Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||||||
| 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. | ||||||
| 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 | |||
| 02/01/2012 | |||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2007 ford f-350 sd. the contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle shook violently. the vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the track bar was replaced. the failure recurred. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure mileage was unknown. kmj | |||
| 02/01/2012 | |||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2007 ford f-350 sd. the contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle shook violently. the vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the track bar was replaced. the failure recurred. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure mileage was unknown. mh | |||
| 06/16/2012 | 26500 | ||
| I was driving down the highway at around 65mph and went over a expansion joint on a bridge and the front end of the truck started shaking so bad that it ripped the steering wheel out of my hand. i had to come to a complete stop to make the shaking stop, i thought i had a front tire blow out,nearly hit the car in the lane next to me. i took it back to the dealer they put a new steering dampener on it and said try it, but it will probably not be any better, then the next fix is to put on a bigger steering wheel so i can hold on better when it happens. look on line this known as the ford wheel of death there is a bunch of videos on you tube about it and some actually show it happen. somebody needs to make ford pay for a proper fix before someone gets killed. | |||
| 11/15/2007 | 10000 | 1 | |
| Ford f350 crewcab 4x4 high speed wheel wobble ( death wobble) happens at speeds of 65 or higher and hitting a bump in the road. ford has looked at it , said the alignment was out and fix it. the wobble has happened three times sense then. ford has sent a letter stating that the tire pressure needs to be correct, it is. this is a stock truck and when this happens i have to come to a complete stop before i can proceed and with anti lock brakes this is real scary. *tr | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||
| 05/13/2011 | |||
| Front suspension let's the vehicle wobble if you hit a bump on the road. only way to stop the wobble is to slow to unsafe speeds on the highway or stop completly. | |||
| 01/15/2009 | 50000 | 1 | |
| Around 50,000 thousand miles a bad vibration started when traveling around 60 mph and hit a bump in the road occurs around this speed constantly have to slow down and turn the wheel slowly have done research online and this has been called the death wobble. have done everything to try to correct the problem except carry to dealership to have it looked at trying to save up money. *tr | |||