NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
48 reportsClear category filter27,450 miles · Jul 15, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
JULY 1, 2006 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:30 AM, I WAS TRAVELING ON I-81 AT 65 MPH TOWING A 9,000 LB. TRAILER AND THE TRUCK STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND NO HESITATION. IT SIMPLY DIED. WITHOUT POWER BRAKES OR STEERING, THE TRUCK WAS COMPLETELY UNCONTROLLABLE. LUCKILY, WE WERE ON A SECTION OF HIGHWAY WITH WIDE SH…
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JULY 1, 2006 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:30 AM, I WAS TRAVELING ON I-81 AT 65 MPH TOWING A 9,000 LB. TRAILER AND THE TRUCK STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND NO HESITATION. IT SIMPLY DIED. WITHOUT POWER BRAKES OR STEERING, THE TRUCK WAS COMPLETELY UNCONTROLLABLE. LUCKILY, WE WERE ON A SECTION OF HIGHWAY WITH WIDE SHOULDERS AND LIGHT TRAFFIC. THE TRUCK DIED SO SUDDENLY THAT I COULDN'T EVEN PULL TO THE SHOULDER. THE TRUCK CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE LEFT LANE AND WOULD NOT RESTART. DRIVERS BEHIND ME SWERVED TO THE SHOULD TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE DEALER DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM AND DID NOTHING TO PREVENT THIS SITUATION FROM OCCURRING AGAIN. AFTER THE TRUCK SAT AT THE DEALER FOR 2 DAYS (OVER THE WEEKEND), IT STARTED FOR THE TECHNICIAN ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT NHTSA #05V270000 DOES NOT APPLY TO MY TRUCK, ALTHOUGH THIS CAMPAIGN NUMBER DESCRIBES THE EXACT SITUATION THAT OCCURRED WITH MY TRUCK. THE TRUCK AND TRAILER COMBINED WEIGH APPROXIMATELY 19,000 LBS. 19,000 LBS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH AND SUDDENLY LOOSING BRAKES AND STEERING IS A DEATH WAITING TO HAPPEN. PLEASE HELP BEFORE AN INNOCENT MOTORIST(S) GET KILLED BY THIS TRUCK. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10162459
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering
2005 FORD F350 CREWCAB VIBRATION WHILE PULLING A LOAD, TURBO UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, DASH CLUSTER ONCE, EXHAUST LEAK. *KB ***NAR*** THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS ACTING ERRATIC. THERE WAS A STEERING NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE VIBRATION THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING WAS BEING INVESTIGATED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10162639
27,931 miles · Jun 8, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE STALLED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED ON EACH INCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED A MODULE ON THE WIRING HARNESS AND VARIOUS OTHER UNKNOWN PARTS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. ON ONE OCCASION WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE, THE PEDAL WOULD NOT D…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE STALLED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED ON EACH INCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED A MODULE ON THE WIRING HARNESS AND VARIOUS OTHER UNKNOWN PARTS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. ON ONE OCCASION WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE, THE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS. AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, THE BRAKES WORKED PROPERLY. TWO MONTHS AGO THE SHOCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRACTURED. A WELDING SHOP DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS A BAD WELD JOINT.
