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2006 Ford F-250

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Ford F-250 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 119.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

191 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 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 78 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports5 fire reports6 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

17 reports
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160,000 miles · Jan 29, 2015
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 3 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT IT FAILED TO RESPOND. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE OIL COOLER, THE EXHAUST BACK PRESSURE SENSOR, …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 3 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT IT FAILED TO RESPOND. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE OIL COOLER, THE EXHAUST BACK PRESSURE SENSOR, THE TURBO AND THE EGR VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10679720

142,000 miles · Jan 26, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel/propulsion System

THE TRUCK WAS ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE (I-81 NEAR BLACKSBURG EXIT 118A,B,C) DRIVING UPHILL. WHILE TRYING TO MERGE INTO THE RIGHT LANE FROM THE MIDDLE LANE, WHILE LETTING OF THE ACCELERATOR THE ENGINE DIES. AT THIS POINT LOST ALL POWER INCLUDING BRAKES AND STEERING CONTROL. SINCE THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE TRUCK THE…

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THE TRUCK WAS ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE (I-81 NEAR BLACKSBURG EXIT 118A,B,C) DRIVING UPHILL. WHILE TRYING TO MERGE INTO THE RIGHT LANE FROM THE MIDDLE LANE, WHILE LETTING OF THE ACCELERATOR THE ENGINE DIES. AT THIS POINT LOST ALL POWER INCLUDING BRAKES AND STEERING CONTROL. SINCE THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE TRUCK THEN WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE FIRST LANE AND GET OFF THE SHOULDER. THE TRUCK DIED AND FORTUNATELY DUE TO LOW TRAFFIC ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SHOULDER. AT THAT POINT, TRIED TO START THE TRUCK AND IT WOULD NOT START SO HAD TO REMAIN ON THE SIDE OF INTERSTATE UNTIL HELP COULD ARRIVE. STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. TRUCK WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. FORD BLOGS INDICATE THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT HAS GONE UNADDRESSED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679037

127,000 miles · May 1, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

UPON ACCELERATION, FROM STOP AT A RED LIGHT, VEHICLE HESITATED (STALLED) TO ACCELERATE. UPON ACCELERATION, AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS, THICK CLOUD OF BLACK SMOKE APPEARED FROM EXHAUST PIPE, AND WHITE SMOKE DISCHARGED FROM ENGINE OIL (FILL) TUBE. VEHICLE CONTINUED WITH DESCRIBED PROBLEM(S) FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP, WHICH WAS APPROXI…

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UPON ACCELERATION, FROM STOP AT A RED LIGHT, VEHICLE HESITATED (STALLED) TO ACCELERATE. UPON ACCELERATION, AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS, THICK CLOUD OF BLACK SMOKE APPEARED FROM EXHAUST PIPE, AND WHITE SMOKE DISCHARGED FROM ENGINE OIL (FILL) TUBE. VEHICLE CONTINUED WITH DESCRIBED PROBLEM(S) FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP, WHICH WAS APPROXIMATELY TEN (10) MINUTES, AND HAS CONTINUED WITH DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS FOR MANY DAYS SINCE. THIS PROBLEM AROSE AFTER SPENDING OVER $2000 TO HAVE SIMILAR ENGINE PROBLEMS FIXED, AT FORD AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. UPON CONTACTING FORD MOTOR COMPANY, DIRECTLY (FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ON FIXING THE PROBLEM FOR THE SECOND TIME), I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO SUCH ASSISTANCE GRANTED. PERIOD. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10456978

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

2006 FORD F-250. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH EGR COOLER/EGR VALVE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PURPOSE OF THE EGR COOLER WAS TO COOL THE EXHAUST. AFTER MAKING SOME INQUIRIES, IT WAS BROUGHT TO HER ATTENTION THAT IT WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED SINCE THE EGR VALVE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED PROPERLY, IT WAS G…

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2006 FORD F-250. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH EGR COOLER/EGR VALVE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PURPOSE OF THE EGR COOLER WAS TO COOL THE EXHAUST. AFTER MAKING SOME INQUIRIES, IT WAS BROUGHT TO HER ATTENTION THAT IT WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED SINCE THE EGR VALVE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED PROPERLY, IT WAS GETTING PLUGGED UP WITH WET CARBON. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST $3,000 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10456213

98,286 miles · Feb 26, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

EGR AND OIL COOLER FAILURE...CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE AND HYDROLOCK SITUATION. THE ENGINE STOPPED THE TRUCK RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE $2542.42. SURE WOULD BE NICE FOR FORD TO HAVE A HAND IN THE REPAIRS DUE TO THEIR FAULTY ENGINE DESIGN. I HAVE READ 100'S O…

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EGR AND OIL COOLER FAILURE...CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE AND HYDROLOCK SITUATION. THE ENGINE STOPPED THE TRUCK RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE $2542.42. SURE WOULD BE NICE FOR FORD TO HAVE A HAND IN THE REPAIRS DUE TO THEIR FAULTY ENGINE DESIGN. I HAVE READ 100'S OF REPORTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS AND FORD STILL WILL NOT FIX OR HELP PAY FOR THEIR ENGINE. FORD REFUSED TO HELP WITH REPAIR COST. I ONLY HAVE 98000K MILES. PLEASE LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION INTO THESE COMPLAINTS. I BELIEVE YOU WILL FIND ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO WARRANT AN INVESTIGATION. I AM SURE THAT THE LOBBYIST AT FORD ARE DOING THEIR JOB TO KEEP THIS FROM BECOMING A RECALL SITUATION. IT IS HURTING NO ONE BUT THE OWNERS OF THIS 6.0L DIESEL ENGINE!!! WE NEED YOUR HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449348

