NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
51 reportsClear category filter40,000 miles · Jun 23, 2010
Steering
I HAVE A 2006 FORD F350 SUPER DUTY TRUCK I PURCHASED NEW AND AFTER 40,000 MILES I NOTICES ONCE THE FRONT END SHOOK SO BAD I ALMOST CRASHED . I THOUGHT IT WAS THE ROAD BUT A MONTH LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD DO AN ALIGNMENT AND ALSO REPLACE THE STEERING STABILIZER. AFTER ABOU…
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I HAVE A 2006 FORD F350 SUPER DUTY TRUCK I PURCHASED NEW AND AFTER 40,000 MILES I NOTICES ONCE THE FRONT END SHOOK SO BAD I ALMOST CRASHED . I THOUGHT IT WAS THE ROAD BUT A MONTH LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD DO AN ALIGNMENT AND ALSO REPLACE THE STEERING STABILIZER. AFTER ABOUT $600 IT HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES . IT IS SUCH A BAD SHAKE WHEN YOUR GOING ABOUT 60-65 YOU COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT . SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10339629
33,000 miles · Jun 16, 2010
SteeringSuspension
THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO ODI #10336687 FILED ON 6/16, 2010 CONCERNING "WHEEL SHIMMY" ON FORD F 350 TRUCKS. AFTER READING "DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS" CONCERNING THIS TOPIC, THE NHTSA SUMMARY WAS THAT IT SEEMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY UNDERINFLATED TIRES. IT APPEARS THAT THE NHTSA AND FORD, JUST LIKE BP OIL AND THE MINERAL DEP…
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THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO ODI #10336687 FILED ON 6/16, 2010 CONCERNING "WHEEL SHIMMY" ON FORD F 350 TRUCKS. AFTER READING "DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS" CONCERNING THIS TOPIC, THE NHTSA SUMMARY WAS THAT IT SEEMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY UNDERINFLATED TIRES. IT APPEARS THAT THE NHTSA AND FORD, JUST LIKE BP OIL AND THE MINERAL DEPARTMENT ARE GREASING EACH OTHERS PALMS. FOR A SAFETY ARM OF THE GOVT. TO SAY THAT THIS IS A TIRE PRESSURE PROBLEM IS BULL! PLEASE CHECK OUT WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/FORD-F-350-SUPER-DUTY AND READ HUNDREDS OF POSTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE, ANOTHER OIL SPILL LIKE BP HAS CREATED, CRASHES WITH DEATHS LIKE TOYOTA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR? I CAN SEE THAT IT IS USELESS TO REPORT THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10336691
33,000 miles · Jun 16, 2010
SteeringSuspension
I OWN A 2006 FORD F 350 SUPERDUTY 1 TON PICKUP WITH APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. I HAVE EXPERIENCED WHAT IS CALLED "DEATH WOBBLE" WHEN HITTING A BUMP, CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS OR GOING OVER A ROUGH ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE VIOLENTLY AT SPEEDS FROM 30-60+ CAUSING A POTENTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL. FORD HAS SENT OUT A MEMO…
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I OWN A 2006 FORD F 350 SUPERDUTY 1 TON PICKUP WITH APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. I HAVE EXPERIENCED WHAT IS CALLED "DEATH WOBBLE" WHEN HITTING A BUMP, CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS OR GOING OVER A ROUGH ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE VIOLENTLY AT SPEEDS FROM 30-60+ CAUSING A POTENTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL. FORD HAS SENT OUT A MEMO STATING THAT "YOU NEED TO CHECK YOUR TIRE PRESSURE". I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET DATING BACK SEVERAL YEARS INTO THE 1990'S. FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET, TRYING TO FIND A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM, MANY HAVE HAD REALLY BAD SAFETY ISSUES INCLUDING ACCIDENTS INVOLVING WOMEN DRIVERS WITH CHILDREN AS PASSENGERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10336687
76,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Electrical SystemSteering
AT 200AM TODAY MY HORN ON MY 2006 F 350 STARTED BLOWING. BY THE TIME I REALIZED WHAT WAS GOING ON THE WIRES HAD STARTED TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. I HAD TO DISCONNECT BOTH BATTERIES IN ORDER FOR THE HORN TO STOP. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS IS HAS HAPPENED TO THIS TRUCK. NO OTHER PROBLEMS TO REPORT AT THIS TIME. I WILL BE HAVI…
