NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
102 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Nov 3, 2007
Steering
WHILE DRIVING AT ROAD SPEED OF 50 MPH OR MORE THE STEERING WILL SHAKE AFTER HITTING A POT HOLE OR ROUGH PAVEMENT. THE SHAKING IS SO BAD THAT I HAVE TO PUT ON BRAKES TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THE STEERING STABILIZER REPLACED BY THE DEALER AND I HAVE INSTALLED NEW TIRES. THE SHAKING HAS DECREASED, BUT STILL OCCU…
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WHILE DRIVING AT ROAD SPEED OF 50 MPH OR MORE THE STEERING WILL SHAKE AFTER HITTING A POT HOLE OR ROUGH PAVEMENT. THE SHAKING IS SO BAD THAT I HAVE TO PUT ON BRAKES TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THE STEERING STABILIZER REPLACED BY THE DEALER AND I HAVE INSTALLED NEW TIRES. THE SHAKING HAS DECREASED, BUT STILL OCCURS AT A LESSER INTENSITY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10207817
27,000 miles · Oct 11, 2007
Steering
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A FAIRLY SMOOTH HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. MY 2006 FORD F250 SD POWERSTROKE STARTED SHAKING, AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTING MOVING BACK AND FORTH RAPIDLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS A LOOSE WHEEL OR A FLAT, BUT IT WAS NOT. I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO AROUND 45 MPH AND IT STOPPED. AFTER DOING SOME INVESTIGATING ON THE INTERNET I …
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN A FAIRLY SMOOTH HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. MY 2006 FORD F250 SD POWERSTROKE STARTED SHAKING, AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTING MOVING BACK AND FORTH RAPIDLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS A LOOSE WHEEL OR A FLAT, BUT IT WAS NOT. I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO AROUND 45 MPH AND IT STOPPED. AFTER DOING SOME INVESTIGATING ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON THING FOR THIS MODEL PICK-UP, AND THAT NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO CORRECT IT BY FORD. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE NOW, AND IT IS VERY SCARY. I HOPE THAT IT DOES NOT HAVE TO TAKE SOMEONE HAVING A FATAL ACCIDENT FOR FORD TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10205448
9,000 miles · Oct 1, 2007
SteeringSuspension
MY 2006, 5.3 GAS ENGINE, 4 WHEEL DRIVE, F250 SUPER DUTY HAS HAD EXCESSIVE WHEEL HOP, BOUNCING, VIBRATION, AND SOMETIMES, VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE TRUCK, WHEN GOING OVER EXPANSION JOINTS, BUMPS AND ROAD DEFECTS SINCE IT WAS NEARLY NEW. THIS RESULTS IN THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING AND MAKES THE TRUCK HARD TO CONTROL…
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MY 2006, 5.3 GAS ENGINE, 4 WHEEL DRIVE, F250 SUPER DUTY HAS HAD EXCESSIVE WHEEL HOP, BOUNCING, VIBRATION, AND SOMETIMES, VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE TRUCK, WHEN GOING OVER EXPANSION JOINTS, BUMPS AND ROAD DEFECTS SINCE IT WAS NEARLY NEW. THIS RESULTS IN THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING AND MAKES THE TRUCK HARD TO CONTROL. WHEN NEW WITH 300 MILES ON IT IN FEB. 2007, I DROVE IT FROM MA TO FL AND NOTICED THAT SOMETIMES IT SHUDDERED, WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP AT SPEEDS OVER 50. THAT IS, IT DID NOT JUST GIVE ONE HARD JOLT, BUT BOUNCED A FEW TIMES. THE BOUNCING GOT WORSE AS MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WENT UP. SOMETIMES THE TRUCK WOULD MOVE LATERALLY AFTER A HARD BUMP, THAT IS, MOVE TO THE EDGE OF THE TRAVELED LANE, OR PARTIALLY INTO ONE OF THE ADJACENT LANES. NOW, WITHIN THE LAST 2 WEEKS, AT ITS EXTREME OF VIBRATIONS AND BOUNCING, THE VIOLENT SHAKING HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE, BOTH TIMES WHEN TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY AT 60-68 MPH, AFTER GOING OVER AN EXPANSION JOINT COMING