Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||||
| 0592 | 01/01/2006 | 0666 | 10017909 | Front suspension bottoming out (hitting the jounce bumpers) and/or making a banging/clunking noise when driving. *tt | 12/07/2005 |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | ||||||
| PE07057 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 11/15/2007 | 03/14/2008 | VIOLENT FRONT END OSCILLATION | ||
| 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. | ||||||
| EA08007 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 03/14/2008 | 03/31/2009 | VIOLENT FRONT END OSCILLATION | ||
| 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 | ||||||
| EA08007 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 03/14/2008 | 03/31/2009 | VIOLENT FRONT END OSCILLATION | ||
| 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 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 11/15/2007 | 03/14/2008 | VIOLENT FRONT END OSCILLATION | ||
| 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. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 09/19/2012 | 67800 | 1 | |
| Upon driving at highway posted speed, i encountered a bump in the road while in a turn. upon hitting the bump, it sent my front-end into a violent speed-wobble which almost put my family and i into the retaining wall. being that i'm a former state police officer, i may have saved us only by being highly trained within driving and vehicle control. i have read forums with many stating that they have experienced the same flaw, some with not very god endings. *tr | |||
| 11/15/2006 | 2500 | ||
| This vehicle since new has had numerous incidents with a severe uncontrollable shimmy in front end and steering wheel.i have had it to the dealer numerous times and they tell me there is nothing wrong with it. ford has sent a few notifications stateing that they are aware of the problem,but that it is just caused from improper inflation.i have set the tires to manufacturers recommended psi weekly,and does'nt make a bit of difference.ford is closing their eyes on this one,and it is going to cost lives!!!.when this occurs you have absolutely no control of the vehicle.another problem with this vehicle is the engine is junk.my vehicle has 43000 miles currently,and has had the motor taken out of it twice already for repairs!!!,and has been to dealer at least 6 or 7 times.i own a small tree care company and really cant afford a $45000 mistake to a multi billion dollar company. | |||
| 04/01/2011 | 60000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2006 ford f-350. the contact stated that the vehicle would shake abnormally when driving over road bumps at approximately 55 mph. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the tire pressure may be the cause of the failure. tire pressure on each tire was checked, but the failure continued. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. the failure mileage was 60,000. kmj | |||
| 04/01/2011 | 60000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2006 ford f-350. the contact stated that the vehicle would shake while driving approximately 55 mph over bumps in the road. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the tire pressure may be the cause of the failure. tire pressure on each tire was checked, but the failure continued. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. the failure mileage was 60,000. sm. | |||
| 11/02/2010 | |||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2006 ford f-350. the contact stated the front end of the vehicle shakes violently when the vehicle hits a bump. the contact has been told by the manufacturer that the tire pressure should be checked and that should correct the problem. the contact stated this did not correct the problem and the dealer ran a diagnostic on the vehicle and the problems continues. the current mileage was 29,000.rl | |||
| 12/03/2011 | 60500 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2006 ford f-350. the contact stated that he drove over a road bump at 35 mph and the vehicle began to vibrate uncontrollably. the contact was unable to control the vehicle as it steered into the oncoming lane of traffic. the contact released the accelerator pedal and regained control as the vehicle decelerated. the vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. the failure mileage was 60,500. kmj | |||
| 12/03/2011 | 60500 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2006 ford f-350. the contact stated that he drove over a bump at 35 mph and the vehicle began to vibrate uncontrollably. the contact was unable to control the vehicle as it steered into the oncoming lane of traffic. the contact released the accelerator pedal and regained control as the vehicle decelerated. the vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. the failure mileage was 60,500. sm. | |||
| 02/17/2007 | 24200 | 1 | 02/04/2006 |
| Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford f350. while driving between 40 to 60 mph and when hitting bumps on the road the front end of the vehicle along with the steering column shimmies. around may she received a notice about vehicle vibration . the dealer was contacted and a technician concluded that 4- wheel alignment was needed as well as a steering dampner. updated. the failure mileage was 24200. the current mileage was 42500. updated 11/04/09. *lj updated 11/05/09 | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||
| 09/13/2008 | 42000 | 1 | 09/13/2008 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2006 ford f-350. while driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle drove over a bump in the road. the steering wheel vibrated and shimmied severely. the vehicle began to veer across the road without assistance. the failures occurred whenever the vehicle traveled over rough road surfaces. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection and they stated that the front suspension was faulty due to a manufacturer design defect. the manufacturer was notified, but did not assist. the contact was advised to check the tire inflation pressure. the contact is in the process of taking the vehicle to an authorized dealer. the failure mileage was 42,000 and current mileage was 57,000. updated 07/17/09. *lj updated 07/20/09.*jb | |||
| 04/24/2009 | 11000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2006 ford f-350. while driving 55 mph, the front end of the vehicle struck a bump and drifted from side to side. the contact received a tsb regarding the shimmy of the vehicle. the vehicle is currently at a ford dealer for suspension repair. ford does not recognize the failure as a safety issue; therefore, no recall has been issued. the current and failure mileages were 11,000. | |||
| 05/20/2008 | 23000 | 1 | |
| I own a 4wd f350 dually. while traveling at highway speeds approx. 45mph and above and after traveling over an uneven road surface or bump in the road, the front end goes into an uncontrollable shimmy/oscillation. this can only be stopped by pulling over and completely stopping the vehicle. i have taken the truck to a ford dealership who checked the front end and said there was nothing wrong w/ the truck and that it was a tire problem. i have since then bought new tires which somewhat lessened the problem but did not correct it. i also have taken the truck to a reputable independent alignment shop, and they told me that they have seen a lot of trucks w/ the same problem, but are unable to fix it due to the design of the front end. the independent shop said there is to much castor in the front end and no way to adjust it. i am now on my third set of tires w/ only 45000 miles on the truck. i bought this truck for around $ 48,000.00 and have had this problem since the truck had about 23000 miles on it. i cant even drive it on the interstate due to the uncontrollable front end shimmy. the ford dealership will not acknowledge that i have a problem. i have searched the internet and have found post after post of people who have the same problem with their truck and the lack of acknowledgment from ford. this is a very serious problem and to date i have spent over $ 1,600.00 trying to remedy it. i hope some one from your dept. is familiar w/ this and could possibly help me. thank you stephen hall *tr | |||
| 12/19/2008 | 7500 | 1 | |
| I am having a violent shaking (steering wheel oscillation) in my 2006 ford f-350 amarillo with only 7k miles. this shaking has almost caused severe injury and or death at speeds of 35-60 mph. the incident occurs frequently enough just not to drive the vehicle anymore. i fear for my family and others on the road near the truck as it shakes until is completely stopped wherever it occurs. please help before others are injured or killed! *tr | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||
| 04/10/2008 | 33000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2006 ford f-350. the contact stated that while driving at 50 mph on april 10, 2008, the left driver side wheel vibrated violently. the contact had to apply the brakes to slow the vehicle down. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where he was informed that the rims were defective. the rims and tires were replaced and a front end alignment was performed. the failure continued to occur. the contact called the manufacturer who stated that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. the failure mileage was approximately 33,000. the current mileage was approximately 92,000. | |||