← New search

2005 Ford F-350 Sd

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most F-350 Sd years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford F-350 Sd are substantially higher than the model-year median of 73.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

198 reports with mileage · 19 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports8 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

217 reports
230,000 miles · Feb 27, 2019
Tires

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE I-85 IN NORTH GA ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH TRAVELING 65MPH. REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD FLIES OFF. TRUCK ROCKS AND MAKES A LOT OF NOISE. ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND MOVE TO EMERGENCY LANE. TIRE APPEARS TO HAVE PEELED APART LIKE A BANANA. *DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11182761

143,000 miles · Sep 2, 2018
Steering

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I HIT A SMALL BUMP AT 65MPH AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END STARTED VIOLENTLY SHAKING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO FALL APART. HAS HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES NOW AND TO MY PREGNANT WIFE 3 TIMES IN ONE TRIP! VERY SCARY AND A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE RECTIFIED IMMEDIATELY. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AT 60MPH+ OR ANY S…

Read full complaint

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I HIT A SMALL BUMP AT 65MPH AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END STARTED VIOLENTLY SHAKING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO FALL APART. HAS HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES NOW AND TO MY PREGNANT WIFE 3 TIMES IN ONE TRIP! VERY SCARY AND A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE RECTIFIED IMMEDIATELY. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AT 60MPH+ OR ANY SPEED REALLY.

NHTSA ODI #11124008

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2017
EngineFire

2005 FORD F-350. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE FIRE. *SMD ATTORNEY SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *LD UPDATED 07/18/2017 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10909134

170,000 miles · Feb 8, 2016
SteeringSuspensionUnknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE BACK ROAD AROUND 45 TO 50 MPH, AND MY TRUCK STARTED VIOLENTLY SHAKING AND I LOST ALL CONTROL OF STEERING. I WENT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE, LUCKILY NO ONE WAS COMING, AND HAD TO HIT MY BRAKES HARD TO GET THE SHAKING TO STOP. IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 35-40 ON A CITY STREET AND 60 MP…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE BACK ROAD AROUND 45 TO 50 MPH, AND MY TRUCK STARTED VIOLENTLY SHAKING AND I LOST ALL CONTROL OF STEERING. I WENT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE, LUCKILY NO ONE WAS COMING, AND HAD TO HIT MY BRAKES HARD TO GET THE SHAKING TO STOP. IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 35-40 ON A CITY STREET AND 60 MPH ON A HIGHWAY. THIS IS KNOWN AS DEATH WOBBLE. THE WOBBLE WAS SO BAD THAT IT LOOSENED THE TRACK BAR AND THE BOLT HOLDING THE POWER STEERING HARD LINE. I LOST ALL POWER STEERING FLUID WITHIN SECONDS. I HAVE RESEARCHED IT, TRIED REPLACING SEVERAL PARTS, LIKE TIE-RODS, AND IT HAS LESSENED A LITTLE BIT, BUT IF I HIT A BUMPY ROAD OR EVEN JUST A PATCH OF NEW PAVEMENT, IT STARTS SHAKING. I HAVE READ A LOT OF OTHER FORD OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR TRUCKS.

NHTSA ODI #10824888

52,000 miles · Oct 27, 2015
Engine

THE HEAD BOLTS HAVE A KNOWN DEFECT, WHICH FORD FILED A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST THE ENGINE MANUFACTURE NOVASTAR FOR AND WON. THIS DEFECT/WEAKNESS CAN CAUSE THE BOLTS TO FAIL/BREAK CAUSING MANY COMPONENTS TO BECOME DAMAGED. THIS CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND/OR INJURY TO THE VEHICLES OCCUPANTS. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE NE…

Read full complaint

THE HEAD BOLTS HAVE A KNOWN DEFECT, WHICH FORD FILED A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST THE ENGINE MANUFACTURE NOVASTAR FOR AND WON. THIS DEFECT/WEAKNESS CAN CAUSE THE BOLTS TO FAIL/BREAK CAUSING MANY COMPONENTS TO BECOME DAMAGED. THIS CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND/OR INJURY TO THE VEHICLES OCCUPANTS. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS A RECALL BECAUSE ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH ALL OF THE 6.0 DIESEL ENGINES IN THIS YEAR/MODEL ARE AFFECTED.

