NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
26 reportsClear category filter90,000 miles · May 5, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS REPLACED AGAIN. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE COOLANT CONSUMPTION AND OPERATED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EGR VALVE AND OIL COOLER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10863422
106,000 miles · Apr 2, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING MY TRUCK IT HAS STOPPED RUNNING AND JUST SHUT ITSELF OFF LIKE ITS NOT GETTING FUEL. I HAVE READ THE COMPLAINTS ON THE F250 SUPER DUTY AND MY TRUCK IS RESPONDING EXACTLY THE SAME WAY. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT DUE TO SOMEONE HITTING ME OR IT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT SO I LOOKED ON HERE TODAY AND SAW THE RECALL FOR THE SUPE…
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WHILE DRIVING MY TRUCK IT HAS STOPPED RUNNING AND JUST SHUT ITSELF OFF LIKE ITS NOT GETTING FUEL. I HAVE READ THE COMPLAINTS ON THE F250 SUPER DUTY AND MY TRUCK IS RESPONDING EXACTLY THE SAME WAY. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT DUE TO SOMEONE HITTING ME OR IT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT SO I LOOKED ON HERE TODAY AND SAW THE RECALL FOR THE SUPER DUTY. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT SOMEONE DEFINITELY NEEDS TO ADDRESS. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND I TRIED TO PUSH THE PEDAL TO GET FUEL BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. I AM VERY LUCKY THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME WAS BACK FAR ENOUGH THAT I TURNED ON MY FLASHERS AND THEY NOTICED OR I COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE.
NHTSA ODI #10853031
20,000 miles · Mar 28, 2016
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD MAKE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND FINALLY RESTARTED AFT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD MAKE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND FINALLY RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS; HOWEVER THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER UPDATED THE COMPUTER OF THE VEHICLE HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
NHTSA ODI #10851900
85,844 miles · Nov 20, 2015
Engine
F250 6.0L DIESEL WITH 85844 MILES HAD THE EGR/OIL COOLER GO BAD THE REPAIR COST 4744.00 AT THE DEALER. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT AS USUAL NOT COVERED. THIS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE 6 LITERS ALONG WITH THE HEAD BOLS BEING SUBSTANDARD AND FAULTY FICM WHICH I REPLACED AT THE COST OF 525.00 AND DOING THE WORK MYSELF. I HAVE…
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F250 6.0L DIESEL WITH 85844 MILES HAD THE EGR/OIL COOLER GO BAD THE REPAIR COST 4744.00 AT THE DEALER. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT AS USUAL NOT COVERED. THIS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE 6 LITERS ALONG WITH THE HEAD BOLS BEING SUBSTANDARD AND FAULTY FICM WHICH I REPLACED AT THE COST OF 525.00 AND DOING THE WORK MYSELF. I HAVE TRIED TO RESOLVE THIS WITH FORD AND MY WARRANTY COMPANY WARRANTY DIRECT TO NO AVAIL. I DID GET THE WARRANTY COMPANY TO ADMIT THE EGR COOLER WAS COVERED BUT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE OTHER REPAIRS REQUIRED WITH THIS REPAIR SO I GOT 981.00 FROM THEM. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED AND I FEEL IT IS ABOUT TIME THE NESTA GOT INVOLVED AND GOT RECALLS ESTABLISHED. MY VEHICLE JUST STARTED HAVING A SMALL AMOUNT OF FLUID UNDER IT TH A T I HAD CHECKED OUT WITHIN 2 DAYS OF NOTICING WHICH LED TO THE EGR/OIL COOLER BEING REPAIRED AND THE FICM GOT REPLACED A FER TRUCK STARTED RUNNING REAL RUFF ON COLD START UP AND THE FICM SENT CODE OF THE PROBLEM BUT IT CAN ALSO JUST STOP FUNCTIONING EVEN WHILE DRIVING WHICH COULD BE FATAL.
