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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
11,000 miles · Mar 19, 2016
SteeringSuspensionWheels

TRUCK "DEATH WOBBLE" - DRI\VING ON I 25 AT ABOUT 60 MPH WE HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE TRUCK BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE. WE THOUGHT WE HAD A BLOWOUT, BUT THE TIRES WERE OK. IN FACT, BEFORE OUR TRIP WE HAD OUR TIRES CHECKED AND WERE TOLD THEY WERE FINE. AFTER GOING TO A DEALER I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PRO…

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TRUCK "DEATH WOBBLE" - DRI\VING ON I 25 AT ABOUT 60 MPH WE HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE TRUCK BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE. WE THOUGHT WE HAD A BLOWOUT, BUT THE TIRES WERE OK. IN FACT, BEFORE OUR TRIP WE HAD OUR TIRES CHECKED AND WERE TOLD THEY WERE FINE. AFTER GOING TO A DEALER I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM CALLED THE "DEATH WOBBLE". IT IS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TIRES AS FORD WOULD LIKE TO ASSUME. I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM FORD IN DEC 2015 ACKNOWLEDGING THE "SEVERE VIBRATION" AND BLAMING IT ON THE TIRES. IT IS NOT THE TIRES IT IS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT. WHAT IS BEING DONE REGARDING A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? UNLESS YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED THE VIOLENT SHAKING YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW TERRIFYING IT IS AND THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A SERIOUS IF NOT DEADLY ACCIDENT. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE COMPLAINING AS I HAVE READ NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS ON FORUMS, SEEN YOUTUBE VIDEOS AND HAD THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM A DEALER ABOUT THE PROBLEM!!!. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ODI #10850525

60,000 miles · Mar 14, 2016
SteeringSuspension

PLEASE REOPEN THIS INVESTIGATION. EVERY PERSON THAT I KNOW WITH A FORD F250 4X4 HAS THIS PROBLEM ON OCCASION. YOUR FAILURE TO MAKE FORD FIX WILL KILL SOMEONE. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE? DATE INVESTIGATION OPENED: MAR 14, 2008 DATE INVESTIGATION CLOSED: MAR 31, 2009 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08007 COMPONENT(S): SUSP…

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PLEASE REOPEN THIS INVESTIGATION. EVERY PERSON THAT I KNOW WITH A FORD F250 4X4 HAS THIS PROBLEM ON OCCASION. YOUR FAILURE TO MAKE FORD FIX WILL KILL SOMEONE. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE? DATE INVESTIGATION OPENED: MAR 14, 2008 DATE INVESTIGATION CLOSED: MAR 31, 2009 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08007 COMPONENT(S): SUSPENSION MY TRUCK HAS 60,000 MILES NOW AND I HAVE REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES NEARLY 3 DIFFERENT TIMES IN THE LAST 15,000 MILES. THAT'S AN AVERAGE OF TIRES LAST 5000 MILES. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES, AND CONSTANTLY GET A "RUN-AROUND" THAT IT'S THE TIRES. MY TIRES ARE PROPERLY INFLATED. YESTERDAY, I WAS TRAVELLING ON INTERSTATE 45 YESTERDAY AT 70 MPH'S AND TRAFFIC SUDDENLY SLOWED TO A CRAWL. I HAD TO APPLY MY BRAKES AGGRESSIVELY AND WHEN I HIT A CERTAIN SPEED BETWEEN 35MPH AND 60 MPH, THE TRUCK BEGAN TO RANDOMLY BOUNCE AND WAS COMPLETELY UNCONTROLLABLE. I COULDN'T EVEN STEER. I NEARLY CRASHED INTO SEVERAL VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. WHILE THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS VIOLENTLY BOUNCING (IT BOUNCED SO VIOLENTLY IT BROKE A FOLDING DOWN TV MOUNT / MOUNTED IN THE CEILING OF THE TRUCK), I HUNG ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL FOR DEAR LIFE (LIKE HANGING ONTO A BULL 8 SECONDS) AND CONTINUED TO SLOW EVEN FURTHER, AND ULTIMATELY HAD TO DRIVE OFF INTO THE GRASS ELSE I WAS GOING TO CRASH. THE DEATH WOBBLE WENT AWAY WHEN I APPROACHED A COMPLETE STOP < 15MPH. IN THE SAME TRUCK, I HAVE HAD THIS DEATH WOBBLE INCIDENT HAPPEN OVER 200 TIMES SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE EVEN HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM HAPPEN WHILE HAULING CAR'S ON CAR TRAILERS. IT IS SCARY. AFTER MARKET MFRS MAKE CLAIMS THAT IT'S DUE TO THE TRACK BAR AND BUSHINGS AND THESE KITS ARE AVAILABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE, BUT FORD AND THE TSA DENIES ITS A REAL PROBLEM. BEFORE I PAY OUT THOUSANDS FOR A AFTERMARKET SUSPENSION, I EXPECT FORD TO FIX THIS, THE CORRECT WAY.

