NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
195 reports48,048 miles · Apr 6, 2021
Power TrainSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SPITZER FORD (543 W MAPLE ST, HARTVILLE, OH 44632) AND INFORMED THAT THE TRACK BAR, BALL JOINTS, TIE ROD JOINTS AND POSSIBLE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY NEEDED T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SPITZER FORD (543 W MAPLE ST, HARTVILLE, OH 44632) AND INFORMED THAT THE TRACK BAR, BALL JOINTS, TIE ROD JOINTS AND POSSIBLE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD BE NOTIFIED IN THE EVENT THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN FOR THE FAILURE EXPERIENCED. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT AN EXTRA HEAVY DUTY STEERING DAMPER BE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,048.*DT
NHTSA ODI #11406671
175,000 miles · Mar 9, 2021
SuspensionUnknown Or Other
TRUCK HAS STARTED DOING THE "FORD DEATH WOBBLE" TRUCK VIOLENTLY SHAKES AT CERTAIN SPEEDS UNTIL YOU SLOW DOWN OR STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT SPEEDS AROUND 60MPH.
NHTSA ODI #11399941
172,600 miles · Nov 19, 2020
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE VEHICLE LIGHTS WENT OUT, NO HIGH BEAMS, NO DRIVING LIGHTS AT ALL, NO BLINKERS ETC. THE FLASHERS WORKED ONLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING, TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND IT CONTINUED TO RUNTURNED KEY BACK ON AND TURNED FLASHERS OFF AND SPUTTERED AND DIED, BUT THEN ONLY THE MIRROR AND TAIL LIGHT FLASHERS W…
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WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE VEHICLE LIGHTS WENT OUT, NO HIGH BEAMS, NO DRIVING LIGHTS AT ALL, NO BLINKERS ETC. THE FLASHERS WORKED ONLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING, TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND IT CONTINUED TO RUNTURNED KEY BACK ON AND TURNED FLASHERS OFF AND SPUTTERED AND DIED, BUT THEN ONLY THE MIRROR AND TAIL LIGHT FLASHERS WORKED, NOTHING IN THE FRONT WORKED. WHEN ATTEMTED TO CHECK TO SEE IF LIGHTS WOULD COME ON OR FLASHERS THE WRENCH ICON WOULD APPEAR, ALL INSTRUMENT WARNING CAME ON TO CHECK BREAK SYSYTEM BUT STILL NO LIGHTS OR FLASHER. THIS WAS AN ETREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION DUE TO THE FACT WE WERE IN A DARK RURAL AREA ON A 2 LANE HWY AND COULD NOT SEE A THING. THE VEHICLE INTERMITITNGLY WILL NOT START AND WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME. ALSO BACK UP SENSOR WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY AT TIMES, THE SOONEST WE CAN GET VEHICLE YO YHE SHOP IS NEXT TUESDAY.
NHTSA ODI #11375363
200,000 miles · Oct 7, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringSuspension
DRIVING MY 2008 FORD F250 AT OVER 50 MILES PER HOUR AND HITTING BUMPS IN THE ROAD CAUSES THE CURSED "DEATH WOBBLE". IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. ONCE WITH MY FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE AND MY WIFE DRIVING. ALMOST CAUSED HER TO WRECK BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE INTERSTATE. HAVE PAID FOR REPAIRS MULTIPLE TIMES, WITH THE …
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DRIVING MY 2008 FORD F250 AT OVER 50 MILES PER HOUR AND HITTING BUMPS IN THE ROAD CAUSES THE CURSED "DEATH WOBBLE". IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. ONCE WITH MY FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE AND MY WIFE DRIVING. ALMOST CAUSED HER TO WRECK BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE INTERSTATE. HAVE PAID FOR REPAIRS MULTIPLE TIMES, WITH THE SAME THING HAPPENING AFTER REPAIRS.
NHTSA ODI #11363177
110,000 miles · Sep 28, 2020
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE TO HITCH A TRAILER ONTO TO THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT BRAKE FLUID HAD LEAKED FROM THE BRAK…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE TO HITCH A TRAILER ONTO TO THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT BRAKE FLUID HAD LEAKED FROM THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. ADDITIONALLY, THE PRESSURE SWITCH WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE BRAKE SWITCH TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLUID PRESSURE WIRING HARNESS WAS DETACHED AND HANGING DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT HAD AN UNKNOWN DEALER ORDER A NEW BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.*DT CONSUMER STATED MASTER CYLINDER PRESSURE MALFUNCTIONED.*JB
NHTSA ODI #11361503
320,084 miles · Aug 25, 2020
SteeringSuspensionUnknown Or Other
DRIVING 60 ON THE HIGHWAY AND TRUCK AND STEERING WHEEL STARTED VIOLENTLY SHAKING. SEARCHED ONLINE AND IT IS DESCRIBED AS THE DEATH WOBBLE.