OFF OR GOING ON TO A BRIDGE. FIRST TIME, ON SEPT 16, 2007, WITH ABOUT 9000 MILES ON THE F250, SHAKING LASTED ABOUT 5 SECONDS, ON I64 IN VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, AND THEN, ON SEPT. 28, 2007, FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS, OR ABOUT 1000', ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE. DURING THESE LAST 2 INCIDENTS, I THOUGHT THAT I MIGHT EASILY HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HAVE EITHER INJURED SOMEONE ELSE OR MYSELF. BOTH OF THE SERIOUS VIOLENT SHAKING EPISODES HAPPENED ON A DRY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY IN DECENT CONDITION WITH OTHER TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT THE SAME SPEED AND MANY, MANY OTHER VEHICLES GOING OVER THE SAME BUMPS. I HAVE CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE AND ALL THE TIRES READ ABOUT 50#, THE SAME AS WHEN I GOT THE TRUCK ON JAN. 31, 2007. THERE ARE NO OBVIOUS DEFECTS IN THE TIRES. NOW, IT SHUDDERS WHEN GOING OVER VERY MINOR BUMPS, SOMETIMES EVEN AT BELOW 45 MPH. I'VE MADE IT BACK FROM MY TRIP AND THERE ARE ABOUT 9500 MILES ON THE TRUCK AND I AM TAKING IT TO THE DEALER THIS WEEK. THIS PROBLEM COULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF LIFE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10204597
29,865 miles · Sep 28, 2007
Steering
HIGHWAY DRIVING CONDITIONS AT 65 MPH , VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE TRUCK OCCURRED RESULTING IN DANGEROUS LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP TO END THE SHAKING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A FORD DEALER WHERE A STEERING DAMPER KIT WAS INSTALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10204337
26,000 miles · Sep 26, 2007
SteeringSuspension
I OWN A 2006 F250 DIESEL TRUCK THAT SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN YOU HIT EVEN THE SMALLEST OF POTHOLES. IT SHAKES SO VIOLENTLY THAT YOU HAVE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, REGAIN CONTROL, AND THEN RESUME DRIVING. THIS IS ESPECIALLY HAZARDOUS ON THE SMALL COUNTY ROADS WE LIVE ON, AND WHEN YOU HAVE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE FREEWA…
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I OWN A 2006 F250 DIESEL TRUCK THAT SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN YOU HIT EVEN THE SMALLEST OF POTHOLES. IT SHAKES SO VIOLENTLY THAT YOU HAVE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, REGAIN CONTROL, AND THEN RESUME DRIVING. THIS IS ESPECIALLY HAZARDOUS ON THE SMALL COUNTY ROADS WE LIVE ON, AND WHEN YOU HAVE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE FREEWAY. WE HAVE TRIED TO GET IT FIXED AT THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY ASSURE US THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THIS DANGEROUS DEATH TRAP. I REFUSE TO ALLOW MY HUSBAND AND MY SON GET INTO A VEHICLE THAT WILL SHAKE VIOLENTLY OUT OF CONTROL INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, INTO A DITCH, OR OFF A BRIDGE. I AM ASHAMED THAT FORD WOULD BE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, AND NOT RECALL THIS PROBLEM VEHICLE AS THERE ARE MANY OTHERS OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM FURIOUS THAT I SPENT $48,000 ON A TRUCK THAT HAS 26,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM FIXED, SO IT IS COMPLETELY USELESS TO ME, NOT TO MENTION A DANGER TO MY FAMILY'S WELL BEING. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR FORD TO ADMIT THEIR TRUCKS ARE A HAZARD? HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DIE OR BE SEVERELY INJURED BEFORE THEY ADDRESS THIS PRESSING ISSUE??? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10204198
50 miles · Jul 27, 2007
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH OR GREATER, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND FAILURE M…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH OR GREATER, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50.
