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2005 Ford F-250

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford F-250 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 119.

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How this year compares

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

122 reports with mileage · 22 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.

  • Steering. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports3 fire reports1 injury reports

Steering complaints

39 reports
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200 miles · Sep 1, 2009
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH DRIVING OVER A SMALL ROAD BUMP; THERE WAS A VIOLENT SHAKE AND VIBRATION. UNEXPECTEDLY, THE VEHICLE LOSS CONTROL FOR APPROXIMATELY 6-8 SECONDS. THERE WAS A SUDDEN RELEASE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH DRIVING OVER A SMALL ROAD BUMP; THERE WAS A VIOLENT SHAKE AND VIBRATION. UNEXPECTEDLY, THE VEHICLE LOSS CONTROL FOR APPROXIMATELY 6-8 SECONDS. THERE WAS A SUDDEN RELEASE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND RESUME OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION; HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES WHICH THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

NHTSA ODI #10282585

50 miles · Aug 30, 2009
SteeringSuspension

STEERING ISSUE WITH MY FORD SUPERDUTY F250. SINCE DAY 1 THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE TENDS TO WANDER. FEELS LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING A BUMPER CAR IN TRAFFIC ONLY HOPING YOU DO NOT HIT ANYONE. FORD ENGINEER SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM THEY SUPPOSE TO HAVE FIXED. IT HELPED FOR A WHILE APROX. 21/2 YEARS BUT AS THE TRUCK GETS…

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STEERING ISSUE WITH MY FORD SUPERDUTY F250. SINCE DAY 1 THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE TENDS TO WANDER. FEELS LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING A BUMPER CAR IN TRAFFIC ONLY HOPING YOU DO NOT HIT ANYONE. FORD ENGINEER SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM THEY SUPPOSE TO HAVE FIXED. IT HELPED FOR A WHILE APROX. 21/2 YEARS BUT AS THE TRUCK GETS OLDER IT IS STARTING TO WANDER MORE. HAS ABOUT 1-1 1/2" OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. ITS LIKE DRIVING A 1968 FORD. HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER FORD BUYERS WITH SAME ISSUE. FORD SENT A NOTIFICATION A WHILE BACK AND STATED THAT WHEN THIS WANDERING OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING TO JUST SLOW DOWN. WELL THAT'S ALL FINE AND DANDY EXCEPT MY WIFE AND I TOOK OUR 2 HORSES TO FLAGSTAFF ,AZ. A FEW WEEKS AGO FOR A TRAIL RIDE COMING UP FROM PHOENIX, AZ. WE HAD TO DRIVE UP THROUGH STEEP MOUNTAINS AND THEN COME BACK DOWN STEEP MOUNTAINS. THE SPEED LIMIT IS 75 BUT WE WERE ONLY DOING 60-65 MOST OF THE TIME. MY TRUCK IS RATED TO PULL 12500 LBS. AT ONE POINT THE TRUCK DECIDED ON ITS ON TO WANDER ABOUT 2 FT. TO THE RIGHT COMING DOWN A MOUNTAIN AT THIS POINT I WAS ONLY DOING ABOUT 60 FORTUNATELY SINCE I WAS CONSTANTLY HAVING TO WORK THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH I WAS ABLE TO EASE OFF THE THROTTLE AND BRING IT BACK IN LINE AFTER AWHILE. AGAIN FEELING LIKE WE WERE PLAYING BUMPER CARS ONLY THIS TIME WITH 2 HORSES IN THE TRAILER WHICH THE WEIGHT WAS ONLY ABOUT 6000LBS. THE HORSES WERE NOT MOVING AROUND AS THEY WERE BEAT FROM THE DAYS PLAY. THE WHOLE ORDEAL REALLY RATTLED US.THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR A LONG TIME AND IS ONLY GETTING WORST. I KNOW I AM OUT OF WARRANTY BUT SINCE FORD SUPPOSEDLY FIX IT BEFORE I THINK IT IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. IT ALL POINTS TO A BAD STEERING BOX OR BAD FRONT SUSPENSION. WE WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED HAD I NOT GOT THIS TRUCK UNDER CONTROL AND THE HORSES WERE NOT SAFE THEN. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED AS FORD HAS NOT BEEN MUCH HELP TO ANYONE. THEIR LITTLE NOTIFICATION TO ALL OWNERS OF THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE A REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282346

11,000 miles · Aug 12, 2009
Steering

I HAVE A 2005 FORD F-250 AND WHEN GOING 55MPH OR UP IF YOU HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD YOU ARE SHAKING OUT OF CONTROL UNTIL YOU STOP THE TRUCK FORD SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND THAT WAS AT ABOUT 11,000 MILES. NOW AT 30,000 MILES IT DOES IT EVERY DAY ALL DAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280243

36,000 miles · Jun 13, 2009
SteeringSuspension

I EXPERIENCED A SEVERE AND VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE FRONT END OF MY 2005 FORD F-250 TRUCK WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH OVER A SLIGHT ROUGH PATCH ON A HIGHWAY. I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND WAS FORCED TO SWERVE OFF THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY BEHIND ME. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE TR…

