2008 Ford F-250 SD steering problems

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. WITHIN LESS THAN A YEAR OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE SHIMMIED AND EXPERIENCED A DEATH WOBBLE. THE DEALER (RAY'S FORD, INC., 385 BY PASS RD, BRANDENBURG, KY 40108, (270) 422-4901) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT AN APPOINTMENT MAY NEED TO BE SCHEDULED. IT HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED IF THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO SPECIAL FIELD SERVICE CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09L02 TO PREVENT SHIMMIES. THE VEHICLE WAS HAULING A TRAILER OVER UNLEVELED LAND DURING THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #11174499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I EXPERIENCED "DEATH WOBBLE" 3 TIMES IN TWO WEEKS AFTER HITTING A BUMP ON THE INTERSTATE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 - 65 MPH EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL I SLOWED DOWN TO 40 MPH OR BELOW. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING FORWARD IN A STRAIGHT LINE WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED.

NHTSA complaint #11081526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC (SUMMERS AUTOMOTIVE) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15E014000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11012062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE BRAKES HAD TO BE APPLIED EACH TIME WHILE MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND BRAKE FLUID, BUT WERE ALSO UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10954457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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POWER STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE TOWING A EXPENSIVE CLASSIC CAR. I AM READING THAT IT IS THE STEERING GEAR BOX. FORD WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA complaint #10749218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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WHILE DRIVING MY 08 FORD F250 SD, I EXPERIENCE SEVERE SHIMMY GOING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR SMALL DIP. MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN GOING ABOUT 45 AND I HIT A BUMP AND THE WHEEL JERKS AND THROWS THE TRUCK WHAT FEELS LIKE FEET. I HAVE NOT REPLACED ANY PARTS YET NOR HAVE I SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER. THE FIRST I EVER KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM NOTED BY FORD WAS WHEN I RECEIVED AN ALERT ON FLMOWNER.COM AND IT STATED FIELD SERVICE ACTION NUMBER: 09L02 FSA TITLE: CUSTOMER MAINTENANCE REMINDER VEHICLE SHIMMY AND TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE I ALWAYS MAINTAIN PROPER TIRE PRESSURE AND HAVE THEM BALANCED AND ROTATED ON A REGULAR BASIS THROUGH DISCOUNT TIRES (WHERE I BOUGHT NEW TIRES IN 2011). I DON'T HAVE A LIFT AND HAVEN'T ALTERED ANY OF THE STOCK SUSPENSION PARTS. MILEAGE AND TIME FRAME ARE AN APPROX AS I WASN'T AWARE OF THIS SERVICE ISSUE PRIOR TO THIS WEEK. THOSE ARE THE APPROXIMATES TO WHEN I MOVED TO CO.

NHTSA complaint #10690980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS CAPABLE OF MOVING, BUT FAILED TO DIRECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE MOUNT BOLTS WERE FRACTURED. THE BOLTS WERE REPLACED BY THE TECHNICIAN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

NHTSA complaint #10659303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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STEERING ON VEHICLE BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT. THE POWER STEERING PUMP LOST HALF OF THE FLUID. REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP. SIXTY DAYS LATER THE STEERING GEAR BOX BOUND UP AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE WHEELS TO BE TURNED.THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10653504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED AS A LOUD ABNORMAL POP SOUND EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/2/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE BOLTS HOLDING THE STEERING BOX ON THE FRAME SHEARED OFF. UPDATED 01/08/15

