NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Suspension complaints
144 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jun 23, 2008
SteeringSuspension
I HAVE AN '06 FORD F-250. EVERYTIME I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR FREEWAY THE FRONT END DOES WHAT'S KNOWN AS THE "DEATH SHAKE" ACCORDING TO RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET. MANY OF PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME EXPERIENCE THE MORE I DID RESEARCH ON THIS MATTER. MINE ALONG WITH EVERYONE ELSE HAS TO SLOW DOWN ALMOST TO A STOP FOR THE …
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I HAVE AN '06 FORD F-250. EVERYTIME I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR FREEWAY THE FRONT END DOES WHAT'S KNOWN AS THE "DEATH SHAKE" ACCORDING TO RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET. MANY OF PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME EXPERIENCE THE MORE I DID RESEARCH ON THIS MATTER. MINE ALONG WITH EVERYONE ELSE HAS TO SLOW DOWN ALMOST TO A STOP FOR THE FRONT END TO STOP SHAKING OR IT WILL SEND YOU INTO THE ONCOMING LANE AND ALL HAVE HAD VERY CLOSE CALLS. FORD DEALER SHIPS TO MY KNOWLEDGE ACCORDING TO MY LOCAL DEALER SHIP (SUNLAND FORD) IN VICTORVILLE DOESN'T KNOW THE FIX. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY STEERING DAMPENER. NOPE!! PEOPLE ARE GOING TO THEIR DEALERSHIPS MULTIPLE TIMES. I PAID WELL OVER $30,000 FOR MY TRUCK AND THIS IS VERY UNACCEPTABLE. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10231992
10,900 miles · Jun 14, 2008
Suspension
PREVIOUSLY WHEN THE TRUCK BED WAS EMPTY WE HAVE HAD MILD EPISODES OF SHAKING, WHICH WOULD RESOLVE ITSELF WITHOUT BRAKING. HOWEVER, TODAY WE HAD AN EARTH-SHATTERING HYPER-SHAKE, WHICH WE WOULDN'T SUBSIDE. WE HAD A SMALL LOAD OF FENCING IN THE BED AND WERE ROUNDING A CURVE ON ROUGH PAVEMENT (AS MOST ROADS IN NW PA ARE) AT ABOUT 50…
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PREVIOUSLY WHEN THE TRUCK BED WAS EMPTY WE HAVE HAD MILD EPISODES OF SHAKING, WHICH WOULD RESOLVE ITSELF WITHOUT BRAKING. HOWEVER, TODAY WE HAD AN EARTH-SHATTERING HYPER-SHAKE, WHICH WE WOULDN'T SUBSIDE. WE HAD A SMALL LOAD OF FENCING IN THE BED AND WERE ROUNDING A CURVE ON ROUGH PAVEMENT (AS MOST ROADS IN NW PA ARE) AT ABOUT 50 MPH. THE SHAKING IN THE FRONT END WAS SO BAD THAT THE BRAKES DIDN'T EVEN SEEM TO SLOW THE TRUCK DOWN AND WE HAD SERIOUS STEERING CONTROL PROBLEMS. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, BUT THE TOYOTA TRUCK WHICH HAD BEEN TAILGATING US DROPPED BACK ABOUT 20 CAR LENGTHS AFTER OUR VIOLENT SHAKING AND SKIPPING EPISODE OF APPROXIMATELY 20 SECONDS. WE HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER YET, BECAUSE THE INCIDENT JUST HAPPENED TODAY. HOWEVER, WE HAVE A FOUND A NUMBER OF SIMILAR REPORTS OF HYPER-SHAKING ON F-250'S FROM WEB SEARCHES. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO DEATH OR INJURIES INVOLVED IN THIS INCIDENT, THE POTENTIAL FOR BOTH WITH THIS VEHICLE CERTAINLY EXISTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10231018
12,000 miles · Jun 10, 2008
Suspension
DAYS AFTER PURCHASING A USED 2006 FORD F250 4X4 DIESEL TRUCK, I EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT SHAKING/VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA. I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN I DROVE OVER A SEGMENT OF UNEVEN PAVEMENT. THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE SO VIOLENTLY THAT I HAD TO QUICKLY REDUCE …
