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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
1,200 miles · Mar 4, 2010
Suspension

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY 2006 FORD F-250. MY FRONT END WANTS TO VEER OFF THE ROAD WHEN I HIT POT HOLES IN THE ROAD. I HAVE TRAVELED THE SAME ROADS WITH MY WORK TRUCK, 2006 F-150 AND HAVE LITTLE OR NO PROBLEMS COMPARED TO THE F250. I HAVE TAKEN MY TRUCK TO THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE TRUCK FROM AND HAVE NO SUCCESS GETTING THE PRO…

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I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY 2006 FORD F-250. MY FRONT END WANTS TO VEER OFF THE ROAD WHEN I HIT POT HOLES IN THE ROAD. I HAVE TRAVELED THE SAME ROADS WITH MY WORK TRUCK, 2006 F-150 AND HAVE LITTLE OR NO PROBLEMS COMPARED TO THE F250. I HAVE TAKEN MY TRUCK TO THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE TRUCK FROM AND HAVE NO SUCCESS GETTING THE PROBLEM RESOLVED.*TR

NHTSA ODI #10316933

45,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Suspension

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) WITHIN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF I PURCHASED A 2006 FORD F-250, DIESEL, 4 WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK. ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS,WHILE DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER HITTING A POT HOLE OR BUMP,MY TRUCK WENT INTO A VIOLENT FRONT …

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INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) WITHIN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF I PURCHASED A 2006 FORD F-250, DIESEL, 4 WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK. ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS,WHILE DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER HITTING A POT HOLE OR BUMP,MY TRUCK WENT INTO A VIOLENT FRONT END WOBBLE/CAVITATION CAUSING A SUDDEN REDUCTION OF SPEED TO ZERO FROM APPROX 70 MPH. ALL THREE TIMES IT FELT AS IF THE TRUCK WAS COMING APART AND HAD TO DODGE TRAFFIC AND GET TO THE SHOULDER TO INSPECT THE TRUCK. AFTER FINDING NOTHING WRONG I CONTACTED OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO LOOK AT THE TRUCK AND THEY TRIED DIFFERENT AIR PRESS CHANGES IN THE TIRES, AND RE-ALIGNMENT, NOTHING HAS HELPED AND THEY REFUSE TO LOOK ANY FURTHER. I STARTED RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF FORD F-250 TRUCK OWNERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. YOU CAN GOOGLE "FORD 250 DEATH WOBBLE" OR "FORD F250 VIOLENT SHAKING" AND READ FOR YOUR SELF THE STORIES OF NEAR ACCIDENTS AND PROBLEMS FORD REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE IN THE DESIGN OF THESE TRUCKS. HERE RECENTLY FORD MOTOR CO. HAS CAME OUT WITH A SERVICE BULLETIN WERE I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE FORD FIX THIS PROBLEM. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY $40,000 FOR A TRUCK THAT HAS A DESIGN FLAW AND PAY FOR THE FIX,OUT OF MY OWN POCKET AS WELL. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE ON THESE TRUCKS BEFORE PEOPLE GET KILLED,WHY SHOULD SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE FIRST BEFORE FORD WILL DO ANYTHING. ANY HELP YOU CAN GENERATE ON THIS WOULD BE AWESOME."THIS IS NOT A TIRE PRESS PROBLEM, BUT RATHER A DESIGN FLAW." YOUR REPORT SOUNDS LIKE YOU SIDE WITH MONEY INSTEAD OF CONSUMER SAFETY. [XXX] *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314410

116,500 miles · Jan 30, 2010
SteeringCrash

THE TIE ROD BROKE AND I LOST ALL STEERING. I ARRIVED AT AN INTERSECTION WHERE THE STREET I WAS ON IS REQUIRED TO STOP. I WAS TURNING TO THE LEFT SO AS I WAS ACCELERATING THROUGH THE TURN AND THE INTERSECTION ALL STEERING DISAPPEARED AND I FOUND MYSELF IN THE DITCH AND FRONT YARD OF A NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE ROLLING OVER HIS GAS MAIN.…

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THE TIE ROD BROKE AND I LOST ALL STEERING. I ARRIVED AT AN INTERSECTION WHERE THE STREET I WAS ON IS REQUIRED TO STOP. I WAS TURNING TO THE LEFT SO AS I WAS ACCELERATING THROUGH THE TURN AND THE INTERSECTION ALL STEERING DISAPPEARED AND I FOUND MYSELF IN THE DITCH AND FRONT YARD OF A NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE ROLLING OVER HIS GAS MAIN. THIS OF COURSE CREATED ADVERSE SECONDARY EFFECTS, BUT WHAT IF THE TIE ROD HAD BROKEN WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY, THE RESULTS WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH DIFFERENT. I WAS NOT HURT NOR WAS ANYONE ELSE, BUT A TIE ROD IS DESIGNED TO OUT LAST THE LIFE OF A VEHICLE. THERE WAS OBVIOUSLY A FLAW IN THIS PARTICULAR PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10303287

40,000 miles · Jan 1, 2010
Suspension

2006 F250 FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY I HAD NEAR MISS ON A HEAD ON COLLISION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10297729

60,800 miles · Nov 4, 2009
Steering

WAS DRIVING NORTH ON I-95 ON 31 OCT 2009 WITH A 12' TRAILER FULL OF POTTERY IN TOW SPEED BETWEEN 75 AND 80. JUST COMPLETED TRANSITION FROM BRIDGE BACK TO HIGHWAY WHEN TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. INITIAL REACTION WAS A BLOWOUT BUT QUICKLY REALIZED THAT THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM MY DAUGHTER INCURRED A WEEK EARLIER. SLOWED T…

