Ford death wobble. Truck shakes violent and almost loses control driving at 60 miles per hour.
2007 Ford F-350
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2007 Ford F-350 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 93.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all F-350 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
26 reports with mileage · 10 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.
- Suspension. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Suspension complaints
12 reportsThis truck has the problem known as the “death wobble.” I bought the vehicle from Johnson City Ford in Johnson City Tennessee after they said they had inspected it and everything was fine on the truck. It was used so I bought the extended warranty. The truck started shaking so violently I couldn’t drive it. I took it back …
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This truck has the problem known as the “death wobble.” I bought the vehicle from Johnson City Ford in Johnson City Tennessee after they said they had inspected it and everything was fine on the truck. It was used so I bought the extended warranty. The truck started shaking so violently I couldn’t drive it. I took it back to this Ford place. They replaced the universal joint under my warranty. I left didn’t get it home and it started again shaking. I took it back to them and they confirmed the death wobble and said there were no recalls and they want 3600 dollars to fix the problem. I called Ford corporate and they said there were no recalls or programs to help with this problem.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED FIELD ACTION NOTICE NUMBER: 09L02 FROM THE MANUFACTURER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON BUMPY TERRAIN, THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (BOB THOMAS FORD INC, 2215 DIXWELL AVE, HAMDEN, CT 06514, (203) 281-7500) …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED FIELD ACTION NOTICE NUMBER: 09L02 FROM THE MANUFACTURER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON BUMPY TERRAIN, THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (BOB THOMAS FORD INC, 2215 DIXWELL AVE, HAMDEN, CT 06514, (203) 281-7500) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WOULD BE A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER, AND THAT THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE FOR VEHICLE INSPECTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,000.
WHEN GAINING SPEED ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE SHAKES TO THE POINT OF INSTABILITY - AFRAID TO DRIVE STOCK TIRES NOT THE PROBLEM HAVE CHECKED THE ALIGNMENT -TWICE CANNOT LOCATE ISSUE NO RECALL ISSUED
THERE IS AN ISSUE THAT IS KNOWN TO THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY INVOLVING THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE WHICH IS SEVERE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT WHEEL VIBRATIONS. I HAVE RECEIVED AT LEAST TWO LETTERS FROM FORD CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. THE ONE I HAVE BEFORE ME IS LISTED AS LITERATURE PROGRAM 09L02. IT STATES THAT FORD AND NHTSA ARE STUDYING TH…
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THERE IS AN ISSUE THAT IS KNOWN TO THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY INVOLVING THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE WHICH IS SEVERE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT WHEEL VIBRATIONS. I HAVE RECEIVED AT LEAST TWO LETTERS FROM FORD CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. THE ONE I HAVE BEFORE ME IS LISTED AS LITERATURE PROGRAM 09L02. IT STATES THAT FORD AND NHTSA ARE STUDYING THE ISSUE. UNFORTUNATELY THAT DOES LITTLE GOOD FOR ME AS MY VEHICLE IS BASICALLY AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THE SEVERE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT WHEEL VIBRATIONS RENDER THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS THEY (THE SEVERE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT WHEEL VIBRATIONS) HAPPEN WITH NO PROVOCATION AT TIMES AND THE VIBRATIONS BECOME SO VIOLENT THAT KEEPING CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, ADDITIONALLY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE IS IMPOSSIBLE. I HAVE HAD THE SEVERE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT WHEEL VIBRATIONS OCCUR AT SPEEDS FROM @20MPH TO 55MPH.
