NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Tires complaints
16 reportsClear category filter22,000 miles · Jul 14, 2016
Tires
I HAVE BF GOODRICH RUGGED TRAIL T/A 275 70 R18 TIRES ON MY 2006 FORD F250 WHICH WERE PURCHASED 25 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE 22000 MILES ON THEM. WHILE TOWING MY TRAVEL TRAILER I EXPERIENCED A SLIGHT VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND CAMPER FOR NY VISIBLE SIGNS OF A PROBLEM. EVERYTHING A A…
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I HAVE BF GOODRICH RUGGED TRAIL T/A 275 70 R18 TIRES ON MY 2006 FORD F250 WHICH WERE PURCHASED 25 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE 22000 MILES ON THEM. WHILE TOWING MY TRAVEL TRAILER I EXPERIENCED A SLIGHT VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND CAMPER FOR NY VISIBLE SIGNS OF A PROBLEM. EVERYTHING A APPEARED TO BE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER SO I CONTINUED ON DRIVING SLOWER. AFTER ABOUT 10 MILES THE TIRE COMPLETELY BLEW UP DAMAGING MY VEHICLE AND SENDING THE TREAD OF THE TIRE ACROSS THE OTHER LANES TRAFFIC WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR VEHICULAR ACCIDENT. I THOUGHT IT WAS BAD LUCK. I CHANGED THE TIRE AND CONTINUED DOWN THE ROAD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER 200 MILES I STARTED GETTING THE SAME VIBRATION FROM THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE. FEARING ANOTHER BLOW OUT AND HAVING NO SPARE TIRE I PULLED OVER AND SPENT THE NIGHT IN A CAMPGROUND. THE NEXT MORNING I WENT OUT TO GET TIRES AND UPON THE TIRE PERSONAL INSPECTING THE TIRE THEY SAID THAT IT HAD A AIR BUBBLE UNDER THE TREAD AND THAT IT TOO WOULD HAVE MORE THAN LIKELY BLOWN OUT ON ME. I DIDN'T THINK THAT THIS WAS COINCIDENCE ANYMORE. SO UPON GETTING HOME I CALLED BF GOODRICH AND MADE A COMPLAINT. THEN I RESEARCHED THE TIRES AND SAW THAT A BUNCH OF THEM WERE RECALLED. JUST THAT MINE WAS NOT WITHIN THE THE MANUFACTURE'S DATE CODE WITH IN A FEW WEEKS. I FEEL THAT IF I HADN'T HAD THAT CAMPER BEHIND ME THAT I PROBABLY COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF MY TRUCK WITH POSSIBLE CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES.
NHTSA ODI #10884819
108,325 miles · Jan 30, 2015
Tires
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITH A FULL SET OF THE EXACT SAME TIRE BRAND, TYPE, SIZE, AND LOAD RANGE. THE NEW TIRES WERE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TIRES WHICH HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS THESE: BELT FAILURE. TIRE FAILURE: BELTS BEGAN TO SEPARATE LEADING TO UNEVEN WEAR AND EVENTUALLY FAILURE OF THE SIDEWALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10679925
108,325 miles · Jan 30, 2015
Tires
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITH A FULL SET OF THE EXACT SAME TIRE BRAND, TYPE, SIZE, AND LOAD RANGE. THE NEW TIRES WERE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TIRES WHICH HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS THESE: BELT FAILURE. TIRE FAILURE: BELTS BEGAN TO SEPARATE LEADING TO UNEVEN WEAR AND EVENTUALLY FAILURE OF THE SIDEWALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10679921
108,325 miles · Jan 30, 2015
Tires
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITH A FULL SET OF THE EXACT SAME TIRE BRAND, TYPE, SIZE, AND LOAD RANGE. THE NEW TIRES WERE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TIRES WHICH HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS THESE: BELT FAILURE. TIRE FAILURE: BELTS BEGAN TO SEPARATE LEADING TO UNEVEN WEAR AND EVENTUALLY FAILURE OF THE SIDEWALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10679920
Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2015
Tires
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITH A FULL SET OF THE EXACT SAME TIRE BRAND, TYPE, SIZE, AND LOAD RANGE. THE NEW TIRES WERE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TIRES WHICH HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS THESE: BELT FAILURE. TIRE FAILURE: BELTS BEGAN TO SEPARATE LEADING TO UNEVEN WEAR AND EVENTUALLY FAILURE OF THE SIDEWALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10679917
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2012
Tires
KELLY SAFARI TREX LT265/70R17 TIRES ARE ON AN FORD F250 TRUCK. NOW ON SECOND OCCURRENCE OF TIRE DEVELOPING A "BUBBLE" IN THE SIDEWALL. TIRES ARE LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD AND HAVE LESS THAN 8000 MILES ON THEM. FIRST TIRE DEVELOPED THIS PROBLEM WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF PURCHASE. TRUCK IS USED TO PULL A 27 FOOT TRAVEL TRAILER. T…
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KELLY SAFARI TREX LT265/70R17 TIRES ARE ON AN FORD F250 TRUCK. NOW ON SECOND OCCURRENCE OF TIRE DEVELOPING A "BUBBLE" IN THE SIDEWALL. TIRES ARE LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD AND HAVE LESS THAN 8000 MILES ON THEM. FIRST TIRE DEVELOPED THIS PROBLEM WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF PURCHASE. TRUCK IS USED TO PULL A 27 FOOT TRAVEL TRAILER. TIRES WERE SOLD WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY ARE BUILT FOR THIS PURPOSE. FIRST TIRE WAS REPLACED BY RETAILER AT NO COST. SECOND TIRE IS BEING ARGUED OVER WITH THE RETAILER. RETAILER IS ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE A REPLACEMENT TIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10476531
Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2011
Tires
THE RETAINING NUT SECURING THE TPMS SENSOR TO THE VALVE STEM DETACHED WHILE ADDING AIR TO A TIRE. THIS CLAIM IS BEING FILED BY OIL CHANGER, INC. ON BEHALF OF CELL-CRETE, A FLEET CUSTOMER OF OURS. A NEW TPMS SENSOR HAD TO BE INSTALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10430555
Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2011
Tires
2006 FORD F250. CONSUMER STATES SEVERAL PROBLEM WITH VALVE STEMS. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD TO REPLACE THE VALVE STEMS SEVEN TIMES BECAUSE THEY WERE LEAKING BETWEEN THE WHEEL AND THE STEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10393279
58,000 miles · Jan 19, 2011
SteeringTires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 DIESEL SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, HE MOMENTARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY UNTIL THE VEHICLE SPEEDS WAS SLOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY UNDE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 DIESEL SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, HE MOMENTARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY UNTIL THE VEHICLE SPEEDS WAS SLOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY UNDER INFLATED TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000. UPDATED 06/16/11 *BF UPDATED 06/27/11
NHTSA ODI #10377213
20,000 miles · May 11, 2009
SteeringTires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND MADE A RATTLING NOISE. THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ORDER TO STOP THE SHAKING, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SLOWED DOWN TO A MINIMUM SPEED OF 50 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE I…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND MADE A RATTLING NOISE. THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ORDER TO STOP THE SHAKING, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SLOWED DOWN TO A MINIMUM SPEED OF 50 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES CAUSED THE SHAKING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER, WHICH STATED THAT HIS MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. FORD IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 06/08/09 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE STEERING DAMPENER WAS TOO SMALL FOR THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 06/18/09
NHTSA ODI #10268431
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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