NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
295 reports36,000 miles · Aug 26, 2007
Latches/locks/linkages
MY FORD F-250 WAS BROKEN INTO VIA THE DOOR HANDLES. MY TRUCK IS A CREWCAB AND THE THIEVES ENTERED FROM BOTH SIDES. LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTS THIS IS ONE OF THE EASIEST VEHICLES TO BREAK INTO. A CRIMINAL CAN MAKE ENTRY IN SECONDS. I BELIEVE A VEHICLES LOCK SHOULD HOLD UP LONGER THAN THAT. IF THIS VEHICLE IS THAT EASY TO GET INTO, H…
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MY FORD F-250 WAS BROKEN INTO VIA THE DOOR HANDLES. MY TRUCK IS A CREWCAB AND THE THIEVES ENTERED FROM BOTH SIDES. LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTS THIS IS ONE OF THE EASIEST VEHICLES TO BREAK INTO. A CRIMINAL CAN MAKE ENTRY IN SECONDS. I BELIEVE A VEHICLES LOCK SHOULD HOLD UP LONGER THAN THAT. IF THIS VEHICLE IS THAT EASY TO GET INTO, HOW HARD WOULD IT BE FOR SOMEONE TO ENTER A LOCKED VEHICLE WITH SOMEONE IN IT? I NOT ONLY FEEL THAT MY PERSONAL PROPERTY IS NOT SAFE, BUT THE PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE AS WELL. SHOULDN'T FORD MAKE THERE TRUCKS SAFER? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200800
30,220 miles · Aug 25, 2007
SteeringSuspension
I HAVE A 2005 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY FX4 PICKUP THAT I PURCHASED TODAY. ON THE WAY HOME, AT ABOUT 65-70MPH, I HIT A BRIDGE JOINT WHICH SENT THE FRONT END INTO AN EXTREMELY VIOLENT WOBBLE. I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 20MPH FOR IT TO GO AWAY. WHEN I GOT HOME, I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, AND FOUND IT TO BE A VERY COM…
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY FX4 PICKUP THAT I PURCHASED TODAY. ON THE WAY HOME, AT ABOUT 65-70MPH, I HIT A BRIDGE JOINT WHICH SENT THE FRONT END INTO AN EXTREMELY VIOLENT WOBBLE. I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 20MPH FOR IT TO GO AWAY. WHEN I GOT HOME, I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, AND FOUND IT TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT FORD HAS ISSUED A TSB FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT I FEEL THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED BECAUSE OF HOW DANGEROUS THE ISSUE IS. THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO REDESIGN A FACTORY ENGINEERING PROBLEM. THE WOBBLE WAS SO BAD THAT THE TRUCK MOVED INTO THE NEXT LANE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200771
19,230 miles · Aug 23, 2007
Suspension
THIS FAILURE IS ON A FORD, F250, 4X4 WITH THE 5.4L GAS ENGINE. AT HIGHWAY SPEED, WHEN HITTING A ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE GOES IN TO AN OSCILLATION (DEATH WOBBLE) THAT CAN ONLY BE STOPPED BY DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED. THE OSCILLATION IMPACTS THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN …
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THIS FAILURE IS ON A FORD, F250, 4X4 WITH THE 5.4L GAS ENGINE. AT HIGHWAY SPEED, WHEN HITTING A ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE GOES IN TO AN OSCILLATION (DEATH WOBBLE) THAT CAN ONLY BE STOPPED BY DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED. THE OSCILLATION IMPACTS THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER AND I AM AWAITING RESPONSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200557
32,040 miles · Aug 22, 2007
Tires
TIRE BLOW-OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200484
22,000 miles · Aug 9, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE SHAKING WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
NHTSA ODI #10198977
18,000 miles · Aug 7, 2007
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD BOUNCE AND SHIMMY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAVE DONE ALL THAT THEY COULD DO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000. THE VIN NUMBER APPEARED TO BE INCORRECT.
NHTSA ODI #10198762
16,000 miles · Jul 31, 2007
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SUPERDUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE LOSES CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP OR A BUMP IN THE ROAD AT 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO SHAKE UNEXPECTEDLY AND BECOMES DIFFICULT TO STEER. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ONCE, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SUPERDUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE LOSES CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP OR A BUMP IN THE ROAD AT 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO SHAKE UNEXPECTEDLY AND BECOMES DIFFICULT TO STEER. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ONCE, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.
