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2006 Ford F-350 Sd

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Ford F-350 Sd do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 73.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

120 reports with mileage · 7 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.

  • Steering. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Wheels complaints

8 reports
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46,000 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

175,000 miles · Mar 26, 2014
TiresWheelsCrash

I PURCHASED A NEW SET OF CONTINENTAL TIRES FROM COLONY TIRE LOCATED IN RALEIGH NC IN LATE 2012 EARLY 2014. I DRIVE A F-350 SD. IN AUGUST 2013 I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY SON ON NC I 40 E BOUND AROUND 400 ML MARKER WHEN 1 OF THE TIRES BLEW OUT. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT, 1ST BLOW OUT ON THAT TRUCK IN 8 YRS. THE 2 CONTINENTAL TIRE BLE…

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I PURCHASED A NEW SET OF CONTINENTAL TIRES FROM COLONY TIRE LOCATED IN RALEIGH NC IN LATE 2012 EARLY 2014. I DRIVE A F-350 SD. IN AUGUST 2013 I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY SON ON NC I 40 E BOUND AROUND 400 ML MARKER WHEN 1 OF THE TIRES BLEW OUT. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT, 1ST BLOW OUT ON THAT TRUCK IN 8 YRS. THE 2 CONTINENTAL TIRE BLEW OUT DECEMBER 12TH 2013 ON I 40 E BOUND ALSO NEAR 411 MILE MARKER. AT THAT TIME I WAS THINKING WHAT ARE THE ODDS BUT AGAIN THINGS HAPPEN. THE THIRD TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE TRAVELING TO GREENVILLE SC. THAT WAS IN FEBRUARY 20, 2014. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK. THAT WAS THE THIRD TIRE THAT BLEW IN THAT SAME SET. I HAVE THE LAST 2. I WENT TO TURNKEY TIRE SERVICE TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE CONTINENTAL TIRES. IT WAS AT THAT TIME THAT HE SHOWED ME HOW TO READ THE DOT NUMBER ON THE TIRE. WE LEARNED AT THAT TIME THAT THE TIRE WERE MANUFACTURED IN APRIL 2005 AND WAS SOLD IN 2013. I CONTACT CONTINENTAL TIRE AND OFFERED THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME EXAMINED THE TIRES THAT I HAD LEFT AND THEY DECLINED. THEY DID WANT ME TO SEND THEM THE REMAINING 2 TIRES THAT I HAD BUT I DIDN'T THINK I SHOULD GET RID OF THE ONLY TWO TIRES THAT LINK ME AND THESE TIRES TO CONTINENTAL TIRE. CAN YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN OR SHOULD DO AT THIS POINT. WHEN I WENT INTO COLONY TIRE, THEY HAD TO ORDER THOSE TIRES. I DO NOT KNOW WHERE THEY ORDERED THEM FROM BUT IT TOOK A FEW DAYS TO GET IN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574854

77,000 miles · Nov 7, 2013
Wheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S FRONT RIM WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

NHTSA ODI #10551410

85,034 miles · Apr 5, 2013
SteeringSuspensionWheels

WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A RATE OF SPEED OF 55MPH ON A 2006 F350 SUPER DUTY 4X4 WHEN I WENT OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE ON THE HIGHWAY WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT END TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HIT A VEHICLE ON MY RIGHT HAND SIDE. THOUGH I HAD EXPERIENCED A FLAT BUT EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE. CANNOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IN …

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WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A RATE OF SPEED OF 55MPH ON A 2006 F350 SUPER DUTY 4X4 WHEN I WENT OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE ON THE HIGHWAY WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT END TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HIT A VEHICLE ON MY RIGHT HAND SIDE. THOUGH I HAD EXPERIENCED A FLAT BUT EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE. CANNOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION. TIRE PRESSURE ON ALL WHEELS IS FINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10507287

130,000 miles · Aug 2, 2012
Wheels

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS 2006 FORD F350 PURCHASED DEC. 2005. NOVEMBER 2010 I HAD A 20" OEM FORD WHEEL CRACK. CRACK WAS 5" LONG RUNNING PARALLEL WITH THE OUTSIDE RIM EDGE, 1" IN, AND BETWEEN THE SPOKES. REPLACED WITH A USED OEM WHEEL. MAY 2012 I HAD ANOTHER WHEEL CRACK WHICH RESULTED IN A BLOWOUT AT 60MPH. THIS CRACK RA…

