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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

Suspension complaints

144 reports
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30,000 miles · Jan 19, 2010
Suspension

SEVERE SHAKING AND VIBRATION AFTER HITTING ROUGH PAVEMENT, BRIDGE TRANSITION, POTHOLE. HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO BELOW 40 MPH TO GET IT TO STOP. ALMOST VIBRATED INTO NEXT LANE HITTING OTHER VEHICLE ON INTERSTATE. VERY DANGEROUS. HAS HAPPENED OVER 25 TIMES IN PAST YEAR OR SO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10300231

41,434 miles · Dec 31, 2009
Suspension

I HAVE A 2006 FORD F250 2 WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK WITH 41,500 MILES ON IT. WHILE ON A TRIP, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS SEIZED UP REQUIRING IT TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THE INNER RACE OF THE BEARING WAS GALLED (WELDED) ONTO THE SPINDLE REQUIRING NOT ONLY REPLACEMENT OF THE BEARINGS BUT REPLACEMENT OF THE SPINDLE. THE RIG…

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I HAVE A 2006 FORD F250 2 WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK WITH 41,500 MILES ON IT. WHILE ON A TRIP, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS SEIZED UP REQUIRING IT TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THE INNER RACE OF THE BEARING WAS GALLED (WELDED) ONTO THE SPINDLE REQUIRING NOT ONLY REPLACEMENT OF THE BEARINGS BUT REPLACEMENT OF THE SPINDLE. THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE ALSO CHECKED FOR DAMAGE AND FOUND TO BE ALSO DEFECTIVE AND WERE REPLACED. NORMALLY, FRONT BEARINGS LAST IN EXCESS OF 100,000 MILES WITHOUT SERVICE. IF I WERE TO KEEP DRIVING ON THE SEIZED BEARING, I COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY KILLED SOMEONE. FORD HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN #06129 AND NHTSA #10020174 WHICH COVERS "NOISY" FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. THE FIX IS TO REPLACE THE BEARINGS AND INSTALL MOISTURE AND DUST SHIELDS WHICH DO NOT COME WITH A NEW VEHICLE AT THE CUSTOMER EXPENSE. THE REASON WHY THE BEARINGS FAILED IS BECAUSE WATER INTRUDES INTO THE BEARING AREA AND WASHES AWAY OR DILUTES THE GREASE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL SINCE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH. FORD SHOULD PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS WHETHER FORD DID THEM OR NOT. THEY ARE REFUSING TO PAY FOR MY REPAIR SINCE IT WAS NOT DONE AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10297689

90,000 miles · Dec 1, 2009
Suspension

I OWN A 2006 F-250 SD. THE TRUCK WAS BOUGHT USED,ALSO HAS PRO COMP SUSPENSION LIFT AND OVERSIZED TIRES.DRIVING AT 45 50 MPH IF YOU HIT ANY KIND OF IRREGULARITIES ON THE ROAD SURFACE AND THE TRUCK STARTS SHAKING VIOLENTLY TO THE POINT OF LOSS OF CONTROL UNTIL TRUCK IS ALMOST STOPPED. I'M SURE FORD WILL BLAME THIS ON MY SUSPENSIO…

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I OWN A 2006 F-250 SD. THE TRUCK WAS BOUGHT USED,ALSO HAS PRO COMP SUSPENSION LIFT AND OVERSIZED TIRES.DRIVING AT 45 50 MPH IF YOU HIT ANY KIND OF IRREGULARITIES ON THE ROAD SURFACE AND THE TRUCK STARTS SHAKING VIOLENTLY TO THE POINT OF LOSS OF CONTROL UNTIL TRUCK IS ALMOST STOPPED. I'M SURE FORD WILL BLAME THIS ON MY SUSPENSION LIFT / TIRES. ONLY PROBLEM WITH THAT IS ITS HAPPENING TO STOCK TRUCKS AT AN ALARMING RATE FROM WHAT I'VE READ HERE AND ELSEWHERE. THIS WILL CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH IF IT HASN'T ALREADY. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS IE THE TIRE PRESSURE LETTER( NOT THE PROBLEM ). THIS MUST BE ADDRESSED NOW. SOON WILL BE TO LATE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10294177

10,000 miles · Nov 11, 2009
Suspension

FRONT END BOUNCES VIOLENTLY IF YOU HIT AS LIGHT BUMP IN THE FREEWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10291872

