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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

What owners actually said

144 reports
113,000 miles · Nov 5, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ODI #10788546

65,000 miles · Oct 29, 2015
Wheels

PURCHASED BF GOODRICH TIRES FROM DISCOUNT TIRE 2 YEARS AGO, WITH 21000 MILES ON THE TIRES ONE TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION WHICH WAS REPLACED WITHOUT INCIDENT IN AUGUST 2015. IN OCTOBER 2015, WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH DOWN HILL ON I-17 FROM SUNSET POINT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED CAUSING A NEAR ACCIDE…

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PURCHASED BF GOODRICH TIRES FROM DISCOUNT TIRE 2 YEARS AGO, WITH 21000 MILES ON THE TIRES ONE TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION WHICH WAS REPLACED WITHOUT INCIDENT IN AUGUST 2015. IN OCTOBER 2015, WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH DOWN HILL ON I-17 FROM SUNSET POINT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED CAUSING A NEAR ACCIDENT. THE TIRE CAUSED MINOR DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL WELL AND HAD TO OBVIOUSLY BE CHANGED. TIRE WAS REPLACED BY DISCOUNT. PROBLEM LIES IN THE FACT THAT WE BOUGHT FOUR TIRES ALL FROM THE SAME STOCK. WE ANTICIPATE SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE REMAINING TWO BUT ARE NOT WILLING TO RISK OUR LIVES TO FIND OUT WHEN THEY WILL SEPARATE AND GO FLAT ON US. WE ARE NOW FORCED TO BUY TWO NEW TIRES AT FULL VALUE OUT OF FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN AS WE TRANSPORT OUR GRANDCHILDREN OFTEN AND HAVE PLANS TO TAKE OUR TRAVEL TRAILER OUT. THE BF GOODRICH TIRES ARE 275/65 R20 (BEOT UH11 0212).

NHTSA ODI #10786903

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

50,000 miles · Jun 1, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAFETY STRAPS THAT SECURED THE FUEL TANK WERE RUSTED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10722700

66,000 miles · Feb 9, 2015
Engine

PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY IT STARTED SMOKING REALLY BAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10682267

160,000 miles · Jan 8, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ICP PRESSURE SYSTEM FAILED AND NEE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ICP PRESSURE SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10671023

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

41,575 miles · Sep 9, 2014
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKES OVERHEATED AND SEIZED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKES OVERHEATED AND SEIZED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,575. UPDATED 10/28/2014*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS HAD A FRONT END SHIMMY SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. UPDATED 4/22/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10631812

145,000 miles · Aug 21, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemFireInjury

THE 2005 FORD F250 PICKUP TRUCKS HAS AN ISSUE WHILE FILLING VEHICLE WITH FUEL. THE FUEL SHOOTS OUT OF GAS TANK FILL INLET DURING THE FUELING PROCESS. THIS PROBLEM WILL HAPPEN WITH THE FUEL GAUGE REGISTERING EMPTY, HALF, OR NEAR FULL. I HAVE HAD GAS SHOOT ALL OVER ME AND OTHER PEOPLE TIME AND TIME AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO…

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THE 2005 FORD F250 PICKUP TRUCKS HAS AN ISSUE WHILE FILLING VEHICLE WITH FUEL. THE FUEL SHOOTS OUT OF GAS TANK FILL INLET DURING THE FUELING PROCESS. THIS PROBLEM WILL HAPPEN WITH THE FUEL GAUGE REGISTERING EMPTY, HALF, OR NEAR FULL. I HAVE HAD GAS SHOOT ALL OVER ME AND OTHER PEOPLE TIME AND TIME AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO NOT GET GAS IN THAT TRUCK AT EVERY GAS STATION NEAR MY HOME. I HAVE TO DRIVE ACROSS TOWN TO GET GAS. AS SOON AS THEY NOTICE FUEL SPILLING OUT OF MY TRUCK, I WILL BE BANNED FROM THEIR STATIONS TOO. THERE ARE 8 GAS STATIONS WITHIN 5 BLOCKS THAT HAVE BANNED ME. IT COSTS ME APPROX. $4 TO GO GET FUEL, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A STATION 1 BLOCK AWAY. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE MANY TIMES. THEY CLAIM IT ISN'T A RECALL ISSUE. I RESEARCHED THE FORD EXECUTIVES COMPANY EMAIL ADDRESSES AND SENT EMAILS TO THEM. THE EMAIL ADDRESSES WERE STILL VALID AND NOT RETURNED. THE EMAILS MADE IT TO THOSE EXECUTIVES BUT THEY NEVER RESPONDED. I EXPLAINED THAT THE FUEL SPILLAGE IS CAUSING A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND MAY KILL ME OR SOMEONE ELSE. I EXPLAINED THAT THE PROBLEM MAY CAUSE AN EXPLOSION AT A STORE. THE FORD MOTOR SERVICE PROFESSIONALS HAVE TOLD ME THAT THE FILTER IN THE TANK HAS GONE BAD. I HAVE MADE THE COSTLY REPAIR 4 TIMES SINCE MAY OF 2008. IT WORKS WELL FOR A FEW MONTHS AND THEN THE GAS SHOOTS OUT AGAIN. ON ONE OF THOSE INSTANCES, THE FUEL SPILLED OUT, AND I FINISHED FUELING AND PULLED TO THE FRONT OF THE STORE TO REPORT THE SPILLAGE. SOMEONE DROVE UP IN THAT SPOT SMOKING A CIGARETTE AND CAUSED A FIRE FROM THE FUEL SPILLED AT THE PUMP. I WAS BANNED FROM THAT STORE AS WELL. I HAVE TO EITHER PAY FOR A COSTLY GAS TANK FUEL FILTER REPLACEMENT, GET BANNED FROM STORES FOR HONESTLY REPORTING THE SPILLAGE, OR FUEL UP AND DRIVE AWAY FROM THE STORE BEFORE SOMEONE NOTICES THAT I SPILLED FUEL. I DON'T LIKE DOING ANY OF THOSE THINGS. FORD DOESN'T CARE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626940

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.