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DAYS AFTER PURCHASING A USED 2006 FORD F250 4X4 DIESEL TRUCK, I EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT SHAKING/VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA. I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN I DROVE OVER A SEGMENT OF UNEVEN PAVEMENT. THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE SO VIOLENTLY THAT I HAD TO QUICKLY REDUCE SPEED ON THE FAR LEFT (FAST) LANE OF THE INTERSTATE. A CONCRETE BARRIER TO MY IMMEDIATE LEFT DID NOT ALLOW ME TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER. SEVERAL VEHICLES TRAVELING IMMEDIATELY BEHIND ME WERE FORCED TO QUICKLY CHANGE LANES SO AS TO AVOID A REAR END COLLISION. AS I SLOWED TO ABOUT 35 MPH THE SHAKING STOPPED. THE SAME SITUATION OCCURRED DAYS LATER WHEN TRAVELING ON A CITY ROAD AT APPROX. 35-40 MPH. DEALERSHIP INSTRUCTED ME TO CHECK PSI IN TIRES. PSI WAS TOO LOW & I INFLATED TIRES TO PSI AS PER VEHICLE TAG ON INSIDE OF DRIVER DOOR PANEL. VIOLENT VIBRATION OCCURRED A THIRD TIME WITHIN DAYS OF PROPERLY INFLATING TIRES. AM CURRENTLY OUT OF THE COUNTRY FOR WORK; WILL FOLLOW UP WITH DEALERSHIP UPON RETURN IN APPROX. 2 WEEKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10230483
30,000 miles · Jun 6, 2008
Suspension
SINCE NEW THE TRUCK HAS EXPERIENCED VIOLENT AND UNCONTROLLABLE FRONT SUSPENSION SHAKING/BOUNCING/WOBBLING AFTER HITTING A SHARP BUMP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. INITIALLY, THE SHAKING WOULD ONLY LAST APPROXIMATELY 3 SECONDS, BUT RECENTLY THE SHAKING WAS SO SEVERE THAT I HAD TO SLOW THE VEHICLE TO 30-35 MPH BEFORE IT STOPPED. THE SHAKING…
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SINCE NEW THE TRUCK HAS EXPERIENCED VIOLENT AND UNCONTROLLABLE FRONT SUSPENSION SHAKING/BOUNCING/WOBBLING AFTER HITTING A SHARP BUMP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. INITIALLY, THE SHAKING WOULD ONLY LAST APPROXIMATELY 3 SECONDS, BUT RECENTLY THE SHAKING WAS SO SEVERE THAT I HAD TO SLOW THE VEHICLE TO 30-35 MPH BEFORE IT STOPPED. THE SHAKING WAS SO VIOLENT THAT I WAS CONVINCED THAT SOMETHING HAD BROKEN IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, AND I IMMEDIATELY INSPECTED THE FRONT SUSPENSION AT THE NEXT EXIT. NOTHING OBVIOUSLY BROKEN WAS EVIDENT. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS. I DROPPED THE TRUCK OFF AT THE DEALER. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THEIR AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEM, BUT CLAIMED THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE IT DURING THEIR ROAD TEST. THIS IS NOT SURPRISING, AS IT TYPICALLY ONLY OCCURS WHEN YOU HIT A SHARP BUMP OR SERIES OF BUMPS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THEY PERFORMED SOME OF THE REPAIRS/ADJUSTMENTS SPECIFIED BY FORD'S TSB 07-10-10, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THERE IS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH A LARGE POPULATION OF FORD TRUCKS THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED BY FORD AT THIS POINT, I HOPE THAT NHTSA CAN CONVINCE FORD TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS NEEDLESSLY KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10230092
52,500 miles · May 28, 2008
Suspension
TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN HIT ROUGH SPOTS ON HIGHWAY (OVER 60MPH). OCCURS ON BRIDGES, POTHOLES, ROUGH AREAS, ETC. SHAKING IS SO VIOLENT VEHICLE IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL AND MUST SLOW DOWN TO 40 MPH IN ORDER FOR SHAKING TO STOP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10229110
28,000 miles · May 21, 2008
Suspension
FORD F-250 SD SHAKING VIOLENTLY AFTER CROSSING A BRIDGE WITH UNEVEN SURFACES, BUMPS, POT HOLES. TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL, LET OFF EXCELERATOR AND IT FINALLY STOPPED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228521
11,987 miles · May 18, 2008
Suspension
WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40 - 70 MPH ON HIGHWAY OR CITY STREETS VEHICLE FRONT END BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND NEARLY LOOSES CONTROL OF STEERING SYSTEM. MISHAP OCCURS WHEN VEHICLE DRIVES ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT SURFACES OR WHEN IT STRIKES ROAD POTHOLES (SMALL AND LARGE). WHEN TRAVELING ON A BUSY INTERSTATE IN ORLANDO, F…
