← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

Suspension complaints

144 reports
Clear category filter
30,000 miles · Apr 30, 2008
Suspension

MY FORD F-250 SUPERDUTY DIESEL OCCASIONALLY SHAKES EXTREMELY VIOLENTLY WITH TEMPORARY COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND CROSSING UNEVEN OBSTACLES SUCH AS BRIDGE GAPS AND SMALL ROAD DEVIATIONS. THE VEHICLE FEELS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY IN THE FRONT END AND INHIBITS STEERING. THE SHAKE IS EXTREMELY VIOL…

Read full complaint

MY FORD F-250 SUPERDUTY DIESEL OCCASIONALLY SHAKES EXTREMELY VIOLENTLY WITH TEMPORARY COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND CROSSING UNEVEN OBSTACLES SUCH AS BRIDGE GAPS AND SMALL ROAD DEVIATIONS. THE VEHICLE FEELS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY IN THE FRONT END AND INHIBITS STEERING. THE SHAKE IS EXTREMELY VIOLENT IN NATURE WITH OSCILLATING LARGE AMPLITUDE DEFLECTIONS IN EACH WHEEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10226339

5,000 miles · Apr 21, 2008
Suspension

VIOLENT FRONT END SHAKE AFTER HITTING SMALL POT HOLES OR BUMPS AT ANY SPEED, COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OF TRUCK UNTIL COMING TO STOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10225314

55,000 miles · Apr 16, 2008
Suspension

ON MY 2006 FORD F250 SD DIESEL I EXPERIENCE VIOLENT OSCILLATIONS OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN GOING OVER RR TRACKS OR BUMPS IN THE ROAD, LEADING TO A NEAR LOST OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT OF THIS THE FRONT TIRES ARE FLAT SPOTTED, AND UNEVENLY WORN. FORD CLAIMS THE PROBLEM IS RELATED TO LOW TIRE PRESSURE, BUT MY TIRE P…

Read full complaint

ON MY 2006 FORD F250 SD DIESEL I EXPERIENCE VIOLENT OSCILLATIONS OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN GOING OVER RR TRACKS OR BUMPS IN THE ROAD, LEADING TO A NEAR LOST OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT OF THIS THE FRONT TIRES ARE FLAT SPOTTED, AND UNEVENLY WORN. FORD CLAIMS THE PROBLEM IS RELATED TO LOW TIRE PRESSURE, BUT MY TIRE PRESSURE WAS AT THE MFG RECOMMENDATION. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS REPORTS THAT A STEERING DAMPENER IS REQUIRED AND NOT INSTALLED ON THE FORD SD TRUCKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224740

40,000 miles · Mar 31, 2008
SuspensionCrash

AT APPROXIMATELY 40K ON THE VEHICLE, A PROBLEM BEGAN TO OCCUR WHEN A BUMP IN THE ROAD WAS HIT, RESULTING IN THE FRONT WHEELS SHIMMYING LEFT TO RIGHT FOR ABOUT A SECOND. OVER THE NEXT FOUR MONTHS, THE PROBLEM INTENSIFIED, LEADING TO A SEVERE SHAKE EMITTING FROM THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL. FORD RECOMMENDED AN ALIGNMENT AND THE STEERIN…

Read full complaint

AT APPROXIMATELY 40K ON THE VEHICLE, A PROBLEM BEGAN TO OCCUR WHEN A BUMP IN THE ROAD WAS HIT, RESULTING IN THE FRONT WHEELS SHIMMYING LEFT TO RIGHT FOR ABOUT A SECOND. OVER THE NEXT FOUR MONTHS, THE PROBLEM INTENSIFIED, LEADING TO A SEVERE SHAKE EMITTING FROM THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL. FORD RECOMMENDED AN ALIGNMENT AND THE STEERING DAMPENER (WHICH WAS ALREADY INSTALLED). I REPLACED THE TIRES, DAMPENER, TRACK BAR AND BUSHING, WHICH SOLVED THE ISSUE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, BUT SOON FOUND THAT I CORRECTED A SYMPTOM AND NOT THE TRUE PROBLEM. ABOUT THIS TIME I FOUND OUT ABOUT YOUR INVESTIGATION AND DECIDED TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM, SINCE NO ONE COULD DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE IN THE SHOP....HOPING YOUR INVESTIGATION WOULD PROVIDE A FIX. ON JANUARY 15TH, 2008 I EXPERIENCED AN ENCOUNTER WHERE THE SHAKE OCCURRED AND HIT BLACK ICE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL, SPINNING AND LANDING IN A DITCH, CAUSING BODY DAMAGE. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE SHAKING IS TO ALMOST COMPLETELY STOP OR OVER CORRECT THE STEERING (IF THERE IS ROOM TO DO IT). SINCE THERE WAS NO OTHER VEHICLE INVOLVED THE STATE TROOPER DIDN'T MAKE A REPORT OF THE INCIDENT. THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10222944

