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2006 Ford F-350

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Ford F-350 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 93.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

131 reports with mileage · 14 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 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. 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.

11 crash reports4 fire reports7 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

10 reports
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65,000 miles · Oct 30, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE EGR COOLER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE EGR COOLER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. PAM

NHTSA ODI #10651475

23,913 miles · Jan 10, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START,A/C , PERFORMANCE, ENGINE LIGHT SLUGGISH TAKE OFF, PERFORMANCE, WHITE SMOKE AND EGR LEAKING DIESEL FUEL ON TOP OF MOTOR, THIS TRUCK HAS HAD TWO REBUILT ENGINES UPON THE FIRST 50,000MILES.ENGINE COVERED IN OIL, FUEL INJECTOR MAIN PROBLEM STARTED WITH OVERHEATING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10443255

80,000 miles · Dec 13, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIGOROUSLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO SHAKE ABNORMALLY WHEN DECELERATING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIGOROUSLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO SHAKE ABNORMALLY WHEN DECELERATING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD ERRATICALLY SHIFT, AND THE FUEL TANK WAS DELAMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS BUT THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE SHAKING. THE TECHNICIANS WERE ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT SENSOR AND THE FUEL TANK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10439708

60,000 miles · Nov 28, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TRUCK RUNS ROUGH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON, FUEL SENSOR ERROR. THERE SEEMS TO BE QUITE A FEW SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. DEALERS STATED FUEL TANKS ARE CORRODING. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL? THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. FORD SHOULD DEAL WITH IT OR MADE TO. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10437584

66,000 miles · Nov 2, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY FORD F350 TURBO DIESEL TRUCK WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN APPROX. 25 MPH, COULD NOT GET ANY POWER. CAME TO A STOP LIGHT AND IT DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER THINKING IT WOULD BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THEY HAVE CHANGED THE FUEL INJECTOR CONTROL MODULE-NO FIX, THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTERS AND…

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MY FORD F350 TURBO DIESEL TRUCK WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN APPROX. 25 MPH, COULD NOT GET ANY POWER. CAME TO A STOP LIGHT AND IT DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER THINKING IT WOULD BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THEY HAVE CHANGED THE FUEL INJECTOR CONTROL MODULE-NO FIX, THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTERS AND FOUND FOREIGN SUBSTANCE/CORROSION, PULLED THE FUEL TANK AND FOUND THE SOURCE OF THE CORROSION, DELAMINATING FUEL TANK. THE REPAIRS ARE UP TO $2500, THE FUEL TANK STILL TO COST $1300 TO REPLACE THE PART BUT STILL HAVE LABOR INVOLVED. ALSO THE FUEL INJECTORS, 5 OF THE 8 ARE EXHIBITING NO POWER AND VARIOUS OTHER FUEL FILTERS THAT THEY NAMED OFF WILL ALSO NEED TO BE CHANGED. THAT WILL COST ANOTHER SEVERAL THOUSAND. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MANUFACTURER, CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND THEY STATE THEY WILL NOT PAY OR ASSIST ME IN THE COST EVEN THOUGH WE ARE ONLY 6 WEEKS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE TRUCK IS LIKE NEW, ONLY 66K MILES. THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE. I'VE NEVER EXPERIENCE SUCH A TRAUMATIC COSTLY PROBLEM IN AN AUTOMOBILE WITH ONLY 66K MILES. I STILL HAVE THE TRUCK AT THE DEALER AND CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THE COST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433982

74,000 miles · Oct 14, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

MY TRUCK STARTING LOSING POWER LITTLE BY LITTLE OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP.THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE EGR SYSTEM WAS FAILING & THE COST IS $2500.00. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT FORD KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM & SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THIS PROBLEM..NOW I CAN'T DRIVE MY TRUCK …

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MY TRUCK STARTING LOSING POWER LITTLE BY LITTLE OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP.THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE EGR SYSTEM WAS FAILING & THE COST IS $2500.00. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT FORD KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM & SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THIS PROBLEM..NOW I CAN'T DRIVE MY TRUCK WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT ENGINE FAILURE (UNTIL IT'S FIXED)..INTERSTATE TRAVEL IS JUST ABOUT NON=EXISTENT FOR NOW..I WILL NOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE IT ANYMORE FOR NOW...THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT & FOR NOW IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ANYWHERE BUT SHORT DISTANCES... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430267

21,000 miles · Sep 1, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,500.

NHTSA ODI #10422936

105,953 miles · May 12, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TRAILER BREAK CONTROLLER FAULTY, REPLACE EGR AND INJECTORS. 3/31/09~ REPLACE EGR COOLER, GASKET, FUEL FILTERS. 6/8/10~ ICP SENSOR & CONNECTOR FAULTY, CAC HOSE LEAKING, INJECTORS FAULTY, EGR VALVES CHANGED. 6/25/10~ 17 DAYS LATER BACK AGAIN IN SHOP FOR SAME ISSUE. TRUCK RUNS THEN WHEN YOU STOP THE TRUCK IN HOT WEATHER, IT WILL …

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TRAILER BREAK CONTROLLER FAULTY, REPLACE EGR AND INJECTORS. 3/31/09~ REPLACE EGR COOLER, GASKET, FUEL FILTERS. 6/8/10~ ICP SENSOR & CONNECTOR FAULTY, CAC HOSE LEAKING, INJECTORS FAULTY, EGR VALVES CHANGED. 6/25/10~ 17 DAYS LATER BACK AGAIN IN SHOP FOR SAME ISSUE. TRUCK RUNS THEN WHEN YOU STOP THE TRUCK IN HOT WEATHER, IT WILL NOT RESTART FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR. TRUCK NEEDS TO COOL DOWN BEFORE RESTARTING. AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT PROBLEM IS AND FIX IT CORRECTLY.

NHTSA ODI #10403449

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FUEL FILTER AND EGR VALVE WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR EACH TIME HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FUEL FILTER AND EGR VALVE WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR EACH TIME HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO ANOTHER AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE; THEREFORE, IT WAS NOT REPAIRED. HE ALSO STATED THAT WHITE SMOKES WAS COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

NHTSA ODI #10354463

57,390 miles · Apr 9, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F350. WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHIN MINUTES. THE DEALER ADVISED THE FUEL TANK WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F350. WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHIN MINUTES. THE DEALER ADVISED THE FUEL TANK WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN POSSESSION OF THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,390 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,400.

NHTSA ODI #10324672

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.