NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
127 reports30,000 miles · May 6, 2008
SteeringSuspension
I HAVE A 2006 F350 THAT HAS WHAT HAS BEEN REFERRED TO AS THE DEAF WOBBLE. MOSTLY WHEN I DRIVE BETWEEN 40 - 55 IF THE TRUCK COMES ACROSS A SMALL BUMP OR UNEVEN ROAD THE FRONT WHEELS / STEERING WHEEL SHAKES BACK AND FORTH OUT OF CONTROL. THE ONLY WAY I FOUND IT TO STOP IT IS TO HIT THE BRAKES AND SLOW DOWN UNTIL IT STOPS AND THE…
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I HAVE A 2006 F350 THAT HAS WHAT HAS BEEN REFERRED TO AS THE DEAF WOBBLE. MOSTLY WHEN I DRIVE BETWEEN 40 - 55 IF THE TRUCK COMES ACROSS A SMALL BUMP OR UNEVEN ROAD THE FRONT WHEELS / STEERING WHEEL SHAKES BACK AND FORTH OUT OF CONTROL. THE ONLY WAY I FOUND IT TO STOP IT IS TO HIT THE BRAKES AND SLOW DOWN UNTIL IT STOPS AND THEN YOU CAN TRY IT AGAIN UNTIL THE WOBBLE COMES BACK. ALSO THIS TRUCK IS COMPLETELY STOCK NOT AFTER MARKET PARTS HAVE BEEN ADDED, NO LIFTS ETC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10226817
5 miles · Apr 19, 2008
Suspension
MY VEHICLE HAS SUSPENSION OSCILLATIONS THAT CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT, FORD HAS TRIED 7 TIMES TO FIX IT AND NOW TELLS ME THAT THEY CAN'T FIX IT AND IT IS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE TRUCK AFTER 35+ DAYS OUT OF SERVICE. THESE OSCILLATIONS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH. THIS TRUCK IS A DANGER TO ME AND MY FAMILY. IT I…
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MY VEHICLE HAS SUSPENSION OSCILLATIONS THAT CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT, FORD HAS TRIED 7 TIMES TO FIX IT AND NOW TELLS ME THAT THEY CAN'T FIX IT AND IT IS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE TRUCK AFTER 35+ DAYS OUT OF SERVICE. THESE OSCILLATIONS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH. THIS TRUCK IS A DANGER TO ME AND MY FAMILY. IT IS A 2006 F350. IT HAS HAD SAID OSCILLATIONS SINCE NEW, AND THEY SEEM TO BE GETTING WORSE, AND I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY. THERE ARE DAILY INCIDENTS OF THIS OSCILLATION/BOUNCING WHILE DRIVING, AND FORD NOW TELLS ME THEY WONT WORK ON THE PROBLEM ANY MORE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224993
42,920 miles · Apr 8, 2008
Power Train
WE HAVE SEVERAL 2006 F350 SUPER DUTY 4X4 PICKUPS. IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS TWO OF THEM HAVE BROKEN OUT THE EYES,ON THE LEFT FRONT AXLE, THAT RETAIN THE U JOINTS. IN THE FIRST INSTANCE , THE SPINDLE WAS THEN BROKEN OUT AROUND THE UPPER BALL JOINT EYE. THE STEERING CONTROL WAS GONE COMPLETELY AT THAT POINT. IN THE SECOND CASE THE…
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WE HAVE SEVERAL 2006 F350 SUPER DUTY 4X4 PICKUPS. IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS TWO OF THEM HAVE BROKEN OUT THE EYES,ON THE LEFT FRONT AXLE, THAT RETAIN THE U JOINTS. IN THE FIRST INSTANCE , THE SPINDLE WAS THEN BROKEN OUT AROUND THE UPPER BALL JOINT EYE. THE STEERING CONTROL WAS GONE COMPLETELY AT THAT POINT. IN THE SECOND CASE THE DRIVER HEARD THE AXLE BREAK, STOPPED AND TURNED THE HUBS OUT. THE ONLY DAMAGE WAS TO THE AXLE. THE FIRST INCIDENT COST APPROXIMATELY $1500 FOR THE AXLE AND SPINDLE AND THE SPECIAL TOOLS TO FIX IT. THE SECOND COST $500 FOR THE AXLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10223722
21,977 miles · Mar 28, 2008
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 SD. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO JUMP AND BOUNCE BACK AND FORTH. THE FAILURE USUALLY OCCURS FROM A BRIDGE TO PAVEMENT, FROM PAVEMENT TO A BRIDGE, ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT, OR IN VARIOUS OTHER DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE PU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 SD. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO JUMP AND BOUNCE BACK AND FORTH. THE FAILURE USUALLY OCCURS FROM A BRIDGE TO PAVEMENT, FROM PAVEMENT TO A BRIDGE, ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT, OR IN VARIOUS OTHER DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,977.
