NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
217 reportsMileage unknown · Aug 3, 2007
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F 350 SUPER DUTY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURREN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F 350 SUPER DUTY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,600.
NHTSA ODI #10198430
50,000 miles · Aug 1, 2007
Tires
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SUPERDUTY. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE RUBBER BEGAN TO SEPARATE FROM THE TIRES WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSTANTLY PULLING. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT ON THE VEHICLE. NO TIRE INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,00…
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TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SUPERDUTY. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE RUBBER BEGAN TO SEPARATE FROM THE TIRES WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSTANTLY PULLING. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT ON THE VEHICLE. NO TIRE INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10198176
16,000 miles · Jul 13, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
REPEATED BRAKE CALIPER PROBLEMS. BRAKE PADS LOCK IN ON POSITION WHILE CALIPER RELEASES. RESULT IS THAT ONE BRAKE PAD IN A SET WILL QUICKLY BECOME WORN WHILE OTHER PAD IS LIKE NEW. FAILURE RESULTS WHEN LOCKED PAD IS UNDETECTED, THEN CALIPER, ROTOR AND BRAKE LINE DAMAGE RESULT. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON 3 SEPERATE INSTANCES AND ON SEPE…
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REPEATED BRAKE CALIPER PROBLEMS. BRAKE PADS LOCK IN ON POSITION WHILE CALIPER RELEASES. RESULT IS THAT ONE BRAKE PAD IN A SET WILL QUICKLY BECOME WORN WHILE OTHER PAD IS LIKE NEW. FAILURE RESULTS WHEN LOCKED PAD IS UNDETECTED, THEN CALIPER, ROTOR AND BRAKE LINE DAMAGE RESULT. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON 3 SEPERATE INSTANCES AND ON SEPERATE WHEELS. FORD HAS PAID FOR ONE REAR CALIPER, FRONT ROTORS.THIS PROBLEM BEGAN ON OR BEFORE 16,000 MILES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED AND REPAIRED AT FORD GARAGES ONLY. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT A SEVERE DUTY TRUCK, HAS A TOW HAUL PACKAGE. FURTHER: IMMEDIATELY, AFTER ONE REPAIR ABS LITE CAME ON AND BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR. ABS STAYED ON FOR 10 MINUTES AND THEN WHEN BRAKES WERE PUMPED THEY WENT OUT AND BRAKE RETURNED. IMMEDIATE THOUGHT WAS THAT ABS MALFUNCTION WAS DUE TO BRAKE REPAIR AND CORRECT AND THAT IT WAS A TEMPORARY PROBLEM. FRONT BRAKE PADS DID HOWEVER MALFUCTION WITHIN 400 MILES OF THIS INCIDENT. FROM THE BEGINNING THIS TRUCK HAS HAD AN OCCASIONAL SPONGEY BRAKE PROBLEM. INCIDENT DATE IS THE LAST DATE NOTED. FIRST DATE OCCURRED 02/30/07. INCIDENT DATE OF THIS REPORT REFLECTS LAST TO DATE INCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #10196262
56,000 miles · Jul 10, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SUPERDUTY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND SMOKE POURED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND WOULD NOT EXCEED 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE THEN LOST POWER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE AROMA OF ANTIFREEZE WAS POTENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SUPERDUTY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND SMOKE POURED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND WOULD NOT EXCEED 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE THEN LOST POWER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE AROMA OF ANTIFREEZE WAS POTENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVEN PREVIOUS TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,000.
