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2005 Ford F-250 Sd

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most F-250 Sd years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford F-250 Sd are substantially higher than the model-year median of 89.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

269 reports with mileage · 26 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 118 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports6 fire reports8 injury reports

Suspension complaints

118 reports
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20,789 miles · Jan 21, 2009
Suspension

SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AFTER HITTING UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, DOING ABOUT 55MPH. THE SHAKING IS SO BACK IT THROWS THINGS OUT OF THE VISOR AND STUFF OFF OF THE SEAT ON TO THE FLOOR. TODAY WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPEN. THIS IS A 2005 F250SD WITH 20789 MILES ON IT AND THIS IS JUST STARTING TO DO THIS. BOTH …

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SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AFTER HITTING UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, DOING ABOUT 55MPH. THE SHAKING IS SO BACK IT THROWS THINGS OUT OF THE VISOR AND STUFF OFF OF THE SEAT ON TO THE FLOOR. TODAY WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPEN. THIS IS A 2005 F250SD WITH 20789 MILES ON IT AND THIS IS JUST STARTING TO DO THIS. BOTH TIMES THIS HAPPEN HAD ENOUGH ROAD SHOULDER TO PULL OVER AND STOP. IF THIS HAPPEN ON A NARROW SHOULDER FREEWAY BRIDGE OR CONCRETE BARRIER I WOULD PROBABLY HIT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES, THEN THERE WILL BE LAW SUITS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255935

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2009
Suspension

OUR COMPANY HAS 3 2005 F-250 WORK TRUCKS AND THE ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ,WHEN YOU REACH APPROX. 55MPH YOU GET A VIOLENT SHAKE FROM THE FRONTEND,AND OR IF YOU HIT A POTHOLE IT IS VERY DANGEROUS, LIKE YOUR GOING TO LOSE CONTROL DUE TO THE SHAKING AND NOBODY CAN FIND A TOTAL FIX TO THE PROBLEM,I THINK FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL O…

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OUR COMPANY HAS 3 2005 F-250 WORK TRUCKS AND THE ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ,WHEN YOU REACH APPROX. 55MPH YOU GET A VIOLENT SHAKE FROM THE FRONTEND,AND OR IF YOU HIT A POTHOLE IT IS VERY DANGEROUS, LIKE YOUR GOING TO LOSE CONTROL DUE TO THE SHAKING AND NOBODY CAN FIND A TOTAL FIX TO THE PROBLEM,I THINK FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL OR SOMETHING! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254374

12,000 miles · Jan 5, 2009
Suspension

VIOLENT SHUDDER AND STEERING OSCILLATION. THIS FIRST HAPPENED AFTER DRIVING OVER A SLIGHT DROPOFF AT ABOUT 60MPH AND THE WHOLE TRUCK SHUDDERED SO VIOLENTLY I HAD TO BRAKE AND ATTEMPT TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE MEDIAN (THIS WAS HARD TO DO). THIS HAS HAPPENED FREQUENTLY SINCE AND HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS ALSO (40MPH) THE STEERING WH…