I WAS DRIVING ON AND OVERPASS/ EXIT RAMP AND PASSED OVER A STEEL DIVIDER ON THE HIGHWAY. UPON DOING SO I TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING ON THE TRUCK AND HAD TO DECELERATE AND MOVE TOWARDS THE SHOULDER. I RECEIVED AN INFORMATION BULLETIN FROM FORD ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL "STEERING WOBBLE" AND MADE SURE TO CHECK OUT ALL OF …
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I WAS DRIVING ON AND OVERPASS/ EXIT RAMP AND PASSED OVER A STEEL DIVIDER ON THE HIGHWAY. UPON DOING SO I TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING ON THE TRUCK AND HAD TO DECELERATE AND MOVE TOWARDS THE SHOULDER. I RECEIVED AN INFORMATION BULLETIN FROM FORD ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL "STEERING WOBBLE" AND MADE SURE TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE I FEEL AS THOUGH THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AND FORD SHOULD BE DOING SOMETHING BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED OR KILLED. THERE ARE SEVERAL ONLINE FORUMS ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE AND IT SEEMS AS THOUGH FORD IS NOT BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE. *TR
I JUST RECIEVED A LETTER FROM FORD (LITERATURE PROGRAM 09L02) TALKING ABOUT THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON FORD TRUCKS. THEY SAY TO CORRECT YOUR TIRE PRESSURE. I HAVE MY TIRE PRESSURE SET BY THE LOCAL DEALER ON A REGULAR BASIS AND BELIEVE ME THAT DOES ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO PREVENT THIS SHIMMY PROBLEM. AT 40 TO 60 MPH IT CAN ACTUALLY TH…
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I JUST RECIEVED A LETTER FROM FORD (LITERATURE PROGRAM 09L02) TALKING ABOUT THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON FORD TRUCKS. THEY SAY TO CORRECT YOUR TIRE PRESSURE. I HAVE MY TIRE PRESSURE SET BY THE LOCAL DEALER ON A REGULAR BASIS AND BELIEVE ME THAT DOES ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO PREVENT THIS SHIMMY PROBLEM. AT 40 TO 60 MPH IT CAN ACTUALLY THROW THE TRUCK SIDEWAYS. THIS LETTER (09L02) TO ME IS JUST A COVER UP OF A REAL PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN THERE SINCE NEW. *TR
I HAVE A 2007 F-350 HARLEY DAVIDSON CC AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS MOSTLY IN CORNERS BUT ALSO ON STRAIGHTAWAY, THE TRUCK STARTS SHAKE VIOLENTLY, ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE. TO GET THIS TO STOP, I HAVE TO SLOW WAY DOWN AND ALMOST STOP. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY REPLACED SOME OF THE FRONT STEERING COMPONENTS. I …
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I HAVE A 2007 F-350 HARLEY DAVIDSON CC AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS MOSTLY IN CORNERS BUT ALSO ON STRAIGHTAWAY, THE TRUCK STARTS SHAKE VIOLENTLY, ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE. TO GET THIS TO STOP, I HAVE TO SLOW WAY DOWN AND ALMOST STOP. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY REPLACED SOME OF THE FRONT STEERING COMPONENTS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED, BUT ABOUT 100 MILES DOWN THE ROAD, THE SHAKING STARTED AGAIN. I SUBSEQUENTLY CALLED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THAT THEY COULD DO, AS THE TRUCK IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS PROBLEM WAS REPORTED, AND SUPPOSEDLY FIXED PRIOR TO THE WARRANTY RUNNING OUT. I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THEIR TRUCKS. THE SEVERITY OF THE SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL SAFELY. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, AND WOULD LIKE FOR SOMEONE AT FORD TO LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T AGREE THAT FORD WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE, HOWEVER I JUST WANT MY TRUCK FIXED. WHETHER OR NOT I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT, I JUST WANT SOMEONE TO TELL ME HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THERE HAVE BEEN NO MODIFICATIONS, AND THE TIRES ON MY TRUCK HAVE BEEN SUPPLIED BY THE DEALER. *TR
