NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Suspension complaints
30 reportsClear category filter22,400 miles · Jun 26, 2013
SteeringSuspension
HIT A BUMP ON THE ROAD AND MY FRONT END STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. HAD DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE UNTIL REDUCING SPEED TO APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 40 MPH AT WHICH POINT THE SHAKING STOPPED. NOTICE A SLIGHT SHIMMY WHENEVER MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN (NEGOTIATING RIGHT CURVES ON THE HIGHWAYS). TIRE INFLATION HAS BEEN CHECKED AND…
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HIT A BUMP ON THE ROAD AND MY FRONT END STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. HAD DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE UNTIL REDUCING SPEED TO APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 40 MPH AT WHICH POINT THE SHAKING STOPPED. NOTICE A SLIGHT SHIMMY WHENEVER MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN (NEGOTIATING RIGHT CURVES ON THE HIGHWAYS). TIRE INFLATION HAS BEEN CHECKED AND NOT THE ISSUE. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN USED OFF-ROAD OR ABUSED.IT HAS A CREW CAB AND WAS PURCHASED TO TRANSPORT PERSONNEL AND SUPPLIES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521857
122,500 miles · May 28, 2013
SteeringStructureSuspension
I WOULD LIKE TO OFFICIALLY SUBMIT A COMPLAINT ABOUT OUR FORD F250 SUPER DUTY TRUCK. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH IT AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX IT. WE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH IT FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS AND THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED! WE ARE EXPERIENCING TURBULENT WOBBLING WITH THIS TRUCK AN…
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I WOULD LIKE TO OFFICIALLY SUBMIT A COMPLAINT ABOUT OUR FORD F250 SUPER DUTY TRUCK. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH IT AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX IT. WE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH IT FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS AND THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED! WE ARE EXPERIENCING TURBULENT WOBBLING WITH THIS TRUCK AND I CAN ASSURE YOU THIS IS NOT NORMAL! THE LAST INCIDENT OCCURRED 2 DAYS AGO ON MAY 26, 2013! I HAVE CHILDREN AND FEEL THAT OUR LIVES WERE ESPECIALLY IN DANGER WHEN WE RODE IN THIS TRUCK AS WE THOUGHT THIS ISSUE WAS RESOLVED AND NO LONGER EXISTED. AS WE WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WE DROVE OVER AN UNEVEN SECTION OF THE HIGHWAY AND OUR TRUCK SUDDENLY STARTED SHAKING DANGEROUSLY OUT OF CONTROL! THANKFULLY MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW IT DOWN, OTHERWISE WHO KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED! THERE WAS TRAFFIC EVERYWHERE AND WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH NOT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT! THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW HOURS LATER WHEN WE AGAIN DROVE OVER AN UNEVEN SECTION OF THE INTERSTATE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED ENOUGH OF THESE THREATENING EPISODES AND I AM VERY CONCERNED AS THIS IS ABSOLUTELY NOT NORMAL AND I CAN HONESTLY SAY THERE IS SOMETHING VERY WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND PEOPLE CAN AND WILL LOSE THEIR LIVES OVER THIS IF THIS IS NOT RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY! I HAVE CONTACTED FORD HEADQUARTERS TO SUBMIT A FORMAL COMPLAINT AND THEY MERELY TOLD ME TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP THAT HAS UNRESOLVED MY ISSUE. I TRUST THAT YOU WILL TAKE THIS COMPLAINT SERIOUSLY AS LIVES ARE AT STAKE BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10513794
65,000 miles · Mar 28, 2013
SteeringSuspension
DRIVING MY 2007 F250 SD AND HIT A BUMP, FRONT END STARTED TO SHIMMY. SLOWED DOWN AND THE SHIMMY STOPPED. HAD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY GIVING INFORMATION ABOUT THE FRONT END SHIMMY. SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT, IT HAS OCCURED NUMEROUS TIMES. MY TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT 87000 MILES AND THE SHIMMY HAPPENS NUMEROUS TIMES …
