NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Suspension complaints
118 reportsClear category filter62,500 miles · Jul 5, 2009
Suspension
I HIT A SMALL POTHOLE TRAVELING ON I-295 AT 65 MPH. THE TRUCK BOUNCED OUT OF CONTROL AND DRIFTED INTO THE LEFT LANE. I BRAKED TO 35 MPH AND IT STOPPED. A SHOP MECHANIC SAID IT WAS OK. THE SAME THING OCCURRED RECENTLY ON I-64. HIT A ROAD PATCH AND BOUNCED TO A STOP. MY WIFE WAS HORRIFIED AT THE VIOLENT SHAKING. A MASTER ME…
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I HIT A SMALL POTHOLE TRAVELING ON I-295 AT 65 MPH. THE TRUCK BOUNCED OUT OF CONTROL AND DRIFTED INTO THE LEFT LANE. I BRAKED TO 35 MPH AND IT STOPPED. A SHOP MECHANIC SAID IT WAS OK. THE SAME THING OCCURRED RECENTLY ON I-64. HIT A ROAD PATCH AND BOUNCED TO A STOP. MY WIFE WAS HORRIFIED AT THE VIOLENT SHAKING. A MASTER MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS ONLY HAPPENS AT HIGH SPEEDS ABOVE 60 MPH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10275794
61,150 miles · Jun 22, 2009
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 65 AND 80 MPH AND WHILE GOING OVER ROAD BUMPS, THE FRONT-END WILL BEGIN TO VIBRATE TO THE POINT THAT ENTIRE TRUCK WILL SHAKE. AFTER SLOWING TO 45 MPH, THE SITUATION WILL SELF-CORRECT ONLY TO BEGIN AGAIN AFTER CROSSING ANOTHER BUMP OR CONCRETE BRIDGE. NO CRASHES/INJURIES HAVE BE…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 65 AND 80 MPH AND WHILE GOING OVER ROAD BUMPS, THE FRONT-END WILL BEGIN TO VIBRATE TO THE POINT THAT ENTIRE TRUCK WILL SHAKE. AFTER SLOWING TO 45 MPH, THE SITUATION WILL SELF-CORRECT ONLY TO BEGIN AGAIN AFTER CROSSING ANOTHER BUMP OR CONCRETE BRIDGE. NO CRASHES/INJURIES HAVE BEEN NOTED THUS FAR. THIS IS THE 5TH TIME IN A PERIOD OF 48 HOURS THIS HAS HAPPENED. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS REPORTS ONLINE OF OTHERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AND NONE HAVE FOUND A RESOLUTION. THIS IS A 2005 F-250 SUPERCREW 4X4. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10274626
15,000 miles · Jun 16, 2009
SteeringSuspensionTiresInjury
FORD F250, 2005 SUPERDUTY - FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN DRIVING OVER A ROAD IMPERFECTION (BRIDGE TRANSITIONS, BUMPY ROADS ETC..) I'VE BROUGHT IT BACK NUMEROUS TIMES AFTER THE FIRST STEERING SHIM RECALL AND MADE CALLS BUT HAVE GOTTEN NO WHERE. THEY TOLD ME TIRE PRESSURE , BUY NEW TIRES AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO! NOW M…
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FORD F250, 2005 SUPERDUTY - FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN DRIVING OVER A ROAD IMPERFECTION (BRIDGE TRANSITIONS, BUMPY ROADS ETC..) I'VE BROUGHT IT BACK NUMEROUS TIMES AFTER THE FIRST STEERING SHIM RECALL AND MADE CALLS BUT HAVE GOTTEN NO WHERE. THEY TOLD ME TIRE PRESSURE , BUY NEW TIRES AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO! NOW MY TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY SAY BRING IT IN WE'LL FIX IT. FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES! I NEVER KNEW ABOUT THIS COMPLAINT SIGHT BEFORE, I WISH I DID THEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10273991
24,000 miles · Jun 5, 2009
SteeringSuspension
I HAVE A 2005 FORD F250 SD PICKUP TRUCK THAT HAS 25,000 MILES ON IT. I HAS BEGUN TO EXPERIENCE A VIOLENT FRONT END SHAKING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN GOING OVER EVEN THE SMALLEST OF BUMPS. YOU NEED TO ALMOST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY TO MAKE IT STOP. THE DEALER SAYS THEY DON'T KNOW OF ANY PROBLEMS AND SO DOES FORD. BUT L…
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD F250 SD PICKUP TRUCK THAT HAS 25,000 MILES ON IT. I HAS BEGUN TO EXPERIENCE A VIOLENT FRONT END SHAKING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN GOING OVER EVEN THE SMALLEST OF BUMPS. YOU NEED TO ALMOST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY TO MAKE IT STOP. THE DEALER SAYS THEY DON'T KNOW OF ANY PROBLEMS AND SO DOES FORD. BUT LOOKING ON-LINE IT IS VERY OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS A REAL ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. IT IS ALSO REFERENCED AS "DEATH WOBBLE". *TR
NHTSA ODI #10272963
59,000 miles · May 31, 2009
SteeringSuspension