NHTSA ODI #10197626
51,500 miles · Jul 12, 2007
Steering
OUR FORD F250 4X4 DIESEL TRUCK HAS A STEERING PROBLEM. IT'S LOCKING UP WHEN TURNING LEFT TO RIGHT. WE HAD 2 OCCASIONS WHERE WE JUST MISSED BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. WHEN THE STEERING LOCKS YOU CAN NOT DO ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES IN THE DIRECTION JUST PRIOR TO THE LOCK. THE WHEEL NEEDS TO BE TURNED BACK LEFT TO UNLOCK …
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OUR FORD F250 4X4 DIESEL TRUCK HAS A STEERING PROBLEM. IT'S LOCKING UP WHEN TURNING LEFT TO RIGHT. WE HAD 2 OCCASIONS WHERE WE JUST MISSED BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. WHEN THE STEERING LOCKS YOU CAN NOT DO ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES IN THE DIRECTION JUST PRIOR TO THE LOCK. THE WHEEL NEEDS TO BE TURNED BACK LEFT TO UNLOCK AND THIS IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE. WE LIVE ON A CURVE ROAD AND IT'S VERY DANGEROUS. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IN FOLSOM CA, THEY REPLACED THE STEERING STABILIZER, WHICH DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED BACK THE 60 MILES TODAY AND WE WILL NOT ACCEPT THIS VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10196177
5 miles · Jun 6, 2007
SteeringSuspension
I OWN A 2006 F250 4*4 AND WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH THE TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND EVEN SWAYS FROM LANE TO LANE, WHEN ENCOUNTERING ANY ROUGH PLACE IN THE ROADWAY. THIS IS A VERY VIOLENT SHAKING AND I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO KEEP THE TRUCK FROM WRECKING. THE SHAKING WILL NOT STOP UNTIL YOU HAVE SLOWN DOWN …
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I OWN A 2006 F250 4*4 AND WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH THE TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND EVEN SWAYS FROM LANE TO LANE, WHEN ENCOUNTERING ANY ROUGH PLACE IN THE ROADWAY. THIS IS A VERY VIOLENT SHAKING AND I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO KEEP THE TRUCK FROM WRECKING. THE SHAKING WILL NOT STOP UNTIL YOU HAVE SLOWN DOWN DRAMATICALLY OR COME TO A STOP. FORD HAS COMMENTED THAT IT COULD BE THE AIR PRESSURE AND HAVE ORDERED A STEERING DAMPER TO TRY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS TRUCK HAS DONE THIS SINCE DAY ONE AND WITH THE FACTORY TIRES AND THE NEW TIRES THAT I HAVE ON IT NOW. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT RESULTING FROM THE DEFECT IN DESIGN.
NHTSA ODI #10192570
13,000 miles · May 23, 2007
SteeringSuspension
NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING CONDITIONS. SPEEDS BETWEEN 65 AND 75 MPH WHEN THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED, HIT A BUMP OR DIP IN ROAD. VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE FRONT END, RESULTING IN DANGEROUS LOSS OF CONTROL AND LANE CHANGES. HAD TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN TO BELOW 30 MPH OR A FULL STOP IN ORDER TO END THE VIOLENT SHAKING. HAPPENED MORE OFTEN AFT…
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NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING CONDITIONS. SPEEDS BETWEEN 65 AND 75 MPH WHEN THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED, HIT A BUMP OR DIP IN ROAD. VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE FRONT END, RESULTING IN DANGEROUS LOSS OF CONTROL AND LANE CHANGES. HAD TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN TO BELOW 30 MPH OR A FULL STOP IN ORDER TO END THE VIOLENT SHAKING. HAPPENED MORE OFTEN AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR LONG DISTANCES. GETS WORSE AND MORE FREQUENT AS DRIVING CONTINUED. FIRST OCCURRENCE, TAKEN TO FORD DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED DEFECTIVE" STEERING DAMPER. SECOND TIME TAKEN TO FORD DEALER - THEY RAN TCP FOR NEW ALIGNMENT SPECS AND NEW, IMPROVED STEERING DAMPER. THIRD TIME TAKEN TO FORD DEALER - REPLACED TRACK ARM BALL JOINT AND ADJUSTED ALIGNMENT TO MORE NEW SPECS. FOURTH TIME AT FORD DEALER - TSB ADJUSTED ALIGNMENT TO NEW SPECS AND REPLACED STEERING DAMPER WITH ANOTHER NEW, IMPROVED PART. *AK VEHICLE IS IN REPAIR SHOP FOR FIFTH TIME AT THIS MOMENT. NO ATTEMPTED REPAIRS HAVE LASTED MORE THAN 2000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10191566
1,600 miles · Mar 2, 2007
Steering
VIOLENT SHAKING WHEN HITTING A ROUGH PLACE IN HIGHWAY. SHAKING IS SO BAD THAT YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OF STEERING UNTIL A PANIC BRAKING BRINGS VEHICLE TO UNDER 30 MPH. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10184079
Official recalls
1Jul 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.
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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