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DRIVING MY 2007 F250 SD AND HIT A BUMP, FRONT END STARTED TO SHIMMY. SLOWED DOWN AND THE SHIMMY STOPPED. HAD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY GIVING INFORMATION ABOUT THE FRONT END SHIMMY. SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT, IT HAS OCCURED NUMEROUS TIMES. MY TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT 87000 MILES AND THE SHIMMY HAPPENS NUMEROUS TIMES A DAY WHEN I HIT BUMPS/DIPS IN THE ROAD. DIESEL SHOP TELLS ME TO KEEP TIRES INFLATED PROPERLY, ROTATE AND BALANCE TIRES AS WELL AS PROPER ALIGNMENT AND HAVE THE STEERING DAMPNER REPLACED. STEERING DAMPNER IS BRAND NEW (3 MONTHS OLD), TIRES ARE AT PROPER INFLATION AND BALANCED AS WELL AS ALIGNMENT DONE AND THE FRONT END STILL VIBRATES, SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY TO WHERE IT IS TOUGH TO CONTROL UNTIL SPEED DROPS UNDER 40 MPH. STILL WAITING ON A FIX FOR THIS ISSUE AS THE SHIMMY IS DAILY AND IS GETTING WORSE AND I GET THE SAME TEXTBOOK ANSWER FROM FORD EVERYTIME I CALL (TIRES, INFLATION, ALIGNMENT, STEERING DAMPNER). I'M AFRAID THAT THE VIBRATION WILL GET TO THE POINT THAT PARTS WILL START BECOMING LOOSE/BREAK AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10504810
60,400 miles · Dec 14, 2011
SteeringSuspension
PICKED UP MY F250 SUPER DUTY FROM THE SERVICE AT THE FORD DEALER, DRIVING IT ON THE FREEWAY OVERPASS, HIT A BUMP ON THE OVER PASS AND MY FRONT END STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. I HAD NO CONTROL, I HAD TO STOP ON THE FREEWAY TO MAKE IT STOP SHAKING, ALMOST CAUSED A PILE UP. CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY'VE HEARD OF THE PROBLE…
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PICKED UP MY F250 SUPER DUTY FROM THE SERVICE AT THE FORD DEALER, DRIVING IT ON THE FREEWAY OVERPASS, HIT A BUMP ON THE OVER PASS AND MY FRONT END STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. I HAD NO CONTROL, I HAD TO STOP ON THE FREEWAY TO MAKE IT STOP SHAKING, ALMOST CAUSED A PILE UP. CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY'VE HEARD OF THE PROBLEM BUT NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10439970
3,000 miles · Dec 6, 2011
SteeringSuspension
WHILE DRIVING OVER A SET OF RAILROAD TRACKS, ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO FORD GARAGE, THEY TEST DROVE IT. REPLACE STEERING BOX. TWO YEARS LATER. STEERING PUMP BROKE, AND THE NEW STEERING BOX BROKE, WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE IS PARKED, AND WILL REMAIN PARKED. DROVE THE VEHICLE LAST WEEK AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME IN…
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WHILE DRIVING OVER A SET OF RAILROAD TRACKS, ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO FORD GARAGE, THEY TEST DROVE IT. REPLACE STEERING BOX. TWO YEARS LATER. STEERING PUMP BROKE, AND THE NEW STEERING BOX BROKE, WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE IS PARKED, AND WILL REMAIN PARKED. DROVE THE VEHICLE LAST WEEK AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME INCIDENT. COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. TURNED TO THE LEFT, WHEN I TRIED TO TURN TO THE RIGHT, IT WOULD NOT TURN. WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 40MPH. WENT OFF THE ROAD. IT CONTINUES TO ACT THE SAME. THIS WOULD BE A GREAT VEHICLE TO TEST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10438758
46,000 miles · Sep 30, 2011
SteeringSuspension
RUNNING INTERSTATE GOING ON BRIDGE IN CURVE AN LITTLE CRACK IN ROAD MADE TRUCK START SHAKING VIOLENTLY. MAKING ME HAVE TO COME TO COMPLETE STOP BEFORE IT WOULD QUIT SHAKING THROWING STUFF ALL AROUND INSIDE TRUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10428065
36,345 miles · Jun 2, 2011
Suspension
2007 F250 CREW CAB 4X4. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 65MPH I HIT AN UNEVENLY PAVED ROAD AND MY TRUCK WENT INTO A VIOLENT SHAKE FOR AT LEAST A MILE UNTIL I SLOWED DOWN TO A STOP. CARS STARTED TO YIELD AND SLOW DOWN BECAUSE THE SHAKE WAS SO VIOLENT AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MERGE INTO OTHER LANES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10404180