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WAS DRIVING NORTH ON I-95 ON 31 OCT 2009 WITH A 12' TRAILER FULL OF POTTERY IN TOW SPEED BETWEEN 75 AND 80. JUST COMPLETED TRANSITION FROM BRIDGE BACK TO HIGHWAY WHEN TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. INITIAL REACTION WAS A BLOWOUT BUT QUICKLY REALIZED THAT THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM MY DAUGHTER INCURRED A WEEK EARLIER. SLOWED TRUCK DOWN AND WORKED WAY ACROSS HIGHWAY TO SHOULDER OF ROAD TO CHECK OUT THE SITUATION. AFTER VERIFYING NO TIRES WERE FLAT AND STEERING WAS ALL IN TACT RESUMED TRIP (VERY CAUTIOUSLY) TO NC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290898

50,000 miles · Oct 28, 2009
SteeringSuspension

THE FAILURE OCCURS WHEN YOUR 2006 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY IS MOVING 45-65 MPH AND YOU HIT A BUMP, THE TRUCK STEERING BECOMES OSCILLATING AND YOU CAN EASILY LOOSE CONTROL IF YOU DON'T SLOW DOWN IMMEDIATELY. IT FEELS LIKE THE TIRE IS COMING LOOSE. WE HAVE TALKED TO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE CURRENTLY HAS TWO OTHER TRUCKS WITH THE SA…

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THE FAILURE OCCURS WHEN YOUR 2006 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY IS MOVING 45-65 MPH AND YOU HIT A BUMP, THE TRUCK STEERING BECOMES OSCILLATING AND YOU CAN EASILY LOOSE CONTROL IF YOU DON'T SLOW DOWN IMMEDIATELY. IT FEELS LIKE THE TIRE IS COMING LOOSE. WE HAVE TALKED TO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE CURRENTLY HAS TWO OTHER TRUCKS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS AND IS NOT SURE HOW TO FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290181

33,000 miles · Oct 15, 2009
StructureSuspension

EXTREME SHAKING AND NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL AFTER CROSSING OVER A MINIMAL BUMP AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH. HAPPENED 9 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST TWO YEARS. ONLY WAY TO END SHAKING WAS TO LEAVE THE ROADWAY AND SLAM ON THE BRAKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10288602

16,122 miles · Sep 9, 2009
SteeringSuspension

I OWN A 2006 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY. IT HAS JUST PASSED 16,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I DRIVE ON A HIGHWAY AND HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. IT RADIATES THROUGH THE WHOLE VEHICLE AND IT BECOMES VERY HARD TO CONTROL AND YOUR ONLY OPTION IS TO SLOW DOWN AND WAIT FOR IT TO PASS. I WILL NO LO…

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I OWN A 2006 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY. IT HAS JUST PASSED 16,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I DRIVE ON A HIGHWAY AND HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. IT RADIATES THROUGH THE WHOLE VEHICLE AND IT BECOMES VERY HARD TO CONTROL AND YOUR ONLY OPTION IS TO SLOW DOWN AND WAIT FOR IT TO PASS. I WILL NO LONGER ALLOW MY CHILDREN TO RIDE IN MY TRUCK AS I FEEL IT IS VERY UNSAFE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE. FORD SENT OUT A BULLETIN TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES THAT WE MUST CHANGE OUR TIRE PRESSURE TO 65 PSI, BUT THIS STILL DOES NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283392

10,000 miles · Aug 20, 2009
Suspension

MY 2006 FORD F250 4WD SUPERDUTY PICKUP SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHENEVER I HIT THE SMALLEST POTHOLE OR DRIVE OVER RAILROAD TRACKS. IT IS A DANGER TO MYSELF, MY CHILDREN AND ANYONE DRIVING AROUND ME ON THE ROAD. TOOK THE TRUCK TO MY DEALER AND ALMOST GOT THROWN OUT AFTER GETTING INTO AN ARGUMENT WITH BOTH THE MECHANIC AND SVC MANAGER WHO…

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MY 2006 FORD F250 4WD SUPERDUTY PICKUP SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHENEVER I HIT THE SMALLEST POTHOLE OR DRIVE OVER RAILROAD TRACKS. IT IS A DANGER TO MYSELF, MY CHILDREN AND ANYONE DRIVING AROUND ME ON THE ROAD. TOOK THE TRUCK TO MY DEALER AND ALMOST GOT THROWN OUT AFTER GETTING INTO AN ARGUMENT WITH BOTH THE MECHANIC AND SVC MANAGER WHO SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRUCK, THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM AND I NEED TO BUY NEW TIRES. TIRES ARE BRAND NEW WITH LESS THAN 20K ON THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281230

68,000 miles · Jul 15, 2009
Suspension

I DRIVE A 2006 F250 AND IT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING VIOLET FRONT END VIBRATIONS. THIS OCCURS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP TO GET IT TO RETURN TO NORMAL. IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT THE OTHER DAY WHEN I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO 10 MILES PER HOUR ON THE FREEWAY TO GET IT TO STOP. FORD CLAIMS IT IS TIRE PRESSURE BU…

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I DRIVE A 2006 F250 AND IT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING VIOLET FRONT END VIBRATIONS. THIS OCCURS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP TO GET IT TO RETURN TO NORMAL. IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT THE OTHER DAY WHEN I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO 10 MILES PER HOUR ON THE FREEWAY TO GET IT TO STOP. FORD CLAIMS IT IS TIRE PRESSURE BUT HAD TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED TWO DAYS PRIOR. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR DESIGN ISSUE AND A VERY DANGEROUS ONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10276935

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.