NHTSA Complaint #10177371 — 2004 FORD F-150

I HAVE JUST LEFT MY DEALER WITH SOME DISAPPOINTING NEWS. THE VIBRATION I AM ENCOUNTERING WITH MY 04 F150 IS DUE TO THE WHEEL HUBS BEING ENGINEERED OUT OF ACCEPTABLE TOLERANCE. THAT IS TO SAY THE ISSUE HAS BEEN FIXED FOR THE 05 AND 06 MODELS. IT HAS BEEN EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE WHEELS AND HUBS MUST BE "INDEXED" FOR THE BOTTOM BASEMANT PRICE OF $396.00. THIS PROCESS WILL HAVE TO BE DONE EVERYTIME YOU MOVE OR REPLACE A TIRE. FORD HAS INDICATED TO ME THAT THIS IS THE ONLY FIX FOR THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION AND THAT THE CONSUMERS ARE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROCESS ALTHOUGH IT IS THEIR ENGINEERING FOUL UP. IT WAS ALSO INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD DO THE INDEXING FOR A REDUCED AMOUNT AS LONG AS I PURCHASE MY TIRES AND MY ROTATIONS FROM THEM! LUCKILY MY DEALER HAS ENOUGH GOOD SENSE TO DO THIS PROCESS (ONE THAT SHOULD BY THE WAY NEVER HAVE TO BE DONE) FOR FREE. OF THE 26 VEHICHLES I AHVE OWNED, I HAVE NEVER AND I MEAN NEVER HAD TO OR HEARD OF INDEXING THE WHEELS AND HUBS IN ORDER TO GET MY CAR TO QUIT SHAKING!!! YOU CAN REFERENCE THIS INFORMATION FROM THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #06-12-02