NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
38 reportsClear category filter67,000 miles · Nov 21, 2008
SteeringSuspension
I HAVE A 2005 FORD F350 SUPERDUTY(DIESEL). THE TRUCK HAS AN UNCONTROLLABLE FRONT END VIBRATION/OSCILLATION, WHENEVER I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, USUALLY 50MPH OR FASTER. WHEN IT DOES THIS THERE IS NOTHING THAT I CAN DO TO STOP IT. THE ONLY THING THAT MAKES IT GO AWAY IS TO SLOW DOWN, ALMOST TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS VERY D…
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD F350 SUPERDUTY(DIESEL). THE TRUCK HAS AN UNCONTROLLABLE FRONT END VIBRATION/OSCILLATION, WHENEVER I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, USUALLY 50MPH OR FASTER. WHEN IT DOES THIS THERE IS NOTHING THAT I CAN DO TO STOP IT. THE ONLY THING THAT MAKES IT GO AWAY IS TO SLOW DOWN, ALMOST TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY ON THE FREEWAY. I HAVE BECOME AFRAID TO DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY. AS I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS SUBJECT, I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL TRUCK. I AM WORRIED ABOUT MY SAFETY AND THAT OF MY FAMILY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10249531
31,000 miles · Oct 23, 2008
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SUPERDUTY. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VERY BADLY. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS TO BE DEPRESSED IN ORDER TO STOP THE SHAKING. THE FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING AND ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, B…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SUPERDUTY. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VERY BADLY. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS TO BE DEPRESSED IN ORDER TO STOP THE SHAKING. THE FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING AND ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT FOUND NO FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.
NHTSA ODI #10246537
4,000 miles · Oct 1, 2008
SteeringSuspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SUPER DUTY. IN JANUARY OF 2006, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH OR MORE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIMMY AND JUMP ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. THE DEALER STATED THAT BOLTS WERE MISSING AND THE SHOCK MOUNTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SUPER DUTY. IN JANUARY OF 2006, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH OR MORE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIMMY AND JUMP ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. THE DEALER STATED THAT BOLTS WERE MISSING AND THE SHOCK MOUNTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. HE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER REPLACING THE TIRES, A FRONT STABILIZER WAS INSTALLED ON THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED SINCE THE LAST INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,635 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. UPDATED 10/21/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10244101
54,000 miles · Sep 30, 2008
SteeringSuspension
STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY/OSCILLATION (BACK AND FORTH MOTION), IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING FRONT OR REAR WHEEL IMPACTS (PAVEMENT JOINTS, FROST HEAVES, ROUGH ROADS, ETC). NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL. MUST PULL OFF OF THE ROAD TO SLOW THE VEHICLE TO STOP SHIMMY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10243975
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…
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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
20,000 miles · Aug 15, 2008
SteeringSuspension
SHIMMY IN THE FRONT END AFTER TRAVELING OVER BUMPY ROADWAY, CAUSING A TEMPORARY LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THE LOSS OF CONTROL CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL INTO THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC. PRIMARILY OCCURS OVER 35 MPH. HAPPENED OVER 10 TO 15 TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10238346
63,200 miles · May 13, 2008
SteeringSuspension
I HAVE A 2005 FORD F350 SUPER DUTY, WITH DANGEROUS FRONT END PROBLEMS. WHEN GOING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (55-70MPH), AND HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD(EVEN WORSE WHILE GOING THROUGH A SLIGHT CURVE) THE FRONT END STARTS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THIS OSCILLATION IS SO STRONG, THAT IT ALMOST YANKS THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF MY HANDS. THE ONLY…
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD F350 SUPER DUTY, WITH DANGEROUS FRONT END PROBLEMS. WHEN GOING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (55-70MPH), AND HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD(EVEN WORSE WHILE GOING THROUGH A SLIGHT CURVE) THE FRONT END STARTS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THIS OSCILLATION IS SO STRONG, THAT IT ALMOST YANKS THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF MY HANDS. THE ONLY THING THAT MAKES IT STOP IS TO SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 20MPH. VERY DANGEROUS TO DO ON THE INTERSTATE!!! AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH AND READING SOME OF THE ONLINE FORUMS FOR FORD TRUCK OWNERS, I FIND THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND ALSO A VERY COMMON ONE TO BOOT. THE MOST WORRISOME PART OF THIS PROBLEM, IS THAT IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE. SOMETIMES I CAN GO A MONTH OR SO WITH NO PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, THIS PAST WEEKEND, IT DID THIS THREE TIMES DURING A 10 MILE TRIP HOME FROM A RESTAURANT. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT FORD MOTOR CO. SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CORRECTING. IF SOMETHING IS NOT DONE SOON MANY PEOPLE COULD GET HURT, AND GOD FORBID, BE KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10227684
69,500 miles · Apr 22, 2008
Steering
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (65-70 MPH) I HIT A POTHOLE OR BUMP THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK (2005 FORD F-350) STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO 50 MPH WHERE THE SHAKING STOPPED. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY A SEMI BECAUSE OF MY SUDDEN DECELERATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10225387
10,000 miles · Jan 23, 2008
Electrical SystemSteering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SD. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED ALL OVER THE ROAD. WHEN DRIVING OVER ROUGH PAVEMENT, A BRIDGE EXPANSION, OR A SLIGHT BUMP, THE STEERING WORSENS. HE HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES NEE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SD. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED ALL OVER THE ROAD. WHEN DRIVING OVER ROUGH PAVEMENT, A BRIDGE EXPANSION, OR A SLIGHT BUMP, THE STEERING WORSENS. HE HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE ROTATED, THE BUSHING NEEDED TO BE CHANGED, AND THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS INCORRECT. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,674 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 02-12-08 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10215739
8,000 miles · Dec 8, 2007
SteeringTires
BOUGHT F-350 WITH 7200 MILES ON IT. VEHICLE HAS A VIOLENT FRONT END SHAKE WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP. IT IS WORSE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND IT IS SO UNCONTROLLABLE THAT YOU FEEL YOU ARE GOING TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO SLOW DOWN AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS IS NOT WISE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSH…
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BOUGHT F-350 WITH 7200 MILES ON IT. VEHICLE HAS A VIOLENT FRONT END SHAKE WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP. IT IS WORSE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND IT IS SO UNCONTROLLABLE THAT YOU FEEL YOU ARE GOING TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO SLOW DOWN AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS IS NOT WISE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY TELL ME IT IS TIRE PRESSURE AND OR TIRES. I HAVE BOUGHT NEW TIRES, HAD FRONT END ALIGNED AND CHECK PRESSURE CONSTANTLY AND IT DOES NOT HELP. I WILL NOT LET OTHERS DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND ALSO ADVISED THE DEALERSHIP THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE ONLY 31,000 MILES ON VEHICLE NOW AND OTHER THAN BUYING A NEW VEHICLE DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10211208
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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