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2007 Ford F-250

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Ford F-250 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 119.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

49 reports with mileage · 11 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 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Steering complaints

23 reports
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10,600 miles · Sep 13, 2013
SteeringSuspension

I HAVE A 2007 F 250 DIESEL AND EVERY TIME I AM DRIVING OVER SPEED BUMP AT 45MPH TO 65MPH MY TRUCK SHAKES LIKE CRAZY IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A FIX BUT NOTHING IS DONE I AM AFRAID THAT ONE DAY THIS WILL COST AN ACCIDENT I HOPE THE THIS MATER IS TAKEN CARE SOON THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10543396

120,000 miles · May 29, 2013
SteeringVehicle Speed ControlWheels

GOING ALONG AROUND 55 TO 60 MPH AND RUN ACROSS VERY MILD BUMP AND THE FRONT WHEELS WILL BEGIN TO SHIMMY SO BAD IT JERKS THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH. I HAVE TO HIT THE BRAKES AND SLOW WAY DOWN TO GET IT TO STOP SHAKING. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FEELING AND IS NOT TIRE PRESSURE LIKE FORD CLAIMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514037

30,000 miles · Sep 20, 2012
SteeringSuspension

HIGH SPEED WHEEL OSCILLATION OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT OF INTERSTATE 275 AROUND CINCINNATI, OHIO. I HIT A BUMP ON THE EXIT OF THE INTERSTATES BRIDGE AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK REALLY BAD LEFT AND RIGHT. I HAD RECEIVED A LETTER LAST YEAR WARNING ME ABOUT THIS CONDITION. I DID NOT THINK I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS TRU…

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HIGH SPEED WHEEL OSCILLATION OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT OF INTERSTATE 275 AROUND CINCINNATI, OHIO. I HIT A BUMP ON THE EXIT OF THE INTERSTATES BRIDGE AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK REALLY BAD LEFT AND RIGHT. I HAD RECEIVED A LETTER LAST YEAR WARNING ME ABOUT THIS CONDITION. I DID NOT THINK I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS TRUCK UNTIL THIS HAPPENED. I WAS LUCKY THAT I DID NOT CRASH THIS VEHICLE WHEN THE OSCILLATION OCCURRED. I RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS FOR THE F250 HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED! *TR *JS

NHTSA ODI #10476568

60,000 miles · Dec 14, 2011
SteeringSuspension

AFTER HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FRONT END THE TRUCK STARTED SHAKING CAUSING A TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL. THE TRUCK HAS DONE THIS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AFTER HITTING BUMPS, POT HOLES OR UNEVEN SURFACES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10439851

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 #10428066

11,400 miles · Sep 27, 2011
SteeringSuspension

HIT A BUMP ON INTERSTATE TRUCK STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY, I ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 40 OR IT WAS GOING TO SHAKE ME OFF THE ROAD, I COULD BARELY HOLD ON, BROUGHT IS IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS TIRE PRESSURE, WHICH WAS ABOUT 70LBS NOT THE RECOMMEDED 75, COME ON THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. IT…

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HIT A BUMP ON INTERSTATE TRUCK STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY, I ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 40 OR IT WAS GOING TO SHAKE ME OFF THE ROAD, I COULD BARELY HOLD ON, BROUGHT IS IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS TIRE PRESSURE, WHICH WAS ABOUT 70LBS NOT THE RECOMMEDED 75, COME ON THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. IT IS STILL DOING IT YEARS LATER, WNET BACK TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS A BRAKE HANGING UP AND RIPPED ME OFF FOR PARTS, STILL DOES IT. I HAVE NOW PUT ON TIRES TIE ROD ENDS BALL JOINTS STEERING DAMPENER, SHOCKS AND STILL DOES IT. I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE. MAKE THEM FIX THIS AND COMPENSATE THOSE OF US WHO HAVE TRIED TO DO SO ON OUR OWN BECAUSE THEY WON'T ACCEPT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10427585

