Purchased my truck last year and was unaware of problems with this truck.whikr traveling couple miles from my home on a paved two lane road I ran over a small gravel or walnut which immediately sent my truck into uncontrollably shaking in the front end my speed was between 30 and 35 mph it was all I could do to get it to the sid…
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Purchased my truck last year and was unaware of problems with this truck.whikr traveling couple miles from my home on a paved two lane road I ran over a small gravel or walnut which immediately sent my truck into uncontrollably shaking in the front end my speed was between 30 and 35 mph it was all I could do to get it to the side of the road and stopped.Shaking I got out and looked underneath the front thinking I had a wheel or something about to come off.I couldn't see anything noticeable loose.So I got back in and very slowly continued to my destination.Since then it has happened more times than I can count small hump or raised pavement or even a hole in the road will send it into a shaking fit all I can do is try and get to the side of the road and come to a stop.Im in a fix as this is the only vehicle I own and I can't afford to buy another and no one knows what to do to fix it.I feel like I'm riding in a death trap Everytime I have to run out I try and stay on the back roads where I don't have as much traffic and don't have to go as fast having this happen on the interstate is extremely scary not to mention trying to get to the side of the road and not get ran over by tractor trailers.When I purchased this truck it only had around 53,000 miles on it and is still under 60,000.Ive seen read about the problem Ford is having and that they are doing nothing about it.I think this is a disgrace for a company my own father worked for them for 15 years and it's ashame they don't care about their reputation or their company or the safety of their customers and families.I want my truck added to the list of the ticking time bombs they have out on the road.
NHTSA ODI #11557554
180,000 miles · Mar 2, 2021
StructureWheels
I WAS TRAVELING STRAIGHT ON THE INTERSTATE JUST BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT. I HEARD AN ODD NOISE FELT THE TRUCK FEEL UNSTABLE. I SLOWLY COASTED TO A HALT TO FIND THAT MY REAR PASSENGER TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. THE ENTIRE SIDEWALL WAS DISINTEGRATED AND THE TIRE WAS DETACHED FROM THE RIM. IT BENT IN MY THE REAR QUARTER PANEL OF MY BED CAUSI…
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I WAS TRAVELING STRAIGHT ON THE INTERSTATE JUST BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT. I HEARD AN ODD NOISE FELT THE TRUCK FEEL UNSTABLE. I SLOWLY COASTED TO A HALT TO FIND THAT MY REAR PASSENGER TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. THE ENTIRE SIDEWALL WAS DISINTEGRATED AND THE TIRE WAS DETACHED FROM THE RIM. IT BENT IN MY THE REAR QUARTER PANEL OF MY BED CAUSING AN ESTIMATED $1200 IN DAMAGE.
NHTSA ODI #11398709
190,000 miles · Sep 19, 2020
SteeringSuspensionWheels
DEATH WOBBLE WHILE ON FREEWAY GOING 45 + MPH
NHTSA ODI #11359926
288,650 miles · Aug 2, 2019
StructureWheels
I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON I-85 IN MEBANE, NC ON THE NIGHT OF 07/29/19 WHEN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BEGAN TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY. I BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN WHEN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPLODED. APPROXIMATELY ONE-HALF OF THE TREAD DETACHED FROM THE TIRE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRUCK BED. MICHELIN LT 265 70 R 17 LTX AT/2, 10 …
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I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON I-85 IN MEBANE, NC ON THE NIGHT OF 07/29/19 WHEN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BEGAN TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY. I BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN WHEN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPLODED. APPROXIMATELY ONE-HALF OF THE TREAD DETACHED FROM THE TIRE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRUCK BED. MICHELIN LT 265 70 R 17 LTX AT/2, 10 PLY TIRES WERE ON THE TRUCK. I REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND OF TIRE. I CONTACTED MICHELIN ON 08/02/19 TO FILE A CLAIM AND WAS TOLD THAT WITHOUT THE TIRE THAT EXPLODED, A CLAIM COULDN'T BE FILED. I CONTACTED THE TIRE SHOP AND THE TIRES THAT WERE REMOVED FROM MY TRUCK HAVE ALREADY BEEN DISPOSED OF. I HAVE PROOF OF PURCHASE AND PHOTOS OF THE DEFECTIVE TIRE AND DAMAGE DONE TO MY TRUCK. MICHELIN STATED THAT PROOF OF PURCHASE AND PHOTOS WERE NOT ACCEPTABLE. I'M BEING OVERLOOKED FOR MICHELIN'S DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS AND THIS IS NOT GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE. I GOT A AUTO BODY REPAIR ESTIMATE FOR THE TRUCK ON 08/02/19.