40,000 miles · Jan 10, 2011
SteeringSuspension
2007 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY 6.0 LITER DIESEL 4X4. STEERING WOBBLE (OSCILLATION): PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW AFTER ABOUT 30000 MILES WHEN DRIVING 60-65 MPH AND HIT AN ROUGH ROAD SURFACE - STEERING BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY UNTIL SLOWED TO APPROX. 40 MPH. AT 42000 MILES HAD 6" LIFT AND 37' TIRES AND DUAL STEERING STABILIZER PUT ON VEHIC…
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2007 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY 6.0 LITER DIESEL 4X4. STEERING WOBBLE (OSCILLATION): PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW AFTER ABOUT 30000 MILES WHEN DRIVING 60-65 MPH AND HIT AN ROUGH ROAD SURFACE - STEERING BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY UNTIL SLOWED TO APPROX. 40 MPH. AT 42000 MILES HAD 6" LIFT AND 37' TIRES AND DUAL STEERING STABILIZER PUT ON VEHICLE AND PROBLEM SEEMED TO RESOLVE UP UNTIL APPROX. 54000 MILES SAME ISSUE AGAIN. HAVE HAD WHEELS BALANCED, AIR PRESSURE AND ALIGNMENT CHECK - FOUND LOOSE TRACK BAR AND TIGHTENED. THIS HELPED TO REDUCE THE FREQUENCY OF WOBBLE OCCURRENCE, HOWEVER STILL NOT RESOLVED. UPON RESEARCHING THIS IT APPEARS TO BE A GLOBAL FORD SUPER DUTY PROBLEM WHETHER VEHICLE IS STOCK OR HAD SUSPENSION MODIFICATIONS. IT IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS INSTEAD OF DENY THERE IS A PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10375410
79,236 miles · Sep 6, 2010
Suspension
I HAVE A FORD F250SD, WHEN I AM DOING 70MPH PLUS AND HIT A POT HOLE OR A GOOD SIZE BUMP THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK SHAKES VIGOROUSLY. I WOULD HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO NEARLY TO 40MPH JUST TO GET IT TO STOP. I SPOKE WITH ABOUT 200+ OTHER FORD F250SD OWNERS ON DIFFERENT FORUMS AND THEY ALL STATE THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE Y…
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I HAVE A FORD F250SD, WHEN I AM DOING 70MPH PLUS AND HIT A POT HOLE OR A GOOD SIZE BUMP THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK SHAKES VIGOROUSLY. I WOULD HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO NEARLY TO 40MPH JUST TO GET IT TO STOP. I SPOKE WITH ABOUT 200+ OTHER FORD F250SD OWNERS ON DIFFERENT FORUMS AND THEY ALL STATE THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE YEARS RANGE FROM '06 TO '08. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10353977
42,555 miles · Jul 12, 2010
Suspension
EXCESSIVE SHIMMY/FRONT END OSCILLATION CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL ON MULTI LANE HIGHWAY NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENT, FORCED TO BRAKE SEVERELY TO REGAIN CONTROL , ALMOST CAUSING A REAR END CRASH . READ YOUR REPORT EA08007 AND IMMEDIATELY CHECKED TIRE PRESSURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THEY WERE WITHIN SPEC'S. IN FORTY FIVE YEARS OF DRIVING HA…
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EXCESSIVE SHIMMY/FRONT END OSCILLATION CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL ON MULTI LANE HIGHWAY NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENT, FORCED TO BRAKE SEVERELY TO REGAIN CONTROL , ALMOST CAUSING A REAR END CRASH . READ YOUR REPORT EA08007 AND IMMEDIATELY CHECKED TIRE PRESSURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THEY WERE WITHIN SPEC'S. IN FORTY FIVE YEARS OF DRIVING HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH A VIOLENT CONDITION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE INCLUDING TIRE BLOWOUTS OVER 50 MPH. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THERE ARE NO ASSOCIATED CRASHES OR DEATHS OF THIS CONDITION. THERE ARE MANY POSTINGS OF SAME ON THE INTERNET BY OTHER OWNERS. I WILL TAKE MY VEHICLE BACK TO FORD AND REFERENCE THEIR TSB 7-10-10 AND YOUR EA08007 REPORT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10342746
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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