IllustrationMY VEHICLE VIBRATES AND SHIMMIES UNCONTROLLABLY WHEN I HIT A ROUGH SPOT ON THE INTERSTATE TRAVELING AT 60-70MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE SLOWED 15 TO 20 MPH IMMEDIATELY TO REGAIN CONTROL. *TR
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all F-250 Sd 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
770–25K
7825–50K
5150–75K
2575–100K
28100–150K
10150K+
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 reportsWHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS A DEFECT OR UNEVEN PORTION IN THE ROADWAY SUCH AS A POTHOLE OR BUMP OR AN EXPANSION JOINT ON AN OVERPASS CAN CAUSE THE FRONT END TO START SHIMMYING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE SLOWED OR EVEN STOPPED TO MAKE THE SHIMMY STOP WHICH IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION ON A MULTILANE HIGHWAY. THIS HAS …
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WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS A DEFECT OR UNEVEN PORTION IN THE ROADWAY SUCH AS A POTHOLE OR BUMP OR AN EXPANSION JOINT ON AN OVERPASS CAN CAUSE THE FRONT END TO START SHIMMYING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE SLOWED OR EVEN STOPPED TO MAKE THE SHIMMY STOP WHICH IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION ON A MULTILANE HIGHWAY. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWO TIMES IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS, I MUST STRESS THAT THE SHAKING IS QUITE VIOLENT AND FRIGHTENING. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME COMPLAINT WITH NO APPARENT FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. IF THIS IS SO THEN I WILL BE TRADING THIS VEHICLE IN FOR ANOTHER BECAUSE THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE CONDITION. *TR
THIS MORNING I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 F250 4X4 ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN IT STARTED A DEATH WOBBLE. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I LOOKED AT THE TIRES TO DETERMINE IF I LOST A BALANCE WEIGHT. I THEN PROCEEDED ABOUT A HALF MILE AND STOPPED AT A LOCAL STORE. WHEN I LEFT THE DEATH WOBBLE STARTED AGAIN. I KEEP THE TRUCK BELO…
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THIS MORNING I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 F250 4X4 ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN IT STARTED A DEATH WOBBLE. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I LOOKED AT THE TIRES TO DETERMINE IF I LOST A BALANCE WEIGHT. I THEN PROCEEDED ABOUT A HALF MILE AND STOPPED AT A LOCAL STORE. WHEN I LEFT THE DEATH WOBBLE STARTED AGAIN. I KEEP THE TRUCK BELOW 40MPH AND HEADED TO THE STORE WHERE I PURCHASED MY TIRES. IT HAPPENED AGAIN AS I WAS ENTERING THE FREEWAY. I AGAIN HAD TO STOP AND PULL OVER. I KEEP THE TRUCK BELOW 40MPH AND ARRIVED AT THE TIRE STORE WHERE THEY BALANCED THE FRONT TIRES. WHEN I LEFT I AGAIN ENTERED THE FREEWAY AND THE "DEATH WOBBLE" STARTED AGAIN. I KEEP THE TRUCK BELOW 40MPH AND USED SURFACE STREETS TO GET TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY TRUCK. I WILL HAVE THE RESULTS TOMORROW AFTER OVER $700 WORTH OF REPAIRS. IF I WAS TOWING MY FIFTH WHEEL I THINK THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A BAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. *TR
I HAVE A FORD SUPER DUTY TRUCK THAT EXHIBITS WHAT HAS BEEN NAMED THE DEATH WOBBLE AS WELL AS THE 40-50 MPH REAR END BOUNCE OR SHAKE. NEW TIRES, SHOCKS, BRAKES, ETC HAVE NOT CORRECTED THIS ISSUE. I'VE READ ONLINE WHERE MANY OTHERS EXPERIENCE THIS SAME ISSUE AND MANY HAVE BEEN TOLD BY FORD THAT THEY HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS. *TR
MY FORD F250 SD 2005 HAS A VIOLENT UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKING IN THE FRONT END. THIS PROBLEM HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT AS THE TRUCK GETS OLDER. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND STOP. *TR
THERE IS VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK AT SPEEDS OVER 50MPH. YOU FEEL LIKE THE WHOLE FRONT END IS GOING TO FALL OUT FROM UNDER THE TRUCK. IF YOU CAN MAKE IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SLOW TO @35MPH IT WILL STOP. AT TIMES THE SHAKING IS SO VIOLENT THAT THE VEHICLE WILL CHANGE LANES. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLE…
