← New search

2005 Ford F-350 Sd

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most F-350 Sd years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford F-350 Sd are substantially higher than the model-year median of 73.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

198 reports with mileage · 19 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports8 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

217 reports
23,400 miles · Sep 23, 2008
Suspension

ODOMETER 23400 WHEN DRIVING ON ROUGH ROAD, CROSSING RR TRACKS, ECT. VEHICLE FRONT END SLAMS UPPER STOP TO LOWER STOPS VIOLENTLY. YOU MUST SLOW TO APX.30-40 MPH. TO REGAIN CONTROL. THERE IS NO LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, OR BRAKING JUST A VIOLENT "HOPPING OF FRONT WHEELS" . THE VEHICLE SHAKES WILDLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10243187

36,000 miles · Sep 16, 2008
Visibility

THE A/C CONTROL DOESN'T SWITCH OFF OF THE DEFROST SETTING. COULD CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD TO FOG UP AND POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE A/C CONSTANTLY BLOWS OUT OF THE DEFROST VENTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10242490

63,726 miles · Sep 16, 2008
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SUPERDUTY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO REVERSE, IT WOULD NOT BACK UP. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REVERSE CLUTCH RETAINER RING, THE REVERSE PISTON RETAINER RING, THE CLUTCH HOUSING, AND THE TRANSMISSION CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SUPERDUTY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO REVERSE, IT WOULD NOT BACK UP. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REVERSE CLUTCH RETAINER RING, THE REVERSE PISTON RETAINER RING, THE CLUTCH HOUSING, AND THE TRANSMISSION CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,726.

NHTSA ODI #10242402

158,600 miles · Sep 12, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

PULLING OUT OF PARKING AREA INTO MAIN HIGHWAY. ENGINE STALLED ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENT. EGR COOLER LEAKING FLUID INTO AIR INTAKE CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL. REPLACED EGR COOLER, CLEANED INTAKE SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241929

69,000 miles · Sep 9, 2008
Fuel System, GasolineFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SD. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED WHITE SMOKE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NU…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SD. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED WHITE SMOKE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING); THEREFORE, SHE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE AT THE COST OF $1,133.52. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

NHTSA ODI #10241617

93,000 miles · Sep 5, 2008
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SUPERDUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK SO VIOLENTLY THAT HE LOST CONTROL. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, HE WAS INCAPABLE OF CONTROLLING THE STEERING. IT WOULD MOVE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND HE UNSUCCESSFULLY COMPENSATED FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SUPERDUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK SO VIOLENTLY THAT HE LOST CONTROL. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, HE WAS INCAPABLE OF CONTROLLING THE STEERING. IT WOULD MOVE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND HE UNSUCCESSFULLY COMPENSATED FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000.

NHTSA ODI #10241025

50,000 miles · Aug 30, 2008
Parking BrakeService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

REAR BRAKE DRUM FAILURE - BACKER PLATE OF MY FORD F350 HAS CORRODED TO THE EXTENT THAT THE REAR BRAKE SHOE RETAINER PINS FELL INWARDS AND THE BACK BRAKE SHOE TWISTED AROUND GRINDING IN THE REAR DRUM. UPON HEARING A NOISE SLOWED AND THE REAR WHEEL LOCKED AND SPUN THE TRUCK SIDEWAYS ON THE ROAD. THIS IS A LONG WHEEL BASE,K CRE…

Read full complaint

REAR BRAKE DRUM FAILURE - BACKER PLATE OF MY FORD F350 HAS CORRODED TO THE EXTENT THAT THE REAR BRAKE SHOE RETAINER PINS FELL INWARDS AND THE BACK BRAKE SHOE TWISTED AROUND GRINDING IN THE REAR DRUM. UPON HEARING A NOISE SLOWED AND THE REAR WHEEL LOCKED AND SPUN THE TRUCK SIDEWAYS ON THE ROAD. THIS IS A LONG WHEEL BASE,K CREWCAB PICKUP WITH AN 8FT BOX. THE DISC ROTOR COVER HAS ALSO RUSTED THROUGH LEAVING A HOLE ALLOWING SMALL STONES TO JAM BETWEEN THE ROTOR AND BRAKES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL (ECENTUALLY START TO BRAKE ON ONE WHEEL - PROBLEMATIC ESPECIALLY WHEN BRAKING ON WET OR ICY ROADS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240319

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2008
Exterior LightingPower Train

I RENTED A TRUCK FROM U-HAUL IN ELK GROVE, CA AT 4:50PM ON 8/28/08. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS ABOVE 45MPH IT STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND ONCE IT WAS DARK, THE TAIL LIGHTS ON THE RIGHT SIDE WERE SHOWN TO BE NON-FUNCTIONING. THE REPRESENTATIVE DID NOT DO A VEHICLE INSPECTION WITH ME, IN FACT, HE TOOK OFF BEFORE I EVEN PULLED OUT OF …

