EXCESSIVE FRONT END SHIMMY ON OCCASION WITH MY FORD F350 4X4. I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE. THE FIRST TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURRED, MY TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW AND SUBSEQUENTLY MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURE SEEMED TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM FOR A WHILE. HOWEVER, RECENTLY I HIT SOME BUMPS WHILE TRAVELING O…
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EXCESSIVE FRONT END SHIMMY ON OCCASION WITH MY FORD F350 4X4. I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE. THE FIRST TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURRED, MY TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW AND SUBSEQUENTLY MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURE SEEMED TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM FOR A WHILE. HOWEVER, RECENTLY I HIT SOME BUMPS WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND THE FRONT END BEGAN TO SHIMMY VERY VIOLENTLY. I KNEW TO HIT THE BRAKES TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING, BUT I HAD TO STAY ON MY BRAKES UNTIL I SLOWED TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH BEFORE I COULD REGAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I CALLED A LOCAL FORD SERVICE CENTER, BUT THEY SAID THEY WOULD "ONLY BE GUESSING" AT THE PROPER WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I THEN CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE, AS I AM NERVOUS ABOUT RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I CALL SEVERAL SERVICE CENTERS UNTIL I FIND ONE THAT HAS EXPERIENCE WITH TRYING TO FIX THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. I HAVE DONE THAT AND I HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE TOMORROW. THE REASON FOR MY WRITING THIS COMPLAINT IS THAT THE LAST OCCURRING WAS SO SEVERE, THAT I WAS AFRAID OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE QUICK DECELERATION I WAS FORCED INTO IN ORDER TO REGAIN STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10269346
11,000 miles · Apr 27, 2009
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE STRUCK A BUMP AND DRIFTED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A TSB REGARDING THE "SHIMMY" OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A FORD DEALER FOR SUSPENSION REPAIR. FORD DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE FAILURE AS A SAFETY ISSUE; THERE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE STRUCK A BUMP AND DRIFTED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A TSB REGARDING THE "SHIMMY" OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A FORD DEALER FOR SUSPENSION REPAIR. FORD DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE FAILURE AS A SAFETY ISSUE; THEREFORE, NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 11,000.
NHTSA ODI #10266842
5,000 miles · Apr 27, 2009
SteeringSuspension
2006 F-350 DUALLY HAS A SHIMMER OR SEVERE VIBRATION OF THE STEERING WHEEL THAT BEGINS WHEN A BUMP OR DIP IN THE ROAD OCCURS AND DOES NOT CORRECT ITSELF. EVEN THOUGH THE TIRES ARE IN GOOD ORDER. FORD MOTOR CO SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION. THEIR LETTER OF NOTIFICATION IS DATED APRIL 2009.…
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2006 F-350 DUALLY HAS A SHIMMER OR SEVERE VIBRATION OF THE STEERING WHEEL THAT BEGINS WHEN A BUMP OR DIP IN THE ROAD OCCURS AND DOES NOT CORRECT ITSELF. EVEN THOUGH THE TIRES ARE IN GOOD ORDER. FORD MOTOR CO SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION. THEIR LETTER OF NOTIFICATION IS DATED APRIL 2009. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10266799
23,000 miles · Jan 28, 2009
SteeringSuspension
I OWN A 4WD F350 DUALLY. WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS APPROX. 45MPH AND ABOVE AND AFTER TRAVELING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE OR BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE FRONT END GOES INTO AN UNCONTROLLABLE SHIMMY/OSCILLATION. THIS CAN ONLY BE STOPPED BY PULLING OVER AND COMPLETELY STOPPING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO A FORD DEAL…
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I OWN A 4WD F350 DUALLY. WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS APPROX. 45MPH AND ABOVE AND AFTER TRAVELING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE OR BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE FRONT END GOES INTO AN UNCONTROLLABLE SHIMMY/OSCILLATION. THIS CAN ONLY BE STOPPED BY PULLING OVER AND COMPLETELY STOPPING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO A FORD DEALERSHIP WHO CHECKED THE FRONT END AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG W/ THE TRUCK AND THAT IT WAS A TIRE PROBLEM. I HAVE SINCE THEN BOUGHT NEW TIRES WHICH SOMEWHAT LESSENED THE PROBLEM BUT DID NOT CORRECT IT. I ALSO HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO A REPUTABLE INDEPENDENT ALIGNMENT SHOP, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE SEEN A LOT OF TRUCKS W/ THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT ARE UNABLE TO FIX IT DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE FRONT END. THE INDEPENDENT SHOP SAID THERE IS TO MUCH CASTOR IN THE FRONT END AND NO WAY TO ADJUST IT. I AM NOW ON MY THIRD SET OF TIRES W/ ONLY 45000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK FOR AROUND $ 48,000.00 AND HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE TRUCK HAD ABOUT 23000 MILES ON IT. I CANT EVEN DRIVE IT ON THE INTERSTATE DUE TO THE UNCONTROLLABLE FRONT END SHIMMY. THE FORD DEALERSHIP WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE A PROBLEM. