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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

Owner complaints by model year

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

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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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

Suspension complaints

37 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2011
Suspension

WHEN I HIT A POT HOLE DOING 50MPH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE STARTS TO SHAKE ON UNCONTROLLABLY PRESSURE IS OK. BRAKES ARE NEW,WHAT SHOULD I DO TO REPAIR THIS ? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10438844

23,000 miles · Dec 5, 2011
Suspension

I JUST RECEIVED FROM FORD ANOTHER NOTICE ABOUT THE OUT OF CONTROL SHIMMING THAT TAKES PLACE CONCERNING THE 2005 F- 250 . FORD HAS DOES NOTHING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM OTHER THAN TO BLOW SMOKE AT EVERYONE ABOUT THE TIRE PRESSURE. SINCE I BOUGHT THIS UNIT NEW, THE TIRE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN CORRECTED TO THE PROPER AMOUNT OR THE CO…

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I JUST RECEIVED FROM FORD ANOTHER NOTICE ABOUT THE OUT OF CONTROL SHIMMING THAT TAKES PLACE CONCERNING THE 2005 F- 250 . FORD HAS DOES NOTHING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM OTHER THAN TO BLOW SMOKE AT EVERYONE ABOUT THE TIRE PRESSURE. SINCE I BOUGHT THIS UNIT NEW, THE TIRE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN CORRECTED TO THE PROPER AMOUNT OR THE CORRECT TIRES BEEN REPLACED. STILL THIS ISSUE TAKES PLACE . ITS AN UNBELIEVABLE TERRIFYING SHAKING THAT TAKES PLACE , AND ONLY STOPS WHEN THE TRUCK GETS TO ABOUT 20-25 MILES AN HOUR. THIS OCCURRED MOST RECENTLY, LAST THAT A CAR FOLLOWING ME , PULLED ME OVER TO TELL ME HOW IT LOOKED FROM THE REAR, TO THE POINT THE PERSON BEHIND ME WAS FEARFUL FOR THEIR SAFETY AS WELL. I REFUSE TO LET ANY MEMBER OF THE FAMILY DRIVE THIS TRUCK ,OTHER THAN MYSELF. THERE IS CERTAINLY MORE TO THIS ISSUE THAN WHAT FORD IS MAKING OUT TO BE AND ALL FORD WANTS TO DO IS BLOW SMOKE AT US ABOUT THE TIRE PRESSURE. I'VE TRIED TO SELL THIS UNIT TO NO AVAIL, AS THE DEALERS DON'T WANT TO TOUCH THIS UNIT AND OTHERS HAVE CHECKED ON LINE TO HAVE FOUND OUT ABOUT IT AND ASKED ME ABOUT IT , AND WANTING TO BE HONEST I TOLD THEM ABOUT IT. SO NOW I HAVE A TRUCK THAT I CAN'T EVEN SELL AT A DEEP DISCOUNT. THANKS FORD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10438592

129,000 miles · Oct 12, 2011
Suspension

MY FORD F250 HAS A VERY DANGEROUS WOBBLE WHEN I HIT A BUMP ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE AND ALL FOUR TIRES ARE FINE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAD FOUND THAT THIS IS A ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE FORD SD TRUCKS. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE OR SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED DUE TO A BAD ACCIDENT. EVERY DEALER THA…

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MY FORD F250 HAS A VERY DANGEROUS WOBBLE WHEN I HIT A BUMP ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE AND ALL FOUR TIRES ARE FINE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAD FOUND THAT THIS IS A ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE FORD SD TRUCKS. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE OR SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED DUE TO A BAD ACCIDENT. EVERY DEALER THAT I TALK TO HAS NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BUT YET I SEE IT POSTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET. I AM VERY UPSET AND I AM GOING TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10429550

50,035 miles · Sep 27, 2011
SteeringSuspension

CRUISING ALONG THE HIGHWAY, IF I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD DOING ANY SPEED OVER 55 MPH THE TRUCK BEGINS TO SHAKE VERY BADLY!! SO BAD THAT I CAN HARDLY CONTROL THE TRUCK. ONLY WAY TO MAKE IT STOP IS TO SLOW TO 40 MPH. VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON ANY HIGHWAY!! THERE IS NO BAD PARTS ON THIS TRUCK...

