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2005 Ford F-250

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford F-250 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 119.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

122 reports with mileage · 22 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.

  • Steering. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports3 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

144 reports
100,000 miles · Feb 17, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THERE WAS A SLIGHT LOSS IN ENGINE POWER WITH AN UNUSUAL NOISE. THE FAILURE BECAME MORE SEVERE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME AND OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DETECTED COOLANT SEEPA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THERE WAS A SLIGHT LOSS IN ENGINE POWER WITH AN UNUSUAL NOISE. THE FAILURE BECAME MORE SEVERE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME AND OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DETECTED COOLANT SEEPAGE WHICH CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10448316

105,000 miles · Feb 14, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE ABOVE VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE INCLUDING SUCH THINGS AS THE EGR COOLER, THE EGR VALVE (TWICE), THE FUEL INJECTOR CONTROL MOD (FICM), THE HIGH PRESSURE OIL REGULATOR SCREEN, (A .10 CENT PIECE 450.00 LABOR). IF YOU WILL SEARCH THIS ENGINE FROM 2003 TO 2007 YOU WILL FIND HUNDRED IF NOT T…

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THE ABOVE VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE INCLUDING SUCH THINGS AS THE EGR COOLER, THE EGR VALVE (TWICE), THE FUEL INJECTOR CONTROL MOD (FICM), THE HIGH PRESSURE OIL REGULATOR SCREEN, (A .10 CENT PIECE 450.00 LABOR). IF YOU WILL SEARCH THIS ENGINE FROM 2003 TO 2007 YOU WILL FIND HUNDRED IF NOT THOUSAND OF POST BY OWNERS OF THE 6.0 POWERSTROKE THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS OVER AND OVER. FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP ANYONE AND THEY TOLD ME IN AN EMAIL YOU WERE THE ONLY ONES THAT CAN MAKE THEM HAVE A RECALL. I HOPE YOU WILL STEP UP AND HELP ALL OF US. FORD FILED SUIT AGAINST THE MANUFACTURE (INTERNATION/ NAVISTAR) OVER THIS ENGINES PROBLEMS BACK IN 2004 BUT THEY KEPT SELLING IT KNOWING IT HAD PROBLEMS THAT WOULD BE LEFT UP TO THE BUYERS OF THE VEHICLES, I WAS PERSONALLY TOLD BY A SALESMAN TO EXPECT 350,000 MILES FROM THIS ENGINE. IF YOU CAN NOT HELP ME AND THE OTHERS CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT ELSE I CAN DO? WILL IT TAKE LEGAL ACTION OR IS THERE ANOTHER PATH I CAN TAKE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447992

65,000 miles · Jan 7, 2012
SteeringSuspension

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AND RAN OFF ONTO RUMBLE STRIPS ON SIDE OF ROAD AND WHEEL SHAKE BECAME EXTREMELY VIOLENT.HAD TO BRING VEHICLE DOWN TO 30 MPH FROM 75 VERY QUICKLY AND ALMOST WAS HIT FROM BEHIND DOING SO.HAVE SEEN THIS AND HAD IT HAPPEN ON OLDER TRUCKS THAT HAD EXCESSIVE WERE IN TIE RODS AND WORN FRONT END PARTS BUT THIS TRUC…

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DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AND RAN OFF ONTO RUMBLE STRIPS ON SIDE OF ROAD AND WHEEL SHAKE BECAME EXTREMELY VIOLENT.HAD TO BRING VEHICLE DOWN TO 30 MPH FROM 75 VERY QUICKLY AND ALMOST WAS HIT FROM BEHIND DOING SO.HAVE SEEN THIS AND HAD IT HAPPEN ON OLDER TRUCKS THAT HAD EXCESSIVE WERE IN TIE RODS AND WORN FRONT END PARTS BUT THIS TRUCK IS TIGHT SO I THOUGHT. FIRST TIME FOR THIS AND IT WAS VERY FRIGHTEN COULDN'T BELIEVE HOW VIOLENT SHAKE WAS. FORD DOES NEED TO ADDRESS THIS OR OFFER A FIX BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET HURT. WONDER HOW MANY ARE OUT THERE THAT PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN RID OF OR NEVER COMPLAINED ABOUT IT? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10442790

20 miles · Jan 4, 2012
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A BUMP AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO IMMEDIATELY VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE BOTH FRONT TIE ROD ENDS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO RECENTLY RECEIVED AN ADVISORY NOTIFICATION LETTER FROM THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A BUMP AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO IMMEDIATELY VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE BOTH FRONT TIE ROD ENDS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO RECENTLY RECEIVED AN ADVISORY NOTIFICATION LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT END VIBRATIONS WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPY ROAD SURFACES. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED OWNERS TO MAINTAIN PROPER TIRE INFLATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20.