Read full complaint

I RENTED A TRUCK FROM U-HAUL IN ELK GROVE, CA AT 4:50PM ON 8/28/08. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS ABOVE 45MPH IT STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND ONCE IT WAS DARK, THE TAIL LIGHTS ON THE RIGHT SIDE WERE SHOWN TO BE NON-FUNCTIONING. THE REPRESENTATIVE DID NOT DO A VEHICLE INSPECTION WITH ME, IN FACT, HE TOOK OFF BEFORE I EVEN PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVE-WAY. I CALLED THE REPAIR SERVICE BECAUSE I FELT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THEY SENT OUT THAT THE REAR END WAS COMING APART AND THAT THE POWER BRAKE SYSTEM HAD NO POWER WHEN I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I INFORMED U-HAUL AND THEY INSISTED THAT I STILL DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THEIR FACILITY. I REFUSED, CITING THAT IT WAS UNSAFE AND ILLEGAL TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITHOUT THE WORKING TAIL LIGHTS. THEY THEN CHARGED MY CREDIT CARD FOR THE RENTAL AND MILEAGE EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE STILL SAT IN MY DRIVE-WAY WITHOUT THEM KNOWING WHAT THAT MILEAGE WOULD BE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240236

65,000 miles · Aug 29, 2008
Fuel System, Diesel

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE FORD SERVICE DEPT. SERVERAL TIMES THIS YEAR FOR A PROBLEM WITH MY ACELERATOR. IF I DECELERATE OR STOP AND GO TO GIVE IT GAS AGAIN THE PEDAL PUSHES DOWN BUT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240222

1 miles · Aug 21, 2008
SuspensionCrash

TO BRUCE YORK AND RICHARD BOYD I AM SO THANKFUL SOMEONE IS DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW FOR A FACT THIS SITUATION WITH THIS STEERING PROBLEM FAR EXCEEDS ANYTHING FORD IS WILLING TO ADMIT. MY CASE; I HAVE OWNED MY 2005 FORD F-350 KING RANCH 4X4, VIN #, SENSE FEBRUARY 11, 2005. THIS TRUCK HAS EARNED ITS TWO NICK…

Read full complaint

TO BRUCE YORK AND RICHARD BOYD I AM SO THANKFUL SOMEONE IS DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW FOR A FACT THIS SITUATION WITH THIS STEERING PROBLEM FAR EXCEEDS ANYTHING FORD IS WILLING TO ADMIT. MY CASE; I HAVE OWNED MY 2005 FORD F-350 KING RANCH 4X4, VIN #, SENSE FEBRUARY 11, 2005. THIS TRUCK HAS EARNED ITS TWO NICKNAMES, RHUBARB EXPRESS AND #!*% PIECE OF #@^%$. THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A NIGHTMARE FOR OUR FAMILY. MY WIFE AND I CAN'T BEGIN TO COUNT HOW MANY TIMES THIS TRUCK HAS GONE OUT OF CONTROL AND LEFT US IN THE DITCH. WE HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THIS TRUCK NEARLY EVERY TIME EITHER ONE OF US HAS DRIVEN IT. TYPICAL SITUATION, WE ARE DRIVING ALONG THE FREEWAY AT A SAFE SPEED. WE MIGHT FEEL A LITTLE BUMP ON THE ROAD THEN THE STEERING WHEEL STARTS TO SHIMMY THEN BEGINS TO PULL FROM YOUR HANDS IN A HARD SHIMMY. FROM THE TIME YOU HIT THE BUMP TO THE TIME THE TRUCK IS RIPPING YOUR HANDS FROM THE STEERING WHEEL IS LESS THE 2 SECONDS. THE OSCILLATIONS ARE MORE THE 90 DEGREES FROM SIDE TO SIDE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THESE OSCILLATIONS WILL CONTINUE FROM YOUR ORIGINAL DRIVING SPEED UNTIL THE TRUCK IS BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS USUALLY MEANS DRIVING OFF THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY OR ROAD ONTO THE SHOULDER. ON MANY OCCASIONS THERE IS NO SHOULDER AND WE HAVE STOPPED IN THE ROAD. ON OTHER OCCASIONS WE HAVE HAD TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY AS THERE WERE SEMI TRUCKS IN THE SLOW LANE. I MEAN 65 TO 0 MILES AN HOUR IN THE MIDDLE OF A LOS ANGELES FREEWAY! WE ALSO HAVE COUNTLESS MEMORIES OF SLIDING TO A STOP IN THE RHUBARB, DUST FLYING, OFF THE EDGE OF THE FREEWAY. ALL WHILE CALLING FORD AND BEGGING THEM TO FIX IT! WE HAD THIS TRUCK IN THE DEALER MANY TIMES TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239123

Official recalls

3

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.

05V270000 · Electrical System:wiring

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.

05V266000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

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

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.