FORD SD F250 4WD - LIKE OTHERS, SEVERE SHIMMY, ESPECIALLY ON EXPANSION JOINTS ON FREEWAYS. CAN AND DOES SPOOK THE DRIVER. SCARY MOMENTS. DEALER CHECKED, AND SAID STEER STABILIZER SHOULD BE REPLACED?? AT 61,000 K - NO WAY. OTHERS ARE SAYING SAME THING, INCLUDING BALL JOINTS BEING WORN OUT??? *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
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.
What owners actually said
295 reportsWHILE TOWING OUR HORSE TRAILER THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. IT WAS TOWED TO DEALER AND THE ENGINE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED UNDER FORD WARRANTY. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC SAID THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE AND I SHOULD WRITE IN. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THERE IS A SNAP RING LOCATED IN THE TRANSMISSI…
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WHILE TOWING OUR HORSE TRAILER THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. IT WAS TOWED TO DEALER AND THE ENGINE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED UNDER FORD WARRANTY. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC SAID THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE AND I SHOULD WRITE IN. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THERE IS A SNAP RING LOCATED IN THE TRANSMISSION, FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON, THIS SNAP RING POPS OFF , IS THEN SUCKED BETWEEN THE TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION CASE AND A GEAR, WHICH CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION CASE TO CRACK. THE MECHANIC SAID THE CASE IS CRACKED ON THE TOP. HE HAS SEEN MANY OF THESE FAILURES. BECAUSE I DIDN'T BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, THIS REPAIR WILL COST APPROX $4,500.00. THIS TRUCK HAS LOW MILEAGE (41900 MI). I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM OF FORD TRUCKS FROM 2002 - 2005. *TR
WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOVE 50MPH THE FORD 2005 F250 SUPER DUTY BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY TO THE POINT OF LOOSING CONTROL. THEY ONLY WHY TO STOP THE SHAKING IS TO SLOW DOWN IMMEDIATELY AND FORCE ANY FOLLOWING TRAFFIC TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES TOO. THE ITEMS THAT BRING ON THIS SHAKE (OSCILLATION) ARE THE FOLLOWING. THE PROBLE…
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WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOVE 50MPH THE FORD 2005 F250 SUPER DUTY BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY TO THE POINT OF LOOSING CONTROL. THEY ONLY WHY TO STOP THE SHAKING IS TO SLOW DOWN IMMEDIATELY AND FORCE ANY FOLLOWING TRAFFIC TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES TOO. THE ITEMS THAT BRING ON THIS SHAKE (OSCILLATION) ARE THE FOLLOWING. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN: 1. ON A HIGHWAY GOING OVER 50 MPH 2.HIITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD. ONCE A BUMP IS HIT ABOVE 50MPH, THE OSCILLATION (LEFT TO RIGHT) BEGINS. I HAVE BEEN IN SEVERAL INCIDENTS WERE THE CARS BEHIND ME MUST MANEUVER OR STOP AND RISK RUNNING INTO OTHER VEHICLES. *TR
MY FORD F 250 TRUCK SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE FRONT SUSPENSION IS UPSET ON HIGHWAY. NORMALLY OCCURS AT OR ABOVE 65 MPH, THE WAY TO RE-GAIN CONTROL IS SLOW CONSIDERABLY. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH FACTORY AND REPLACEMENT TIRES. FORD STATED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM, BUT THAT IT DOESN'T WARRANT A RECALL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SUPERDUTY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH OVER A BUMP, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND SHAKE. THE CONTACT LOST PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND THE VEHICLE SWAYED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A ME…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SUPERDUTY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH OVER A BUMP, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND SHAKE. THE CONTACT LOST PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND THE VEHICLE SWAYED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR THIS FAILURE AND WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY PERFORMED A SAFETY INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WERE NO MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000. UPDATED 07/29/08 *BF UPDATED 07/29/08
2005 FORD F-250 TRUCK FRONT END WOBBLE. HAS DONE IT SINCE ABOUT 20,000 MILES. DRIVING 55+ MILES PER HOUR, TURNING TO THE LEFT, FRONT END AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY. *TR