NHTSA ODI #10786465

263,755 miles · Oct 27, 2015
Electrical System

VEHICLE STALL/DIE WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. WHEN THE VEHICLE DIES, UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND NO POWER AT ALL. HAVE A RECALL NUMBER 05S34, BUT FORD DEALERSHIP WON'T REPAIR IT BECAUSE MY VIN ISN'T ON RECALL. WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT?

NHTSA ODI #10786312

94,585 miles · Sep 17, 2015
TiresCrashInjury

TIRE FAILURE CAUSING ACCIDENT WITH PROPERTY DAMAGE AND MINOR INJURIES. TIRE WAS THE FRONT LEFT TIRE ON A 2005 FORD F350 4X4 SRW. TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES. ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE TOWING A FIFTH WHEEL TOY HAULER TRAILER. TRAILER IS 25' LONG WITH AN APPROXIMATE EMPTY WEIGHT OF 5500 LBS. ALSO IN THE TRAILER WERE PERSONAL…

Read full complaint

TIRE FAILURE CAUSING ACCIDENT WITH PROPERTY DAMAGE AND MINOR INJURIES. TIRE WAS THE FRONT LEFT TIRE ON A 2005 FORD F350 4X4 SRW. TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES. ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE TOWING A FIFTH WHEEL TOY HAULER TRAILER. TRAILER IS 25' LONG WITH AN APPROXIMATE EMPTY WEIGHT OF 5500 LBS. ALSO IN THE TRAILER WERE PERSONAL EFFECTS INCLUDING ONE MOTORCYCLE WITH AN APPROXIMATE WEIGHT OF 550 LBS. TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED AT 76 PSI COLD 3 DAYS PRIOR TO INCIDENT. ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE WEATHER WAS SUNNY WITH TEMPERATURES IN THE 70S TO LOW 80S. SPEED OF VEHICLE AT TIME OF INCIDENT WAS 60-65 MPH. APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES PRIOR TO INCIDENT, A STOP WAS MADE FOR FUEL WITH DRIVER DOING A WALK AROUND VISUAL INSPECTION WITH NO DEFECTS NOTED. LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW WITH NO ADVANCED WARNING. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL HARD TO THE LEFT. VEHICLE LEFT THE ROADWAY INTO THE MEDIAN. VEHICLE JACK-KNIFED AND OVERTURNED TO ITS RIGHT SIDE. GUARD RAIL STOPPED VEHICLE FROM ENTERING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER OVERTURNED ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE. OCCUPANTS OF VEHICLE, ONE ADULT MALE DRIVER AND ONE ADULT FEMALE PASSENGER SELF EXTRICATED VIA THE BACK WINDOW. DRIVER UNINJURED. PASSENGER NOTED MINOR CUTS, 'ROAD RASH', BRUISES AND PAIN TO LEFT WRIST. BOTH OCCUPANTS REFUSED TREATMENT AND TRANSPORT BY EMERGENCY RESPONDING UNITS. UPON INSPECTION, IT APPEARS, TO THE OPINION OF THE DRIVER, THAT THE TIRE FAILED AT THE SIDEWALL NEAR THE BEAD CAUSING A RAPID LOSS OF AIR AND SUBSEQUENT DELAMINATION OF TIRE STRUCTURE. THE TRUCK AND FIFTH WHEEL WAS TOTALLY DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. THE FEMALE PASSENGER CONTINUES TO MONITOR INJURIES WITH NO MEDICAL ATTENTION SOUGHT AT THIS TIME. TRUCK AND TRAILER WAS TOWED BY A LOCAL SALVAGE AND RECOVERY COMPANY TO THEIR YARD. TRUCK AND TRAILER WERE RELEASED BY THE DRIVER/OWNER TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR INSPECTION, ALTHOUGH HE MAINTAINS OWNERSHIP OF VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #10764486

57,000 miles · Aug 20, 2015
Wheels

THIS HAS TO DO WITH 19.5" WHEELS MANUFACTURED BY VISION WHEEL,SPECIFICALLY WHEEL # 81A-9770MBO. ON THE BACK OF THE WHEEL THERE IS A RELIEF MACHINED AROUND EACH LUG HOLE THAT IS ABOUT 1/8"DEEP X 3/4" IN DIA. WHETHER THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DESIGN OR A FLAW I AM NOT SURE,BUT PREVIOUS WHEELS OF THE SAME MODEL NO. DO NOT HAVE THIS …

