NHTSA Complaint #10433948 — 2007 FORD F SERIES

VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED FROM LOCAL FORD DEALER 10 MONTHS PRIOR (75,000 MILES), AND WAS A DEALER MAINTAINED VEHICLE. I DROVE VEHICLE 3,000 MILES SINCE PURCHASE. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN AND SEVERE VIBRATION MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. I WAS ABLE TO PULL VEHICLE TO SIDE OF ROAD BUT COULD NOT MOVE VEHICLE > 1 MPH WITHOUT SEVERE VIBRATION. PROBLEM WAS FROM COMPLETE FAILURE OF DRIVE SHAFT CENTER SUPPORT BEARING. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS INDICATIONS OF IMPENDING FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED AND COMPLETE. I HAVE SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT VEHICLE CONTROLLABILITY SHOULD A BEARING FAILURE OCCUR AT HIGHWAY SPEED. IN ADDITION THE BEARING IS LOCATED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE FUEL TANK. SHATTERED BEARING PARTS COULD POTENTIALLY PENETRATE THE FUEL TANK. THE BEARING IS A NON-SERVICEABLE PART AND THE ENTIRE DRIVESHAFT MUST BE PURCHASED AT A COST OF $1,000, MAKING BEARING CHANGE PRIOR TO FAILURE HIGHLY UNLIKELY. *TR