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VIOLENT SHUDDER AND STEERING OSCILLATION. THIS FIRST HAPPENED AFTER DRIVING OVER A SLIGHT DROPOFF AT ABOUT 60MPH AND THE WHOLE TRUCK SHUDDERED SO VIOLENTLY I HAD TO BRAKE AND ATTEMPT TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE MEDIAN (THIS WAS HARD TO DO). THIS HAS HAPPENED FREQUENTLY SINCE AND HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS ALSO (40MPH) THE STEERING WHEEL HAS BEEN SHAKEN OFF CENTER DUE TO THIS. MY WIFE WILL NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS ITS QUITE SCARY WHEN THIS HAPPENS AT RELATIVELY HIGH SPEEDS AND IS VERY SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED, I ALSO WILL NOT ALLOW MY CHILDREN TO RIDE IN THE VEHICLE AS I FEEL A BAD EPISODE OF THIS SHIMMY/SHUDDER COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE ALSO GONE THROUGH 5 SETS OF TIRES (IN UNDER 70,000 MILES) DUE TO BEING UNABLE TO KEEP THE FRONT END ALIGNED. I WAS QUITE UPSET AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT AND IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE THIS AND LOOKED AT ME LIKE I WAS MAKING THIS UP. (AND I ADMIT IT SOUNDS CRAZY FOR A $40,000 TRUCK TO BEHAVE THIS WAY). THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AND SAID I NEEDED MY FIRST SET OF NEW TIRES AND AN ALIGNMENT (AT 12,000 MILES). A FEW MONTHS LATER I CAME BACK INTO THE SAME FORD DEALER WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOT MUCH THAT COULD BE DONE AS BASED ON MY PREVIOUS VISIT MY TRUCK APPEARED FINE. I WAS VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THIS LEVEL OF CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WALKED OUT. I AM NOW STUCK WITH A TRUCK THAT SHUDDERS VIOLENTLY SEVERAL TIMES A DAY, I AM UNABLE TO SELL THE VEHICLE AS NOBODY WOULD EVER BUY IT IN THIS CONDITION AND FEEL AS IF I HAVE BEEN TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY, AS IT APPEARS THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THIS DEFECT AND HAVE CHOSEN TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. THIS IS MY 5TH AND LAST FORD TRUCK.. I UNDERSTAND THAT NOTHING IS PERFECT AND THINGS CAN GO WRONG BUT MY COMPLAINTS ALONG WITH OTHERS HAVE BEEN IGNORED AND I FEEL MY TRUCK IS POSES A REAL DANGER TO ANYONE WHO RIDES IN IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253778

36,200 miles · Dec 29, 2008
Suspension

I WAS DRIVING ON I-64 DOING ABOUT 65-70MPH AND CROSSED OVER BRIDGE/ROUGH SPOT IN ROAD WHEN IT THREW THE TRUCK INTO A BAD SHIMMY. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO A FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED A NEW CAMBER KIT THAT WOULD CHANGE BY 1 DEGREE. I HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. THE PROBL…

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I WAS DRIVING ON I-64 DOING ABOUT 65-70MPH AND CROSSED OVER BRIDGE/ROUGH SPOT IN ROAD WHEN IT THREW THE TRUCK INTO A BAD SHIMMY. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO A FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED A NEW CAMBER KIT THAT WOULD CHANGE BY 1 DEGREE. I HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253109

52,000 miles · Nov 9, 2008
SteeringSuspension

TSB FRONT END OSCILLATION IIRC. OR AS KNOWN ON THE INTERNET AS THE DEATH WOBBLE (WHICH SEEMS VERY FITTING AS THE TRUCK GOES COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL, IT FEELS AS IF THE WHOLE FRONT END IS COMING APART!)? SEVERE SHAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS OR ON ROUGH ROADS-JUST DRIVING ALONG AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN SEVERE SHAKING OCCURS SO SEVERE THAT…

