NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
274 reports41,133 miles · Jul 21, 2009
SteeringSuspension
WHILE DRIVING A 2006 F250 SUPER DUTY XL 4X4 ON I-40 THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AT 70 MPH. THIS OCCURRED AFTER DRIVING OVER A BRIDGE. THE VEHICLE SHOOK SO VIOLENTLY IT WAS HARD TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND BRING IT TO A STOP. AFTER THIS INCIDENT IT ALSO OCCURRED THROUGHOUT THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP. APPARENTLY THIS HAS HAPPE…
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WHILE DRIVING A 2006 F250 SUPER DUTY XL 4X4 ON I-40 THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AT 70 MPH. THIS OCCURRED AFTER DRIVING OVER A BRIDGE. THE VEHICLE SHOOK SO VIOLENTLY IT WAS HARD TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND BRING IT TO A STOP. AFTER THIS INCIDENT IT ALSO OCCURRED THROUGHOUT THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP. APPARENTLY THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER DRIVERS OF THIS VEHICLE SINCE IT IS A COMPANY OWNED VEHICLE. AND SEVERAL DEALERS HAVE ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10277579
38,000 miles · Jul 14, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FRONT BRAKES SEIZED UP WHEN DRIVING DOWN ROAD JUST AS WARRANTY WAS TO EXPIRE. CONTACTED DEALER AFTER THIS HAD HAPPENED 4-5 TIMES. DEALER REPLACED FRONT CALIPERS BUT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. 4 MONTHS LATER HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR CALIPERS FOR SEIZURE PROBLEM. FORD DEALER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY COMPENSATION. NOW 2 MONTHS LATER, C…
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FRONT BRAKES SEIZED UP WHEN DRIVING DOWN ROAD JUST AS WARRANTY WAS TO EXPIRE. CONTACTED DEALER AFTER THIS HAD HAPPENED 4-5 TIMES. DEALER REPLACED FRONT CALIPERS BUT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. 4 MONTHS LATER HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR CALIPERS FOR SEIZURE PROBLEM. FORD DEALER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY COMPENSATION. NOW 2 MONTHS LATER, CHECK BRAKE LIGHT IS ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10276714
37,000 miles · Jul 14, 2009
Suspension
SEVERE FRONT END SHIMMY WHEN HITTING POTHOLE OR ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND GOING OVER INTERSTATE BRIDGES. HAVE COME VERY CLOSE TO HITTING OTHER VEHICLES WHEN THIS HAPPENS. HAS HAPPENED OVER 20 TIMES. FORD DEALER SAID TO CHECK TIRE PRESSURE. THAT DID NOT HELP. ALSO SAID TO SLOWLY APPLY PRESSURE TO BRA…
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SEVERE FRONT END SHIMMY WHEN HITTING POTHOLE OR ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND GOING OVER INTERSTATE BRIDGES. HAVE COME VERY CLOSE TO HITTING OTHER VEHICLES WHEN THIS HAPPENS. HAS HAPPENED OVER 20 TIMES. FORD DEALER SAID TO CHECK TIRE PRESSURE. THAT DID NOT HELP. ALSO SAID TO SLOWLY APPLY PRESSURE TO BRAKES AND SLOW DOWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10276713
27,344 miles · Jul 4, 2009
SteeringSuspension
I OWN A 2006 FORD F-250 EXT CAB TRUCK AND I AM EXPERIENCING A HYPER-SHAKE IN THE FRONT END AFTER HITTING UN EVEN SURFACES. THE HYPER-SHAKE MAINLY HAPPENS WHEN GOING SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH. I LIVE ON A DIRT RODE WITH LOTS OF POT HOLES AND EVEN WHEN DRIVING SLOW THE FRONT END BOUNCES ALL OVER THE RODE.I BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO A FORD DEA…
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I OWN A 2006 FORD F-250 EXT CAB TRUCK AND I AM EXPERIENCING A HYPER-SHAKE IN THE FRONT END AFTER HITTING UN EVEN SURFACES. THE HYPER-SHAKE MAINLY HAPPENS WHEN GOING SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH. I LIVE ON A DIRT RODE WITH LOTS OF POT HOLES AND EVEN WHEN DRIVING SLOW THE FRONT END BOUNCES ALL OVER THE RODE.I BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO A FORD DEALER AND THEY FOUND AND REPLACED THE STEERING STABILIZER. IT HAD A SLIGHT BEND IN IT. IT HELPED A LITTLE BUT TRUCK STILL SHAKING WHEN HITTING ANY BUMPS. THE SHAKE IS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. WHILE EXPERIENCING THE HYPER-SHAKE YOUR BRAKES DO NOT SLOW IT DOWN QUICK ENOUGH AND I VEERED INTO ANOTHER LANE WHILE GOING 65MPH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10275738
50,000 miles · Jun 26, 2009
Steering
WHEN DRIVING WHEN YOU GO OVER A BUMP ,RXR CROSSING OR MAN HOLE COVER THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SEVERELY SHAKES TO THE POINT YOU HAVE TO JAM ON THE BRAKES OR WRECK. I REPLACED THE STEERING STABILIZER AS INSTRUCTED TO BUT THE OUTCOME HAS NOT CHANGED. I HAVE CALLED FORD NUMEROUS TIMES,BOTH THE DEALER AND FORD MANUFACTURER. THEY…
