This Search requires JavaScript to be enabled. If you cannot enable JavaScript or are having trouble completing this search, contact ODI at (888) 327-4236. Defect Investigation Results : ODI - Office of Defects Investigation
safercar.gov homepage NHTSA homepage
Safety Ratings Defects & Recalls Safe Driving Information Resources

 

Defects and Recalls

Defect Investigations - Search Results

Navigate:   ODI Home   »   Defect Investigations   »  Search »  Results List


 
  Search Results  
NHTSA Action Number : PE07057 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make / Models :         Model/Build Years:    
     FORD / F-250     2005-2007
     FORD / F-250 SD     2005-2007
     FORD / F-250 SUPERDUTY     2005
     FORD / F-350     2005-2007
     FORD / F-350 SD     2005-2007
     FORD / F-350 SUPERDUTY     2005
     FORD / F250     2007
     FORD / F350     2005-2007
Manufacturer : FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Component :
SUSPENSION
SUSPENSION:FRONT
Date Investigation Opened : November 15, 2007
Date Investigation Closed : March 14, 2008
Summary:
 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. ADDITIONAL FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS, SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONS AND 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.
   

dot logo USA Government Made Easy  111 RSS | Web Policies & Notices | Terms of Use | FOIA | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Accessibility | E-mail NHTSA