NHTSA complaint #10650840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO I WAS IN OCALA, FLORIDA. AFTER UNHOOKING MY GOOSE NECK TRAILER I THOUGHT MY STEERING WAS NOT RIGHT, I PULL INTO HOMEWOOD SUITES AND COMPLETELY LOSE MY STEERING. I HAD IT TOWED TO OCALA FORD AND THEY FIND THE NUT OF THE PITMAN ARM (STEERING) HAD FALLEN OFF AND WAS SITTING ON THE AXLE. NOW WHAT IF I HAD BEEN ON THE OPEN HIGHWAY WITH THAT BIG TRAILER FULL OF HORSES. THEY PUT IT BACK ON. TODAY I NOTICED MY STEERING FELT "LOOSE". I HAD MY SON GET UNDER IT AND THAT [XXX] NUT IS READY TO FALL OFF AGAIN> AND I JUST HAD IT AT OXMOOR FORD A COUPLE MONTHS AGO & ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT FOR ME BECAUSE IT SCARED THE [XXX] OUT ME THE FIRST TIME SO I HAD IT CHECKED. WHAT IS FORD GOING TO DO TO ASSURE ME THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN??? I REPORTED THIS TO YOU ALL WHEN IT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME SO YOU HAVE MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10622130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN A GRAVEL ROAD AT 35 MPH WHEN MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP BUT HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DETERMINED THE GEAR BOX HAS FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #10606370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I BOUGHT A SET OF WHEEL AND TIRES A YEAR AGO, THEY ARE STOCK SIZE. THE DAY THE TIRES AND WHEELS WERE PUT ON MY TRUCK THE STEERING WAS TIGHT AND WOULD NOT STRAIGHTEN BACK OUT WITHOUT RESISTANCE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I WENT TO THE TIRE PLACE AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT IT WAS A BAD STEERING GEAR. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED I HAD A BAD STEERING GEAR. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE STEERING GEAR WAS ON BACK ORDER AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHEN THEY COULD GET ONE. BUT NOTHING ABOUT AN INVESTIGATION. MY HOPE IS THAT SOMEONE DOESN'T HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THE STEERING GEAR IS RECALLED.

NHTSA complaint #10592920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THE TRUCK HAS ALWAYS HAD A ISSUE WITH THE STEERING GEAR BOX EVEN AT 53,000 MILES WHEN I BROUGHT IT WHEN ASKED THE DEALER THEY INFORM ME THAT THE GEAR BOXES NEEDS REPLACED AND ITS NOT UNCOMMON FOR THESE TRUCKS TO HAVE THIS ISSUE , AND ITS ONLY GETTING WORSE.

NHTSA complaint #10566863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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AFTER APPOX. ONE HOUR AT 65 MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL I DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL , COASTING TO A SPEED OF ABOUT 25 MPH OR LESS TO MAKE A UPCOMING LEFT TURN. AS I STARTED TO TURN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE AND FOUND IT WAS WITHOUT ASSIST, AND THE SAME WAS TRUE FOR THE STEERING. I APPLIED AS MUCH PRESSURE AS I COULD TO BOTH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE STEERING WHEEL AND FORTUNATELY MADE THE TURN WITH OUT INCIDENT. I TAPPED THE FUEL PEDAL AND BOTH THE BRAKES AND STEERING ASSIST RETURNED TO NORMAL. I'VE HAD THE PROBLEM BEFORE WITH LOSS OF BRAKES BUT HAVE ALWAYS BEEN GOING STRAIGHT. I REPORT THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT SINCE THE VEHICLE DOESN'T SHOW A ERROR CODE THEY CAN'T FIX IT! AT LEAST IF I DIE IN A CRASH THIS WILL BE MY RECORD. I WILL REPORT THE TRUCK AGAIN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WONT FIX IT. I HAVE SEEN THAT OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING ALSO. I WON'T LET MY WIFE DRIVE THE TRUCK IT IS NOT SAFE!!! THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THE SYSTEM IS DRAWING FLUID FOR BOTH THE BRAKES AND STEERING FROM THE POWERSTEERING PUMP, ALSO I BELIEVE FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THE FLUID TRAVELS THRU A SCREEN(FILTER) WHICH CAN PLUG STARVING THE SYSTEM OF FLUID NEEDED TO PROPERLY OPERATE THE STEERING AND BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #10551058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000. RETURNED BY USPS ON 11-15-2013. SECOND ATTEMPT ON 11-20-2013 FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #10546666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE HORN INDEPENDENTLY SOUNDED A FEW MOMENTS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A SAFE LOCATION AND THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10525199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY WANDERED OUT OF THE LANE AS THE TURN WAS COMPLETED THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

NHTSA complaint #10523048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHILE TURNING CORNER. WHEEL FAILED TO RETURN TO CENTRE WITHOUT EXTREME FORCE. FOLLOWING THE CORNER THE VEHICLE JUMPED LEFT TO RIGHT UNCONTROLLED APPROX 6-12 INCHES AT LOW SPEED FOR 1/2 BLOCK. FIGHTING THE WHEEL I WAS ABLE TO STOP, AND THE STEERING LOOSENED UP ALLOWING ME TO FINISH THE LAST 2 BLOCKS OF JOURNEY AT A REDUCED SPEED WITH THE STEERING REACTING NORMALLY.