NHTSA ODI #11351201
180,000 miles · Aug 20, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringSuspension
DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK STARTS VIOLENTLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY SHAKING AND DOESN'T CEASE UNTIL YOU SLOW DOWN BELOW 20 MPH. THE FRONT END ALSO DOES THIS IF I'M DRIVING MORE THAN 25 MPH AND THE PAVEMENT CHANGES. THE COUNTY REPAVED A PORTION OF MY ROAD. THE SPEED LIMIT IS 55. EVERYTIME I REACH THE CHANGE IN …
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DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK STARTS VIOLENTLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY SHAKING AND DOESN'T CEASE UNTIL YOU SLOW DOWN BELOW 20 MPH. THE FRONT END ALSO DOES THIS IF I'M DRIVING MORE THAN 25 MPH AND THE PAVEMENT CHANGES. THE COUNTY REPAVED A PORTION OF MY ROAD. THE SPEED LIMIT IS 55. EVERYTIME I REACH THE CHANGE IN ASPHALT, I HAVE TO ALMOST STOP TO GET THE SHAKING TO STOP.
NHTSA ODI #11350367
Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2020
SteeringSuspension
THE DEATH WOBBLE. THE FRONT END STARTS SHAKING REALLY BAD HIT A BUMP IN ROAD GOING ABOVE 50 MPH AND WILL NOT STOP UNLESS I SLOW DOWN TO ALMOST A STOP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11329044
107,000 miles · May 27, 2020
SteeringSuspensionWheels
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IF I HIT A BUMP THE WHOLE TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY TO THE POINT OF LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I NEED TO BRAKE HEAVILY TO STOP THE SHAKING. I'VE READ UP ON IT AND IT HAS BEEN DUBBED THE 'DEATH WOBBLE' AND APPARENTLY IS A HUGE PROBLEM. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE TRUCK, SO I AM KEEPING IT OFF THE …
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WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IF I HIT A BUMP THE WHOLE TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY TO THE POINT OF LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I NEED TO BRAKE HEAVILY TO STOP THE SHAKING. I'VE READ UP ON IT AND IT HAS BEEN DUBBED THE 'DEATH WOBBLE' AND APPARENTLY IS A HUGE PROBLEM. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE TRUCK, SO I AM KEEPING IT OFF THE ROAD FOR THE SAFETY OF ME AND THOSE AROUND ME. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11326156
226,694 miles · Mar 21, 2020
Suspension
FORD DEATH WOBBLE. TOWING A 5TH WHEEL CAMPER AT 65 MPH. HIT A BUMP ON PA TURNPIKE. THE FRONT END SHOOK VIOLENTLY. ALMOST LOST CONTROL. MADE A PANIC SLOW DOWN TO 25 MPH TO REGAIN CONTROL.
NHTSA ODI #11318879
Official recalls
5Apr 25, 2008
FORD IS RECALLING 64,754 MY 2008 F-250 AND F-350 SINGLE REAR WHEEL, 4X4, 156 INCH WHEEL BASE PICK UP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO PIECE DRIVE SHAFT FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE FUEL SPILLAGE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." DURING A 30 MPH FRONTAL IMPACT INTO A RIGID BARRIER, THE FUEL TANK CAN MOVE FORWARD AND CONTACT A FRAME CROSS MEMBER, POTENTIALLY CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE WHICH CAN RESULT IN FUEL SPILLAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRACKET ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 23, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Feb 28, 2008
FORD IS RECALLING 87,515 MY 2008 F250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." SOME 40% SPLIT AND CAPTAIN'S CHAIR DRIVER'S SEATS, EQUIPPED WITH LUMBAR SUPPORTS, MAY HAVE IMPROPER WELDS AT THE JOINT OF THE SEAT BACK PIVOT BRACKET AND THE SEAT BACK FRAME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT SIDE PIVOT BRACKET MAY CRACK OR BREAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A REINFORCEMENT TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK FRAME ON THE 40% SPLIT OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIR SEAT EQUIPPED WITH LUMBAR SUPPORT OR, IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT BACK FRAME WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Nov 21, 2007
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ASSEMBLED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY PREVENT THE DRIVER AIR BAG FROM PROPERLY DEPLOYING AND REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE YOUR DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 20, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Mar 26, 2007
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A 6.4L DIESEL ENGINE, EXCESSIVE TEMPERATURES IN THE DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM MAY RESULT FROM EXCESS HYDROCARBONS IN THE EXHAUST.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LACK OF POWER OR ROUGH OPERATION, UNUSUAL NOISES FROM THE ENGINE OR EXHAUST, WHITE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST, AND POTENTIALLY A VISIBLE FLAME OUT THE TAILPIPE CAN OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Mar 26, 2007
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A 6.4L DIESEL ENGINE, INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE OF THE BATTERY POSITIVE (B+) WIRE TO THE RIGHT HAND SPLASH SHIELD BOLT MAY RESULT IN THE BATTERY B+ WIRE CONTACTING THE SPLASH SHIELD BOLT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LONG TERM CONTACT COULD CAUSE WIRE CHAFE, RESULTING IN COPPER WIRE BEING EXPOSED. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE BATTERY B+ WIRE COULD SHORT TO GROUND INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BATTERY B+ WIRE LOCATION AND, IF NECESSARY, REPOSITION THE WIRE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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