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WHEN DRIVING WHEN YOU GO OVER A BUMP ,RXR CROSSING OR MAN HOLE COVER THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SEVERELY SHAKES TO THE POINT YOU HAVE TO JAM ON THE BRAKES OR WRECK. I REPLACED THE STEERING STABILIZER AS INSTRUCTED TO BUT THE OUTCOME HAS NOT CHANGED. I HAVE CALLED FORD NUMEROUS TIMES,BOTH THE DEALER AND FORD MANUFACTURER. THEY BOTH ACT LIKE THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS SEVERE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10275011
43,000 miles · Jun 24, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE IN ONE DAY ON FORD F250 5.4 GAS ENGINE WITH 43,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10274810
56,000 miles · May 25, 2009
SteeringSuspension
PURCHASED A 2006 F250 SUPER DUTY 8-08 USED WITH 56,000 MILES. 5 TIMES SINCE THEN TRUCK AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OVER A SMALL BUMP WILL GO OUT OF CONTROL STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VERY BAD AND TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO REGAIN CONTROL. LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED TRUCK SWERVED OVER 2 LANES AND ON TO SHOULDER BEFORE RE GAINING CONTROL. OTHERS HA…
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PURCHASED A 2006 F250 SUPER DUTY 8-08 USED WITH 56,000 MILES. 5 TIMES SINCE THEN TRUCK AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OVER A SMALL BUMP WILL GO OUT OF CONTROL STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VERY BAD AND TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO REGAIN CONTROL. LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED TRUCK SWERVED OVER 2 LANES AND ON TO SHOULDER BEFORE RE GAINING CONTROL. OTHERS HAVE HAD SAME EXPERIENCE IN SAME TRUCK. REPLACED TIRES DID NOT CURE PROBLEM. WAS A FORD MECHANIC AT A DEALERSHIP FOR 5YRS. INSPECTED TRUCK MY SELF ALL SUSPENSION PARTS AND STEERING COMPONENTS ARE TIGHT AND IN GOOD SHAPE. WONT LET MY WIFE AND CHILD RIDE OR DRIVE THIS VEHICLE RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM FORD THAT STATED IMPROPER TIRE PRESSURE IS THE PROBLEM, I WILL ASSURE YOU THAT IT IS NOT!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10269858
103,000 miles · May 18, 2009
Suspension
FRONT WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY ON FORD 2006 F-250 SD. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIME IN THE LAST YEAR. TOTAL REPLACE OF ASSEMBLY COST @$1000.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10269022
20,000 miles · May 11, 2009
SteeringTires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND MADE A RATTLING NOISE. THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ORDER TO STOP THE SHAKING, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SLOWED DOWN TO A MINIMUM SPEED OF 50 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE I…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND MADE A RATTLING NOISE. THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ORDER TO STOP THE SHAKING, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SLOWED DOWN TO A MINIMUM SPEED OF 50 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES CAUSED THE SHAKING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER, WHICH STATED THAT HIS MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. FORD IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 06/08/09 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE STEERING DAMPENER WAS TOO SMALL FOR THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 06/18/09
NHTSA ODI #10268431
57,779 miles · May 10, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
2006 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY, DIESEL, 6.0 L, 4X4, CREW CAB, SHORT BED: TOTAL LOSS OF THROTTLE RESPONSE WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE RUNS, BUT THE TRUCK COMPLETELY STOPS AND WILL NOT MOVE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. THERE IS NO ADVANCE WARNING. IT JUST STOPS MOVING RIGHT WHERE IT IS. THIS HAS HAPPENED FIVE TIMES NOW WITHIN TWO …
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2006 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY, DIESEL, 6.0 L, 4X4, CREW CAB, SHORT BED: TOTAL LOSS OF THROTTLE RESPONSE WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE RUNS, BUT THE TRUCK COMPLETELY STOPS AND WILL NOT MOVE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. THERE IS NO ADVANCE WARNING. IT JUST STOPS MOVING RIGHT WHERE IT IS. THIS HAS HAPPENED FIVE TIMES NOW WITHIN TWO MONTHS AND 2500 MILES DRIVING. THE EGR VALVE HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES OR CLEANED THE OTHER TIMES, BUT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE ON THE ROAD BECAUSE IT STOPS SUDDENLY RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRAFFIC LANE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10268340
Official recalls
1Jul 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
2EA08007 · 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.
Illustration