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2006 Ford F-250 Sd

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most F-250 Sd years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Ford F-250 Sd are substantially higher than the model-year median of 89.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

244 reports with mileage · 30 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 144 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 102 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports4 fire reports6 injury reports

Steering complaints

102 reports
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45,000 miles · Jul 8, 2008
Steering

TRAVELING APPROX 60 MPH, TOWING A 7,000 LB 30 FT TRAVEL TRAILER. SLOWED TO MAKE AN EXIT AND AS I STARTED THE TURN, THERE WES NO POWER STEERING ASSIST. MANUAL STEERING WAS STILL WORKING (WITH EXTREMELY HIGH EFFORT). NORMALLY, I WOULD EXPECT IT TO BE A PUMP FAILURE, BUT THE PUMP WAS STILL FINE.... THE VALVE IN THE STEERING GEAR…

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TRAVELING APPROX 60 MPH, TOWING A 7,000 LB 30 FT TRAVEL TRAILER. SLOWED TO MAKE AN EXIT AND AS I STARTED THE TURN, THERE WES NO POWER STEERING ASSIST. MANUAL STEERING WAS STILL WORKING (WITH EXTREMELY HIGH EFFORT). NORMALLY, I WOULD EXPECT IT TO BE A PUMP FAILURE, BUT THE PUMP WAS STILL FINE.... THE VALVE IN THE STEERING GEAR BOX FAILED. THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS SEVERELY CONTAMINATED WITH THE GROUND-UP REMNANTS OF THE STEERING GEAR INTERNALS. MAKING THE REPAIR MYSELF, I FOUND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO GET A REPLACEMENT UNIT, AS ALL THE PLACES I CONTACTED REPORTED "NONE ON THE SHELF..... WE'VE SOLD A TON OF THEM." *TR

NHTSA ODI #10233547

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2008
SteeringSuspension

I HAVE AN '06 FORD F-250. EVERYTIME I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR FREEWAY THE FRONT END DOES WHAT'S KNOWN AS THE "DEATH SHAKE" ACCORDING TO RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET. MANY OF PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME EXPERIENCE THE MORE I DID RESEARCH ON THIS MATTER. MINE ALONG WITH EVERYONE ELSE HAS TO SLOW DOWN ALMOST TO A STOP FOR THE …

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I HAVE AN '06 FORD F-250. EVERYTIME I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR FREEWAY THE FRONT END DOES WHAT'S KNOWN AS THE "DEATH SHAKE" ACCORDING TO RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET. MANY OF PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME EXPERIENCE THE MORE I DID RESEARCH ON THIS MATTER. MINE ALONG WITH EVERYONE ELSE HAS TO SLOW DOWN ALMOST TO A STOP FOR THE FRONT END TO STOP SHAKING OR IT WILL SEND YOU INTO THE ONCOMING LANE AND ALL HAVE HAD VERY CLOSE CALLS. FORD DEALER SHIPS TO MY KNOWLEDGE ACCORDING TO MY LOCAL DEALER SHIP (SUNLAND FORD) IN VICTORVILLE DOESN'T KNOW THE FIX. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY STEERING DAMPENER. NOPE!! PEOPLE ARE GOING TO THEIR DEALERSHIPS MULTIPLE TIMES. I PAID WELL OVER $30,000 FOR MY TRUCK AND THIS IS VERY UNACCEPTABLE. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231992

20,000 miles · May 13, 2008
SteeringSuspension

MY '06 FORD F-250 HAS A DESIGN FLAW THAT CAUSES IT TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AT SPEED AND REQUIRES TO ALMOST STOP TO CORRECT. VERY UNSAFE AND NOW ABOUT USELESS TO DRIVE. ARE THERE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? THANKS, DANTE *TR

NHTSA ODI #10227619

14,000 miles · May 4, 2008
SteeringSuspensionVisibilityInjury

THE TRUCK SHOWED NO SIGNS OF TROUBLE LEADING UP TO THE EVENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MILES AN HOUR AND HEADING AROUND A RIGHT HAND CORNER IN THE ROAD THE TRUCK HIT AN INDENTATION IN THE ROAD SURFACE WHICH CAUSED THE TRUCK TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AND DRIFT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE CAUSING THE TRUCKS MIRROR TO HIT A BOX …

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THE TRUCK SHOWED NO SIGNS OF TROUBLE LEADING UP TO THE EVENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MILES AN HOUR AND HEADING AROUND A RIGHT HAND CORNER IN THE ROAD THE TRUCK HIT AN INDENTATION IN THE ROAD SURFACE WHICH CAUSED THE TRUCK TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AND DRIFT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE CAUSING THE TRUCKS MIRROR TO HIT A BOX TRUCK AND SMASH INTO THE INTERIOR OF MY TRUCK. WHEN THE TRUCK SLOWED DOWN TO BELOW 35, I REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OFF TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. THE BOX TRUCK, APPARENTLY NOT REALIZING WHAT HAD HAPPENED, CONTINUED ON WITHOUT STOPPING. THE MIRROR WAS DESTROYED, GLASS WAS COVERING THE INTERIOR OF MY TRUCK, AND I SUFFERED MINOR CUTS ON MY FACE AND ARM. I RETURNED HOME WITH MY TRUCK AT SPEEDS UNDER 40 MPH, BUT STILL COULD FEEL A SHUDDER WHEN THE TRUCK HIT EITHER A RAISED BUMP OR AN INDENTATION IN THE ROAD. THE DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS IN THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK, BUT NOT THE MIRROR. I WAS TOLD THAT THE MIRROR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE TRUCK HAS NOT HAD THE PROBLEM SINCE. I AM NOT AWARE IF THE OLD PARTS ARE STILL AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10226586