69,900 miles · Mar 3, 2011
Steering

MY 2007 FORD F250, SUPERDUTY 4X4, HARLEY DAVIDSON EDITION (ALL STOCK), EXPERIENCED EXTREME CAVITATION, OR WOBBLE, AND VIOLENT SHAKING TO THE STEERING AND FRONT SUSPENSION AFTER ENCOUNTERING A MILD SERIES OF BUMPS WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON 3 OCCASIONS. I HAVE READ 100'S UPON 100'S OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOU…

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MY 2007 FORD F250, SUPERDUTY 4X4, HARLEY DAVIDSON EDITION (ALL STOCK), EXPERIENCED EXTREME CAVITATION, OR WOBBLE, AND VIOLENT SHAKING TO THE STEERING AND FRONT SUSPENSION AFTER ENCOUNTERING A MILD SERIES OF BUMPS WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON 3 OCCASIONS. I HAVE READ 100'S UPON 100'S OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL DIFFERENT YEAR MODEL FORD TRUCKS. I HAVE TAKEN MY TRUCK IN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND FORD HAS EVEN ADMITTED TO THE PROBLEM BEING WITH A DESIGN FLAW AND EVEN HAS A CORRECTION FOR IT THAT INCLUDES A NEWLY DESIGNED BRACKET, RELOCATING SOME STEERING COMPONENTS, AND NEW SPECS FOR THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT, BUT WANTS TO CHARGE ME $1700.00 FOR THE REPAIR(OR REDESIGN). UNBELIEVABLE!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10386299

26,000 miles · Aug 23, 2010
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHERE THE GEAR BOX AND STEERING COLUMN WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY AND …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHERE THE GEAR BOX AND STEERING COLUMN WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 40-60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10351350

36,500 miles · Jun 11, 2009
SteeringTires

WHEN DRIVING MY FORD F-250 45 MPH AND OVER AND HITTING ANY KIND OF BUMP THE FRONT END SHAKES SEVERELY. THE BRAKES WHEN APPLIED WILL STOP THE SHAKING. THE DAMPER WAS REPLACED BUT IT DID NOT HELP. IF THE BUMP AND THE SPEED WAS GREAT ENOUGH IT WOULD CAUSE YOU TO CRASH. THE TRUCK HAS 38,000 MI. AND THE DEALER TELLS ME THERE IS NO R…

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WHEN DRIVING MY FORD F-250 45 MPH AND OVER AND HITTING ANY KIND OF BUMP THE FRONT END SHAKES SEVERELY. THE BRAKES WHEN APPLIED WILL STOP THE SHAKING. THE DAMPER WAS REPLACED BUT IT DID NOT HELP. IF THE BUMP AND THE SPEED WAS GREAT ENOUGH IT WOULD CAUSE YOU TO CRASH. THE TRUCK HAS 38,000 MI. AND THE DEALER TELLS ME THERE IS NO RECALL AND IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I PLAN ON TAKING IT TO AN INDEPENDENT FRONT END SPECIALIST TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10273581

40,210 miles · Dec 3, 2008
SteeringSuspension

EA08007 COMPLAINT TRUCK HITS UNEVEN PAVED ROAD AT 55 MPH OR FASTER ON THE FREEWAY, AND STARTS A VIOLENT SHAKING THAT IS ONLY STOPPED WHEN SLOWING DOWN VIA HEAVY BRAKING, OR BY NO ACCELERATION. ENTIRE TRUCK AND ALL FOUR WHEELS, INCLUDING THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKE VIOLENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250649

Official recalls

2

19V238000 · Seats

Mar 26, 2019

Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit Van, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2007 Ford F-250-based shuttle vehicles equipped with Freedman GO-3S foldaway seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Vantage has notified owners, instructing them to contact Freedman for a repair kit, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540.

11V352000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

Jul 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

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.