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WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40 - 70 MPH ON HIGHWAY OR CITY STREETS VEHICLE FRONT END BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND NEARLY LOOSES CONTROL OF STEERING SYSTEM. MISHAP OCCURS WHEN VEHICLE DRIVES ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT SURFACES OR WHEN IT STRIKES ROAD POTHOLES (SMALL AND LARGE). WHEN TRAVELING ON A BUSY INTERSTATE IN ORLANDO, FL THIS VIOLENT ACTION NEARLY CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. MANY INTERNET FORD F250 FORUMS ARE CURRENTLY DISCUSSING THE SAME ISSUE AND IT APPEARS FORD IS ONLY OFFERING MINOR "BAND-AID" TYPE REPAIRS THAT ONLY CORRECT THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN / ENGINEERING ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228104
20,000 miles · May 13, 2008
SteeringSuspension
MY '06 FORD F-250 HAS A DESIGN FLAW THAT CAUSES IT TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AT SPEED AND REQUIRES TO ALMOST STOP TO CORRECT. VERY UNSAFE AND NOW ABOUT USELESS TO DRIVE. ARE THERE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? THANKS, DANTE *TR
NHTSA ODI #10227619
14,523 miles · May 8, 2008
Suspension
I HAVE AN 06 FORD F 250 SUPER DUTY SUPER CAB XLT WITH AN 8 FOOT BED. I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH EXTREME HIGHWAY SHAKING. WHEN IT HAPPENS TO ME I'M USUALLY GOING OVER 60 MPH, AND IT HAPPENS WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, TO ME IT FEELS LIKE IT IS COMING FROM THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE,LIKE THE WHEELS ARE NOW BOUNCING INSTEAD OF ROLLIN…
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I HAVE AN 06 FORD F 250 SUPER DUTY SUPER CAB XLT WITH AN 8 FOOT BED. I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH EXTREME HIGHWAY SHAKING. WHEN IT HAPPENS TO ME I'M USUALLY GOING OVER 60 MPH, AND IT HAPPENS WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, TO ME IT FEELS LIKE IT IS COMING FROM THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE,LIKE THE WHEELS ARE NOW BOUNCING INSTEAD OF ROLLING,THE SHAKING IS EXTREMELY VIOLENT,AND I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO APX. 40 OR LESS MPH TO MAKE IT GO AWAY. SOMETIMES IT WOULD LAST ALMOST A FULL 30 SECONDS,BUT I NEVER SEEM TO HAVE ANY STEERING ISSUES,THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN MY CONTROL,BUT MAYBE THAT'S BECAUSE MY INSTINCT IS TO JUST GO STRAIGHT AND SLOW DOWN. IN ANY CASE, I'VE HAD 2 PEOPLE WITNESS THIS WHILE IN THE TRUCK WITH ME AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND BOTH OF THEM TURNED WHITE WITH FEAR,THIS IS NOT JUST A LITTLE SHIMMY,LIKE AN UNBALANCED TIRE OR SOMETHING, IT IS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW AND FORD BETTER DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10226999
14,000 miles · May 4, 2008
SteeringSuspensionVisibilityInjury
THE TRUCK SHOWED NO SIGNS OF TROUBLE LEADING UP TO THE EVENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MILES AN HOUR AND HEADING AROUND A RIGHT HAND CORNER IN THE ROAD THE TRUCK HIT AN INDENTATION IN THE ROAD SURFACE WHICH CAUSED THE TRUCK TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AND DRIFT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE CAUSING THE TRUCKS MIRROR TO HIT A BOX …
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THE TRUCK SHOWED NO SIGNS OF TROUBLE LEADING UP TO THE EVENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MILES AN HOUR AND HEADING AROUND A RIGHT HAND CORNER IN THE ROAD THE TRUCK HIT AN INDENTATION IN THE ROAD SURFACE WHICH CAUSED THE TRUCK TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AND DRIFT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE CAUSING THE TRUCKS MIRROR TO HIT A BOX TRUCK AND SMASH INTO THE INTERIOR OF MY TRUCK. WHEN THE TRUCK SLOWED DOWN TO BELOW 35, I REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OFF TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. THE BOX TRUCK, APPARENTLY NOT REALIZING WHAT HAD