NHTSA ODI #10795107
121,000 miles · Nov 18, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING DRIVING IN TRAFFIC WHILE WEAVING IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC TRYING TO AVOID HITTING OTHER VEHICLES OR THEM HITIING ME. A DANGEROUS, INTENSE MOMENT TRYING TO GET MY TRUCK OFF THE ROAD WITH NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES. THIS TRUCK MAY OR MAY OR M AY NOT START. NO CRANK/NO START, NO START/CRANKS, NO …
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ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING DRIVING IN TRAFFIC WHILE WEAVING IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC TRYING TO AVOID HITTING OTHER VEHICLES OR THEM HITIING ME. A DANGEROUS, INTENSE MOMENT TRYING TO GET MY TRUCK OFF THE ROAD WITH NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES. THIS TRUCK MAY OR MAY OR M AY NOT START. NO CRANK/NO START, NO START/CRANKS, NO START/BUCKING AND STALLING ENGINE. THESE ISSUES RELATE TO THE INJECTOR WIRING HARNESS DUE TO CHAFFING AND CRUSHING, A VERY TIME CONSUMING TASK. TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE HARNESS IS WORN AND WIRES ARE EXPOSED. PAST FORD CUSTOMERS REFER TO THE VIOLENT SHAKING THAT WHILE DRIVING THIS TRUCK AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE." AN INTENSE MOMENT.THIS IS A RISK CONCERNING VEHICLE SAFETY. THIS IS NOT PROTECTING CONSUMERS AGAINST UNREASONABLE RISKS OF ACCIDENTS OCCURING. THE TIRES ON MY TRUCK ARE MICHELINS. THEY ARE THE SIZE RECOMMENDED BY FORD FOR THIS VEHICLE. CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS CONTACTED TWICE. BOTH REPLYS WERE THE SAME.THERE ARE NO WARRENTIES, RECALLS OR PROGRAMS IN EFFECT THAT WOULD PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR YOUR CURRENT CONCERN. KEEP RECEIPTS, ETC. FORDS PRESENTATION TO- FORD IDENTIFIED A NUMBER OF POTENTIAL FAILURES MECHANISMS THAT COULD EFFECT ENGINE PERFORMANCE IN THIS VEHICLE POPULATION INCLUDING THE WIRING CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY NHTSA. 05V-270. THE WIRING CONDITIONS BOTH EFFECT ENGINE FUELING WERE THE ONDITIONS TO RESULT IN ENGINE STALL." VEHICLES AFFECTED WERE BUILT 9-29-2003 5-31-2004 IN LOUISVILLE KY. MINE 8-2004 IN LOUISVILLE. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMERIOUS COMPLAINTS CONCERNING SAFETY WITH THIS POPULATION OF F-SERIES TRUCKS, THEN AND NOW. FORD IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND EXPECTS THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR THE THIER MISTAKE. IF NHTSA HADN'T STEPPED IN WHEN THE DEFECTS WERE DISCOVERD, FORD WOULD HAVE DONE NOTHING. NHTSA STATED FURTHER ACTION WILL BE TAKEN IF WARRENTED BY FUTURE CIRCUMSTANCES. IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THE TIME FOR FURTHER ACTION IS NOW.
NHTSA ODI #10794755
199,000 miles · Jun 19, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH AND PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR AND REGULATOR FAILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH AND PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR AND REGULATOR FAILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,000.
NHTSA ODI #10726200
66,000 miles · Feb 9, 2015
Engine
PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY IT STARTED SMOKING REALLY BAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10682267
Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10658578
118,150 miles · Oct 16, 2014
Engine
WHILE DRIVING ON M-37 I NOTICED WHITE STEAM COMING OUT OF EXHAUST. NOTICED ENGINE TEMP RISING. I STOPPED COOLED ENGINE AND BROUGHT TRUCK HOME, WHERE IT HAS BEEN SINCE THEN. THIS IS A PROBLEM FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS KNOWN ABOUT SINCE 2005. THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IDENTIFIED THIS DESIGN FLAW BACK THEN AND STILL TO THIS DAY…
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WHILE DRIVING ON M-37 I NOTICED WHITE STEAM COMING OUT OF EXHAUST. NOTICED ENGINE TEMP RISING. I STOPPED COOLED ENGINE AND BROUGHT TRUCK HOME, WHERE IT HAS BEEN SINCE THEN. THIS IS A PROBLEM FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS KNOWN ABOUT SINCE 2005. THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IDENTIFIED THIS DESIGN FLAW BACK THEN AND STILL TO THIS DAY REFUSE TO HELP COMPENSATE CONSUMERS FOR REPAIRS. THE HEAD BOLTS STRETCH ALLOWING FOR THE HEAD GASKETS TO FAIL. I ASKED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE IF I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO A AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER IF THEY WOULD ABSORB SOME OF THE EXTENSIVE COST FOR REPAIRS ( 5-6000 DOLLARS). THEIR RESPONSE WAS NO, BECAUSE WE HAVE NO RECALLS ON THIS. IN MY OPINION THEY HAVE KNOWINGLY ALLOWED THIS ENGINE TO BE MANUFACTURED AND SOLD TO THE PUBLIC EVEN THOU THESE DESIGN FLAWS WERE PRESENT. THAT IS PLAIN UNACCEPTABLE. I ASK YOU TO GO ON THE INTERNET. TYPE IN FORD 6.0 DIESEL AND SEE HOW MANY FORUMS COME UP. YOU WILL SEE CASE AFTER CASE OF FAILURES. I AM LEFT WITH THIS REPAIR COST, AND WITH NO RELIEF FROM FORD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10645079
150,000 miles · Aug 7, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE FITTING INSIDE THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 11/14/14*CN THE CONSUMER STA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE FITTING INSIDE THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 11/14/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE LOW PRESSURE OIL PUMP FAILURE WAS THE RESULT OF THE LIFTER FAILURE. UPDATED 4/30/2015 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10619517
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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