139,000 miles · Jan 19, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment Adaptive/mobilityFuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE A 2006 FORD F250 6.0 IT HAS BEEN TOWED 8 TIMES, I VE HAD TURBO,INJECTOR,ELECTRICAL,WHEEL,TRANS PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE OF PURCHASE. THERES OVER 16 PAGES OF MECHANICAL PROBLEMS THAT HAS BEEN PERFORMED AND COUNTING. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THATS HAVING THESE PROBLEMS AND I CAN'T GET MUCH ASSISTANCE FROM FORD. IT GOING T…

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I HAVE A 2006 FORD F250 6.0 IT HAS BEEN TOWED 8 TIMES, I VE HAD TURBO,INJECTOR,ELECTRICAL,WHEEL,TRANS PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE OF PURCHASE. THERES OVER 16 PAGES OF MECHANICAL PROBLEMS THAT HAS BEEN PERFORMED AND COUNTING. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THATS HAVING THESE PROBLEMS AND I CAN'T GET MUCH ASSISTANCE FROM FORD. IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE LIKE THIS AGENCY TO HELP US. THIS IS ALOT WHEN YOU PAY $51000.00 PLUS ADDITION REPAIRS FOR A VEHICLE WITH A EXTENTED WARR. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10444599

128,000 miles · Dec 30, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING AT ALL SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ALL OF THE SPARK PLUGS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING AT ALL SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ALL OF THE SPARK PLUGS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

NHTSA ODI #10441724

59,000 miles · Oct 19, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension

VIOLENT SHAKING/ VIBRATIONS @ HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I PULLED OVER TO COMPLETE STOP, WAITED, STARTED UP AND VIBRATION STOPPED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 3 OCCASIONS SINCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430766

48,845 miles · Sep 19, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE TRAVELING ON VACATION WITH A TRAVEL TRAILER IN TOW, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ON OUR 2006 FORD-F-250 (WITH A 5.4 LITER ENGINE) INDICATED THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. AFTER STOPPING SEVERAL TIMES ON THE BERM OF AN INTERSTATE, THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE ENGINE WAS HOT. SINCE WE WERE TRAVELING ON A HOLIDAY, THE TRUCK WAS F…

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WHILE TRAVELING ON VACATION WITH A TRAVEL TRAILER IN TOW, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ON OUR 2006 FORD-F-250 (WITH A 5.4 LITER ENGINE) INDICATED THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. AFTER STOPPING SEVERAL TIMES ON THE BERM OF AN INTERSTATE, THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE ENGINE WAS HOT. SINCE WE WERE TRAVELING ON A HOLIDAY, THE TRUCK WAS FIRST TAKEN TO A PEP BOYS LOCATION WHERE THEIR EVALUATION SHOWED THERE WAS NO SIGN OF OVERHEATING. WE WERE ADVISED OF A SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED ON THIS VEHICLE STATING THAT IT MIGHT EXHIBIT FALSE OVERHEATING. SO, WE CONTINUED OUR TRIP. TRUCK CONTINUED TO DISPLAY FALSE READINGS AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO DERATE. AT THIS TIME, WE HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY INSTALLED AN UPDATED COOLANT CROSSOVER TUBE AND THERMOSTAT HOUSING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM OF FALSE OVERHEATING. THIS WORK WAS DONE (PARTS & LABOR) AT A COST TO US OF $645.67 AFTER AAA DISCOUNT. THE COST TO US WAS A SURPRISE, AS THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS NEEDED TO BE DONE TO RECTIFY IT. WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS KNOWN PROBLEM WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN NOT A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE. HOWEVER, IT WAS VERY MUCH A SAFETY ISSUE FOR US AS WE WERE COMPELLED TO STOP SEVERAL TIMES ON THE SIDE OF A BUSY INTERSTATE BEFORE HAVING TO REQUEST THAT THE PICKUP AND TRAVEL TRAILER BE TOWED TO A SAFE LOCATION.

NHTSA ODI #10427254

63,500 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EMITTING SMOKE FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT EGR COOLER, ENGINE COOLER, FUEL INJECTOR AND TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE AND REF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EMITTING SMOKE FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT EGR COOLER, ENGINE COOLER, FUEL INJECTOR AND TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 63,500.

NHTSA ODI #10413993

Official recalls

1

08V344000 · Trailer Hitches

Jul 28, 2008

KNAPHEIDE IS RECALLING 108 MY 2006-2008 PRO SERIES TRUCK BEDS EQUIPPED WITH AN ICC BUMPER WHICH INCLUDED A PROVISION FOR A BALL HITCH. THERE MAY BE AN INSUFFICIENT WELD ATTACHING THE HITCH CHANNEL TO THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN BENDING OF THE HITCH CHANNEL OR THE HITCH COULD BE PULLED OFF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: KNAPHEIDE WILL OFFER TWO REMEDIES TO ITS CUSTOMERS: (1) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO DO NOT USE THE HITCH, THE HITCH WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TRUCK BED AND REPLACED WITH AN ICC BUMPER; OR (2) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO NEED A HITCH, A RECEIVER HITCH ASSEMBLY WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING HITCH ASSEMBLY AND ALL SUSPECT WELD JOINTS WILL BE RE WELDED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KNAPHEIDE AT 1-877-473-5763.

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.