1PE13014 · Alleged Loss Of Steering
Opened May 7, 2013 · Closed Jan 31, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)
The Office of DefectsInvestigation (ODI) opened PE13-014 after identifying five complaints alleging steering gear failure in model year (MY) 2008 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pick-up trucks and to evaluate the relationship between the design history of the steering gear assembly and the alleged defect.As background, ODI investigated steering gear sector shaft fractures in approximately 1.3 million MY 1999 - 2001 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks and MY 2000 - 2001 Ford Excursion sport utility vehicles in Engineering Analysis EA01-009.The investigation determined that the sector shaft failures were the result of extraordinary, possibly multiple, impacts and not the result of fatigue.No defect in design, manufacturing or materials was identified in the sector shaft.EA01-009 was closed August 19, 2003 with 169 complaints, resulting in a rate of 12.9 incidents per 100,000 vehicles after approximately one year of service.Ford increased the diameter of the sector shaft from 1.375 inches to 1.625 inches at the start of MY 2005 production, increasing the resistance of the steering gear assembly to torsional overload by approximately 48% and changing the failure mode from sector shaft fracture to cracked or broken sector shaft gear teeth.The redesigned steering gear assembly was used in approximately 1.1 million MY 2005 through 2009 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks, including the subject vehicles.Figure 1 shows the basic steering system design used in Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009 and PE13-014. Figure 2 shows the locations of failures resulting from impact related torsional overloading of the sector shaft for the subject vehicles and the prior generation Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009.Figure 3 shows an example of a failed sector shaft investigated in EA01-009 and comparisons of fracture surfaces of sector shafts failing from fatigue loading and from torsional overload.Ford provided field return part analysis of failed steering gears from MY 2005 through 2009 Super Duty trucks found evidence of broken sector shaft gear teeth and piston damage consistent with incidents of single event overload (Figure 4).Laboratory analysis found no evidence of fatigue or material property defects in any of the fractures.Analysis of complaint rates by vehicle build month showed no patterns indicating potential manufacturing quality issues and no difference before and after Ford introduced design changes to the input shaft and sector shaft seals in July 2007 to address potential leak concerns (Figure 5).Analysis of failures by time in service indicates a random failure pattern/distribution, consistent with incidents of impact induced overload (Figure 6). The complaint rate for the subject vehicles after approximately 5 to 6 years, 7.1 incidents per 100,000 vehicles, is lower than the rate observed in EA01-009. Furthermore, similar to the condition investigated in EA01-009, a number of incident records include evidence of impact loads (e.g., curb strikes) and several alleged crashes include incidents in which information suggests that the steering gear failure was most likely a result of crash forces, rather than the cause of the crash.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at ww
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
The Office of DefectsInvestigation (ODI) opened PE13-014 after identifying five complaints alleging steering gear failure in model year (MY) 2008 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pick-up trucks and to evaluate the relationship between the design history of the steering gear assembly and the alleged defect.As background, ODI investigated steering gear sector shaft fractures in approximately 1.3 million MY 1999 - 2001 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks and MY 2000 - 2001 Ford Excursion sport utility vehicles in Engineering Analysis EA01-009.The investigation determined that the sector shaft failures were the result of extraordinary, possibly multiple, impacts and not the result of fatigue.No defect in design, manufacturing or materials was identified in the sector shaft.EA01-009 was closed August 19, 2003 with 169 complaints, resulting in a rate of 12.9 incidents per 100,000 vehicles after approximately one year of service.Ford increased the diameter of the sector shaft from 1.375 inches to 1.625 inches at the start of MY 2005 production, increasing the resistance of the steering gear assembly to torsional overload by approximately 48% and changing the failure mode from sector shaft fracture to cracked or broken sector shaft gear teeth.The redesigned steering gear assembly was used in approximately 1.1 million MY 2005 through 2009 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks, including the