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND POST AFTER POST OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR TRUCK AND THE LACK OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT FROM FORD. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND TO DATE I HAVE SPENT OVER $ 1,600.00 TRYING TO REMEDY IT. I HOPE SOME ONE FROM YOUR DEPT. IS FAMILIAR W/ THIS AND COULD POSSIBLY HELP ME. THANK YOU STEPHEN HALL *TR
NHTSA ODI #10256667
7,500 miles · Jan 5, 2009
Suspension
I AM HAVING A VIOLENT SHAKING (STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATION) IN MY 2006 FORD F-350 AMARILLO WITH ONLY 7K MILES. THIS SHAKING HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERE INJURY AND OR DEATH AT SPEEDS OF 35-60 MPH. THE INCIDENT OCCURS FREQUENTLY ENOUGH JUST NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANYMORE. I FEAR FOR MY FAMILY AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD NEAR THE TRUCK…
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I AM HAVING A VIOLENT SHAKING (STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATION) IN MY 2006 FORD F-350 AMARILLO WITH ONLY 7K MILES. THIS SHAKING HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERE INJURY AND OR DEATH AT SPEEDS OF 35-60 MPH. THE INCIDENT OCCURS FREQUENTLY ENOUGH JUST NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANYMORE. I FEAR FOR MY FAMILY AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD NEAR THE TRUCK AS IT SHAKES UNTIL IS COMPLETELY STOPPED WHEREVER IT OCCURS. PLEASE HELP BEFORE OTHERS ARE INJURED OR KILLED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10253789
20,000 miles · Jul 5, 2008
Suspension
WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE FREEWAY A BRIDGE DECK OR POT HOLE WILL CAUSE MY 06 F-350 TO SHIMMY UNCONTROLLABLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES. I HAVE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP TO GET THE TRUCK TO STOP SHAKING. FORD SAYS THERE ISN'T ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE TRUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10233224
35,000 miles · May 19, 2008
SteeringSuspension
2006 F-350 FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY ON OCCASION. USUALLY OCCURS WITH A CHANGE IN LEVEL OF INTERSTATE AS IN DRIVING OVER AN OVERPASS BACK ONTO THE NORMAL ROAD SURFACE. SPEED IS USUALLY AROUND 65-70 MPH WHEN IT HAPPENS. IMMEDIATE REDUCTION TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IS REQUIRED TO MAKE IT STOP. HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES SO FAR AND A…
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2006 F-350 FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY ON OCCASION. USUALLY OCCURS WITH A CHANGE IN LEVEL OF INTERSTATE AS IN DRIVING OVER AN OVERPASS BACK ONTO THE NORMAL ROAD SURFACE. SPEED IS USUALLY AROUND 65-70 MPH WHEN IT HAPPENS. IMMEDIATE REDUCTION TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IS REQUIRED TO MAKE IT STOP. HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES SO FAR AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON 3 OF THOSE OCCASIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228202
58,000 miles · May 2, 2008
Suspension
SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10226511
58,034 miles · Feb 8, 2008
SuspensionTires
I HAVE HAD TWO (2) F350 2006 SUPER DUTY FORD TRUCKS THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS ARE COMPLETELY GONE AT 54,000 MILES AND AT 58,000 MILES. COSTING AT TOTAL OF $2,200.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10217478
25,000 miles · Oct 10, 2007
Suspension
THE FRONT END OF MY 2006 F-350 WILL SHAKE WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP AT SPEEDS OF +65 MPH. IT IS ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO FORD AND THEY SAY THERE ISN'T ANYTHING WRONG, THIS HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES. I HAVE CHECKED NUMEROUS WEB-SITES AND THERE ARE AT LEAST 500 OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SUBJECT. IT IS A DANGER TO ME AND AL…
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THE FRONT END OF MY 2006 F-350 WILL SHAKE WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP AT SPEEDS OF +65 MPH. IT IS ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO FORD AND THEY SAY THERE ISN'T ANYTHING WRONG, THIS HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES. I HAVE CHECKED NUMEROUS WEB-SITES AND THERE ARE AT LEAST 500 OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SUBJECT. IT IS A DANGER TO ME AND ALL THE OTHER MOTORISTS AROUND ME. *JB
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.
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.
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