NHTSA ODI #10442409

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUMES ENTER THE CABIN AND MAKE THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS DIZZY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BOLTS FOR THE ENGINE MANIFOLD CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN FAILURE BECAUSE THE BOLTS WER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUMES ENTER THE CABIN AND MAKE THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS DIZZY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BOLTS FOR THE ENGINE MANIFOLD CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN FAILURE BECAUSE THE BOLTS WERE METAL AND THE FRAME WAS ALUMINUM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #10442346

12,000 miles · Dec 14, 2011
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE WHENEVER HE DROVE OVER A BUMP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT ALL SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRES HIMSELF, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE WHENEVER HE DROVE OVER A BUMP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT ALL SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRES HIMSELF, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

NHTSA ODI #10439875

50,000 miles · Dec 9, 2011
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN WHILE DRIVING OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO HAVE A CAMBER ALIGNMENT PERFORM…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN WHILE DRIVING OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO HAVE A CAMBER ALIGNMENT PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000. UPDATED 02/27/12 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10439148

47,000 miles · Dec 8, 2011
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F250. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY, CAUSING IT TO TRAVEL UNCONTROLLABLY ACROSS TWO LANES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F250. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY, CAUSING IT TO TRAVEL UNCONTROLLABLY ACROSS TWO LANES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED THE OWNERS THAT THE VEHICLE COULD EXPERIENCE A POTENTIAL SHIMMY AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE TIRES BE INFLATED TO THE CORRECT PRESSURE TO PREVENT THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECURRING PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

NHTSA ODI #10438969

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2011
Suspension

WHEN I HIT A POT HOLE DOING 50MPH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE STARTS TO SHAKE ON UNCONTROLLABLY PRESSURE IS OK. BRAKES ARE NEW,WHAT SHOULD I DO TO REPAIR THIS ? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10438844

23,000 miles · Dec 5, 2011
Suspension

I JUST RECEIVED FROM FORD ANOTHER NOTICE ABOUT THE OUT OF CONTROL SHIMMING THAT TAKES PLACE CONCERNING THE 2005 F- 250 . FORD HAS DOES NOTHING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM OTHER THAN TO BLOW SMOKE AT EVERYONE ABOUT THE TIRE PRESSURE. SINCE I BOUGHT THIS UNIT NEW, THE TIRE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN CORRECTED TO THE PROPER AMOUNT OR THE CO…

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I JUST RECEIVED FROM FORD ANOTHER NOTICE ABOUT THE OUT OF CONTROL SHIMMING THAT TAKES PLACE CONCERNING THE 2005 F- 250 . FORD HAS DOES NOTHING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM OTHER THAN TO BLOW SMOKE AT EVERYONE ABOUT THE TIRE PRESSURE. SINCE I BOUGHT THIS UNIT NEW, THE TIRE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN CORRECTED TO THE PROPER AMOUNT OR THE CORRECT TIRES BEEN REPLACED. STILL THIS ISSUE TAKES PLACE . ITS AN UNBELIEVABLE TERRIFYING SHAKING THAT TAKES PLACE , AND ONLY STOPS WHEN THE TRUCK GETS TO ABOUT 20-25 MILES AN HOUR. THIS OCCURRED MOST RECENTLY, LAST THAT A CAR FOLLOWING ME , PULLED ME OVER TO TELL ME HOW IT LOOKED FROM THE REAR, TO THE POINT THE PERSON BEHIND ME WAS FEARFUL FOR THEIR SAFETY AS WELL. I REFUSE TO LET ANY MEMBER OF THE FAMILY DRIVE THIS TRUCK ,OTHER THAN MYSELF. THERE IS CERTAINLY MORE TO THIS ISSUE THAN WHAT FORD IS MAKING OUT TO BE AND ALL FORD WANTS TO DO IS BLOW SMOKE AT US ABOUT THE TIRE PRESSURE. I'VE TRIED TO SELL THIS UNIT TO NO AVAIL, AS THE DEALERS DON'T WANT TO TOUCH THIS UNIT AND OTHERS HAVE CHECKED ON LINE TO HAVE FOUND OUT ABOUT IT AND ASKED ME ABOUT IT , AND WANTING TO BE HONEST I TOLD THEM ABOUT IT. SO NOW I HAVE A TRUCK THAT I CAN'T EVEN SELL AT A DEEP DISCOUNT. THANKS FORD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10438592

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

2

EA08007 · 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.