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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

What owners actually said

221 reports
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

109,000 miles · Jan 15, 2012
Suspension

THE "DEATH WOBBLE" OCCURRED IN MY VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING ALONE WITH NO TRAILER AND THE BED WAS EMPTY. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES, THE FIRST WHILE TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON THE 5FWY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. AT THE TIME THE SHAKING WAS SO VIOLENT THAT I THOUGHT THAT I HAD BLOWN A TIRE AND PULLED OVER. I HAD JUST PURCHASED TH…

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THE "DEATH WOBBLE" OCCURRED IN MY VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING ALONE WITH NO TRAILER AND THE BED WAS EMPTY. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES, THE FIRST WHILE TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON THE 5FWY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. AT THE TIME THE SHAKING WAS SO VIOLENT THAT I THOUGHT THAT I HAD BLOWN A TIRE AND PULLED OVER. I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE SAME ISSUE IS ALREADY UNDER INVESTIGATION: PE07057.

NHTSA ODI #10443876

62,000 miles · Dec 30, 2011
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DEFECT THE CAUSES OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED ADDING FRONT DAMPERS TO THE VEHICLE BUT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DEFECT THE CAUSES OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED ADDING FRONT DAMPERS TO THE VEHICLE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY EQUIPPED WITH STOCK DAMPERS THAT DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #10441780

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

28,000 miles · Dec 27, 2011
SteeringSuspension

AFTER "SHUTTER" INCIDENT (THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE PURCHASED NEW) VEHICLE STEERING WOULD NO TURN TO THE LEFT. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS A FULL RIGHT TURN THEN FAST FORCED LEFT TURN A POP/ CRACK OCCURRED WHICH THEN ALLOWED RESTRICTED LEFT TURN. STEERING LOCKED SEVERAL MORE TIMES WHILE TRYING TO SAFELY EXIT THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10441407

2,000 miles · Dec 21, 2011
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY WHEN TRAVELING OVER A ROAD OR SPEED BUMP. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A MANU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY WHEN TRAVELING OVER A ROAD OR SPEED BUMP. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING THE VIBRATION, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE STATING THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN ALTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000. KMJ

NHTSA ODI #10440829

45,000 miles · Dec 15, 2011
Steering

TRUCK BEGAN TO HAVE A STEERING WOBBLE. STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE BECAUSE WHEELS WERE JUMPING ON THE PAVEMENT. PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. CURRENTLY AT 70K MILES DRIVING SPEED ANYWHERE BETWEEN 30 AND 70 MPH, WHEN I DRIVE OVER A BUMP, HIT A SMALL POT HOLE OR EVEN THE SMALLEST DIP ON THE ROAD SURFACE THE TRUCK BEGINS TO SHAKE VI…

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TRUCK BEGAN TO HAVE A STEERING WOBBLE. STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE BECAUSE WHEELS WERE JUMPING ON THE PAVEMENT. PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. CURRENTLY AT 70K MILES DRIVING SPEED ANYWHERE BETWEEN 30 AND 70 MPH, WHEN I DRIVE OVER A BUMP, HIT A SMALL POT HOLE OR EVEN THE SMALLEST DIP ON THE ROAD SURFACE THE TRUCK BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY, BEST WAY TO STOP IT IS TO APPLY BRAKES HARD UNTIL TRUCK REACHES A MUCH LOWER SPEED. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING BEHIND OTHER TRUCKS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING IT AND CAN SEE THE FRONT WHEELS SHAKING HARD AND QUICK, LEFT, RIGHT, UP AND DOWN ( VIBRATING) ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440021

53,500 miles · Dec 13, 2011
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING OVER ANY ROAD BUMP OR UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE NEEDED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING OVER ANY ROAD BUMP OR UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE TIRES AND RECOMMENDED CHECKING THE TIRE PRESSURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

NHTSA ODI #10439799

50 miles · Dec 12, 2011
SteeringSuspension

I AM HAVING SEVERE VIBRATION AND STEERING ISSUES THE THIS MODEL. I CAN NOT DRIVE IT WITHOUT HURTING MY BACK. THE TRUCK NEEDS A COMPLETE SUSPENSION OVERHAUL. SHOULD BE TAKING OFF THE ROAD. VERY DANGEROUS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10439666

74,000 miles · Dec 10, 2011
SteeringSuspension

SHIMMING VIOLENTLY, HARD TO GET THE VIBRATION TO STOP. THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN AND STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING BACK AND FORTH. THE FRONT TIRES MUST HAVE BEEN SHAKING ALSO, SINCE THE AUTO ALONG SIDE OF ME PULLED WAY BACK AWAY FROM MY RIGHT SIDE. I DROVE OVER A DIP AND A BUMP IN THE ROADWAY AND THEN IT HAPPENED. THE TIRES ARE AT …

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SHIMMING VIOLENTLY, HARD TO GET THE VIBRATION TO STOP. THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN AND STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING BACK AND FORTH. THE FRONT TIRES MUST HAVE BEEN SHAKING ALSO, SINCE THE AUTO ALONG SIDE OF ME PULLED WAY BACK AWAY FROM MY RIGHT SIDE. I DROVE OVER A DIP AND A BUMP IN THE ROADWAY AND THEN IT HAPPENED. THE TIRES ARE AT THE RIGHT AIR PRESSURE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE. ALSO THE TRUCK IS A DIESEL 4X4. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10439269

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.