NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Suspension complaints
38 reportsClear category filter67,000 miles · Nov 21, 2008
SteeringSuspension
I HAVE A 2005 FORD F350 SUPERDUTY(DIESEL). THE TRUCK HAS AN UNCONTROLLABLE FRONT END VIBRATION/OSCILLATION, WHENEVER I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, USUALLY 50MPH OR FASTER. WHEN IT DOES THIS THERE IS NOTHING THAT I CAN DO TO STOP IT. THE ONLY THING THAT MAKES IT GO AWAY IS TO SLOW DOWN, ALMOST TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS VERY D…
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD F350 SUPERDUTY(DIESEL). THE TRUCK HAS AN UNCONTROLLABLE FRONT END VIBRATION/OSCILLATION, WHENEVER I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, USUALLY 50MPH OR FASTER. WHEN IT DOES THIS THERE IS NOTHING THAT I CAN DO TO STOP IT. THE ONLY THING THAT MAKES IT GO AWAY IS TO SLOW DOWN, ALMOST TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY ON THE FREEWAY. I HAVE BECOME AFRAID TO DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY. AS I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS SUBJECT, I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL TRUCK. I AM WORRIED ABOUT MY SAFETY AND THAT OF MY FAMILY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10249531
4,000 miles · Oct 1, 2008
SteeringSuspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SUPER DUTY. IN JANUARY OF 2006, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH OR MORE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIMMY AND JUMP ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. THE DEALER STATED THAT BOLTS WERE MISSING AND THE SHOCK MOUNTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SUPER DUTY. IN JANUARY OF 2006, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH OR MORE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIMMY AND JUMP ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. THE DEALER STATED THAT BOLTS WERE MISSING AND THE SHOCK MOUNTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. HE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER REPLACING THE TIRES, A FRONT STABILIZER WAS INSTALLED ON THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED SINCE THE LAST INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,635 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. UPDATED 10/21/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10244101
54,000 miles · Sep 30, 2008
SteeringSuspension
STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY/OSCILLATION (BACK AND FORTH MOTION), IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING FRONT OR REAR WHEEL IMPACTS (PAVEMENT JOINTS, FROST HEAVES, ROUGH ROADS, ETC). NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL. MUST PULL OFF OF THE ROAD TO SLOW THE VEHICLE TO STOP SHIMMY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10243975
75,000 miles · Sep 26, 2008
Suspension
FRONT END SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN A POT HOLE OR SETTLED TRENCH IN THE ROAD IS HIT. IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE TO BE A DEEP OR LARGE POT HOLE. I HAVE TAKEN MY TRUCK INTO THE SHOP AND THE TECH SAID THE FRONT END COMPONENTS LOOK GOOD (TIE-ROD ENDS ECT...). I HAVE CHANGED THE SHOCKS AND STEERING DAMPER AND IT DID NOT HELP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10243509
23,400 miles · Sep 23, 2008
Suspension
ODOMETER 23400 WHEN DRIVING ON ROUGH ROAD, CROSSING RR TRACKS, ECT. VEHICLE FRONT END SLAMS UPPER STOP TO LOWER STOPS VIOLENTLY. YOU MUST SLOW TO APX.30-40 MPH. TO REGAIN CONTROL. THERE IS NO LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, OR BRAKING JUST A VIOLENT "HOPPING OF FRONT WHEELS" . THE VEHICLE SHAKES WILDLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10243187
1 miles · Aug 21, 2008
SuspensionCrash
TO BRUCE YORK AND RICHARD BOYD I AM SO THANKFUL SOMEONE IS DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW FOR A FACT THIS SITUATION WITH THIS STEERING PROBLEM FAR EXCEEDS ANYTHING FORD IS WILLING TO ADMIT. MY CASE; I HAVE OWNED MY 2005 FORD F-350 KING RANCH 4X4, VIN #, SENSE FEBRUARY 11, 2005. THIS TRUCK HAS EARNED ITS TWO NICK…
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TO BRUCE YORK AND RICHARD BOYD I AM SO THANKFUL SOMEONE IS DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW FOR A FACT THIS SITUATION WITH THIS STEERING PROBLEM FAR EXCEEDS ANYTHING FORD IS WILLING TO ADMIT. MY CASE; I HAVE OWNED MY 2005 FORD F-350 KING RANCH 4X4, VIN #, SENSE FEBRUARY 11, 2005. THIS TRUCK HAS EARNED ITS TWO NICKNAMES, RHUBARB EXPRESS AND #!