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THERE IS VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK AT SPEEDS OVER 50MPH. YOU FEEL LIKE THE WHOLE FRONT END IS GOING TO FALL OUT FROM UNDER THE TRUCK. IF YOU CAN MAKE IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SLOW TO @35MPH IT WILL STOP. AT TIMES THE SHAKING IS SO VIOLENT THAT THE VEHICLE WILL CHANGE LANES. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THERE ARE ALOT OF BLOGS THAT PEOPLE HAVE POSTED ON WONDERING WHAT TO DO. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO A SHOP TWICE IN THE LAST TWO DAYS AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE THERE ARE DEATHS CAUSED BY THIS SITUATION. *TR
RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING FROM THE DEALERSHIP, I HIT A SMALL BUMP/EXPANSION JOINT IN THE ROAD THAT CAUSE THE FRONT TIRES TO BOUNCED UNCONTROLLABLY. I WAS TRAVELING APPROX. 65 MPH AT THE TIME. THE VEHICLE SHOOK COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL TO THE POINT THAT I COULD NOT CONTROL IT. I SLOWED TO APPROX. 30…
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RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING FROM THE DEALERSHIP, I HIT A SMALL BUMP/EXPANSION JOINT IN THE ROAD THAT CAUSE THE FRONT TIRES TO BOUNCED UNCONTROLLABLY. I WAS TRAVELING APPROX. 65 MPH AT THE TIME. THE VEHICLE SHOOK COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL TO THE POINT THAT I COULD NOT CONTROL IT. I SLOWED TO APPROX. 30 MPH BEFORE THE BOUNCING STOPPED. A THIRD PARTY IN THE NEXT LAND FLAGGED ME DOWN AND ADVISED ME THAT IT LOOKED AS IF THE FRONT TIRES WERE GOING TO FLY OFF. THE OCCURRED 2 MORE TIMES THAT SAME DAY. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER. CURRENTLY WAITING FOR THEM TO MAKE CORRECTIONS. THEY REFERRED ME TO A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY FORD. PROBLEM SUPPOSED TO BE CORRECTABLE. WAITING TO SEE. *TR
2005 F-250 HAS DANGEROUS SHAKE IN FRONT END OF VEHICLE, TO THE POINT OF LOOSING CONTROL OF VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY. TRUCK BOUNCED OVER FOUR LANES OF HIGHWAY BEFORE GAINING CONTROL OF IT. SPEED WAS ABOUT 55-60MPH. IT WAS EARLY IN THE MORNING AND THERE WASN'T MUCH TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. IF IT HAD BEEN IN THE AFTERNOON, THERE WOULD HAV…
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2005 F-250 HAS DANGEROUS SHAKE IN FRONT END OF VEHICLE, TO THE POINT OF LOOSING CONTROL OF VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY. TRUCK BOUNCED OVER FOUR LANES OF HIGHWAY BEFORE GAINING CONTROL OF IT. SPEED WAS ABOUT 55-60MPH. IT WAS EARLY IN THE MORNING AND THERE WASN'T MUCH TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. IF IT HAD BEEN IN THE AFTERNOON, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A CRASH AND POSSIBLE FATALITIES. I TOOK TRUCK TO DEALER, TECH STATED THEY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT, AND THEY WEREN'T GOING TO DO A RECALL BECAUSE IT'S NOT A VERY PUBLIC PROBLEM, SO THEY THREW SOME SHIMS ON IT AND SOME OTHER STUFF. TRUCK STILL HAS A CONSIDERABLE SHAKE TO THE FRONT END. WE RECENTLY TOOK THE TRUCK TO A 'NON' FORD MECHANIC. THREE TIE RODS ARE BAD AND THE STABILIZER SHOCKS ARE BAD. HE STATED THIS IS BECAUSE THE FRONT END IS SHAKING SO BAD IT IS WEARING OUT THE RODS/SHOCKS. THE TRUCK IS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. THE DEALER STATED THEY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. WHY IS NOTHING BEING DONE TO FIX THIS ISSUE? *TR
VIOLENT SHAKING AFTER HITTING POT HOLES OR EXPANSION JOINTS ON HIGHWAYS AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 55 TO 75MPH. THE SHAKING CAUSES A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND WILL NOT STOP UNTIL SLOWING BELOW 40MPH. AFTER READING SEVERAL POSTS ONLINE I SEE THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEO…
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VIOLENT SHAKING AFTER HITTING POT HOLES OR EXPANSION JOINTS ON HIGHWAYS AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 55 TO 75MPH. THE SHAKING CAUSES A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND WILL NOT STOP UNTIL SLOWING BELOW 40MPH. AFTER READING SEVERAL POSTS ONLINE I SEE THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
TRUCK SHAKES OUT OF CONTROL WHEN HITTING SMALL POT HOLES ON THE FREEWAY . ONLY RESOLUTION IS TO HOLD ON TIGHT AND BRING THE TRUCK TO A COMPLETE STOP. TAKEN IT TO BOB BOYD AND THEY HAD NO RESOLUTION. IT IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN AND WILL CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. READ MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS. SAME PROBLEM 2005 F250. *TR
Official recalls
311V352000 · 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
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.