NHTSA ODI #11241289
150,000 miles · Apr 25, 2019
SteeringSuspensionWheels
WHEN DRIVING ABOUT 55 AND IT STARTED SHAKING AND WOBBLING LIKE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO FLIP OR SOMETHING. IVE READ A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11203660
43,000 miles · Feb 1, 2018
SteeringSuspensionWheels
AT FREEWAY SPEEDS THE TRUCK HAS ENCOUNTERED THE "DEATH WOBBLE". FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS MAILED ME A LETTER ABOUT. WHEN THIS HAPPENED I THOUGH I BLEW OUT ONE OF THE FRONT TIRES. THE STEERING SHOCK VIOLENTLY ALONG WITH THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK. IT WAS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. AT THE TIME OF THE DEATH WOBBLE I WA…
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AT FREEWAY SPEEDS THE TRUCK HAS ENCOUNTERED THE "DEATH WOBBLE". FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS MAILED ME A LETTER ABOUT. WHEN THIS HAPPENED I THOUGH I BLEW OUT ONE OF THE FRONT TIRES. THE STEERING SHOCK VIOLENTLY ALONG WITH THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK. IT WAS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. AT THE TIME OF THE DEATH WOBBLE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THIS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES IN JULY OF 2013 AND ON JANUARY 7TH, 2018.
NHTSA ODI #11066503
99,000 miles · Sep 27, 2016
Wheels
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NOTHING BEING TOWED. I FELT A BUMP STARTING ON ONE OF THE BACK TIRES. I SLOWED DOWN AND BEFORE I COULD PULL OVER I HEARD A LOUD BANG. I SEEN RUBBER GOING ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY THAT ALMOST HIT THE CARS BEHIND ME. I GOT THE TRUCK PULLED OVER ON THE EDGE OF THE HIGHWAY. CHECKING THE RIGHT REAR QUARTER PAN…
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DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NOTHING BEING TOWED. I FELT A BUMP STARTING ON ONE OF THE BACK TIRES. I SLOWED DOWN AND BEFORE I COULD PULL OVER I HEARD A LOUD BANG. I SEEN RUBBER GOING ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY THAT ALMOST HIT THE CARS BEHIND ME. I GOT THE TRUCK PULLED OVER ON THE EDGE OF THE HIGHWAY. CHECKING THE RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL OF THE BOX ON THE TRUCK. THE BOX WAS DAMAGED, AND WAS PUSHED OUT ABOUT 1.5 FEET FROM THE TRUCK. THE TREAD HAD COME OFF OF THE TIRE. THE TIRE WAS STILL HOLDING AIR. I DROVE ALONG THE EDGE OF THE HIGHWAY TO THE NEXT EXIT WERE I CHANGE THE TIRE. THIS TIRE STILL HAD 70LBS OF AIR IN IT. THERE WAS ONLY ABOUT 20,000 MILES ON THIS TIRE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS TYPE OF TIRE, BUT NOT THIS BAD. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE BODY SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS $8,000.00 IN DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK. THE TIRE IS A BFGOODRICH LT275/70 R18 125R E1 DOT BE15 0211 2512
NHTSA ODI #10909912
11,000 miles · Mar 19, 2016
SteeringSuspensionWheels
TRUCK "DEATH WOBBLE" - DRI\VING ON I 25 AT ABOUT 60 MPH WE HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE TRUCK BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE. WE THOUGHT WE HAD A BLOWOUT, BUT THE TIRES WERE OK. IN FACT, BEFORE OUR TRIP WE HAD OUR TIRES CHECKED AND WERE TOLD THEY WERE FINE. AFTER GOING TO A DEALER I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PRO…
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TRUCK "DEATH WOBBLE" - DRI\VING ON I 25 AT ABOUT 60 MPH WE HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE TRUCK BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE. WE THOUGHT WE HAD A BLOWOUT, BUT THE TIRES WERE OK. IN FACT, BEFORE OUR TRIP WE HAD OUR TIRES CHECKED AND WERE TOLD THEY WERE FINE. AFTER GOING TO A DEALER I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM CALLED THE "DEATH WOBBLE". IT IS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TIRES AS FORD WOULD LIKE TO ASSUME. I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM FORD IN DEC 2015 ACKNOWLEDGING THE "SEVERE VIBRATION" AND BLAMING IT ON THE TIRES. IT IS NOT THE TIRES IT IS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT. WHAT IS BEING DONE REGARDING A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? UNLESS YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED THE VIOLENT SHAKING YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW TERRIFYING IT IS AND THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A SERIOUS IF NOT DEADLY ACCIDENT. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE COMPLAINING AS I HAVE READ NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS ON FORUMS, SEEN YOUTUBE VIDEOS AND HAD THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM A DEALER ABOUT THE PROBLEM!!!. PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA ODI #10850525
118,000 miles · Jan 26, 2015
SteeringTiresWheels
HELLO, I HAVE A FORD F 250 SUPER DUTY KING RANCH 4X4 DIESEL THAT MY WIFE AND I ALWAYS WANTED. WE BOUGHT FROM A USED CAR/TRUCK LOT. THE RIMS AND TIRES ARE BRAND NEW AS IS ALIGNMENT WAS ALSO HAD DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE BUT IT DIDN'T.. WHEN THE TRUCK GETS TO 44 MILES AN HOUR AND UP TO 50 MPH MY F 250 HOPS LA…
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HELLO, I HAVE A FORD F 250 SUPER DUTY KING RANCH 4X4 DIESEL THAT MY WIFE AND I ALWAYS WANTED. WE BOUGHT FROM A USED CAR/TRUCK LOT. THE RIMS AND TIRES ARE BRAND NEW AS IS ALIGNMENT WAS ALSO HAD DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE BUT IT DIDN'T.. WHEN THE TRUCK GETS TO 44 MILES AN HOUR AND UP TO 50 MPH MY F 250 HOPS LAND I DON'T KNOW IF ITS FROM THE FRONT OR BACK BUT I THINK ITS HAPPENING IN THE FRONT THE WAY IT FEELS ON THE STEERING WHEEL.. MY TRUCK STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT MOVE BACK AND FORTH LIKE THE TIRES ARE WIGGLING RIGHT AND LEFT , IT IS MORE LIKE WHEN YOU HAVE A BAD RIM OR UNEVEN TIRE HOP, LIKE WHEN I WAS A KID AND COULDN'T AFFORD TIRES AND BOUGHT SOME USED ONES AND GET A BUM TIRE IN THE SET OR MAYBE A RIMS THAT I HAD TRADED FOR AND ONE WAS BAD.. WE LOVE THIS F 250 AND HAVE PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO IT, NOT KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT DIESEL TRUCKS, ONLY LOVING THE SOUND AND POWER OF THEM SO THE PROBLEMS THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO POINT OUT OR MENTION TO US WE HAVE HAD ALL FIXED PROPERLY AND THIS HOP OR BOUNCE THAT MY F 250 IS EXPERIENCING IS REALLY A WORRY TO US SEEING HOW WE BOUGHT IT TO PULL A TRAVEL TRAILER WE PURCHASED TO EXPLORE THIS GREAT U.S.A. SO WE WILL BE CONSTANTLY DRIVING IT ATTACHED TO THE TRAILER OR NOT. I HAVE REPLACED RIMS, TIRES AND HAD AN ALIGNMENT AS STATED BEFORE AND WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM WHICH IF YOU GOOGLED IT AND SEEING ALOT OFL OTHERS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND SOME EVEN LIFE THREATENING WHICH WORRIES ME ALSO IF WHATEVER THE PROBLEM IS, CAUSES SOMETHING TO BREAK OR HAPPEN. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONCERNS TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY HAZARD ON FORD SUPER DUTY TRUCKS.. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10679011
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
KNAPHEIDE IS RECALLING 108 MY 2006-2008 PRO SERIES TRUCK BEDS EQUIPPED WITH AN ICC BUMPER WHICH INCLUDED A PROVISION FOR A BALL HITCH. THERE MAY BE AN INSUFFICIENT WELD ATTACHING THE HITCH CHANNEL TO THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN BENDING OF THE HITCH CHANNEL OR THE HITCH COULD BE PULLED OFF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: KNAPHEIDE WILL OFFER TWO REMEDIES TO ITS CUSTOMERS: (1) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO DO NOT USE THE HITCH, THE HITCH WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TRUCK BED AND REPLACED WITH AN ICC BUMPER; OR (2) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO NEED A HITCH, A RECEIVER HITCH ASSEMBLY WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING HITCH ASSEMBLY AND ALL SUSPECT WELD JOINTS WILL BE RE WELDED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KNAPHEIDE AT 1-877-473-5763.
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.
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