20,000 miles · Oct 8, 2009
Suspension

FORD F250 2006 VIOLENTLY SHAKES WHEN IT HITS A BUMP AT 40+ MILES A HOUR. YOU HAVE TO BRAKE LIGHTLY TO GET IT TO STOP. THOSE IN THE TRUCK AND AROUND THE TRUCK ARE AT RISK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10286809

49,000 miles · Oct 7, 2009
Suspension

1. I OWN A 2006 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY TRUCK AND WHEN I HIT THE SMALLEST POT HOLE OR BUMP IN THE ROAD MY TUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY TO THE POINT OF LOSING CONTROL. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VIOLENT SHAKING IS TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME (6) TIMES OVER THE LAST MONTH. I DRIVE 80 MILE ROUND TRIP TO WORK ON THE INTE…

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1. I OWN A 2006 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY TRUCK AND WHEN I HIT THE SMALLEST POT HOLE OR BUMP IN THE ROAD MY TUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY TO THE POINT OF LOSING CONTROL. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VIOLENT SHAKING IS TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME (6) TIMES OVER THE LAST MONTH. I DRIVE 80 MILE ROUND TRIP TO WORK ON THE INTERSTATE EVERY DAY. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS TRUCK ANYMORE IN FEAR OF KILLING MYSELF OR ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE ROAD WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY WELL KNOW ISSUE. I WILL BE CONTACTING FORD TODAY AND SEE IF THEY HAVE ANY FIXES. BASED ON MY RESEARCH FORD SEEMS TO BLOW OFF THIS ISSUE AND HAS NOT CAME UP WITH A FIX. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND MAY END UP KILLING SOMEONE BEFORE THEY (FORD) TAKES IS SERIOUSLY.*TR

NHTSA ODI #10286629

20,000 miles · Oct 1, 2009
Suspension

WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD MY 2006 F250 4X4 STARTS SHAKING LIKE A TIRE IS FALLING OFF. I REPLACED THE STEERING STABILIZER AND SHOCKS WHICH FIXED IT FOR 20, 000 MILES BUT NOW IT IS BACK TO SHAKING. IT IS TO THE POINT THAT I HAVE TO BORROW MY DADS TRUCK IF I NEED ONE TO HAUL BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THAT MY TRUCK IS GOING TO GO OFF …

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WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD MY 2006 F250 4X4 STARTS SHAKING LIKE A TIRE IS FALLING OFF. I REPLACED THE STEERING STABILIZER AND SHOCKS WHICH FIXED IT FOR 20, 000 MILES BUT NOW IT IS BACK TO SHAKING. IT IS TO THE POINT THAT I HAVE TO BORROW MY DADS TRUCK IF I NEED ONE TO HAUL BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THAT MY TRUCK IS GOING TO GO OFF THE ROAD OR IN ANOTHER LANE. IT JUST SITS BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO KILL MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE AND I DON'T WANT TO SELL IT LIKE IT IS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285983

16,000 miles · Sep 25, 2009
SteeringSuspension

LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO FRONT-END SHIMMY. VIOLENT SHAKING OF STEERING WHEEL AND SHAKING OF TRUCK. OCCURS AT 49MPH EVERYTIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285188

42,395 miles · Sep 18, 2009
SteeringSuspension

HIGH SPEED WOBBLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284573

23,000 miles · Sep 4, 2009
Suspension

HELLO; I HAVE A 2006 FORD SUPER DUTY 4X4 DIESEL. I HAVE LOW MILES 23,000 AND NO MODIFICATIONS TO TRUCK. I HAVE HAD A FEW TIMES WHERE THE FRONT END WILL SHAKE AFTER HITTING A POT HOLE OR BRIDGE BUMP. IT NOW DID THIS AGAIN ON 9/2/2009 AND WAS VIOLENT AND DANGEROUS, ALMOST LOST CONTROL. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET THIS MORNI…

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HELLO; I HAVE A 2006 FORD SUPER DUTY 4X4 DIESEL. I HAVE LOW MILES 23,000 AND NO MODIFICATIONS TO TRUCK. I HAVE HAD A FEW TIMES WHERE THE FRONT END WILL SHAKE AFTER HITTING A POT HOLE OR BRIDGE BUMP. IT NOW DID THIS AGAIN ON 9/2/2009 AND WAS VIOLENT AND DANGEROUS, ALMOST LOST CONTROL. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET THIS MORNING AND ITS CALLED THE 'DEATH WOBBLE' AND SEEMS ALOT OF FORD SUPER DUTY'S ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE ADVISE ME WHAT STEPS TO TAKE AS I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED. THANKS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282830

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.