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

1,000 miles · Feb 14, 2008
Suspension

THERE EXISTS A FACTORY FAULT IN THE FORD SUPERDUTY TRUCK. THERE IS WHAT IS CALLED A DEATH WOBBLE THAT OCCURS ON ROUGHER ROADS WHEN TRAVELING 60 MILES PER HOUR OR UNDER. THE FRONT END WILL SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY WHEN A BUMP IS HIT. I HAVE HAD IT IN TO FORD DEALERSHIPS 7+ TIMES FOR THIS AND THEY WILL NOT FIX OR REPLACE…

Read full complaint

THERE EXISTS A FACTORY FAULT IN THE FORD SUPERDUTY TRUCK. THERE IS WHAT IS CALLED A DEATH WOBBLE THAT OCCURS ON ROUGHER ROADS WHEN TRAVELING 60 MILES PER HOUR OR UNDER. THE FRONT END WILL SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY WHEN A BUMP IS HIT. I HAVE HAD IT IN TO FORD DEALERSHIPS 7+ TIMES FOR THIS AND THEY WILL NOT FIX OR REPLACE THE FAULTY PARTS. I HAVE STARTED A WEB LOG ON AOL REGARDING THIS AND AM ATTACHING THE LINK . HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/FORD-F-250-SUPER-DUTY/T0SGDCTMOBHE5JER1 THERE ARE OVER 170 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD DENIES THE PROBLEM EXISTS. IT WILL KILL SOMEONE SOON, IT HAS ALMOST CASED 4 ACCIDENTS WITH MY TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10218089

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

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2007
Suspension

SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY 2006 FORD F 250 I'VE EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT WHEEL OSCILLATION WHEN HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROADWAY, USUALLY AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.. THE FIRST INSTANCE OCCURRED WHEN TRAVELING ON A INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND HITTING A BUMP AT THE EXPANSION JOINT BETWEEN THE ROADWAY AND BRIDGE. AFTER SLOWING TO APROX. 40…

Read full complaint

SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY 2006 FORD F 250 I'VE EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT WHEEL OSCILLATION WHEN HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROADWAY, USUALLY AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.. THE FIRST INSTANCE OCCURRED WHEN TRAVELING ON A INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND HITTING A BUMP AT THE EXPANSION JOINT BETWEEN THE ROADWAY AND BRIDGE. AFTER SLOWING TO APROX. 40 MPH THE EVENT ENDED. HOWEVER, I ALWAYS NOTICE A WHEEL SHIMMY EVEN AT SPEED BELOW 50MPH .THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER AS LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210073

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…

Read full complaint

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

25,001 miles · Nov 5, 2007
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, I HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE FREEWAY AT 65MPH AND NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF MY 2006 F-250. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AND VIOLENTLY. I TRIED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF MY DIRECTION WHICH ONLY HAPPENED AFTER I GOT BELOW 15 MPH. AFTER PULLING OFF THE HIGHWAY, I GOT OUT TO CHECK WHICH TIRE HAD BLOW…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, I HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE FREEWAY AT 65MPH AND NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF MY 2006 F-250. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AND VIOLENTLY. I TRIED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF MY DIRECTION WHICH ONLY HAPPENED AFTER I GOT BELOW 15 MPH. AFTER PULLING OFF THE HIGHWAY, I GOT OUT TO CHECK WHICH TIRE HAD BLOWN AND TO MY SURPRISE ALL WERE FINE. IF I HADN'T HAVE BEEN IN THE FAR RIGHT HAND LANE OF THE FREEWAY, I WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND HURT EITHER MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE. THIS WAS NOT A TYPICAL VEHICLE RESPONSE AND WAS VERY LITERALLY A VIOLENT WHEEL HOP OR FRONT END SUSPENSION MALFUNCTION. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS ISSUE FOR F-250 OWNERS AND ALL WHO TRAVEL AROUND THEM. FORD NEEDS TO RE-CALL THESE FRONT END DEFECTS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. AFTER A THOROUGH SEARCH OF THE INTERNET, I DISCOVERED A MOUNTAIN OF OTHER F-250 OWNERS WHO WERE AND ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SIMILAR RESULTS, MOST CLAIMING THE SAME THING, THESE VEHICLES HAVE A MAJOR LEAGUE PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT END SUSPENSION WHICH WILL UNDOUBTEDLY COST SOMEONE THEIR LIFE SOMEDAY. WHAT IS THE NHTSA DOING TO BRING FORD TO THE TABLE AND GET THIS FIXED? IT'S TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10208006

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.