NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
78 reportsClear category filter50,000 miles · Apr 7, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTREME VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A BUMP OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED AND HAD TO USE FORCE IN ORDER TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTREME VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A BUMP OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED AND HAD TO USE FORCE IN ORDER TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE STEERING CONTINUED TO BE UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE STEERING FAILURE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE ROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50000.
NHTSA ODI #10577858
114,000 miles · Feb 20, 2014
SteeringSuspensionWheels
WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 FORD F250 FX4, AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 45-65 MPH, A SLIGHT VIBRATION IS FELT. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS IT TURN INTO A VIOLENT SHAKING MOTION AS IF I'M DRIVING ON LARGE COBBLE STONES. IT HAS BEEN SO BAD I HAVE ALMOST LOST CONTROL ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAME WITHIN INCHES OF HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN IT STARTS THERE IS…
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WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 FORD F250 FX4, AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 45-65 MPH, A SLIGHT VIBRATION IS FELT. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS IT TURN INTO A VIOLENT SHAKING MOTION AS IF I'M DRIVING ON LARGE COBBLE STONES. IT HAS BEEN SO BAD I HAVE ALMOST LOST CONTROL ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAME WITHIN INCHES OF HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN IT STARTS THERE IS NO STOPPING IT, AS THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS VIOLENTLY. FORD HAS SENT A LETTER OUT THAT SAY INFLATE YOUR TIRES AND IF IT STILL HAPPENS SLOW DOWN UNTIL IT STOPS. THAT'S NOT RIGHT. THIS IS DANGEROUS. I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO 30 MPH FOR IT TO STOP. I CAN'T DO THAT ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALERS AND FORD SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO. THIS ISSUE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DUE TO FORDS ENGINEERING MISHAP.MY TIRES ARE STOCK, ROTATED, BALANCED, AND ALIGNED, THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY OTHER WEEK 2005-2013 F250,350 OWNERS REPORT THE SAME ISSUE. GOOGLE: FORD DEATH WOBBLE, AND WATCH THE F250 AT CRUISING SPEED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565061
34,000 miles · Feb 7, 2014
SteeringSuspension
I HAVE A 2006 F250 LARIAT CREW CAB 6.0. THERE ARE NO MODIFICATIONS FROM STOCK ON THE VEHICLE. I WAS AND CONTINUE TO RUN RECOMMENDED AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT A SPEED OF 50 MPH IN A SLIGHT TURN, IMMEDIATELY AFTER HITTING A DIP IN THE ROAD, I EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT SHAKE IN THE FRONT END. IT FELT …
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I HAVE A 2006 F250 LARIAT CREW CAB 6.0. THERE ARE NO MODIFICATIONS FROM STOCK ON THE VEHICLE. I WAS AND CONTINUE TO RUN RECOMMENDED AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT A SPEED OF 50 MPH IN A SLIGHT TURN, IMMEDIATELY AFTER HITTING A DIP IN THE ROAD, I EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT SHAKE IN THE FRONT END. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE TIRES WERE HOPPING WHICH MADE THE TRUCK EXTREMELY HARD TO CONTROL. AS THE FRONT END HOPPED IT PUSHED THROUGH THE TURN. THIS SEEMS TO BE IN INTERMITTENT CONDITION BROUGHT ON BY SPEEDS OVER 40MPH, IN TURNING SITUATIONS, WHERE THERE IS A BUMP AND OR DIP IN THE ROAD. BASED ON MY RESEARCH LATELY THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOW SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD HAS CHOSEN TO IGNORE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10563417