NHTSA ODI #10159300
17,200 miles · May 23, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH AND PULLING A TRAILER THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE INTERSTATE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DETERMINED THE HIGH PRESSURE OIL PUMP FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT OF…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH AND PULLING A TRAILER THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE INTERSTATE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DETERMINED THE HIGH PRESSURE OIL PUMP FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE HIGH PRESSURE OIL PUMP THERE HAVE BEEN NO ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS. UPDATEDN 06/09/2006. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10158110
14,000 miles · Jan 3, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
2005 FORD DIESEL PICKUP BUCKS AND JERKS WHILE UNDER LIGHT LOAD, I.E. MAINTAINING SPEED ON AN INCLINE. (MOUNTAIN PASS). DEALERSHIP AND FORD IS AWARE OF PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR. WHILE DRIVING ON WINTER (ICY) ROADS, TRUCK BEGAN BUCKING AND BROKE TRACTION SENDING TRUCK OUT OF CONTROL. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE OUT OF IT WITHOU…
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2005 FORD DIESEL PICKUP BUCKS AND JERKS WHILE UNDER LIGHT LOAD, I.E. MAINTAINING SPEED ON AN INCLINE. (MOUNTAIN PASS). DEALERSHIP AND FORD IS AWARE OF PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR. WHILE DRIVING ON WINTER (ICY) ROADS, TRUCK BEGAN BUCKING AND BROKE TRACTION SENDING TRUCK OUT OF CONTROL. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE OUT OF IT WITHOUT CONTACTING THE VEHICLE PASSING ME OR ROADSIDE OBSTRUCTIONS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10146751
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I'VE HAD MY 05 'F-350 DIESEL IN THE SHOP FOR MORE THAN A TOTAL OF 10 WEEKS BLOWN HEAD GASKETS BLOWN HEADS AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHICH NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIX CORRECTLY I PERSONALLY THINK FOR SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THESE TRUCKS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10146708
5,985 miles · Oct 6, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT: 2005 FORD F350. THE CONSUMER STATED AT 1000 MILES IT BLEW THE TURBO HOSE. AT 2800 MILES IT BLEW THE HEAD GASKETS AND RUINED THE HEADS. AT 3000 MILES THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE DEALERSHIP DID PUT NEW ITEMS ON THE VEHICLE, BUT THEY WERE NOT SURE WHETHER OR NOT IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. AT 5000 MILES THE ENGINE LOCKED …
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DT: 2005 FORD F350. THE CONSUMER STATED AT 1000 MILES IT BLEW THE TURBO HOSE. AT 2800 MILES IT BLEW THE HEAD GASKETS AND RUINED THE HEADS. AT 3000 MILES THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE DEALERSHIP DID PUT NEW ITEMS ON THE VEHICLE, BUT THEY WERE NOT SURE WHETHER OR NOT IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. AT 5000 MILES THE ENGINE LOCKED AND SOMETHING WAS FIXED, BUT FORD STATED THEY DID NOT KNOW WHETHER IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS NOT JUST WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED HE OWNED THE VEHICLE ONLY 4 MONTHS AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 24 DAYS. *AK THE VEHICLE USES 2 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10135445
9,975 miles · Aug 3, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE HAD MY 2005 F-350 DIESEL TOWED TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES NOW FOR STALLING AND NOT STARTING BACK UP. EACH INSTANCE THEY SHOW LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE AND BLAME ME FOR NOT CHANGING THE OIL EVERY 3000 MILES (RECOMMENDED BY FORD EVERY 5000 - 7000 MILES) AND GETTING BAD GAS. THEY REPLACED 4 CYLINDERS THE FIRST TIME, 2 CYLINDERS …
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I HAVE HAD MY 2005 F-350 DIESEL TOWED TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES NOW FOR STALLING AND NOT STARTING BACK UP. EACH INSTANCE THEY SHOW LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE AND BLAME ME FOR NOT CHANGING THE OIL EVERY 3000 MILES (RECOMMENDED BY FORD EVERY 5000 - 7000 MILES) AND GETTING BAD GAS. THEY REPLACED 4 CYLINDERS THE FIRST TIME, 2 CYLINDERS PLUS A FUEL CUP THE SECOND AND THEY ARE NOW WORKING ON THE THIRD. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10131394
Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
I BOUGHT MY TRUCK IN FEBRUARY 2005 W/ LESS THAN 150 MILES. MY FIRST MAJOR COMPLAINT WITH THE TRUCK IS THE AWLFUL SMELL (EXHAUST) THAT ENTERS THAT CABIN WHEN THE TRUCK IS RUNNING. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM. IT HAS NEVER HAD THAT "NEW" TRUCK SMELL. THE SECOND MAJOR COMPLAINT WITH THE TRUCK, IS THE DEAD …
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I BOUGHT MY TRUCK IN FEBRUARY 2005 W/ LESS THAN 150 MILES. MY FIRST MAJOR COMPLAINT WITH THE TRUCK IS THE AWLFUL SMELL (EXHAUST) THAT ENTERS THAT CABIN WHEN THE TRUCK IS RUNNING. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM. IT HAS NEVER HAD THAT "NEW" TRUCK SMELL. THE SECOND MAJOR COMPLAINT WITH THE TRUCK, IS THE DEAD SPOT IN THE ACCELORATOR PEDAL. IF YOU NEED TO SPEED UP QUICKLY, IT CAN'T BE DONE. YOU HIT A DEAD SPOT IN THE ACCELORATOR WHERE YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO POWER! IF I NEEDED TO SPEED UP TO PASS SOMEONE, ETC., I CAN'T DO IT. I AM FRUSTRATED WITH MY TRUCK AND I DO NOT ENJOY DRIVING IT.