NHTSA ODI #10197931
255,050 miles · Jul 28, 2007
Steering
BOUGHT 2005 FORD F 250 4X4 CREW CAB WITH GAS ENGINE. 25000 MILES ON TRUCK DURING TEST DRIVE I DROVE ACROSS RAILROAD TRUCKS AT 60 MPH TRUCK BEGIN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY UNTIL BROUGHT TO COMPLETE STOP. DROVE TRUCK OVER RR TRACKS AGAIN AT SAME SPEED TRUCK DIDN'T REACT THE SAME TRIED IT AGAIN STILL TRUCK WOULD NOT SHAKE. AFTER SALE LEAV…
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BOUGHT 2005 FORD F 250 4X4 CREW CAB WITH GAS ENGINE. 25000 MILES ON TRUCK DURING TEST DRIVE I DROVE ACROSS RAILROAD TRUCKS AT 60 MPH TRUCK BEGIN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY UNTIL BROUGHT TO COMPLETE STOP. DROVE TRUCK OVER RR TRACKS AGAIN AT SAME SPEED TRUCK DIDN'T REACT THE SAME TRIED IT AGAIN STILL TRUCK WOULD NOT SHAKE. AFTER SALE LEAVING EL PASO TEXAS ON I 10 INTERSTATE ABOUT 50 MILES OUT GOING OVER BRIDGE AT POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 80 MPH TRUCK AGAIN STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY UNTIL SLOWED TO STOP. THIS TRUCK BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER AND CANCELLED THE SALE. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD OF SEVERAL F250'S WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM AND FORD DOES NOTHING TO FIX THEM. VIN NUMBER ON TRUCK. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10197717
Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2007
Suspension
I HAVE A 2005 F-250 4WD CREW CAB W/5.4 LITER V-8. IN THE LAST YEAR THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN VIOLENT SHAKING FROM THE FRONT END AFTER HITTING POTHOLES, PATCHES, EXPANSION JOINTS, RAILROAD TRACKS, ETC. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SLOWER SPEEDS ARE JUST ANNOYING BUT AT HIGHER SPEEDS (60 AND UP) THE SHAKES BECOME CONVULSIONS AND THE T…
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I HAVE A 2005 F-250 4WD CREW CAB W/5.4 LITER V-8. IN THE LAST YEAR THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN VIOLENT SHAKING FROM THE FRONT END AFTER HITTING POTHOLES, PATCHES, EXPANSION JOINTS, RAILROAD TRACKS, ETC. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SLOWER SPEEDS ARE JUST ANNOYING BUT AT HIGHER SPEEDS (60 AND UP) THE SHAKES BECOME CONVULSIONS AND THE TRUCK LITERALLY BOUNCES AND SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY. IT TAKES SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES AND GETTING BELOW 40MPH TO MAKE IT STOP. I TOOK THE TRUCK INTO THE DEALER LAST WEEK (09JULY07) TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. AFTER BEING IN THERE FOR A DAY AND A HALF THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY SAID THEY LOOKED THROUGH ALL THE TSB'S AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRUCK. AFTER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND YOUR WEBSITE HERE, IT SOUNDS LIKE EVERYONE IS BEING TOLD THE SAME THING SO I THOUGHT I WOULD ADD MY VOICE TO THE MIX. I AM SOMEWHAT APPREHENSIVE ABOUT DRIVING MY TRUCK BUT RIGHT NOW AM NOT FINANCIALLY ABLE TO TRADE IT IN ON SOMETHING ELSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10196519
12,227 miles · Jul 12, 2007
Suspension
I WAS DRIVING THE 2005 F-250 WITH 12000 MILES AT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I HIT SOME BUMPS AND THE TRUCK WENT IN TO A VIOLENT SHAKING WITCH MADE IT VERY HARD TO STEER AND STOP. THE SHAKING WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I COULD GET INTO THE BREAK DOWN LANE AND COME TO A STOP. THE NEXT DAY I BROUGHT VEHICLE TO FORD AND, THEY SAID TH…
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I WAS DRIVING THE 2005 F-250 WITH 12000 MILES AT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I HIT SOME BUMPS AND THE TRUCK WENT IN TO A VIOLENT SHAKING WITCH MADE IT VERY HARD TO STEER AND STOP. THE SHAKING WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I COULD GET INTO THE BREAK DOWN LANE AND COME TO A STOP. THE NEXT DAY I BROUGHT VEHICLE TO FORD AND, THEY SAID THE TIRES HAD 65 PSI, AND SHOULD HAVE 75 PSI. IF 10 PSI CAUSED THAT VIOLENT SHAKING WHAT WOULD 20 PSI DO. I STRONGLY FELT THESE TRUCK WERE NOT SAFE. IF THE SPEED WERE HIGHER OR THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DIFFERENT DURING RAIN, SNOW, ETC I MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. I GOT THE TRUCK BACK TODAY FROM FORD , AND THEY TOLD ME IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO BRING IT BACK , THAT MAD E ME FEEL REAL GOOD. I AM STILL NOT GOING OVER 50 MPH ANY TIME SOON. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10196232
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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