I have an 04 screw with the free vibration as well. been back and forth with the dealer several times (actually they haven't been to bad although at one point they told me not to use overdrive). The ford rep has been very rude and told me the vibe was "acceptable". I now have a bucking in the 40-60 range if trying to maintain a steady speed, I had attributed it to the vibe and the dealership said they had exhausted all resources. I am now trying a second dealership. also has any one ever looked at a website called lemonlaw.com. law firm offers free represenation to qualified complaints (which they feel this is). They are located in several states. If anyone is in the covered states give them a call.

 

Dive,
You are feeling wind buffeting. My SCREW does it...most vehicles do. If I drive at 70 and put just the back windows down, it feels like the cab is going to disintegrate.

 

I also live in Texas and will be taking my truck back for the 4th time next week. Cannot decide what I want to do....but was wondering why no one had suggested a class action suit. Let me know what you find out...I cannot tell you how disappointed I am in my truck. Kay Ft. Worth, TX

 

I think the trucks are lugging. Of course its not someone shifting manually into a higher gear too soon, its the way the truck has been tuned to shift into overdrive, and its doing it a little too soon. Ford error? Who knows for sure. People keep talking about it happening between 50 and 55, and thats when overdrive kicks in, on mine anyway. Out of tolerance? Have you riden in a chevy or dodge lately. Most bounce and do that rolly polly forward motion so bad, you can't really tell whats going on with it. The F150 suspension is so smooth now, that things that would normally go unnoticed have now become front and center.
Ford probably knows about it, they probably did it to meet fuel mileage requirements. According to published numbers, the F150 and the Tundra get the same mpg, but the Ford weighs a lot more, can haul and tow more, and has a bigger engine. It amazes me how they did it.
I think what is being felt may be better described as a shudder. Its more like a minor shudder with a shuffle to it. I've felt it, but only when I'm looking for it and focused only on it. It reminds me of lugging. I ignore it. If that is the only thing I ever notice and it never gets worse, I wouldn't trek to the dealer for it.
Vibration, true vibration is another thing. Thats just plain wrong.
And anything felt with the windows down does not count.
Just my 2 cents.

 

i got my 5k oil change/service today with 8600 miles on the truck total... hadnt felt the vibration EVER until later today on the freeway at 65-70...
Could it have been something that they changed in a tune up? it was definatly the vibration- loud and clear. kind of a bummer but ill give it a little while before i take any action.

 

BLACK

All I can say is GOOD LUCK do not wait to long.

 

I do understand that the truck is "tight" in the suspension and structure. This does conduct road irregularities and because of this I have been quick to discount the non uniform rumbling as road noise but it's the constant and regular "shaking or vibration" that drives me crazy. does any one elses calfs actually tingle after a long ride?. When this all started the dealer told me about a pcm upgrade that took care of the lugging. After driving it he agreed that was not all of the problem also after checking my pcm revision it had already been updated. now after the 4th visit, new drive shaft, road force balance, etc.etc. the lugging is back in force? could they have reprogramed it with the old rev. This is frustrating.
anyone look at the website I posted ?

 

The funny thing about all this is that like many of you have said I like the truck a lot and would much rather have it fixed.

 

I am mailing my claim papers today to the DSB. What I want to know - has anyone been through this successfully? New Truck? Full refund?
Anyone filed and recieved notification that their case was not accepted? If so, why?

Any suggestions or tips on speeding up the process? 3-4 months seems too long to wait for action.
Sorry for all the questions, I am anxious to resolve this issue and waiting for someone for to make a decision is not something I handle well.

 

Labrador claims that he got a full refund but has not given any evidence that this actually happened. I mailed mine a week ago and am patiently waiting. I won't settle for anything less then them buying the truck back. As far as I am concerned this truck is unsafe to use. I think it is really sad that they advertise how smooth it drives. I guess they never drove one. Hit a bump and the whole rear end jumps around. The full size Dodge that I rented two years ago was much better over rough terrain. My point being, I was misled.

 

mislead is an understatement....by the time I purchased my truck in 9/04 you would have thought the news or someone would have aired the story...and still with all the postings I have read, not one news story! AMAZING! I guess no one is up to taking on the big FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I just wish I would have known..but like everyone else when you think FORD you think QUALITY or I did, that is doubtful now. Yet if they would just step up and take responsibility for those of us dealing with the vibration issue it would at least salvage some respect. You can bet when this nightmare is over I will do a better job researching any vehicle I buy regardless of the MFG reputation. It's obvious if you are a big enough corporation you can get away with A LOT! I am willing to deal with some small malfunctions but I have never, NEVER owned a vehicle for such a short time that I really just dreaded driving or that had such an major problem. ok I am done with my daily venting, but really this is stressful if you are dealing with it..... kay

 

OK, my turn to whine! FoMoCo has known about the vibrations as far back as 1998, does that tell you anything? I had a 2001 f150 xcab with the 4.6 v/8 that #$%@ truck would almost jump off the road! btw, it was never fixed!! I totally got suckered into buying another POS Ford by a smooth talking saleman (even after telling him all my troubles with the 01) I have heard it said, fool me twice> Ford will never fool me again, My 04 xcab Lariat goes back tommorrow (for the fourth time) if it aint fixed this time, I'm done with Fix Or Repair Daily forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Hey Black2004FX4,

I would sure like to know what they did, every last detail. Yours is a strange case. At 8000 miles, other than changing oil and topping off fluids, and tire rotation, what else?
I've heard TSBs can be done without owner being told.
See if you can get the low down on extactly what was done to the truck.

I just spoke to my neighbor, her hubby has a ford like mine, and there are vibrations needing the dealers attention. He is assuming its the tires, he doesn't know about this forum.

 

Did you happen to also have your tires rotated or did they do an inspection of your brakes?

 

it turns out they did rotate the tires along with the oil change and such.. i also found out it was my tires causing the vib; yesterday i put on my new 17x8 teflon mojave's and 285/70/17 MT/R's- and NO MORE VIB. it made my day. i got to experience the vibration for a day and it was not fun, now i can relate to everyones experiences.
before ditching the truck completely, i would make sure to have ford give you a new set of tires if you havnt already- it just might do the trick..

(pics are on the way btw)