subject vehicles.Figure 1 shows the basic steering system design used in Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009 and PE13-014. Figure 2 shows the locations of failures resulting from impact related torsional overloading of the sector shaft for the subject vehicles and the prior generation Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009.Figure 3 shows an example of a failed sector shaft investigated in EA01-009 and comparisons of fracture surfaces of sector shafts failing from fatigue loading and from torsional overload.Ford provided field return part analysis of failed steering gears from MY 2005 through 2009 Super Duty trucks found evidence of broken sector shaft gear teeth and piston damage consistent with incidents of single event overload (Figure 4).Laboratory analysis found no evidence of fatigue or material property defects in any of the fractures.Analysis of complaint rates by vehicle build month showed no patterns indicating potential manufacturing quality issues and no difference before and after Ford introduced design changes to the input shaft and sector shaft seals in July 2007 to address potential leak concerns (Figure 5).Analysis of failures by time in service indicates a random failure pattern/distribution, consistent with incidents of impact induced overload (Figure 6). The complaint rate for the subject vehicles after approximately 5 to 6 years, 7.1 incidents per 100,000 vehicles, is lower than the rate observed in EA01-009. Furthermore, similar to the condition investigated in EA01-009, a number of incident records include evidence of impact loads (e.g., curb strikes) and several alleged crashes include incidents in which information suggests that the steering gear failure was most likely a result of crash forces, rather than the cause of the crash.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at ww
Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)
The Office of DefectsInvestigation (ODI) opened PE13-014 after identifying five complaints alleging steering gear failure in model year (MY) 2008 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pick-up trucks and to evaluate the relationship between the design history of the steering gear assembly and the alleged defect.As background, ODI investigated steering gear sector shaft fractures in approximately 1.3 million MY 1999 - 2001 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks and MY 2000 - 2001 Ford Excursion sport utility vehicles in Engineering Analysis EA01-009.The investigation determined that the sector shaft failures were the result of extraordinary, possibly multiple, impacts and not the result of fatigue.No defect in design, manufacturing or materials was identified in the sector shaft.EA01-009 was closed August 19, 2003 with 169 complaints, resulting in a rate of 12.9 incidents per 100,000 vehicles after approximately one year of service.Ford increased the diameter of the sector shaft from 1.375 inches to 1.625 inches at the start of MY 2005 production, increasing the resistance of the steering gear assembly to torsional overload by approximately 48% and changing the failure mode from sector shaft fracture to cracked or broken sector shaft gear teeth.The redesigned steering gear assembly was used in approximately 1.1 million MY 2005 through 2009 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks, including the subject vehicles.Figure 1 shows the basic steering system design used in Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009 and PE13-014. Figure 2 shows the locations of failures resulting from impact related torsional overloading of the sector shaft for the subject vehicles and the prior generation Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009.Figure 3 shows an example of a failed sector shaft investigated in EA01-009 and comparisons of fracture surfaces of sector shafts failing from fatigue loading and from torsional overload.Ford provided field return part analysis of failed steering gears from MY 2005 through 2009 Super Duty trucks found evidence of broken sector shaft gear teeth and piston damage consistent with incidents of single event overload (Figure 4).Laboratory analysis found no evidence of fatigue or material property defects in any of the fractures.Analysis of complaint rates by vehicle build month showed no patterns indicating potential manufacturing quality issues and no difference before and after Ford introduced design changes to the input shaft and sector shaft seals in July 2007 to address potential leak concerns (Figure 5).Analysis of failures by time in service indicates a random failure pattern/distribution, consistent with incidents of impact induced overload (Figure 6). The complaint rate for the subject vehicles after approximately 5 to 6 years, 7.1 incidents per 100,000 vehicles, is lower than the rate observed in EA01-009. Furthermore, similar to the condition investigated in EA01-009, a number of incident records include evidence of impact loads (e.g., curb strikes) and several alleged crashes include incidents in which information suggests that the steering gear failure was most likely a result of crash forces, rather than the cause of the crash.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at ww
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