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2005 Ford F-250 Sd

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most F-250 Sd years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford F-250 Sd are substantially higher than the model-year median of 89.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

269 reports with mileage · 26 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 118 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports6 fire reports8 injury reports

What owners actually said

295 reports
19,000 miles · Jul 24, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I'VE EXPERIENCED A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE CALIPERS ON MY 05' FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. IT'S AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM OF A CALIPER HANGING UP OR NOT RELEASING AFTER BRAKING. THE CALIPER HEATS UP, THE TRUCK SHAKES, SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY AND BRAKING ABILITY IS DIMINISHED. I PURCHASED THE TRUCK BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP, AND…

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I'VE EXPERIENCED A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE CALIPERS ON MY 05' FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. IT'S AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM OF A CALIPER HANGING UP OR NOT RELEASING AFTER BRAKING. THE CALIPER HEATS UP, THE TRUCK SHAKES, SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY AND BRAKING ABILITY IS DIMINISHED. I PURCHASED THE TRUCK BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP, AND IT FIRST OCCURRED AT 19,000 MILES ON A FRONT CALIPER. FORD HAS SINCE REPLACED ALL THE CALIPERS AT LEAST ONCE UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY, BUT NOW REFUSES TO HELP. I'VE REPLACED THE REAR CALIPERS AT MY COST WITH REMANUFACTURED ONES, AND I'M STILL CONTINUING TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I'VE SPOKEN WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE WHO HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, SO IT DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. I'VE BEEN RELUCTANT TO GET RID OF THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE IT'S PAID FOR IN FULL, AND BECAUSE APART FROM THE OBVIOUS BRAKE DEFECT, IT ISN'T OTHERWISE A BAD TRUCK. I STRONGLY FEEL THE CALIPER DESIGN IS FAULTY AND COULD EASILY CAUSE A PERSON TO LOOSE STEERING CONTROL IF IT OCCURS IN A FRONT CALIPER. I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM FORD ABOUT A YEAR AGO, DESCRIBING WHAT THEY TERMED A "HANDLING ANOMALY" WHERE THE TRUCK SHIMMIES UNCONTROLLABLY AND FAILS TO STOP SHAKING WITHIN A FEW SECONDS LIKE A "NORMAL SHIMMY". WHILE FORD ATTRIBUTES THIS TO TIRES AND SUSPENSION, I BELIEVE THIS IS THE BRAKE DEFECT THAT'S CAUSING THE SHIMMY. IT'S EASY TO TELL WHICH INDIVIDUAL CALIPER IS STICKING AS IT AND OFTEN EVEN THE WHEEL WILL BE VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH WHILE THE OTHER THREE ARE COOL. IN FACT I'VE HAD VISIBLE SMOKE COMING FROM A SINGLE BRAKE. IT SHOULD BE EASY TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM-- DRIVE MY STUPID TRUCK FOR A WEEK AND YOU'LL FIND IT. I'LL GLADLY LET YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345003

20,000 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

94,543 miles · Jun 22, 2010
Power TrainFire

TRANSMISSION UPPER HOUSING CASE HAS DEVELOPED CRACK NOT NEAR BOLT FLANGES BUT ON TOP OF HOUSING..CAUSING FLUIDS TO LEAK ON EXHAUST SYSTEM...NOT DAMAGE TO BOTTOM OF HOUSING...NO ABUSE.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10339459

60,000 miles · Jun 22, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Diesel

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS OPERATED, HE COULD SMELL EXHAUST FUMES IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WOULD PERSIST WHETHER DRIVING OR SITTING IDLE. WHEN SITTING IDLE, THE SMELL WAS OVERWHELMING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN DEFROSTING…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS OPERATED, HE COULD SMELL EXHAUST FUMES IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WOULD PERSIST WHETHER DRIVING OR SITTING IDLE. WHEN SITTING IDLE, THE SMELL WAS OVERWHELMING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN DEFROSTING THE WINDOWS IN COLD WEATHER, THE FUMES WOULD CAUSE THE WINDOWS TO FOG EXCESSIVELY. THE DEALER ADVISED THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER; THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,702. UPDATED 12/01/10. *LJ UPDATED 12/07/10

NHTSA ODI #10339435

60,000 miles · May 28, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OVER 50 MPH, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHICH CAUSED CONTAINERS TO FALL OUT OF THE CUP HOLDER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON, IT BEGAN FUNCTIONING NORMALLY UNTIL HE DROVE OVE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OVER 50 MPH, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHICH CAUSED CONTAINERS TO FALL OUT OF THE CUP HOLDER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON, IT BEGAN FUNCTIONING NORMALLY UNTIL HE DROVE OVER ANOTHER BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,500. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10332685

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

23,940 miles · May 12, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE 6.0 DIESEL IN THE 2005 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY TRUCKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330053

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

119,091 miles · Apr 27, 2010
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE FRONT END WOULD SWAY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. IN ADDITION, WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 30 MPH, THERE WAS A SLIGHT LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST CAUSING MINIMAL STEERING CONTROL. THE CONTACT WOULD SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND WH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE FRONT END WOULD SWAY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. IN ADDITION, WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 30 MPH, THERE WAS A SLIGHT LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST CAUSING MINIMAL STEERING CONTROL. THE CONTACT WOULD SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WOULD REGAIN POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 119,091.

NHTSA ODI #10327797

Official recalls

3

11V352000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

Jul 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.

05V270000 · Electrical System:wiring

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.

05V266000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

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

2

EA08007 · 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.