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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

Steering complaints

38 reports
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40,000 miles · Oct 30, 2007
SteeringSuspensionTires

FRONT END SHIMMY ON FORD F350 4X4 CREW CAB DULLY, PRODUCTION YEAR 2005. AT ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE HITS A BUMP THE FRONT END STARTS TO SHAKE. THE FEED BACK THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL TRIES TO SHAKE THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF THE DRIVERS HANDS. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE FRONT STABILIZER SHOCK CHANGED, THE LEFT SIDE DRAG LINK…

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FRONT END SHIMMY ON FORD F350 4X4 CREW CAB DULLY, PRODUCTION YEAR 2005. AT ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE HITS A BUMP THE FRONT END STARTS TO SHAKE. THE FEED BACK THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL TRIES TO SHAKE THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF THE DRIVERS HANDS. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE FRONT STABILIZER SHOCK CHANGED, THE LEFT SIDE DRAG LINK CHANGED AND THE FRONT END RE-ALIGNED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONTINUING SINCE THE VEHICLE AS HAD APPROX 40,000 MILES. CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE HAS 90K. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE SHIMMY IS CAUSED BY THE TIRE PRESSURE, TIRES WORN, FRONT END WEAR, ECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10207387

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2007
SteeringSuspensionTires

I PURCHASED A NEW 2005 F-350 . SINCE DAY ONE IT HAS HAD A VIOLENT FRONT END SHAKE. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU HIT A BUMP OR NOT. I WILL NOT DRIVE IT ANY MORE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 15 TIMES AND THE HAVE REPLACED THE STEERING BOX, FRONT COIL SPRINGS, DAMPER, SHOCKS AND ADJUSTED THE TIRE PRESSURE. NOTHING SEEMS TO FIX TH…

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I PURCHASED A NEW 2005 F-350 . SINCE DAY ONE IT HAS HAD A VIOLENT FRONT END SHAKE. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU HIT A BUMP OR NOT. I WILL NOT DRIVE IT ANY MORE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 15 TIMES AND THE HAVE REPLACED THE STEERING BOX, FRONT COIL SPRINGS, DAMPER, SHOCKS AND ADJUSTED THE TIRE PRESSURE. NOTHING SEEMS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEN I TOOK IT TO AN OFF ROAD SPECIALTY STORE AND SPENT $6200.00 ON A 4INCH SUSPENSION LIFT, NEW 35" TIRES ,DUAL STABILIZING BARS AND NEW COIL SPRINGS. THE TRUCK STILL SHAKES , BOUNCES , SHIMMIES AND HOPS. I AM FORCED TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE (NEVER FORD AGAIN). I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE ON THE ROAD IF FORD DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10203396

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2007
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F 350 SUPER DUTY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURREN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F 350 SUPER DUTY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,600.

NHTSA ODI #10198430

59,000 miles · Jun 7, 2007
Steering

I HAVE A 2005 FORD F350 SUPERDUTY AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HAVE GONE OVER BLEMISHES IN THE HIGHWAY AND IT HAS CAUSED A VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE FRONT END. IT HAS GOTTEN SO BAD AT POINTS THAT IT ALMOST CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT WHICH MIGHT HAVE INVOLVED MANY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MANY OCCASIONS …

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I HAVE A 2005 FORD F350 SUPERDUTY AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HAVE GONE OVER BLEMISHES IN THE HIGHWAY AND IT HAS CAUSED A VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE FRONT END. IT HAS GOTTEN SO BAD AT POINTS THAT IT ALMOST CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT WHICH MIGHT HAVE INVOLVED MANY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MANY OCCASIONS AND I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP BEFORE IT SUBSIDES. I HAVE BEEN TO SEVERAL DEALERS AND THEY ALL SAY THAT THEY HAVE A QUICK FIX BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK. EVERYTIME I HAVE TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM I HAVE PAID FOR IT OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. I HAVE SPOEKN WITH MANY FOR SUPERDUTY OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND THEY ALL SAY THE SAME THING. THIS IS NOT ONLY A PROBLEM FOR THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE BUT ALSO FOR OTHERS ON THE ROAD AS WELL. DO PEOPLE NEED TO START DYING BEFORE THERE IS A SERVICE RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM. FORD DIDN'T START REPLACING TIRES ON TRUCKS AND SUV'S BEFORE SO MANY PEOPLE DIED IN CARE CRASHES. THIS IS A SEVERE PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THERE SHOULD BE NO CALL FOR PAYING FOR AND BEING FINANCIALLY LOCKED INTO A $50,000 VEHICLE THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED A DEATH TRAP. THIS PROBLEM EXISTS IN ALL MODELS OF THE FORD SUPERDUTY AND FORD STILL PRODUCES THESE AND SELLS THEM TO CONSUMERS AND DOESN'T FIX THEM.