20,000 miles · Jan 21, 2014
Steering
WHILE TRAVELING THRU ATLANTA TRAFFIC THE F 250 HAD A VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE FRONT TIRES. IT REQUIRED BRAKING OUT OF TRAFFIC TO CONTROL THE STEERING. TWO PRIOR INCIDENTS HAD OCCURRED BUT WITH LESS INTENSITY IN THE PRIOR MONTHS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10560777
116,080 miles · Oct 15, 2013
Steering
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 65 MPH AND HIT A SERIES OF BUMPS/ ROUGH PAVEMENT AND MY TRUCK STARTED TO SHACK. IT SHOCK SO BAD THAT I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO AROUND 30 MPH IN THE FAST LANE WITH A LOT OF TRAFFIC TO EVEN TRY TO CONTROL THE TRUCK. LUCKILY THERE WAS NOBODY NEXT TO ME OR IT WOULD HAVE ENDED IN A BAD WRECK. …
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 65 MPH AND HIT A SERIES OF BUMPS/ ROUGH PAVEMENT AND MY TRUCK STARTED TO SHACK. IT SHOCK SO BAD THAT I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO AROUND 30 MPH IN THE FAST LANE WITH A LOT OF TRAFFIC TO EVEN TRY TO CONTROL THE TRUCK. LUCKILY THERE WAS NOBODY NEXT TO ME OR IT WOULD HAVE ENDED IN A BAD WRECK. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND DON'T SEE ANY DEFECTIVE PARTS AND FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCHED ITS HARD TO DETERMINE THE EXACT PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS SO BAD THAT I AM SCARED TO EVEN DRIVE IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10548009
177,528 miles · Sep 18, 2013
SteeringSuspensionWheelsCrashInjury
I HAD NEVER HEARD OF A DEATH WOBBLE UNTIL I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE HOSPITAL WITH MY THREE CHILDREN AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. WE WERE TRAVELING NORTH BOUND ON THE M53 VAN DYKE EXPRESSWAY WHICH HAS A POSTED SPEED OF 70 MPH. I HAD JUST PASSED A VEHICLE THAT WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE. JUST AFTER PASSING THIS VEHICLE…
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I HAD NEVER HEARD OF A DEATH WOBBLE UNTIL I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE HOSPITAL WITH MY THREE CHILDREN AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. WE WERE TRAVELING NORTH BOUND ON THE M53 VAN DYKE EXPRESSWAY WHICH HAS A POSTED SPEED OF 70 MPH. I HAD JUST PASSED A VEHICLE THAT WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE. JUST AFTER PASSING THIS VEHICLE I DEVELOPED THIS DEATH WOBBLE, I WAS SWITCHING LANES BACK TO THE RIGHT LANE WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE, NOT JUST A LITTLE SHACKING EITHER. I HAD APPLIED MY BRAKES AND HELD THE WHEEL WITH BOTH MY HANDS. MY STEERING WHEEL WAS SHACKING SO BADLY THAT MY DASHBOARD WAS FALLING APART, AND I WAS HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS CONTROLLING MY VEHICLE. IT FELT AS IF MY DRIVER?S WHEEL WAS BOUNCING UP AND DOWN AND MY STEERING WHEEL WAS ALSO SHAKING SO BADLY THAT IN JUST A SECOND I HAD LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. MY TRUCK DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT AND MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL HIT THE TURF FOLLOWED BY MY LEFT REAR WHEEL HITTING THE TURF AND WE STARTED TO ROLL. WE ROLLED TWO IN HALF TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP UPSIDE DOWN. THE CAB OF THE TRUCK WAS CRUSHED, THE RIGHT REAR CORNER OF THE CAB WAS PUSHED DOWN FURTHER THAN THE HEADRESTS ON THE SEAT WERE MY YOUNGEST WAS SITTING, AND THANK GOD MY 7 YEAR OLD WASN?T KILLED. ON THE PASSENGER?S SIDE THE ROOF WAS SMASHED AGAINST THE HEAD REST WERE MY DAUGHTER WAS SEATED. I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT MY 3 CHILDREN AND I LIVED THROUGH THIS NIGHT MARE. I HAVE DRIVEN A PICKUP TRUCK FOR OVER 20 YRS., AND I HAVE NEVER FELT THIS DEATH WOBBLE BEFORE.