Read full complaint

THIS HAS TO DO WITH 19.5" WHEELS MANUFACTURED BY VISION WHEEL,SPECIFICALLY WHEEL # 81A-9770MBO. ON THE BACK OF THE WHEEL THERE IS A RELIEF MACHINED AROUND EACH LUG HOLE THAT IS ABOUT 1/8"DEEP X 3/4" IN DIA. WHETHER THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DESIGN OR A FLAW I AM NOT SURE,BUT PREVIOUS WHEELS OF THE SAME MODEL NO. DO NOT HAVE THIS AND ARE FLAT ON THE BACK. SHOULD THE LUGS NUTS BE OVER TIGHTENED IT CRACKS THE RIM AROUND THE LUG HOLE AND STARTS TO PULL THROUGH. I FOUND THIS SHORTLY AFTER I GOT MY TRUCK BACK FROM THE TIRE SHOP AND WAS LOOKING AT THE NEW WHEELS.IT IS NOT READILY NOTICEABLE AND WAS JUST LUCK THAT I SAW IT. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN ANY TIME A WHEEL IS TAKEN OFF FOR SOME SERVICE OR ANOTHER. IF THE WHEEL LUG NUTS GET OVER TORQUED THIS OCCURS. THESE WHEELS ARE USED PRIMARILY BY PEOPLE THAT CARRY HEAVY LOADS AS THE 19.5 TIRES AFFORD BETTER STABILITY. SHOULD SOMEONE NOT BE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF LOOSING A TIRE. THIS COULD BE RESOLVED SIMPLY BY NOT MACHINING THE BACK OF THE WHEEL AS WAS NOTED ABOVE. I BELIEVE THIS COULD BE A HAZARD. CONTACT INFO CAN BE OBTAINED HERE: HTTP://WWW.VISIONWHEEL.COM/CONTACT.CFM

NHTSA ODI #10750158

143,000 miles · Mar 1, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion System

FOR THE PAST WEEK MY TRUCK HAS BEEN TAKING LONGER TO START THEN NORMAL TODAY IT STARTED TO STALL ON MY I WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOME WHILE IT STALLED 4 MORE TIMES ON THE WAY. SHOPPED AT A FRIENDS SHOP ON THE WAY HOME AND HAD THEM SCAN THE COMPUTER FOUND OUT MY FICM IS NO GO MY IPR IS BAD AND MY STC FITTING IS BAD THEY FOUND THE STC …

Read full complaint

FOR THE PAST WEEK MY TRUCK HAS BEEN TAKING LONGER TO START THEN NORMAL TODAY IT STARTED TO STALL ON MY I WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOME WHILE IT STALLED 4 MORE TIMES ON THE WAY. SHOPPED AT A FRIENDS SHOP ON THE WAY HOME AND HAD THEM SCAN THE COMPUTER FOUND OUT MY FICM IS NO GO MY IPR IS BAD AND MY STC FITTING IS BAD THEY FOUND THE STC WHEN THEY PULLED THE TURBO ASWELL AS MY DUMMY PLUGS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10691382

124,723 miles · Feb 3, 2015
Engine

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,723.

NHTSA ODI #10680920

Official recalls

3

11V352000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

Jul 13, 2011

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.

Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.

Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

05V270000 · Electrical System:wiring

Jun 10, 2005

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND MAY OR MAY NOT RESTART.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE (FICM) WIRE HARNESS OR REPLACED, AND/OR HAVE A NEW INJECTION CONTROL PRESSURE (ICP)) SENSOR CONNECTOR INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

05V266000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Jun 9, 2005

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND CHASSIS CAB VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L GASOLINE ENGINES, THE FUEL JUMPER LINE MAY HAVE AN INCORRECT END FORM.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE FUEL LINE MAY SEPARATE AT THE CONNECTION TO THE MAIN FUEL BUNDLE. IF THE FUEL LINE SEPARATES, AN OPERATOR MAY NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR AND/OR FUEL ON THE GROUND, LOSS OF POWER, AND THE ENGINE WILL EVENTUALLY STALL. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN EXTERNAL RETENTION CLIP AT THE FUEL JUMPER LINE TO THE MAIN FUEL BUNDLE CONNECTION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 20, 2005. 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

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.