THERE IS A SEVERE SHAKING IN MY FORD F30 SUPER DUTY TRUCK THAT IIS GETTING WORSE. STARTED OUT AS GOING OVER BUMPS OR AROUND CORNERS . TOOK IT TO DEALER RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT IT. THEY SAID NEEDED ALIGNING. THEN AFTER CHARGING ME FOR IT SAID EVERYTHING WAS OK(FAILING TO NOTE MY TIRE DEPTH ON PAPER,WHICH TIRE TREAD WAS EXCELLENT). T…
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THERE IS A SEVERE SHAKING IN MY FORD F30 SUPER DUTY TRUCK THAT IIS GETTING WORSE. STARTED OUT AS GOING OVER BUMPS OR AROUND CORNERS . TOOK IT TO DEALER RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT IT. THEY SAID NEEDED ALIGNING. THEN AFTER CHARGING ME FOR IT SAID EVERYTHING WAS OK(FAILING TO NOTE MY TIRE DEPTH ON PAPER,WHICH TIRE TREAD WAS EXCELLENT). TOOK IT BACK SEVERAL MONTHS LATER WHEN IT CONTINUED TO GET WORSE AND TREAD WEAR STARTED.PUT ON MACHINE SAID IT WAS ALL GOOD. FAILED TO NOTE DEPTH AGAIN. THEN RECEIVED LETTER "LITERATURE PROGRAM 09L02, STATING IN LESS WORDS THAT THEY KNOW OF THE PROBLEM BUT DON'T DEEM IT THEIR FAULT , JUST SLOW DOWN WHEN IT HAPPENS. CALLED FORD TOLD ME TO TAKE IT IN DEALER. TOOK IT IN, NOW THEY ARE SAYING IT BECAUSE OF THE POOR TIRE TREAD ON TIRES, WHICH WAS PERFECT WHEN I FIRST STARTED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SHIMMY. NOW THEY WANT ME TO BUY NEW TIRES AND START ALL OVER AGAIN .AFTER GETTING NEW TIRES THEY WANT ME TO BRING IT IN SO THEY CAN CHARGE ME TO PUT IT BACK ON THE ALIGNMENT MACHINE.THIS IS A NEVER ENDING CYCLE. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE LETTER THEY SENT, AFTER I STATED THAT ITS A KNOWN ISSUE, THEY KEPT SAYING ITS THE CUSTOMERS FAULT FOR NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURE. I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE SINCE IM IN THERE REGULARLY TO GET MY TIRE PRESSURE CHECKED SINCE I TRAVEL ALOT.AT THE CAMPGROUND I GO TO THERE ARE 3 OTHER FORD F 350 SIMILAR TO MINE HAVING THE SAME SEVERE SHAKE AND BOUNCE AS MINE AND ARE HAVING THE SAME WEAR(WHICH IS DIFFERENT ON EACH OF THE FRONT TIRES). EVEN AFTER THE LAST TIME I TOOK IT IN TO GET THE AIR FILLED, ONE OF THE TECHS NOTICED THE TIRE WEAR AND INFORMED ME THAT " FORD KNOWS THESE FRONT ENDS ARE JUNK AND CAUSE PROBLEMS BUT THEY TRY TO BLAME THE CUSTOMER AND MOST BUY IT" PLEASE HELP... I FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN THIS TRUCK AS I HAVE ALMOST LOST CONTROL ON THE HIGHWAY, STRAIGHT AWAYS AND CURVES, JUST FROM THE BOUNCE AND SHIMMY. *TR
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP MANY MANY TIMES SINCE IT WAS FIRST PURCHASED (5 TIMES I BELIEVE FOR STEERING RELATED PROBLEMS AND OTHER TIMES FOR A BRAKE BOOT PROBLEM AND A VARIETY OF OTHER ISSUES). THE OTHER PROBLEM THE VEHICLE HAS HAD IS WHAT FORD IS CALLING A "SHIMMY". THEY ORIGINALLY TOLD US WE NEEDED NE…
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THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP MANY MANY TIMES SINCE IT WAS FIRST PURCHASED (5 TIMES I BELIEVE FOR STEERING RELATED PROBLEMS AND OTHER TIMES FOR A BRAKE BOOT PROBLEM AND A VARIETY OF OTHER ISSUES). THE OTHER PROBLEM THE VEHICLE HAS HAD IS WHAT FORD IS CALLING A "SHIMMY". THEY ORIGINALLY TOLD US WE NEEDED NEW SHOCKS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WHICH WE DISPUTED AND TOOK IT TO A SPECIALIST IN SHOCK REPLACEMENT WHO TOLD US THIS WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. THEN THEY TOLD US IT WAS THE TIRES (WHICH THEY ARE CONTENDING IN THE FORM LETTER THEY SENT US-THAT STATES WE MUST MAINTAIN PROPER PRESSURE TO CONTROL THIS PROBLEM). UNFORTUNATELY, PROPER TIRE PRESSURE SEEMINGLY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS PROBLEM AND WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM TO WHICH FORD'S ANSWER TO US IS "GET NEW TIRES" (THE TIRES HAVE ONLY 22,000 MILES ON THEM, THEY ARE THE TIRES FORD PUT ON THE VEHICLE WHEN WE BOUGHT IT AND THEY, OF COURSE, ARE NOT A WARRANTY ITEM). ALL IN ALL, THE TRUCK HAS HAD MANY ISSUES, SOME OF WHICH HAVE BEEN FIXED REPEATEDLY ONLY TO APPEAR AGAIN IN THE SAME OR SIMILAR WAY. *TR
Official recalls
111V352000 · 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.
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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