NHTSA ODI #10127420
16,000 miles · Jun 29, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT: CALLER SAYS VEHICLE HAD NO POWER, AND WAS BOILING ALL THE COOLANT OUT OF THE ENGINE. DEALER SAID THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY COULD AND COULD NOT FIND WHA WAS WRONG WITH VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER SAID THE SAME THING, AND THOSE THEY WOULD GIVE HIM ANOTHER VEHICLE IF HE PAID $5900.00. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10127026
Official recalls
3Jul 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.
Jun 10, 2005
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND MAY OR MAY NOT RESTART.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE (FICM) WIRE HARNESS OR REPLACED, AND/OR HAVE A NEW INJECTION CONTROL PRESSURE (ICP)) SENSOR CONNECTOR INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Jun 9, 2005
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND CHASSIS CAB VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L GASOLINE ENGINES, THE FUEL JUMPER LINE MAY HAVE AN INCORRECT END FORM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE FUEL LINE MAY SEPARATE AT THE CONNECTION TO THE MAIN FUEL BUNDLE. IF THE FUEL LINE SEPARATES, AN OPERATOR MAY NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR AND/OR FUEL ON THE GROUND, LOSS OF POWER, AND THE ENGINE WILL EVENTUALLY STALL. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN EXTERNAL RETENTION CLIP AT THE FUEL JUMPER LINE TO THE MAIN FUEL BUNDLE CONNECTION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 20, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA08007 · Violent Front End Oscillation
Opened Mar 14, 2008 · Closed Mar 31, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Suspension:front
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
PE07057 · Violent Front End Oscillation
Opened Nov 15, 2007 · Closed Mar 14, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front
ODI HAS RECEIVED 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND OSCILLATIONS COMMENCING AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.THIRTEEN OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGED DRIVING LANES UNCONTROLLABLY.FOUR OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS.IN ONE CASE THE CONSUMER ALLEGES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE, IT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND A FORD TSB (07-10-10) DESCRIBING THE SUSPENSION SHIMMY ISSUE AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.FORD HAS DESCRIBED SHIMMY AS SELF-EXCITED OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING WHEELS WITH ACCOMPANYING WHEEL TRAMP.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO DETERMINE IF THE SHIMMY CONDITION THAT OCCURS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR STARTLES THE DRIVER, THUS PRESENTING A SAFETY RISK.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
ODI HAS RECEIVED 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND OSCILLATIONS COMMENCING AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.THIRTEEN OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGED DRIVING LANES UNCONTROLLABLY.FOUR OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS.IN ONE CASE THE CONSUMER ALLEGES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE, IT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND A FORD TSB (07-10-10) DESCRIBING THE SUSPENSION SHIMMY ISSUE AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.FORD HAS DESCRIBED SHIMMY AS SELF-EXCITED OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING WHEELS WITH ACCOMPANYING WHEEL TRAMP.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO DETERMINE IF THE SHIMMY CONDITION THAT OCCURS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR STARTLES THE DRIVER, THUS PRESENTING A SAFETY RISK.
Suspension:front
ODI HAS RECEIVED 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND OSCILLATIONS COMMENCING AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.THIRTEEN OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGED DRIVING LANES UNCONTROLLABLY.FOUR OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS.IN ONE CASE THE CONSUMER ALLEGES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE, IT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND A FORD TSB (07-10-10) DESCRIBING THE SUSPENSION SHIMMY ISSUE AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.FORD HAS DESCRIBED SHIMMY AS SELF-EXCITED OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING WHEELS WITH ACCOMPANYING WHEEL TRAMP.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO DETERMINE IF THE SHIMMY CONDITION THAT OCCURS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR STARTLES THE DRIVER, THUS PRESENTING A SAFETY RISK.