NHTSA ODI #10428509

60,000 miles · Sep 12, 2011
SteeringSuspension

DURING HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND YOU HIT A SET OF BUMPS OR A SINGLE BUMP MY TRUCK WILL VIOLENTLY SHAKE AT THE FRONT END. IT FEELS LIKE THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK IS COMING APART! FORD WILL NOT ADMIT ANYTHING IS WRONG.. THERE ARE COUNTLESS ENTRIES ABOUT THIS ALL OVER THE WEB.. IS SOMEBODY GOING TO DO SOMETHING?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10424761

18,723 miles · Jul 24, 2011
SteeringSuspension

MY KIDS AND I WERE DRIVING ON I-70 WEST COMING FROM CAMBRIDGE OHIO TO COLUMBUS. WE HIT A ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD AND THE FRONT END STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE WHOLE TRUCK WAS SHAKING. I LET MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND CHANGED LANES. THIS DID NOT STOP THE SHAKING. I WENT OFF ON THE BERM AND CONTINUED TO S…

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MY KIDS AND I WERE DRIVING ON I-70 WEST COMING FROM CAMBRIDGE OHIO TO COLUMBUS. WE HIT A ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD AND THE FRONT END STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE WHOLE TRUCK WAS SHAKING. I LET MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND CHANGED LANES. THIS DID NOT STOP THE SHAKING. I WENT OFF ON THE BERM AND CONTINUED TO SLOW DOWN. AT APPROX. 35-40 MPH IT STOPPED SHAKING. I CHECKED THE TIRES AND ALL WERE FINE. WE PROCEEDED ON AND ROUGHLY 10 MILES DOWN THE ROAD IT DID IT AGAIN. I AGAIN TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND HEADED TOWARDS THE BERM, I DID TRY HITTING THE BRAKES THIS TIME. BRAKES MADE NO DIFFERENCE. THE SHAKING DID NOT STOP UNTIL WE WERE BETWEEN 35 AND 40 MPH. I HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK SINCE IT HAD 5,000 MILES ON IT AND HAVE TRAVELED THIS ROAD MANY TIMES. THE TRUCK HAS ALWAYS BOUNCED AROUND WHEN HITTING ROUGH ROAD SURFACES, HOWEVER, IT STOPPED ONCE PAST THE ROUGH SPOT. MY TRUCK IS ONLY USED OCCASIONALLY AND HAS ALL OF ITS ORIGINAL COMPONENTS IT LEFT THE FACTORY WITH, INCLUDING THE TIRES. I CAN NOT FIND ANY LOOSE TIE ROD ENDS. ONCE I GOT HOME I TURNED OFF THE TRUCK AND WHEN I WENT TO RESTART IT TO PULL INTO THE GARAGE THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. THIS COULD OF BEEN TOTALLY COINCIDENCE, HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THE VIOLENT SHAKING CAUSED A BATTERY PLATE TO SHORT OUT. IN MY OPINION THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND IS NOT A SAFE CONDITION FOR ANYONE TO BE IN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING, SHE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. I APPRECIATE YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER AS IT COULD HAVE VERY SERIOUS AND UNFORTUNATE CONSEQUENCES FOR OTHER OWNERS WHO COULD EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM, AT ANY TIME, WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA ODI #10415851

125 miles · Nov 17, 2010
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE SHIMMY SHOCK BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN 2009 STATIN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE SHIMMY SHOCK BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN 2009 STATING ADVISING HIM TO KEEP THE TIRES INFLATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO 35-40 MPH TO GET THE SHAKING TO STOP. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000.

NHTSA ODI #10366552

26,000 miles · Sep 7, 2010
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH OVER A BUMP OR CRACK IN THE SURFACE OF THE ROAD THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE F…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH OVER A BUMP OR CRACK IN THE SURFACE OF THE ROAD THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28000. UPDATED 01/11/2011*LJ UPDATED 04/07/11

NHTSA ODI #10354176

87,000 miles · Aug 2, 2010
Suspension

2005 FORD F 250 CREWCAB 4X4 FRONT END SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY AFTER HITTING A BUMP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BOUNCES AROUND TO WHERE OTHER VEHICLE ON THE ROADWAY HAVE TO SWERVE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 30 MPH. I JUST RECENTLY HAD THE STEERING STABILIZER, DRAG LINK BAR AND SH…

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2005 FORD F 250 CREWCAB 4X4 FRONT END SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY AFTER HITTING A BUMP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BOUNCES AROUND TO WHERE OTHER VEHICLE ON THE ROADWAY HAVE TO SWERVE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 30 MPH. I JUST RECENTLY HAD THE STEERING STABILIZER, DRAG LINK BAR AND SHOCKS ON THE TRUCK REPLACED ALONG WITH TIGHTENING THE STEERING GEAR BOX AND IT STILL CONTINUES TO DO THE SAME THING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10346716

30,000 miles · Jun 29, 2010
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH, BOTH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BEGIN TO ABNORMALLY SHAKE AND VIBRATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT SHOCKS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH, BOTH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BEGIN TO ABNORMALLY SHAKE AND VIBRATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT SHOCKS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #10340601

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.