NHTSA complaint #10515701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I WAS PULLING OFF EXPRESSWAY, SLOWING ON EXIT RAMP. TRUCK SHOOK AND I COULD NOT STEER FOR A FEW SECONDS. IT HAS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES SINCE THEN.

NHTSA complaint #10515085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I WAS DRIVING TO A CROSS STREET INTERSECTION WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND COULDN'T TURN ON TO THE CROSS STREET AND I HAD TO STOP THE TRUCK AND BACK UP, THEN AFTER I STOPPED, THE WHEEL LET GO AND I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE TRUCK. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIME SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE TRUCK.

NHTSA complaint #10513980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT CHANGED LANES AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC FLUSHED THE STEERING SYSTEM BUT THE SERVICE DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,145.

NHTSA complaint #10513135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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STEERING IS HORRIBLE IN THESE TRUCKS! FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED. THERE IS PLAY IN THE STEERING. DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD THE STEERING WHEEL CAN EXHIBIT 1/4 TURN OF PLAY EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT, BUT THE TIRES AND TRUCK ARE STRAIGHT! NOW IF THAT'S NOT UNSAFE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS! I HAVE NO LIFT, AND STOCK TIRES. THE ALIGNMENT IS STRAIGHT. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON FORUMS OF STEERING GEAR PROBLEMS. I HAD MY STEERING LOOKED AT AND MECHANICS ARE CLUELESS. THIS IS A FORD TRUCK PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR YEARS. STEERING SHOULD BE TIGHT AND PRECISE NOT SLOPPY. I AM BEGGING THE NHTSA TO AT LEAST LOOK INTO THESE, THIS MATTER IS WORTHY OF YOUR TIME AND I AM SURE AN INVESTIGATION WILL REVEAL NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF STEERING BOXES THAT GO LOOSE OR WEAR PREMATURELY AND STEERING COMPONENTS THAT BREAK. I AM SURE FORD HAS RECORDS OF THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS AND REPAIRS ON THIS BECAUSE ITS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10500992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO GET SOME PLAY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. THE STEERING EVENTUALLY WENT COMPLETELY OUT. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SPIN FREELY WITHOUT THE WHEELS MOVING WHATSOEVER.

NHTSA complaint #10497982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, HE NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LOOSE AND MOVED TO THE SIDES INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,107.

NHTSA complaint #10478585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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2008 FORD F-250 SUPERDUTY DRIVING AT 40-70 MPH STRAIGHT OR TURNING (IE: ON A FREEWAY FLY-OVER). THE FRONT-END SHAKES/SHIMMIES WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP, POTHOLE, OR SURFACE THAT IS UNEVEN TO THE POINT YOU LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. HAPPENS MOST ALL THE TIME IF ON FLY-OVER, AND ON STRAIGHT ROADS SOMETIMES. HIT A MINOR SEAM IN THE PAVED ROAD AND THE FRONT END STARTED TO WOBBLE (KNOWN ON MANY INTERNET SITES AT THE "FORD DEATH WOBBLE." THERE WAS A FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM THAT DEALS WITH THE STEERING GEARBOX NEEDING REPLACEMENT. SEEMS THAT THIS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD WITH NO RECALLS ON THIS PART MALFUNCTIONING.

NHTSA complaint #10456980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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SLOWING DOWN TO EXIT HIGHWAY AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES AS IF THE TRUCK SHUT OFF, BUT IT WAS STILL RUNNING.

NHTSA complaint #10455488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING BOX WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT REPLACE OR REBUILD THE STEERING BOX BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,200. UPDATED 6/4/12 *CN THE REPAIR WAS FINALLY MADE ON 04/18/12 AT A COST OF $531.13

NHTSA complaint #10455389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.