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AT 200AM TODAY MY HORN ON MY 2006 F 350 STARTED BLOWING. BY THE TIME I REALIZED WHAT WAS GOING ON THE WIRES HAD STARTED TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. I HAD TO DISCONNECT BOTH BATTERIES IN ORDER FOR THE HORN TO STOP. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS IS HAS HAPPENED TO THIS TRUCK. NO OTHER PROBLEMS TO REPORT AT THIS TIME. I WILL BE HAVING IT TOWED TO A DEALER TODAY
NHTSA ODI #10314061
30,000 miles · Dec 1, 2009
SteeringCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F350 PURCHASED OCTOBER 2005. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 45 MPH AND TOWING A 30 FOOT TRAILER IN LIGHT SNOW, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY TURNED TO THE RIGHT. HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO THE STRAIGHT POSITION, BUT IT TURNED IN A FULL 365 DEGREE TURN WITHOUT INTERFERENCE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F350 PURCHASED OCTOBER 2005. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 45 MPH AND TOWING A 30 FOOT TRAILER IN LIGHT SNOW, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY TURNED TO THE RIGHT. HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO THE STRAIGHT POSITION, BUT IT TURNED IN A FULL 365 DEGREE TURN WITHOUT INTERFERENCE OF THE DRIVER. HE ATTEMPTED TO ADJUST THE WHEEL HOWEVER THE TIRES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE DRIVER THEN CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN AND WAS TURNED APPROXIMATELY 180 DEGREES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THEY HAVE SEEN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE ON HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL NUMEROUS TIMES. THEY ALSO FOUND THAT THE STEERING BOX IN THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITH THE STEERING BOX DESIGNED FOR THE F450 MODEL AS OPPOSED TO THE F350 MODEL. THE HIGHWAY PATROL ARRIVED TO THE SCENE SHORTLY AFTER AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE CURRENT WAS 31,000.
NHTSA ODI #10294150
30,000 miles · Dec 1, 2009
Steering
2006 FORD F350 SUPERDUTY DIESEL DRIVING ON THE FWY MAKING A CURVE ABOUT 55MPH THE FRONT END STARTS TO HOP VIOLENTLY AND BOUNCING. ALMOST LOST CONTROL DUE TO OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. I HAD TO APPLY MY BRAKES ON THE FWY IN A VERY UNSAFE MANNER AND LOCATION CAUSING CAR BEHIND ME TO VEER OFF IN MANY DIRECTIONS AS I CAME TO A HALT. T…
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2006 FORD F350 SUPERDUTY DIESEL DRIVING ON THE FWY MAKING A CURVE ABOUT 55MPH THE FRONT END STARTS TO HOP VIOLENTLY AND BOUNCING. ALMOST LOST CONTROL DUE TO OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. I HAD TO APPLY MY BRAKES ON THE FWY IN A VERY UNSAFE MANNER AND LOCATION CAUSING CAR BEHIND ME TO VEER OFF IN MANY DIRECTIONS AS I CAME TO A HALT. THIS LOSS OF CONTROL HAPPENED ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES NOW IN THE LAST 2YEARS WITH ALWAYS THE SAME SITUATION FWY SPEEDS AND ANY TYPE OF BUMP IN THE ROAD SURFACE. HAPPENED ON UPHILL CURVES AS WELL AS FLAT OR DOWN HILL CURVES. A LESSER OF DRIVER MAY FAIL TO MAKE PROPER ADJUSTMENTS WHICH I SURE WILL LEAD TO A CRASH OR WORSE A DEATH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10294097
24,200 miles · Oct 13, 2009
SteeringSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F350. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40 TO 60 MPH AND WHEN HITTING BUMPS ON THE ROAD THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE ALONG WITH THE STEERING COLUMN SHIMMIES. AROUND MAY SHE RECEIVED A NOTICE ABOUT VEHICLE VIBRATION . THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT 4- WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED AS W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F350. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40 TO 60 MPH AND WHEN HITTING BUMPS ON THE ROAD THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE ALONG WITH THE STEERING COLUMN SHIMMIES. AROUND MAY SHE RECEIVED A NOTICE ABOUT VEHICLE VIBRATION . THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT 4- WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED AS WELL AS A STEERING DAMPNER. UPDATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24200. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42500. UPDATED 11/04/09. *LJ UPDATED 11/05/09
NHTSA ODI #10287227
10,000 miles · Aug 24, 2009
SteeringSuspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F350 CREW CAB 4X4 WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2005. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST STEERING CONTROL WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING EXCESSIVELY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS; H…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F350 CREW CAB 4X4 WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2005. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST STEERING CONTROL WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING EXCESSIVELY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS; HOWEVER, THERE WERE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS REPLACED AS WELL AS PREVIOUS REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
NHTSA ODI #10281566
54,200 miles · May 19, 2009
SteeringSuspension
EXCESSIVE FRONT END SHIMMY ON OCCASION WITH MY FORD F350 4X4. I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE. THE FIRST TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURRED, MY TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW AND SUBSEQUENTLY MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURE SEEMED TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM FOR A WHILE. HOWEVER, RECENTLY I HIT SOME BUMPS WHILE TRAVELING O…
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EXCESSIVE FRONT END SHIMMY ON OCCASION WITH MY FORD F350 4X4. I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE. THE FIRST TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURRED, MY TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW AND SUBSEQUENTLY MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURE SEEMED TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM FOR A WHILE. HOWEVER, RECENTLY I HIT SOME BUMPS WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND THE FRONT END BEGAN TO SHIMMY VERY VIOLENTLY. I KNEW TO HIT THE BRAKES TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING, BUT I HAD TO STAY ON MY BRAKES UNTIL I SLOWED TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH BEFORE I COULD REGAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I CALLED A LOCAL FORD SERVICE CENTER, BUT THEY SAID THEY WOULD "ONLY BE GUESSING" AT THE PROPER WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I THEN CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE, AS I AM NERVOUS ABOUT RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I CALL SEVERAL SERVICE CENTERS UNTIL I FIND ONE THAT HAS EXPERIENCE WITH TRYING TO FIX THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. I HAVE DONE THAT AND I HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE TOMORROW. THE REASON FOR MY WRITING THIS COMPLAINT IS THAT THE LAST OCCURRING WAS SO SEVERE, THAT I WAS AFRAID OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE QUICK DECELERATION I WAS FORCED INTO IN ORDER TO REGAIN STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10269346
16,000 miles · May 15, 2009
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicSteering
THE FORD F-350 TRUCK I BOUGHT IS DEFECTIVE, AS EVIDENCED BY THE 7 POWER STEERING AND BRAKE REPAIRS REQUIRED IN THE PAST 3 YEARS, ALONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND RING AND PINION REPAIR. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD 24 TIMES, I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MN BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND THE MN ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. I BELIEV…
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THE FORD F-350 TRUCK I BOUGHT IS DEFECTIVE, AS EVIDENCED BY THE 7 POWER STEERING AND BRAKE REPAIRS REQUIRED IN THE PAST 3 YEARS, ALONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND RING AND PINION REPAIR. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD 24 TIMES, I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MN BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND THE MN ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. I BELIEVE THE TRUCK WAS MANUFACTURED IN A FAULTY MANNER, AND I AM AFRAID THE TRUCK MAY BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I NEED YOUR HELP IN OBTAINING CREDIT TOWARDS A NEW TRUCK OR A NEW TRUCK DUE TO THE UNACCEPTABLE NUMBER AND TYPE OF REPAIRS REQUIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10268818
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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