NHTSA ODI #10849567

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2016
Engine

I REPLACED THE RADIATOR 3 TIMES AND CHANGE THE THERMOSTAT TO ,THE RADIATOR KEEPS POPPING, IT'S GETTING OLD,I ALSO CHANGED THE HEATER CORE AND IT POPPED . MAN WHAT IS GOING ON.IT HAPPENS WHEN I'M STATIONERY SITTING OVER NIGHT AT HOME.

NHTSA ODI #10821167

95,000 miles · Jan 18, 2016
SteeringSuspension

TRUCK VIOLENTLY SHAKES AFTER HITTING A BUMP OR DIP IN THE ROAD AND DOESN'T STOP UNTIL I SLOW DOWN TO ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP. RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT THE ONLY SOLUTION THEY OFFER IS TO CHECK TIRE PRESSURE WHICH I DID AND OF COURSE DID NOTHING.

NHTSA ODI #10820811

70,000 miles · Jan 15, 2016
Steering

I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND MADE A LEFT TURN. HALF WAY THROUGH THE TURN THE TRUCK STARTED SHAKING(SHIMMING) TO THE POINT WHERE IT WAS BASICALLY NOT DRIVE ABLE. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT GOING FAST AT THE TIME SO I COULD SLOW DOWN QUICKLY AND PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE EVENT HAPPENED IT WAS QUICK, FROM NOTHI…

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I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND MADE A LEFT TURN. HALF WAY THROUGH THE TURN THE TRUCK STARTED SHAKING(SHIMMING) TO THE POINT WHERE IT WAS BASICALLY NOT DRIVE ABLE. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT GOING FAST AT THE TIME SO I COULD SLOW DOWN QUICKLY AND PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE EVENT HAPPENED IT WAS QUICK, FROM NOTHING TO THE TRUCK SHAKING VIOLENT. I ENDED UP HAVING THE STEERING GEAR AND U JOINTS REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10820526

15,000 miles · Jan 12, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND GOING OVER A BUMP ON THE ROAD, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WOBBLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A STABILIZATION BAR WAS INSTALLED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND GOING OVER A BUMP ON THE ROAD, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WOBBLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A STABILIZATION BAR WAS INSTALLED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ODI #10819843

78,000 miles · Oct 9, 2015
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. UPDATED 1/12/16 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10781041

78,000 miles · Oct 9, 2015
Steering

2006 FORD F250 MOVING, 2 LANE ROAD, IN MOUNTAINS ,SUDDENLY STARTED TO STEER ERRATICALLY - MANAGED TO KEEP IT OUT OF THE OPPOSITE LANE MORE BY GOOD FORTUNE THAN ANYTHING. POWER STEERING PUMP HAD BEGUN TO FAIL.

NHTSA ODI #10781030

100,000 miles · Aug 5, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10746508

120,000 miles · Jul 1, 2015
SteeringSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS AN ONGOING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRAG LANE BAR AND STEERING LINKAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS AN ONGOING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRAG LANE BAR AND STEERING LINKAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10731516

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.