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TSB FRONT END OSCILLATION IIRC. OR AS KNOWN ON THE INTERNET AS THE DEATH WOBBLE (WHICH SEEMS VERY FITTING AS THE TRUCK GOES COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL, IT FEELS AS IF THE WHOLE FRONT END IS COMING APART!)? SEVERE SHAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS OR ON ROUGH ROADS-JUST DRIVING ALONG AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN SEVERE SHAKING OCCURS SO SEVERE THAT THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, ALMOST LIKE BOTH FRONT TIRES BLOW OUT AT THE SAME TIME, SEVERE STEERING DIFFICULTIES WHEN THIS HAPPENS, IF YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THEN TAKE OFF IT STOPS?INTERMITTENT BUT INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS! HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 2 WEEKS?ONCE ON A GRAVEL ROAD, ONCE ON A ROAD WITH POTHOLES AND ONCE ON RT43 SMOOTH AS GLASS ROAD AT A SPEED OF 65MPH?THIS IS ALWAYS A SUDDEN ONSET- NO WARNING?THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR WHEN WE WERE GOING ON RT43..THIS COULD HAVE KILLED US HAD IT BEEN A TWO LANE ROAD AS WE WERE JUST DOING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 65MPH AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE FRONT END IS ALL OVER THE PLACE AND OUT OF CONTROL! IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL...I HAD THE BRAKES TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS JUMPING ALL OVER THE ROAD, HAD THERE BEEN A CAR BESIDE US WE WOULD HAVE COLLIDED WITH THEM! THIS IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET AS THE DEATH WOBBLE BUT HAD IT NOT HAPPENED TO US WE WOULD NOT KNOW ABOUT IT! THERE SHOULD AT MINIMUM BE A WARNING THIS COULD GET PEOPLE KILLED IF IT IS NOT ADDRESSED...PLEASE, INVESTIGATE THIS ON THE F250 OURS IS A 2005 BUT I HAVE READ THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM! THIS IS A HAZARD! 11-2-08 WAS THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT THE OTHER TWO TIMES HAPPENED WITHIN 2 WEEKS BEFORE! THIS IS A SCARY SITUATION, I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT THERE WEREN'T A LOT OF OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD OR I FEAR THAT I WOULDN'T BE AROUND TO WRITE THIS COMPLAINT...IT IS THIS SEVERE...NO EXAGGERATION! THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248066

46,000 miles · Sep 29, 2008
SteeringSuspension

WE HAVE CONTINUOUS ISSUES WITH THE SHIMMY AND UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKE IN THE FRONT END OF OUR 2005 F250 SUPER DUTY (GAS). AT SPEEDS OF 55 AND HIGHER, THE TRUCK WILL SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY OFF THE ROAD AT THE SLIGHTEST UNEVEN OR BUMP IN THE ROAD. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALERSHIPS NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE ONLY THING THEY HAVE DONE IS TO RE…

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WE HAVE CONTINUOUS ISSUES WITH THE SHIMMY AND UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKE IN THE FRONT END OF OUR 2005 F250 SUPER DUTY (GAS). AT SPEEDS OF 55 AND HIGHER, THE TRUCK WILL SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY OFF THE ROAD AT THE SLIGHTEST UNEVEN OR BUMP IN THE ROAD. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALERSHIPS NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE ONLY THING THEY HAVE DONE IS TO REPLACE THE DAMPER ASSEMBLY ON JUNE 6TH. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND SEEMS TO BE MORE ERRATIC AND FREQUENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10243840

44,000 miles · Sep 26, 2008
SteeringSuspension

FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY AFTER HITTING POT HOLES OR BUMPS IN THE ROAD. TO THE POINT WHERE A COLLISION IS HIGHLY POSSIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10243494

10,176 miles · Sep 9, 2008
Suspension

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH, GOING OVER A BUMP ON THE ROAD, THE FRONT END STARTS SHAKING VERY BAD UNTIL YOU GET BELOW 40 MPH, IT IS ALL YOU CAN DO TO KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241434

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2008
Suspension

I HAVE A 2005 F250 WHEN I HIT A BUMP ON THE HIGH WAY AT 50MPH OR HIGHER THE TRUCK FRONT END AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND FEELS LIKE YOU ARE GOING TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241384

58,000 miles · Sep 3, 2008
SteeringSuspension

I OWN A 2005 SUPER DUTY POWER STROKE AND WHEN I HIT A POT HOLE OR WHEN I'M TAKING A TURN TO THE LEFT FROM 40 MPH TO 50 MPH MY TRUCK GETS THE DEATH WOBBLES UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKES AND GET DOWN TO ABOUT 15-20 MPH. I DON'T EVEN LIKE DRIVING IT CAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. IT'S KIND OF SAD WHEN YOU PAY SO MUCH FOR …