*% PIECE OF #@^%$. THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A NIGHTMARE FOR OUR FAMILY. MY WIFE AND I CAN'T BEGIN TO COUNT HOW MANY TIMES THIS TRUCK HAS GONE OUT OF CONTROL AND LEFT US IN THE DITCH. WE HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THIS TRUCK NEARLY EVERY TIME EITHER ONE OF US HAS DRIVEN IT. TYPICAL SITUATION, WE ARE DRIVING ALONG THE FREEWAY AT A SAFE SPEED. WE MIGHT FEEL A LITTLE BUMP ON THE ROAD THEN THE STEERING WHEEL STARTS TO SHIMMY THEN BEGINS TO PULL FROM YOUR HANDS IN A HARD SHIMMY. FROM THE TIME YOU HIT THE BUMP TO THE TIME THE TRUCK IS RIPPING YOUR HANDS FROM THE STEERING WHEEL IS LESS THE 2 SECONDS. THE OSCILLATIONS ARE MORE THE 90 DEGREES FROM SIDE TO SIDE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THESE OSCILLATIONS WILL CONTINUE FROM YOUR ORIGINAL DRIVING SPEED UNTIL THE TRUCK IS BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS USUALLY MEANS DRIVING OFF THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY OR ROAD ONTO THE SHOULDER. ON MANY OCCASIONS THERE IS NO SHOULDER AND WE HAVE STOPPED IN THE ROAD. ON OTHER OCCASIONS WE HAVE HAD TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY AS THERE WERE SEMI TRUCKS IN THE SLOW LANE. I MEAN 65 TO 0 MILES AN HOUR IN THE MIDDLE OF A LOS ANGELES FREEWAY! WE ALSO HAVE COUNTLESS MEMORIES OF SLIDING TO A STOP IN THE RHUBARB, DUST FLYING, OFF THE EDGE OF THE FREEWAY. ALL WHILE CALLING FORD AND BEGGING THEM TO FIX IT! WE HAD THIS TRUCK IN THE DEALER MANY TIMES TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10239123
20,000 miles · Aug 15, 2008
SteeringSuspension
SHIMMY IN THE FRONT END AFTER TRAVELING OVER BUMPY ROADWAY, CAUSING A TEMPORARY LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THE LOSS OF CONTROL CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL INTO THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC. PRIMARILY OCCURS OVER 35 MPH. HAPPENED OVER 10 TO 15 TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10238346
500 miles · Jul 21, 2008
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SUPERDUTY. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND HIGHER, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND BECOMES UNCONTROLLABLE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,049 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.
NHTSA ODI #10235160
63,200 miles · May 13, 2008
SteeringSuspension
I HAVE A 2005 FORD F350 SUPER DUTY, WITH DANGEROUS FRONT END PROBLEMS. WHEN GOING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (55-70MPH), AND HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD(EVEN WORSE WHILE GOING THROUGH A SLIGHT CURVE) THE FRONT END STARTS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THIS OSCILLATION IS SO STRONG, THAT IT ALMOST YANKS THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF MY HANDS. THE ONLY…
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD F350 SUPER DUTY, WITH DANGEROUS FRONT END PROBLEMS. WHEN GOING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (55-70MPH), AND HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD(EVEN WORSE WHILE GOING THROUGH A SLIGHT CURVE) THE FRONT END STARTS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THIS OSCILLATION IS SO STRONG, THAT IT ALMOST YANKS THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF MY HANDS. THE ONLY THING THAT MAKES IT STOP IS TO SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 20MPH. VERY DANGEROUS TO DO ON THE INTERSTATE!!! AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH AND READING SOME OF THE ONLINE FORUMS FOR FORD TRUCK OWNERS, I FIND THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND ALSO A VERY COMMON ONE TO BOOT. THE MOST WORRISOME PART OF THIS PROBLEM, IS THAT IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE. SOMETIMES I CAN GO A MONTH OR SO WITH NO PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, THIS PAST WEEKEND, IT DID THIS THREE TIMES DURING A 10 MILE TRIP HOME FROM A RESTAURANT. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT FORD MOTOR CO. SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CORRECTING. IF SOMETHING IS NOT DONE SOON MANY PEOPLE COULD GET HURT, AND GOD FORBID, BE KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10227684
20,000 miles · Dec 6, 2007
Suspension
OSCILLATION OF FRONT SUSPENSION. MY 2005 F350 HAVE BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS SEVERAL TIMES BOTH BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY AND SINCE BY OTHER VEHICLE SERVICE AGENCIES. IT CONTINUES TO GIVE ME PROBLEMS AND AT ITS WORSE, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MOVE SIDEWAYS SLIGHTLY INTO THE NEXT LANE. BASICALLY I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT ?THIS IS NORMAL? …
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OSCILLATION OF FRONT SUSPENSION. MY 2005 F350 HAVE BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS SEVERAL TIMES BOTH BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY AND SINCE BY OTHER VEHICLE SERVICE AGENCIES. IT CONTINUES TO GIVE ME PROBLEMS AND AT ITS WORSE, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MOVE SIDEWAYS SLIGHTLY INTO THE NEXT LANE. BASICALLY I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT ?THIS IS NORMAL? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10211058
Official recalls
3Jul 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.
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.
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
2EA08007 · 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.
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