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I EXPERIENCED A SEVERE AND VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE FRONT END OF MY 2005 FORD F-250 TRUCK WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH OVER A SLIGHT ROUGH PATCH ON A HIGHWAY. I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND WAS FORCED TO SWERVE OFF THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY BEHIND ME. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK BECAUSE OF THIS VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE LAST MONTH. I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK TO A LOCAL INSPECTION STATION AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING STABILIZER AND DID AN ALIGNMENT. THIS DID NOT HELP. I HAVE CALLED THE FORD DEALER I PURCHASED THE TRUCK FROM AND THEY SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF ANYONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY FORD TRUCK. OBVIOUSLY, THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. I ONLY HOPE THERE IS A RECALL BEFORE TOO MANY PEOPLE DIE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273718

40,000 miles · Apr 9, 2009
SteeringSuspension

I OWN A 2005 FORD F-250 CREW CAB 4X4 LONG BED TRUCK ALL STOCK. WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MILES PER HOUR I EXPERIENCE VIOLENT SHAKING FROM THE FRONT END WHICH IS CALLED DEATH WOBBLE AFTER DOING RESEARCH. FORD SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRUCK AND THAT IT IS FINE. THE WOBBLE ONLY STOPS WHEN MY SPEED IS DECREA…

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I OWN A 2005 FORD F-250 CREW CAB 4X4 LONG BED TRUCK ALL STOCK. WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MILES PER HOUR I EXPERIENCE VIOLENT SHAKING FROM THE FRONT END WHICH IS CALLED DEATH WOBBLE AFTER DOING RESEARCH. FORD SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRUCK AND THAT IT IS FINE. THE WOBBLE ONLY STOPS WHEN MY SPEED IS DECREASED UNDER 40 MPH OR SO. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE TRUCK IS EXTREMELY HARD TO CONTROL AND REQUIRES YOU TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES AT HIGH SPEEDS. I HAVE FOUNDS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ONLINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 05-06 SUPER DUTY TRUCKS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME DOZENS OF TIMES AND I'M TIRED OF IT. I PUT A LARGER SIZE TIRE ALL THE WAY AROUND AND IT DIDN'T HELP ANY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264873

65,197 miles · Aug 29, 2008
SteeringTiresCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN AND THE TIRES BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A MOUNTAIN AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TWICE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN AND THE TIRES BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A MOUNTAIN AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TWICE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,197.

NHTSA ODI #10240263

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2008
SteeringStructure

IN DRIVING MY FORD F-250 PICK-UP, I HAVE EXPERIENCES SEVERE VIBRATIONS/OSCILLATIONS AT HIGH (OVER 60MPH) SPEEDS. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE TRUCK RUNS OVER A SMALL IMPERFECTION IN THE ROAD. THESE OSCILLATIONS ARE QUITE SEVERE - FORCING EMERGENCY LEAVE CHANGE/LOSS OF CONTROL. WHEN THE TRUCK SLOWS DOWN TO ABOUT 40, THE OSCILLATIONS C…

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IN DRIVING MY FORD F-250 PICK-UP, I HAVE EXPERIENCES SEVERE VIBRATIONS/OSCILLATIONS AT HIGH (OVER 60MPH) SPEEDS. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE TRUCK RUNS OVER A SMALL IMPERFECTION IN THE ROAD. THESE OSCILLATIONS ARE QUITE SEVERE - FORCING EMERGENCY LEAVE CHANGE/LOSS OF CONTROL. WHEN THE TRUCK SLOWS DOWN TO ABOUT 40, THE OSCILLATIONS CEASE. THIS SHAKING IS SO SEVERE IT HAS DAMAGED THE PAINT ON THE HOOD DUE TO THE HOOD SLOSHING BACK AND FORTH. IT IS DEFINITELY LIFE-THREATENING. THE FORD DEALER IS AT A LOSS, THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10219199

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2008
Steering

2005 FORD F-250 WITH STEERING PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL SHAKES SO MUCH THAT THE VEHICLE WILL LEAVE THE ROAD. HE STATES THAT THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO SOLVE THE STEERING PROBLEM. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRES WERE REPLACED, THE SHOCKS, WHEEL BEARINGS, BRAKES AND FRONT END WERE CHECKED…

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2005 FORD F-250 WITH STEERING PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL SHAKES SO MUCH THAT THE VEHICLE WILL LEAVE THE ROAD. HE STATES THAT THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO SOLVE THE STEERING PROBLEM. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRES WERE REPLACED, THE SHOCKS, WHEEL BEARINGS, BRAKES AND FRONT END WERE CHECKED BY THE DEALER AND STATED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. UPDATED.

NHTSA ODI #10215018

18,000 miles · Oct 22, 2007
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER AFTER DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A NORMAL FRONT END SHAKE AND CONTINUED DRIVING HOME AT A LOWER RATE OF SPEED. THE DEALER ROTATED THE TIRES, BUT THAT DID NOT CORRECT T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER AFTER DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A NORMAL FRONT END SHAKE AND CONTINUED DRIVING HOME AT A LOWER RATE OF SPEED. THE DEALER ROTATED THE TIRES, BUT THAT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER TO CALL NHTSA AND TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

NHTSA ODI #10206556

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.