FRONT END INSTABILITY, EXTREME VIBRATION, LOSS OF STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AFTER HITTING ROUGH PAVEMENT. HAVE HAD VIBRATION AND BOUNCE IN FRONT END SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW DEC 2004. REPEATED RETURN TO DEALERSHIP BUT UNABLE TO FIND POINT CAUSE. APRIL 25, 2005 CRUISE CONTROL AT 75MPH ON I4 FLORIDA ROUGH ASPHALT TRIGGERED …
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FRONT END INSTABILITY, EXTREME VIBRATION, LOSS OF STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AFTER HITTING ROUGH PAVEMENT. HAVE HAD VIBRATION AND BOUNCE IN FRONT END SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW DEC 2004. REPEATED RETURN TO DEALERSHIP BUT UNABLE TO FIND POINT CAUSE. APRIL 25, 2005 CRUISE CONTROL AT 75MPH ON I4 FLORIDA ROUGH ASPHALT TRIGGERED SEVERE SHIMMY AND VIBRATION, LOSS OF STEERING (UNABLE TO PULL TO SAFETY LANE). CONTROL REGAINED ONLY BY BRAKING IN BUSY HIGHWAY SPEED TRAFFIC UNTIL VIBRATION CEASED. TIRES ARE NEW, ROTATED AT 3,000 AND KEPT AT FACTORY PRESSURE. THESE EVENTS HAVE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY SINCE PURCHASE IN DEC 2004. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10272442
27,880 miles · May 27, 2009
Suspension
UNPREDICTABLE AND UNCONTROLLABLE SEVERE FRONT END VIBRATION AND OSCILLATION, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. OCCURS RANDOMLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. HAS RESULTED IN RUNNING ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY AND SEVERAL NEAR COLLISIONS WITH OTHER VEHICLES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED AND REPAIRS ATTEMPTED ON …
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UNPREDICTABLE AND UNCONTROLLABLE SEVERE FRONT END VIBRATION AND OSCILLATION, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. OCCURS RANDOMLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. HAS RESULTED IN RUNNING ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY AND SEVERAL NEAR COLLISIONS WITH OTHER VEHICLES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED AND REPAIRS ATTEMPTED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. DEALERSHIP ADVISES THAT THIS IS INHERENT TO YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE; AND CANNOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10270117
45,000 miles · May 19, 2009
Suspension
VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN GOING FASTER THAN 55 MILES AN HOUR AND HITTING A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD. HAVE TO SLOW DOWN IN ORDER FOR THE TRUCK TO STOP SHAKING PUTTING ALL PASSENGERS IN DANGER ON THE HIGHWAYS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10269422
Mileage unknown · May 3, 2009
Suspension
THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO A COMPLAINT I FILED ON 4/14/09 COMPLAINT # 10265310. I HAVE LOOKED INTO THIS MATTER AND FOUND OTHER CASES. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. HERE IS A LINK WITH MORE INFORMATION. HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/FORD-F-250-SUPER-DUTY/TOHP1M75VBFBFT9IL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10267578
650,000 miles · Apr 30, 2009
Suspension
I HAVE A 2005 FORD F-250 SUPERDUTY 4X4. I HAVE EXPERIENCED FRONT WHEEL SHIMMY 3 TIMES . I TOOK THE TRUCK TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY PUT ON A NEW FRONT STEERING SHOCK ABSORBER BUT IT OCCURRED AGAIN AFTER THE REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10267299
50,000 miles · Apr 22, 2009
SteeringSuspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F250 SD. WHILE DRIVING 70MPH ON THE INSIDE LEFT LANE, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AND BEGAN SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. AFTER SHAKING FOR 3 TO 5 MINUTES THE VEHICLE BEGAN OPERATING NOR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F250 SD. WHILE DRIVING 70MPH ON THE INSIDE LEFT LANE, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AND BEGAN SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. AFTER SHAKING FOR 3 TO 5 MINUTES THE VEHICLE BEGAN OPERATING NORMALLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO PLACE A DAMPER IN THE SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE NO LONGER EXIST. SHORTLY AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A WARNING LETTER STATING THAT MAINTAINING THE PROPER TIRE INFLATION LEVEL WOULD AVOID THE FAILURE FROM RECURRING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10266398
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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