NHTSA ODI #10196016
25,000 miles · Jun 29, 2007
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SUPERDUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TOW COMMAND WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AND PROVIDES FALSE DATA. THE FAILURE CAUSES THE TRAILER BRAKES TO ENGAGE WHEN THEY SHOULD NOT. THE WARNING MESSAGE INDICATED THAT THE TRAILER WAS DISCONNECTED. THE FORD DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SUPERDUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TOW COMMAND WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AND PROVIDES FALSE DATA. THE FAILURE CAUSES THE TRAILER BRAKES TO ENGAGE WHEN THEY SHOULD NOT. THE WARNING MESSAGE INDICATED THAT THE TRAILER WAS DISCONNECTED. THE FORD DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 30,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
NHTSA ODI #10194939
40,300 miles · Jun 11, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TURBO PIPE BLEW OFF GOING UPHILL TOWING A HORSE IN TRAILER, LOST MOST OF MY POWER, SPEED DROPPED TO 40 MPH WITH TRUCKS BEARING DOWN. PUT CLAMP BACK ON DID IT AGAIN 50 MILES LATER. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME RUST FORMED INSIDE TURBO IF I DID NOT DRIVE IT HARD OR CORRECTLY. I DID'NT THINK I BOUGHT A TRUCK WITH INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO RIVE…
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TURBO PIPE BLEW OFF GOING UPHILL TOWING A HORSE IN TRAILER, LOST MOST OF MY POWER, SPEED DROPPED TO 40 MPH WITH TRUCKS BEARING DOWN. PUT CLAMP BACK ON DID IT AGAIN 50 MILES LATER. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME RUST FORMED INSIDE TURBO IF I DID NOT DRIVE IT HARD OR CORRECTLY. I DID'NT THINK I BOUGHT A TRUCK WITH INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO RIVE IT !*AK
NHTSA ODI #10192980
59,000 miles · Jun 7, 2007
Steering
I HAVE A 2005 FORD F350 SUPERDUTY AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HAVE GONE OVER BLEMISHES IN THE HIGHWAY AND IT HAS CAUSED A VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE FRONT END. IT HAS GOTTEN SO BAD AT POINTS THAT IT ALMOST CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT WHICH MIGHT HAVE INVOLVED MANY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MANY OCCASIONS …
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD F350 SUPERDUTY AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HAVE GONE OVER BLEMISHES IN THE HIGHWAY AND IT HAS CAUSED A VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE FRONT END. IT HAS GOTTEN SO BAD AT POINTS THAT IT ALMOST CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT WHICH MIGHT HAVE INVOLVED MANY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MANY OCCASIONS AND I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP BEFORE IT SUBSIDES. I HAVE BEEN TO SEVERAL DEALERS AND THEY ALL SAY THAT THEY HAVE A QUICK FIX BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK. EVERYTIME I HAVE TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM I HAVE PAID FOR IT OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. I HAVE SPOEKN WITH MANY FOR SUPERDUTY OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND THEY ALL SAY THE SAME THING. THIS IS NOT ONLY A PROBLEM FOR THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE BUT ALSO FOR OTHERS ON THE ROAD AS WELL. DO PEOPLE NEED TO START DYING BEFORE THERE IS A SERVICE RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM. FORD DIDN'T START REPLACING TIRES ON TRUCKS AND SUV'S BEFORE SO MANY PEOPLE DIED IN CARE CRASHES. THIS IS A SEVERE PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THERE SHOULD BE NO CALL FOR PAYING FOR AND BEING FINANCIALLY LOCKED INTO A $50,000 VEHICLE THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED A DEATH TRAP. THIS PROBLEM EXISTS IN ALL MODELS OF THE FORD SUPERDUTY AND FORD STILL PRODUCES THESE AND SELLS THEM TO CONSUMERS AND DOESN'T FIX THEM.
NHTSA ODI #10192728
39,144 miles · Jun 6, 2007
Fuel System, Diesel
(1) TRUCK WOULD NOT START (2) POTENTIAL OF TRAVELING AND FUEL PUMP STOPS PROVIDING FUEL TO MOTOR; POTENTIAL TO LOOSE CONTROL OF VECHICLE (3) HIGH PRESSURE (R&R IPR SENSOR,FLEX PIPE AN DCONNECTOR) WAS REPLACED
NHTSA ODI #10192566
75,000 miles · May 22, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
05 AND 06 FORD F350 AMBULANCE BRAKE CALIBER PISTONS BREAK OR CRACK AND HOLD PISTON OUT MAKING BRAKES UNABLE TO FULLY RELEASE, BOTH OUR 05 HAVE HAVE DONE IT ONE ON ALL FOUR WHEEL AND THE OTHER JUST THE FRONTS SO FAR AND NOW OUR 06 HAS THE FRONTS ON BOTH SIDES TOLAL OF THREE OF THE FOUR PISTONS BROKE
NHTSA ODI #10191475
44,232 miles · Mar 8, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE HAS ENGINE FAILURE THE REPAIR HAS BEEN ATTEMPTED FOUR TIMES AND VEHICLE CONTINUES IN ITS SAME STAGE.. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10184502
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.
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