSET ON HIGHWAY. NORMALLY OCCURS AT OR ABOVE 65 MPH, THE WAY TO RE-GAIN CONTROL IS SLOW CONSIDERABLY. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH FACTORY AND REPLACEMENT TIRES. FORD STATED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM, BUT THAT IT DOESN'T WARRANT A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10233662
93,000 miles · Jun 18, 2008
Suspension
2005 FORD F-250 TRUCK FRONT END WOBBLE. HAS DONE IT SINCE ABOUT 20,000 MILES. DRIVING 55+ MILES PER HOUR, TURNING TO THE LEFT, FRONT END AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10231489
39,000 miles · Jun 9, 2008
Suspension
2005 FORD F250 4X4, 4 DOOR, AUTO, 5.4L GAS, APPROX. 39K MI. TRAVELING AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SPEED, IN A SWEEPING LEFT HAND CURVE, CROSSING ROUGH PAVEMENT, A SEVERE STEERING WHEEL SHAKE AND FRONT WHEEL SHIMMY COMMENCED, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INVOLUNTARY RAPID LANE CHANGE AND NEAR ACCIDENT. I SLOWED TO 25 MPH IN ORD…
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2005 FORD F250 4X4, 4 DOOR, AUTO, 5.4L GAS, APPROX. 39K MI. TRAVELING AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SPEED, IN A SWEEPING LEFT HAND CURVE, CROSSING ROUGH PAVEMENT, A SEVERE STEERING WHEEL SHAKE AND FRONT WHEEL SHIMMY COMMENCED, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INVOLUNTARY RAPID LANE CHANGE AND NEAR ACCIDENT. I SLOWED TO 25 MPH IN ORDER TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. LIVING IN FL AND WORKING IN SC AT THE TIME, I WAS FORCED TO DEAL WITH DIFFERENT FORD DEALERS IN THE COLUMBIA, SC AND BARTOW, FL AREAS. ON THE ADVICE OF VARIOUS FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENTS, I REPLACED TIRES, WHEELS, BALL JOINTS, SHOCKS (TWICE), STEERING STABILIZER, HAD MULTIPLE ALIGNMENTS AND WHEEL BALANCES PERFORMED. AS I WAS STRANDED OUT-OF-TOWN WITH A TRUCK THAT WAS HANDLING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, I SPENT APPROXIMATELY $4,500 IN PARTS REPLACEMENTS BEFORE THE PROBLEM WAS REMEDIED. THREE FORD DEALERSHIPS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT A SERIOUS PROBLEM EXISTED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN WARRANTY. FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER PERSONNEL, 800-392-3673, EMPLOYED BLATANT STALLING TACTICS UNTIL MY ODOMETER HAD PASSED 40,000 MILES, THEN REFUSED TO RENDER ANY ASSISTANCE. MORE THAN ONE YEAR LATER, I AM WAITING FOR A CALL FROM A REGIONAL FORD SERVICE MANAGER, SUPPOSEDLY ARRANGED THROUGH A COLUMBIA, SC FORD DEALER. I HAVE RECEIVED HIGH SPEED DRIVING INSTRUCTION AT TWO DIFFERENT POLICE ACADEMY COURSES. I HAVE DRIVEN DOZENS OF DIFFERENT VEHICLES AT VERY HIGH SPEEDS OVER HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MILES. I KNOW A DANGEROUS VEHICLE DEFECT WHEN I SEE ONE. THIS FORD SUSPENSION PROBLEM PRESENTS A LIFE THREATENING CONDITION THAT IS WELL KNOWN BY FORD. NOT ONLY HAS FORD NOT RECALLED THESE VEHICLES, THEIR SERVICE PERSONNEL ARE ENGAGING IN A CAMPAIGN OF DENIAL AND DECEPTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10230394
12,000 miles · May 21, 2008
Suspension
2005 FORD F-250 SD SHAKING VIOLENTLY AFTER GOING OVER UNEVEN SURFACES ON HIGHWAY. WE WERE OUT OF THE STATE WORKING FOR 10 DAYS AND DEPENDED ON THIS VEHICLE SO THE FOLLOWING DAY WE TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER AND ALL THEY HAD TO SAY WAS THE TIRES NEEDED 80 POUNDS OF AIR. AS SOON AS WE RETURNED HOME WE TRADED IT OFF AND GOT A 2006 …
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2005 FORD F-250 SD SHAKING VIOLENTLY AFTER GOING OVER UNEVEN SURFACES ON HIGHWAY. WE WERE OUT OF THE STATE WORKING FOR 10 DAYS AND DEPENDED ON THIS VEHICLE SO THE FOLLOWING DAY WE TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER AND ALL THEY HAD TO SAY WAS THE TIRES NEEDED 80 POUNDS OF AIR. AS SOON AS WE RETURNED HOME WE TRADED IT OFF AND GOT A 2006 AND IT IS DOING THE SAME THING AND A COMPLAINT HAS BEEN FILED ON IT AS WELL. DONE WITH FORD TRUCKS, IF FORD DOESN'T THINK ANY BETTER OF ITS CUSTOMERS THAN TO PUT AN UNSAFE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD WE ARE GOING TO CHEVROLET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228524
24,000 miles · May 14, 2008
Suspension
WHEN TRAVELING AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SPEEDS, TRAVELING OVER BRIDGE/OVERPASS EXPANSION JOINTS WILL CAUSE THE FRONT AXLE/STEERING TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THIS SEEMS TO SET UP SOME KIND OF WEIRD HARMONIC VIBRATION THAT THE FRONT END CANNOT RECOVER FROM. EVEN AFTER THE ROAD SMOOTHES OUT, FRONT AXLE WILL CONTINUE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY UNTIL…
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WHEN TRAVELING AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SPEEDS, TRAVELING OVER BRIDGE/OVERPASS EXPANSION JOINTS WILL CAUSE THE FRONT AXLE/STEERING TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THIS SEEMS TO SET UP SOME KIND OF WEIRD HARMONIC VIBRATION THAT THE FRONT END CANNOT RECOVER FROM. EVEN AFTER THE ROAD SMOOTHES OUT, FRONT AXLE WILL CONTINUE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY UNTIL SPEED IS DECREASED TO ABOUT 40MPH. THIS SHAKING IS INCREDIBLY VIOLENT. A LOSS OF CONTROL IS HIGHLY POSSIBLE. TRUCK HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE AND HAD THE STEERING STABILIZER REPLACED, THIS HAS NOT FIXED THE ISSUE. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM DUE TO THE RANDOM OCCURRENCE AND SPECIFIC ROAD CONDITIONS REQUIRED. I HAVE DRIVEN FORD TRUCKS MY ENTIRE LIFE, THIS IS NOT A NORMAL "CHARACTERISTIC OF VEHICLE". SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE DESIGN ON THE FRONT END OF THESE TRUCKS. MY WIFE WILL NOT DRIVE IT. SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10227804
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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