2005 FORD F250 4X4, 4 DOOR, AUTO, 5.4L GAS, APPROX. 39K MI. TRAVELING AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SPEED, IN A SWEEPING LEFT HAND CURVE, CROSSING ROUGH PAVEMENT, A SEVERE STEERING WHEEL SHAKE AND FRONT WHEEL SHIMMY COMMENCED, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INVOLUNTARY RAPID LANE CHANGE AND NEAR ACCIDENT. I SLOWED TO 25 MPH IN ORD…
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2005 FORD F250 4X4, 4 DOOR, AUTO, 5.4L GAS, APPROX. 39K MI. TRAVELING AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SPEED, IN A SWEEPING LEFT HAND CURVE, CROSSING ROUGH PAVEMENT, A SEVERE STEERING WHEEL SHAKE AND FRONT WHEEL SHIMMY COMMENCED, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INVOLUNTARY RAPID LANE CHANGE AND NEAR ACCIDENT. I SLOWED TO 25 MPH IN ORDER TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. LIVING IN FL AND WORKING IN SC AT THE TIME, I WAS FORCED TO DEAL WITH DIFFERENT FORD DEALERS IN THE COLUMBIA, SC AND BARTOW, FL AREAS. ON THE ADVICE OF VARIOUS FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENTS, I REPLACED TIRES, WHEELS, BALL JOINTS, SHOCKS (TWICE), STEERING STABILIZER, HAD MULTIPLE ALIGNMENTS AND WHEEL BALANCES PERFORMED. AS I WAS STRANDED OUT-OF-TOWN WITH A TRUCK THAT WAS HANDLING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, I SPENT APPROXIMATELY $4,500 IN PARTS REPLACEMENTS BEFORE THE PROBLEM WAS REMEDIED. THREE FORD DEALERSHIPS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT A SERIOUS PROBLEM EXISTED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN WARRANTY. FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER PERSONNEL, 800-392-3673, EMPLOYED BLATANT STALLING TACTICS UNTIL MY ODOMETER HAD PASSED 40,000 MILES, THEN REFUSED TO RENDER ANY ASSISTANCE. MORE THAN ONE YEAR LATER, I AM WAITING FOR A CALL FROM A REGIONAL FORD SERVICE MANAGER, SUPPOSEDLY ARRANGED THROUGH A COLUMBIA, SC FORD DEALER. I HAVE RECEIVED HIGH SPEED DRIVING INSTRUCTION AT TWO DIFFERENT POLICE ACADEMY COURSES. I HAVE DRIVEN DOZENS OF DIFFERENT VEHICLES AT VERY HIGH SPEEDS OVER HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MILES. I KNOW A DANGEROUS VEHICLE DEFECT WHEN I SEE ONE. THIS FORD SUSPENSION PROBLEM PRESENTS A LIFE THREATENING CONDITION THAT IS WELL KNOWN BY FORD. NOT ONLY HAS FORD NOT RECALLED THESE VEHICLES, THEIR SERVICE PERSONNEL ARE ENGAGING IN A CAMPAIGN OF DENIAL AND DECEPTION. *TR
WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND TRAVELING OVER UNEVEN SURFACES OR BRAKING FROM HIGHWAY SPEED OVER UNEVEN SURFACES THE FRONT END BEGINS TO SHIMMY/OSCILLATE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THIS IS OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SUPERDUTY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THICK SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE REAR EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING WHILE EN ROUTE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MECHANIC REPLACE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SUPERDUTY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THICK SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE REAR EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING WHILE EN ROUTE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE 2, 6, AND 8 FUEL INJECTOR COMPONENTS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AT THE COST OF $106.50. THE TOTAL REPAIR COST WAS $506.70. MOST RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS FAILURES WERE RELATED TO THE EGR COOLER SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,246 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
2005 FORD F-250 SD SHAKING VIOLENTLY AFTER GOING OVER UNEVEN SURFACES ON HIGHWAY. WE WERE OUT OF THE STATE WORKING FOR 10 DAYS AND DEPENDED ON THIS VEHICLE SO THE FOLLOWING DAY WE TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER AND ALL THEY HAD TO SAY WAS THE TIRES NEEDED 80 POUNDS OF AIR. AS SOON AS WE RETURNED HOME WE TRADED IT OFF AND GOT A 2006 …
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2005 FORD F-250 SD SHAKING VIOLENTLY AFTER GOING OVER UNEVEN SURFACES ON HIGHWAY. WE WERE OUT OF THE STATE WORKING FOR 10 DAYS AND DEPENDED ON THIS VEHICLE SO THE FOLLOWING DAY WE TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER AND ALL THEY HAD TO SAY WAS THE TIRES NEEDED 80 POUNDS OF AIR. AS SOON AS WE RETURNED HOME WE TRADED IT OFF AND GOT A 2006 AND IT IS DOING THE SAME THING AND A COMPLAINT HAS BEEN FILED ON IT AS WELL. DONE WITH FORD TRUCKS, IF FORD DOESN'T THINK ANY BETTER OF ITS CUSTOMERS THAN TO PUT AN UNSAFE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD WE ARE GOING TO CHEVROLET. *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.
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