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I OWN A 2005 SUPER DUTY POWER STROKE AND WHEN I HIT A POT HOLE OR WHEN I'M TAKING A TURN TO THE LEFT FROM 40 MPH TO 50 MPH MY TRUCK GETS THE DEATH WOBBLES UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKES AND GET DOWN TO ABOUT 15-20 MPH. I DON'T EVEN LIKE DRIVING IT CAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. IT'S KIND OF SAD WHEN YOU PAY SO MUCH FOR A NICE TRUCK AND YOUR AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I THINK FORD NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL ON THESE TRUCKS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED, IT REALLY IS THAT BAD! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240851

Official recalls

3

11V352000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

Jul 13, 2011

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.

Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.

Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

05V270000 · Electrical System:wiring

Jun 10, 2005

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND MAY OR MAY NOT RESTART.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE (FICM) WIRE HARNESS OR REPLACED, AND/OR HAVE A NEW INJECTION CONTROL PRESSURE (ICP)) SENSOR CONNECTOR INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

05V266000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Jun 9, 2005

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND CHASSIS CAB VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L GASOLINE ENGINES, THE FUEL JUMPER LINE MAY HAVE AN INCORRECT END FORM.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE FUEL LINE MAY SEPARATE AT THE CONNECTION TO THE MAIN FUEL BUNDLE. IF THE FUEL LINE SEPARATES, AN OPERATOR MAY NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR AND/OR FUEL ON THE GROUND, LOSS OF POWER, AND THE ENGINE WILL EVENTUALLY STALL. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN EXTERNAL RETENTION CLIP AT THE FUEL JUMPER LINE TO THE MAIN FUEL BUNDLE CONNECTION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 20, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA08007 · Violent Front End Oscillation

Opened Mar 14, 2008 · Closed Mar 31, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Suspension:front

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

PE07057 · Violent Front End Oscillation

Opened Nov 15, 2007 · Closed Mar 14, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front

ODI HAS RECEIVED 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND OSCILLATIONS COMMENCING AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.THIRTEEN OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGED DRIVING LANES UNCONTROLLABLY.FOUR OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS.IN ONE CASE THE CONSUMER ALLEGES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE, IT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND A FORD TSB (07-10-10) DESCRIBING THE SUSPENSION SHIMMY ISSUE AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.FORD HAS DESCRIBED SHIMMY AS SELF-EXCITED OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING WHEELS WITH ACCOMPANYING WHEEL TRAMP.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO DETERMINE IF THE SHIMMY CONDITION THAT OCCURS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR STARTLES THE DRIVER, THUS PRESENTING A SAFETY RISK.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension

ODI HAS RECEIVED 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND OSCILLATIONS COMMENCING AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.THIRTEEN OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGED DRIVING LANES UNCONTROLLABLY.FOUR OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS.IN ONE CASE THE CONSUMER ALLEGES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE, IT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND A FORD TSB (07-10-10) DESCRIBING THE SUSPENSION SHIMMY ISSUE AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.FORD HAS DESCRIBED SHIMMY AS SELF-EXCITED OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING WHEELS WITH ACCOMPANYING WHEEL TRAMP.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO DETERMINE IF THE SHIMMY CONDITION THAT OCCURS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR STARTLES THE DRIVER, THUS PRESENTING A SAFETY RISK.

Suspension:front

ODI HAS RECEIVED 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND OSCILLATIONS COMMENCING AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.THIRTEEN OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGED DRIVING LANES UNCONTROLLABLY.FOUR OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS.IN ONE CASE THE CONSUMER ALLEGES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE, IT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND A FORD TSB (07-10-10) DESCRIBING THE SUSPENSION SHIMMY ISSUE AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.FORD HAS DESCRIBED SHIMMY AS SELF-EXCITED OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING WHEELS WITH ACCOMPANYING WHEEL TRAMP.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO DETERMINE IF THE SHIMMY CONDITION THAT OCCURS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR STARTLES THE DRIVER, THUS PRESENTING A SAFETY RISK.