31,000 miles · Apr 3, 2008
Steering

STEERING SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLE PUT ON NEW STABILIZER AT 31,000 HELPED A LITTLE AT 51,000 IT IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT IS NOW A KAMAKAZI TRUCK READY FOR ITS FINAL RIDE. THIS TRUCK SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROAD. IT'S A 2006 FORD F250 SD 4X4. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10223323

Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2008
SteeringSuspension

I HAVE A 2006 FORD F250 SUPERDUTY AND WHEN DRIVING OVER 50MPH AND I HIT A POT HOLE THE FRONT END BOUNCES OR SHAKES HORRIBLY.. IT HAS DONE IT NUMEROUS TIMES EVERY DAY DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY... IF YOU COULD PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT IM SURE ALL FORD OWNERS WOULD. APPRECIATE IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10222875

39,600 miles · Mar 23, 2008
Steering

MY FAMILY AND I WERE TRAVELING DOWN INTERSTATE 40 NO FASTER THAN 65 MPH WE CAME OVER`A BRIDGE AND THE TRUCK STARTED SHAKING SO VIOLENTLY IT TOOK EVERYTHING MY HUSBAND HAD IN HIM TO KEEP THE TRUCK FROM TRAVELING INTO THE MEDIAN AND WE WERE IN THE SLOW LANE IF THERE HAD BEEN A VEHICLE BESIDE US WE WOULD HAVE COLLIDED THE TRUCK SH…

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MY FAMILY AND I WERE TRAVELING DOWN INTERSTATE 40 NO FASTER THAN 65 MPH WE CAME OVER`A BRIDGE AND THE TRUCK STARTED SHAKING SO VIOLENTLY IT TOOK EVERYTHING MY HUSBAND HAD IN HIM TO KEEP THE TRUCK FROM TRAVELING INTO THE MEDIAN AND WE WERE IN THE SLOW LANE IF THERE HAD BEEN A VEHICLE BESIDE US WE WOULD HAVE COLLIDED THE TRUCK SHOOK SO HARD MY DOOR CAME OPEN IF I HAD NOT HAD MY SEATBELT ON I WOULD HAVE BEEN THROWN OUT ONTO THE INTERSTATE MY HUSBAND HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND BRING THE TRUCK TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WE CHECKED ALL TIRES U BOLTS WHEELS EVERYTHING WE THOUGHT OF THIS WAS TERRIFYING TO MY HUSBAND ME AND OUR THREE BOYS I WILL NEVER HAVE THIS TRUCK ON THE INTERSTATE AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10222093

48,000 miles · Jan 1, 2008
SteeringSuspension

DEATH WOBBLE IN FRONT END OF THE TRUCK AT 40-45 .THE TRUCK HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP 4 TIMES FOR IT.*CN

NHTSA ODI #10213349

100 miles · Dec 22, 2007
SteeringTiresWheels

WHEEL VIBRATION, STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATION AFTER GOING OVER ROUGH OR UNEVEN SURFACE,CAUSING LACK OF CONTROL AND SOMETIMES LANE SHIFT,THIS HAPPENS AROUND 50/55 MPH AND HIGHER AND MAINLY IN A SLIGHT LEFT HAND CURVE,DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. TRUCK HAS BEEN SEEN AT DEALER FROM ALMOST NEW,TRIED BALANCING TIRES QUITE A FEW TIMES,…

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WHEEL VIBRATION, STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATION AFTER GOING OVER ROUGH OR UNEVEN SURFACE,CAUSING LACK OF CONTROL AND SOMETIMES LANE SHIFT,THIS HAPPENS AROUND 50/55 MPH AND HIGHER AND MAINLY IN A SLIGHT LEFT HAND CURVE,DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. TRUCK HAS BEEN SEEN AT DEALER FROM ALMOST NEW,TRIED BALANCING TIRES QUITE A FEW TIMES, CHANGE RIM, FORCED BALANCE TIRES,PUT STEERING DAMPER ON TRUCK. DAMPER HELPED BUT DID NOT CURE THE PROBLEM, HAVE COME CLOSE 4 TIMES TO LOSING CONTROL OF VEH AND WRECKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212560

8,000 miles · Nov 26, 2007
SteeringSuspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING 55-70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND THE VEHICLE MOVED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING DAMPER CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEAL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING 55-70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND THE VEHICLE MOVED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING DAMPER CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER MADE THE REPLACEMENT. AS OF NOVEMBER 26, 2007, THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,120.

NHTSA ODI #10209956

Official recalls

1

11V352000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

Jul 13, 2011

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.

Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.

Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA08007 · Violent Front End Oscillation

Opened Mar 14, 2008 · Closed Mar 31, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Suspension:front

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

PE07057 · Violent Front End Oscillation

Opened Nov 15, 2007 · Closed Mar 14, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front

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.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension

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.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND 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.

Suspension:front

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.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND 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.