NHTSA ODI #10192728

6,000 miles · Mar 7, 2007
Steering

WE OWN A FORD F350, 2005 MODEL WITH ABOUT 6000 MILES. ON SUN.,3/4, AS MY WIFE DROVE AWAY FROM A SERVICE STATION PUMP, SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK, I.E. SHE COULD NOT STEER. LUCKY FOR HER SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP BEFORE ENTERING A HEAVILY TRAVELED HIGHWAY. WE FOUND THAT THE NUT HOLDING THE PIVOT ARM WITH THE STEERING LINKAGE HAD S…

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WE OWN A FORD F350, 2005 MODEL WITH ABOUT 6000 MILES. ON SUN.,3/4, AS MY WIFE DROVE AWAY FROM A SERVICE STATION PUMP, SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK, I.E. SHE COULD NOT STEER. LUCKY FOR HER SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP BEFORE ENTERING A HEAVILY TRAVELED HIGHWAY. WE FOUND THAT THE NUT HOLDING THE PIVOT ARM WITH THE STEERING LINKAGE HAD SHEARED OFF ALONG WITH THE COTTER PIN HOLDING THE NUT. THE NUT THREADS WERE STRIPPED OFF. I HAVE THE FAILED NUT ALONG WITH RING/CLIP HOLDING THE COTTER PIN. THE BOLT THREADS ON THE LINKAGE, TO THE EYE APPEAR TO BE O'K. AS STATED THOUGH, THE NUT THREADS WERE STRIPPED OFF. WAS THIS DUE TO A SOFTER METAL BEING USED, OVER TORQUING OR A BAD NUT??' THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO NEWBERG FORD IN NEWBERG, OR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10184450

33,000 miles · Jan 5, 2007
Steering

TL* - WHEN CONTACTWAS DRIVING AND GOING OVER A SERIES OF SMALL BUMPS LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH WENT FROM RIGHT TO LEFT QUICKLY TO THE POINT OF BEING ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE. IN ORDER FOR CONTACT TO GET CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL SHE HAD TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN TO A SPEED OF 5 MPH OR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. …

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TL* - WHEN CONTACTWAS DRIVING AND GOING OVER A SERIES OF SMALL BUMPS LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH WENT FROM RIGHT TO LEFT QUICKLY TO THE POINT OF BEING ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE. IN ORDER FOR CONTACT TO GET CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL SHE HAD TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN TO A SPEED OF 5 MPH OR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ,AND THEY STATED THAT THEY NOTICED THE SAME INCIDENT AS WELL ON A TEST DRIVE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE INCIDENT BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER HASN'T GIVING THE DEALERSHIP ANY ADVISE ON HOW TO FIX THE FAILURE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10177891

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering

2005 FORD F350 CREWCAB VIBRATION WHILE PULLING A LOAD, TURBO UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, DASH CLUSTER ONCE, EXHAUST LEAK. *KB ***NAR*** THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS ACTING ERRATIC. THERE WAS A STEERING NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE VIBRATION THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING WAS BEING INVESTIGATED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10162639

26,000 miles · Apr 16, 2006
SteeringCrashInjury

MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN THE STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE TRUCK TO RUN INTO A POLE. THE TRUCK IS BEING REPAIRED USING A MUCH STRONGER STEERING BOX BY MY FORD DEALER. THIS IS BEING PAID FOR BY MY INSURANCE CO. EVEN THOW THE TRUCK HAS ONLY 26000 MILES ON IT AND IS UNDER FACTORY WARRENTY. I WILL GET THE UNDERSIZE BROKEN STEERING BOX.…

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MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN THE STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE TRUCK TO RUN INTO A POLE. THE TRUCK IS BEING REPAIRED USING A MUCH STRONGER STEERING BOX BY MY FORD DEALER. THIS IS BEING PAID FOR BY MY INSURANCE CO. EVEN THOW THE TRUCK HAS ONLY 26000 MILES ON IT AND IS UNDER FACTORY WARRENTY. I WILL GET THE UNDERSIZE BROKEN STEERING BOX. THE TRUCK HAS THE ORIGINAL SUSPENSION,WHEELS,AND TIRES IT CAME WITH. THANKS FORD. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10155420

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.