NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
127 reports46,000 miles · Jan 12, 2021
SteeringSuspensionWheels
MY 2016 F350 SUPER DUTY 4WD DISESAL HAS A DEATH WOBBLE WITH ONLY 46,OOO MILES. THE DEALERSHIP AT SEMINOLE FORD, SEMINOLE OKLAHOMA 405-382-2222 TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY 1200 TO FIX THIS. I WAS DRIVING 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY YESTERDAY AND MY VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL ALMOST CAUSING ME TO WRECK. I IMMEDIATELY SCHEDULED AN APPOIN…
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MY 2016 F350 SUPER DUTY 4WD DISESAL HAS A DEATH WOBBLE WITH ONLY 46,OOO MILES. THE DEALERSHIP AT SEMINOLE FORD, SEMINOLE OKLAHOMA 405-382-2222 TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY 1200 TO FIX THIS. I WAS DRIVING 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY YESTERDAY AND MY VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL ALMOST CAUSING ME TO WRECK. I IMMEDIATELY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. I WILL FORWARD THE BILL WHEN I RECEIVE IT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND A FACTORY DEFECT THAT I SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR, I HAD THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP ONE MONTH AGO AND HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW DEF HEATER AT THE TUNE ALMOST $1,000. AT THAT TIME THEY DID THEIR MULTI-POINT INSPECTION WHICH SHOWS THAT THE PARTS THAT FAILED WERE ALL FINE. PLEASE HELP ME AS FORD IS TRYING TO SCREW ME OVER ON A 70K TRUCK WITH MINIMAL MILES. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE THAT FORD SHOULD PAY FOR NOT THE CONSUMER.
NHTSA ODI #11387670
109,000 miles · Oct 15, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL FAILURES OCCURRED WITH THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHAMALEY FORD (11301 GATEWAY BLVD W, EL PASO, TX 79936) WHERE THE TURBO, GLOW PLUGS, HEAD GASKETS, AND THE COMPUTER WERE REPLACED. DESPITE THE REPAIR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL FAILURES OCCURRED WITH THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHAMALEY FORD (11301 GATEWAY BLVD W, EL PASO, TX 79936) WHERE THE TURBO, GLOW PLUGS, HEAD GASKETS, AND THE COMPUTER WERE REPLACED. DESPITE THE REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START-UP AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11364481
155,800 miles · Apr 9, 2018
Steering
SHAKES STEERING WHEEL AROUND 40MPH, BUT SPORADICALLY.
NHTSA ODI #11084225
320,000 miles · Jan 17, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel/propulsion System
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE PLUGS. THE DASH GOES DEAD, INTERIOR LIGHTS DONT WORK. POWER WINDOWS DONT WORK RADIO SHUTS OFF. VEHICLE RUNS IMPROPERLY. THE VEHICLE CAN BE SITTING OR MOVING. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND FOUND FORD TRUCKS FROM AS EARLY AS 2002-2008 HAVE THIS ISSUE. ITS UNSAFEAND A KNOW ISSUEWITH…
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THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE PLUGS. THE DASH GOES DEAD, INTERIOR LIGHTS DONT WORK. POWER WINDOWS DONT WORK RADIO SHUTS OFF. VEHICLE RUNS IMPROPERLY. THE VEHICLE CAN BE SITTING OR MOVING. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND FOUND FORD TRUCKS FROM AS EARLY AS 2002-2008 HAVE THIS ISSUE. ITS UNSAFEAND A KNOW ISSUEWITH THESE YEAR FORD TRUCK F150-F450. A NEW DASH IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND USED ONES RUN THE RISK OF THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENING AGAIN. THE FIX IS SIMPLE, THE COST IS NOT. THERES VIDEOS ON YOU TUBE DOZENS OF FORUMS. EXCURSION EXPEDITIONS ARE ALSO HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. IM N THE MID WEST ITS COLD. I DROVE TO PICK UP A COIPLE ATVS AN HOUR NORTH. HALFWAY BACK ISSUES HAPPENED WHILE WINDOW WAS DOWN. DROVE HOME PREG FIANCE 5YR OLD IN THE BACK -3 OUTSIDE-15 WINDCHILL N WE'RE DRIVE 65MPH TO GET HOME. THAT WAS MISSERABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11063262
139,000 miles · Jan 13, 2016
Suspension
DEATH SHIMMY. STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN A BUMP OR DISCONTINUITY IN THE ROAD IS ENCOUNTERED. YOU CANNOT HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL DURING THIS EVENT. CURE IS TO REDUCE VEHICLE SPEED BELOW 15 MPH. THIS IS HAZARDOUS IF TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED OR PULLING A TRAILER. AS YOU CANNOT HOLD THE WHEEL DURING THIS EVENT, THE VEHI…