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I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS 2006 FORD F350 PURCHASED DEC. 2005. NOVEMBER 2010 I HAD A 20" OEM FORD WHEEL CRACK. CRACK WAS 5" LONG RUNNING PARALLEL WITH THE OUTSIDE RIM EDGE, 1" IN, AND BETWEEN THE SPOKES. REPLACED WITH A USED OEM WHEEL. MAY 2012 I HAD ANOTHER WHEEL CRACK WHICH RESULTED IN A BLOWOUT AT 60MPH. THIS CRACK RAN 90 DEGREES FROM THE RIM EDGE TO 1.25" UNDER THE BEAD RESULTING IN AIR LOSS. REPLACED WITH A USED OEM WHEEL AND NEW OEM 20" TIRE. AUG.1 2012 A THIRD WHEEL CRACKED EXACTLY LIKE THE FIRST RESULTING IN RAPID AIR LOSS AND BLOWOUT ON HIGHWAY TRAVELING 60MPH. CRACK IS 6" LONG RUNNING PARALLEL WITH THE RIM EDGE,1" IN, AND GOES BETWEEN THE SPOKES. THREE OF THE ORIGINAL FOUR FORD OEM 20" ALUMINUM WHEELS HAVE CRACKED ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO KNOWN STRESSES I AM AWARE OF THAT CAUSED THESE FAILURES. I FEEL FORD SPECED A WHEEL THAT IS UNDERRATED FOR THE VEHICLE AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10468925

165,700 miles · Jun 23, 2012
SteeringSuspensionWheels

I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON I59 THROUGH MERIDIAN MISSISSIPPI AT APPROXIMATELY 8:00 PM YESTERDAY ON 06/22/2012. I CAME ACROSS AN OVERPASS AT ABOUT 70 MPH WHEN THE ROUGH SURFACE OF THE BRIDGE CAUSED THE TRUCK TO SHAKE VERY VIOLENTLY IN THE FRONT END. I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO CONTROL/CORRECT IT BY HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL FIRMLY AND B…

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I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON I59 THROUGH MERIDIAN MISSISSIPPI AT APPROXIMATELY 8:00 PM YESTERDAY ON 06/22/2012. I CAME ACROSS AN OVERPASS AT ABOUT 70 MPH WHEN THE ROUGH SURFACE OF THE BRIDGE CAUSED THE TRUCK TO SHAKE VERY VIOLENTLY IN THE FRONT END. I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO CONTROL/CORRECT IT BY HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL FIRMLY AND BRAKING. IT STARTED TO SUBSIDE AND THEN STARTED AGAIN. I HELD THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT AND FIRM, AND BRAKED HARDER UNTIL THE SHAKING STOPPED. I HAD SLOWED TO APPROXIMATELY 40 TO 50 MPH BEFORE IT HAD STOPPED. THIS ALL TOOK PLACE IN MATTER OF SECONDS. THOUGH FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE TRUCK EARLIER ON THIS DAY, I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT IT HAPPENED WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC. I HAD RECENTLY CROSSED OVER LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN BRIDGE IN LOUISIANA JUST HOURS EARLIER. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10462846

10,500 miles · Dec 6, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringWheels

EXPERIENCED SEVERE VIBRATIONS AND SHIMMING AFTER HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD. HAD TO BRING THE TRUCK TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE I COULD GO ON. I THOUGH I MUST OF HAD A FLAT TIRE, BUT NO. TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THEY TIGHTENED SOME THINGS AND ADJUSTED THE TIRE PRESSURE. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN…

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EXPERIENCED SEVERE VIBRATIONS AND SHIMMING AFTER HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD. HAD TO BRING THE TRUCK TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE I COULD GO ON. I THOUGH I MUST OF HAD A FLAT TIRE, BUT NO. TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THEY TIGHTENED SOME THINGS AND ADJUSTED THE TIRE PRESSURE. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I WENT STRAIGHT TO THE LOCAL GARAGE TO HAVE THE TIRES CHECKED, BUT THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS FINE. IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN ABOUT TWICE A YEAR WITH NO REASON, JUST DEPENDS HOW I HIT A BUMP ON THE ROAD. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN CROSSING A BRIDGE ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS LAST TIME IN OCTOBER 2011, I WAS CROSSING A BRIDGE ON INTERSTATE PA 80 IN THE PASSING LANE, WHEN IT HAPPENED. I WAS ALL OVER THE ROAD BEFORE I COULD STOP. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND, OR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER. I WAS READY TO TAKE THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER, AND TELL THEM, ITS TO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE. I GOT THIS LETTER FROM FORD DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE. THEY ARE CORRECT STATING "A SEVERE" VIBRATION, BUT TOTALLY WRONG SAYING THIS CONDITION RESULTS FROM SIGNIFICANT TIRE UNDER-INFLATION. I'VE NEVER DRIVEN MY TRUCK WITH SIGNIFICANT TIRE UNDER-INFLATION. THIS SHIMMING CANNOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY, BUT THAT WAS THE IMPRESSION I GOT FROM THE DEALER. I WONDER HOW LONG FORD REALLY NEW ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I SHOULD BE ON RECORD BACK AT MY DEALER SOON AFTER I GOT THE TRUCK WITH THIS EXACT ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10438804

500 miles · Aug 11, 2006
Wheels

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE STEEL RIMS ON THE INSIDE REAR TIRES, THAT INTERFERED WITH TIRE PRESSURE CHECKS AND INFLATION OF THE TIRES, WITHOUT REMOVAL OF THE OUTSIDE TIRES. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED.

NHTSA ODI #10165226

Official recalls

1

11V352000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

Jul 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

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.