HAPPENED, CONTINUED ON WITHOUT STOPPING. THE MIRROR WAS DESTROYED, GLASS WAS COVERING THE INTERIOR OF MY TRUCK, AND I SUFFERED MINOR CUTS ON MY FACE AND ARM. I RETURNED HOME WITH MY TRUCK AT SPEEDS UNDER 40 MPH, BUT STILL COULD FEEL A SHUDDER WHEN THE TRUCK HIT EITHER A RAISED BUMP OR AN INDENTATION IN THE ROAD. THE DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS IN THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK, BUT NOT THE MIRROR. I WAS TOLD THAT THE MIRROR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE TRUCK HAS NOT HAD THE PROBLEM SINCE. I AM NOT AWARE IF THE OLD PARTS ARE STILL AVAILABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10226586
Official recalls
1Jul 13, 2011
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA08007 · Violent Front End Oscillation
Opened Mar 14, 2008 · Closed Mar 31, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Suspension:front
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
PE07057 · Violent Front End Oscillation
Opened Nov 15, 2007 · Closed Mar 14, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front
ODI HAS RECEIVED 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND OSCILLATIONS COMMENCING AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.THIRTEEN OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGED DRIVING LANES UNCONTROLLABLY.FOUR OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS.IN ONE CASE THE CONSUMER ALLEGES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE, IT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND A FORD TSB (07-10-10) DESCRIBING THE SUSPENSION SHIMMY ISSUE AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.FORD HAS DESCRIBED SHIMMY AS SELF-EXCITED OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING WHEELS WITH ACCOMPANYING WHEEL TRAMP.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO DETERMINE IF THE SHIMMY CONDITION THAT OCCURS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR STARTLES THE DRIVER, THUS PRESENTING A SAFETY RISK.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
ODI HAS RECEIVED 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND OSCILLATIONS COMMENCING AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.THIRTEEN OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGED DRIVING LANES UNCONTROLLABLY.FOUR OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS.IN ONE CASE THE CONSUMER ALLEGES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE, IT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND A FORD TSB (07-10-10) DESCRIBING THE SUSPENSION SHIMMY ISSUE AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.FORD HAS DESCRIBED SHIMMY AS SELF-EXCITED OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING WHEELS WITH ACCOMPANYING WHEEL TRAMP.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO DETERMINE IF THE SHIMMY CONDITION THAT OCCURS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR STARTLES THE DRIVER, THUS PRESENTING A SAFETY RISK.
Suspension:front
ODI HAS RECEIVED 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND OSCILLATIONS COMMENCING AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.THIRTEEN OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGED DRIVING LANES UNCONTROLLABLY.FOUR OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS.IN ONE CASE THE CONSUMER ALLEGES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE, IT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND A FORD TSB (07-10-10) DESCRIBING THE SUSPENSION SHIMMY ISSUE AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.FORD HAS DESCRIBED SHIMMY AS SELF-EXCITED OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING WHEELS WITH ACCOMPANYING WHEEL TRAMP.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO DETERMINE IF THE SHIMMY CONDITION THAT OCCURS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR STARTLES THE DRIVER, THUS PRESENTING A SAFETY RISK.
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