NHTSA ODI #10544242
60,000 miles · Sep 10, 2013
SteeringSuspension
THIS COMPLAINT IS FOR STEERING OSCILLATION, OR "DEATH WOBBLE". THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS COMPLETELY STOCK, WITH NO LIFT. THIS EVENT HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES UNDER A VARIETY OF DRIVING CONDITIONS AND SPEEDS. THE VIOLENCE OF THIS HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED IS FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS, PARTICULARLY AT 70 MPH ON THE…
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THIS COMPLAINT IS FOR STEERING OSCILLATION, OR "DEATH WOBBLE". THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS COMPLETELY STOCK, WITH NO LIFT. THIS EVENT HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES UNDER A VARIETY OF DRIVING CONDITIONS AND SPEEDS. THE VIOLENCE OF THIS HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED IS FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS, PARTICULARLY AT 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. FORD HAS ISSUED SEVERAL TECHNICAL BULLETINS RELATING TO THIS PROBLEM, BUT NO SOLUTIONS HAVE BEEN OFFERED BESIDES CHECKING YOUR TIRE PRESSURE. TO ME AND THE THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM, THAT SEEMS TO BE A CONVENIENT WAY TO SAY IT IS NOT A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED, BUT OPERATOR ERROR. IT IS INCREDIBLE THAT SOMETHING THIS DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY THE NHTSA AND THAT FORD IS NOT BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR DESIGN PROBLEM. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10542833
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO EXHIBIT A VIOLENT VIBRATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN TRAVELING BETWEEN 40-60 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, POTHOLE OR UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO EXHIBIT A VIOLENT VIBRATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN TRAVELING BETWEEN 40-60 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, POTHOLE OR UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10500135
112,000 miles · Jan 23, 2013
SteeringSuspension
WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MILES PER HOUR THE TRUCK STATED VIOLENTLY SHAKING IN THE FRONT END AND THE STEERING WHEEL DID AS WELL WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE SHAKING STOPPED AS I REDUCED SPEED TO 20 MILES PER HOUR. VERY DANGEROUS , AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HIT OTHER CARS TWICE. AFRAID TO DRIVE ON HIGHWAY!! NE…
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WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MILES PER HOUR THE TRUCK STATED VIOLENTLY SHAKING IN THE FRONT END AND THE STEERING WHEEL DID AS WELL WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE SHAKING STOPPED AS I REDUCED SPEED TO 20 MILES PER HOUR. VERY DANGEROUS , AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HIT OTHER CARS TWICE. AFRAID TO DRIVE ON HIGHWAY!! NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY FORD BEFORE SOMEONE DIES!! *TR ## VIN PASSED ##
NHTSA ODI #10494444
1,500 miles · Dec 31, 2012
SteeringSuspension
THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK BEGINS TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AT 60 MILES AN HOUR. SOMETIMES A BUMP CAUSES IT, OTHER TIMES IT OCCURS WHEN SIMPLY DRIVING STRAIGHT. HAVE HAD REGULAR SERVICE AT FORD DEALER, BUT THE ISSUE HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE YEARS. HAVE ALERTED THEM OF THE PROBLEM FOR YEARS. IT'S ALL OVER THE INTERNET…
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THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK BEGINS TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AT 60 MILES AN HOUR. SOMETIMES A BUMP CAUSES IT, OTHER TIMES IT OCCURS WHEN SIMPLY DRIVING STRAIGHT. HAVE HAD REGULAR SERVICE AT FORD DEALER, BUT THE ISSUE HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE YEARS. HAVE ALERTED THEM OF THE PROBLEM FOR YEARS. IT'S ALL OVER THE INTERNET AS "FORD F250 FRONT END SHAKE" OR MORE CONCERNINGLY AS THE "FORD DEATH WOBBLE." IT'S NOT A TIRE PRESSURE ISSUE, AS I'VE ONLY USED PROPERLY INFLATED FACTORY TIRES THAT WERE DEALER INSTALLED. PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO GET WORSE, AND THE SHAKE HAS NOW MADE THE TRUCK VIRTUALLY UNDRIVABLE AT 60 MPH. PLEASE GOOGLE THE ISSUE. IT'S REAL. LOVE MY FORD, BUT MY FAMILY COMES FIRST, AND THE WOBBLE IS TOO SCARY TO IGNORE. JUST PAID ANOTHER $2800 TO TRY ANOTHER FIX (TRACK BAR AND BALL JOINTS), PLUS ANOTHER $2000 FOR NEW TIRES. SOMEONE WILL GET HURT WITH THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10490616
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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