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DEATH SHIMMY. STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN A BUMP OR DISCONTINUITY IN THE ROAD IS ENCOUNTERED. YOU CANNOT HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL DURING THIS EVENT. CURE IS TO REDUCE VEHICLE SPEED BELOW 15 MPH. THIS IS HAZARDOUS IF TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED OR PULLING A TRAILER. AS YOU CANNOT HOLD THE WHEEL DURING THIS EVENT, THE VEHICLE WILL CHANGE LANES AND PRESENTS A FATAL HAZARD AS YOU ATTEMPT TO REDUCE SPEED FROM 65 MPH TO BELOW 15 MPH WITHOUT STEERING CONTROL. FORD ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM IN LETTER 09L02 SENT IN 2009 AND AGAIN IN 2015. THEIR SOLUTION TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE TIRES IS FALSE AS TIRE PRESSURE HAS NO EFFECT ON OCCURANCE OR SEVERITY. I HAVE REPLACED THE TIRES AND RUN UP THE PRESSURE IN 5 LB INCREMENTS FROM 55 TO 80 PSI. NO EFFECT IN THE FREQUENCY OR SEVERITY OF THE VIBRATION. ## VIN PASSED ## FORD F350 SUPER DUTY 2006 ##
NHTSA ODI #10820036
27,000 miles · Sep 30, 2015
Tires
PURCHASED TIRES ON 2/27/2013 . TIRES HAVE 27,441 MILES ON THEM. THEY WERE ORIGINALLY WARRENTED FOR 40 MONTHS OR 50,000 MILES. ALL 4 TIRES HAVE SIDEWALL CRACKING CLOSE TO THE WHEEL RIM. DOT #'S ARE UTOT HWB 4212,UTOT HWB 5012, UTOT HWB 5012, UTOT HWB 5012
NHTSA ODI #10778806
96,738 miles · Sep 4, 2015
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 SD. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLTS THAT ATTACHED THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FRACTURED, RESULTING IN TOTAL BRAKE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 SD. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLTS THAT ATTACHED THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FRACTURED, RESULTING IN TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,738.
NHTSA ODI #10761713
30,100 miles · Sep 3, 2015
Fuel System, Diesel
THIS VEHICLES ISSUES BEGAN WITH THE GALVANIZING OF THE INTERIOR OF THE FUEL TANK FLAKING OFF AND GETTING INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM. IT IS A DIESEL. IT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK REPLACED, INJECTORS REPLACED, HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP REPLACED TO NAME A FEW. ALL AFTER THE FUEL TANK PROBLEM. SINCE THEN THE VEHICLE HAS…
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THIS VEHICLES ISSUES BEGAN WITH THE GALVANIZING OF THE INTERIOR OF THE FUEL TANK FLAKING OFF AND GETTING INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM. IT IS A DIESEL. IT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK REPLACED, INJECTORS REPLACED, HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP REPLACED TO NAME A FEW. ALL AFTER THE FUEL TANK PROBLEM. SINCE THEN THE VEHICLE HAS SHUT DOWN A NUMBER OF TIMES WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS TO LOSE ALL POWER. FORTUNATELY OUR DRIVERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MANEUVER IT OFF THE HIGHWAY BEFORE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. FORD HAS DENIED HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THEIR FUEL TANKS; HOWEVER, WHEN WE CHECKED AROUND WE FOUND IT TO BE QUITE COMMON. IN FACT WE HAD A DIFFICULT TIME SECURING A NEW TANK BECAUSE THERE WERE SO MANY REPLACEMENTS BEING DONE. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD STEP FORWARD AND ADMIT THERE IS AN ISSUE AND DEAL WITH IT. WE DISCUSSED THIS WITH A ZONE MANAGER AND GOT NOWHERE.
NHTSA ODI #10762617
55,000 miles · Jul 24, 2015
Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 SD EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN LTX M/S2 TIRES, SIZE: LT275/70R18 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SIDEWALL AND THE STEEL BELT OF THE FRONT DRIVER S…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 SD EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN LTX M/S2 TIRES, SIZE: LT275/70R18 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SIDEWALL AND THE STEEL BELT OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED. THE TIRES WERE NOT INSPECTED OR REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
NHTSA ODI #10736219
86,000 miles · Jul 6, 2015
Steering
THE DEATH WOBBLE THAT YOU SAY HAD ONLY 76 COMPLANTS IS [XXX] ! OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS IT HAS HAPPENED OVER 18 TIMES WITH NEW CORRECT SIZE TIRES @ CORRECT PRESSURE ! I HAVE HAD TO MAKE RAPID LANE CHANGES SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SO IT WILL STOP ! IF YOU THINK THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM MAYBE YOU SHOULD G…
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THE DEATH WOBBLE THAT YOU SAY HAD ONLY 76 COMPLANTS IS [XXX] ! OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS IT HAS HAPPENED OVER 18 TIMES WITH NEW CORRECT SIZE TIRES @ CORRECT PRESSURE ! I HAVE HAD TO MAKE RAPID LANE CHANGES SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SO IT WILL STOP ! IF YOU THINK THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM MAYBE YOU SHOULD GO TO WORK FOR FORD ,ON SECOND THOUGHT ITS APPARENT YOU ALREADY DO ! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10732051
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.
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