NHTSA ODI #10222609
49,200 miles · Mar 18, 2008
Tires
2 TIRES WITH IN 7 MONTHS GOT BUBBLES IN THE SIDE WALLS. I NOTICED THE BUBBLES IN THE SIDE WALLS AND RETURNED TO GOODYEAR WITH THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT IF THE BUBBLE WOULD POP THAT THE TIRE WOULD NOT GO FLAT , BUT THE TIRE POP WHILE I WAS THERE AND THE TIRE WENT FLAT. THESE TIRES ARE "E" RATRD AND ARE ON HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS …
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2 TIRES WITH IN 7 MONTHS GOT BUBBLES IN THE SIDE WALLS. I NOTICED THE BUBBLES IN THE SIDE WALLS AND RETURNED TO GOODYEAR WITH THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT IF THE BUBBLE WOULD POP THAT THE TIRE WOULD NOT GO FLAT , BUT THE TIRE POP WHILE I WAS THERE AND THE TIRE WENT FLAT. THESE TIRES ARE "E" RATRD AND ARE ON HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS PULLING HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND WITH A BLOWOUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SOME ONE COULD GET KILLED. !ST TIME DATE WAS 8/16/07. THE TIRES WERE BOUGHT NEW ON 7/17/07.TIRE SIZE NOT LISTED ON NEXT PAGE LT275/70R18 SILENT ARMOR. WRANGLERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10221583
10,000 miles · Mar 18, 2008
Steering
2006 FORD F-350 TRUCK IS "ROAD WILD" DUE TO EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING BOX. VEHICLE HAS HAD 3 NEW STEERING GEARS (AND MANY OTHER FRONT END PARTS) IN 34,000 MILES. EACH GEAR LASTS ABOUT 8-10,000 MILES. AFTER ROUGHLY 10,000 MILES, TRUCK WANDERS REQUIRING EXCESSIVE STEERING WHEEL ROTATION TO CORRECT. LAST SERVICE APPOINTMENT FORD "…
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2006 FORD F-350 TRUCK IS "ROAD WILD" DUE TO EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING BOX. VEHICLE HAS HAD 3 NEW STEERING GEARS (AND MANY OTHER FRONT END PARTS) IN 34,000 MILES. EACH GEAR LASTS ABOUT 8-10,000 MILES. AFTER ROUGHLY 10,000 MILES, TRUCK WANDERS REQUIRING EXCESSIVE STEERING WHEEL ROTATION TO CORRECT. LAST SERVICE APPOINTMENT FORD "FIELD ENGINEER" DETERMINED AFTER A TEST DRIVE THAT IT "DROVE LIKE HIS TRUCK" AND WAS NORMAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10221558
20,100 miles · Dec 10, 2007
Steering
WHILE DRIVING AT CITY OR HIGHWAY SPEEDS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THE STEERING WHEEL WILL VIBRATE LEFT TO RIGHT CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. FEELS LIKE THE STEERING DAMPER IS NOT WORKING AT ALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10211383
27,650 miles · Dec 10, 2007
SteeringSuspension
TRUCK STARTED TO GRADUALLY PULL TO THE RIGHT WHEN DRIVING, AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS TOOK TRUCK FOR ALIGNMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON RIGHT SIDE FRONT KNUCKLE NEEDED REPLACING. TOOK CAR TO FORD DEALER AND BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. RIGHT FRONT TIRE GOT WORN ON RIGHT EDGE AND DEALER SAID THAT…
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TRUCK STARTED TO GRADUALLY PULL TO THE RIGHT WHEN DRIVING, AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS TOOK TRUCK FOR ALIGNMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON RIGHT SIDE FRONT KNUCKLE NEEDED REPLACING. TOOK CAR TO FORD DEALER AND BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. RIGHT FRONT TIRE GOT WORN ON RIGHT EDGE AND DEALER SAID THAT THE TIRE WAS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FORD EVENTHOUGH THE FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINTS CAUSED THE TIRE TO WEAR OUT UNEVENLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10211379
Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2007
SteeringSuspension
I HAVE A 2006 FORD F-350 4X4. I AM HAVING SOME SERIOUS ISSUES WITH THE FRONT END OF MY TRUCK SHAKING VERY BADLY EVERY TIME I GO OVER A HIGHWAY BRIDGE WITH UNEVEN PAVEMENT, UNEVEN PAVEMENT, DIPS OR SHALLOW HOLES ON HIGHWAYS. GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS ON HIGHWAY ROUTES WITH SPEED LIMITS OF 55 MPH, I HAVE TO SLOW TO AT LEAST 30 M…
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I HAVE A 2006 FORD F-350 4X4. I AM HAVING SOME SERIOUS ISSUES WITH THE FRONT END OF MY TRUCK SHAKING VERY BADLY EVERY TIME I GO OVER A HIGHWAY BRIDGE WITH UNEVEN PAVEMENT, UNEVEN PAVEMENT, DIPS OR SHALLOW HOLES ON HIGHWAYS. GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS ON HIGHWAY ROUTES WITH SPEED LIMITS OF 55 MPH, I HAVE TO SLOW TO AT LEAST 30 MPH BECAUSE MY FRONT WHEELS START SHAKING SO BAD I CANNOT CONTROL THE TRUCK. MY TRUCK IS USED STRICTLY FOR ONROAD DRIVING AND KEPT IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS. I FEEL THAT MY DAY TO DAY DRIVING HAVE NOT CONTRIBUTED TO THIS CONDITION AND FEEL IT COULD BE SOME SORT OF A DEFECT IN MY 2006 F-350. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING ON A REGULAR BASIC SINCE MY PURCHASE OF THE TRUCK 13 MONTHS AGO. I HAVE HAD THE TIRES ROTATED A NUMBER OF TIME AND WAS RECENTLY TOLD THAT MY TIRE RODS NEED TO BE REPLACES. A FORD SERVICE AGENT TOLD ME IT WAS NO REASON WHY MY TIRE RODS WOULD GO BAD SO QUICK FOR NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10209845
23,000 miles · Sep 12, 2007
SteeringCrashInjury
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THROUGH A CURVE, THE STEERING SUDDENLY AND COMPLETELY FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASH. THERE WAS NO ADVANCE WARNING. AN INSPECTION AT THE SCENE REVEALED THAT PARTS OF THE VEHICLE'S STEERING SYSTEM HAD NOT BEEN INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY AND THE STEERING SYSTEM FELL …
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WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THROUGH A CURVE, THE STEERING SUDDENLY AND COMPLETELY FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASH. THERE WAS NO ADVANCE WARNING. AN INSPECTION AT THE SCENE REVEALED THAT PARTS OF THE VEHICLE'S STEERING SYSTEM HAD NOT BEEN INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY AND THE STEERING SYSTEM FELL APART IN THE CURVE AS A RESULT OF THIS NEGLIGENCE. THE POLICE REPORT LISTED MECHANICAL FAILURE AS THE ACCIDENT CAUSE AND NO DRIVER ERROR WAS INVOLVED. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED AND THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. FORD HAS REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR VEHICLE'S MECHANICAL FAILURE AND REFUSES TO HONOR THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY DESPITE THE FACT THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN TWO YEARS OLD AND HAS ONLY 23,000 +/- MILES ON IT. NO ALTERATIONS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE'S DRIVE TRAIN OR SUSPENSION AND IT WAS A FULLY STOCK VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH.
NHTSA ODI #10202821
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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