Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - WHEEL BEARING | |||||
| 06129 | 06162 | 10020174 | Front wheel bearings - noise. *tt updated on 02-27-07. *kb | 08/03/2006 | |
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||||
| 0772 | 10022283 | Rear of vehicle is too high/low -5th wheel and goose neck applications. *kb | 07/25/2007 | ||
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 | ||||||
| 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. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 12/20/2010 | 45000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2005 ford f-350 sd. the contact stated that the vehicle would shake violently while driving over 50 mph. the manufacturer was notified of the failure, but denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. the contact made attempts to repair the failure, but the defect continuously recurred. the failure mileage was 45,000 and the current mileage was 60,000. kmj | |||
| 12/20/2010 | 45000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2005 ford f-350. the contact stated that the vehicle would shake violently while driving over 50 miles per hour. the dealer was not contacted. the manufacturer was notified, but denied any assistance with repair to the failure. the contact made attempts to repair the failure, but the defect would recur. the failure mileage was 45,000 and the current mileage was 60,000. nw | |||
| 11/16/2005 | 50 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2005 ford f350 sd. while driving approximately 40 mph over a bump, the front end of the vehicle began pull into the left direction without intent. the identical failure occurred three different times. the vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer sent a letter to notify the owner's to inspect the tire tread and air pressure to prevent the pulling of the vehicle and steering wheel vibration. the manufacturer was made aware of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 50. js | |||
| 06/08/2006 | 27931 | 6 | 02/02/2005 |
| 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. | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||
| 01/20/2006 | 4000 | 1 | 07/23/2005 |
| 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 | |||
| 09/18/2008 | 23400 | 1 | |
| 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 | |||