IllustrationI OWN A 2006 F350 4X4 XLT AND WHEN I HIT A BUMP AT OVER 55MPH THE FRONT SHAKES AND FEELS LIKE IT IS COMING OFF. I KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT NUMEROUS SUPER DUTY OWNERS HAVE. I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND KNOW THAT THIS HAS CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY AND I AM SURE DEATH. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all F-350 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
300–25K
2125–50K
2950–75K
1275–100K
26100–150K
13150K+
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
What owners actually said
145 reportsTL*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.
I PURCHASED NEW A 2006 F350 4X4 3 YEARS AGO. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS (SO THERE ARE MANY DATES THIS HAS OCCURRED) LEFT FRONT END DEATH WOBBLES WHEN TAKING A SWEEPING TURN TO THE LEFT AT ABOUT 70 MPH ON A FREEWAY WITH SOME BUMPS UNDER THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. THIS WOBBLE IS SO BAD THAT I HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY SLOW THE VEHICLE TO ALMOST 30 M…
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I PURCHASED NEW A 2006 F350 4X4 3 YEARS AGO. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS (SO THERE ARE MANY DATES THIS HAS OCCURRED) LEFT FRONT END DEATH WOBBLES WHEN TAKING A SWEEPING TURN TO THE LEFT AT ABOUT 70 MPH ON A FREEWAY WITH SOME BUMPS UNDER THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. THIS WOBBLE IS SO BAD THAT I HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY SLOW THE VEHICLE TO ALMOST 30 MPH ON THE FREEWAY FOR IT TO GO AWAY. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TRUCK IN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS WOBBLE TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE ROTATED TIRES AND MADE SURE THE TIRES ARE INFLATED PROPERLY BY THE DEALER. TIRE INFLATION DOES NOT RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. AFTER PROPER INFLATION BY THE DEALER AND CHECKED BY ME, I STILL GET THE "DEATH WOBBLE". RECENTLY, I RECEIVED A GENERIC LETTER FROM FORD ACKNOWLEDGING THE FACT THAT THIS ISSUE IS NOT UNCOMMON AND THAT I SHOULD MAKE SURE MY TIRES ARE INFLATED PROPERLY. I HAVE DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE NOW SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FIND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT UNCOMMON. I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. IT IS DANGEROUS TO ME AND MY FAMILY. *TR
2006 F-350 HAVING FUEL TANK LINER FAILURE PROBLEMS. *TR
2006 FORD F-350 FUEL TANK LINER FAILURES. TANK LINER COMING APART CAUSING THE FUEL TANK NEEDING TO BE RELINED, AND REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND SHIMMIED SEVERELY. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VEER ACROSS THE ROAD WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OVER ROUGH ROAD SURFACES. THE VEHICLE WAS …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND SHIMMIED SEVERELY. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VEER ACROSS THE ROAD WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OVER ROUGH ROAD SURFACES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS FAULTY DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DESIGN DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CHECK THE TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000. UPDATED 07/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 07/20/09.*JB
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
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
I OWN A FORD F350 DUALLY SUPER DUTY TRUCK. FORD SENT A LETTER STATING THAT SOME DRIVERS HAVE EXPERIENCED A SEVERE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION. THEY SAID IT ISN'T A RECALL, JUST A NOTICE. WE HAVE HAD TROUBLE W/THIS TRUCK DOING THIS PRIOR TO THE LETTER. IT'S DOCUMENTED AT BRAD HOWELL FORD IN GREENTOWN IN. AFTER RECEIVING THE LET…
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I OWN A FORD F350 DUALLY SUPER DUTY TRUCK. FORD SENT A LETTER STATING THAT SOME DRIVERS HAVE EXPERIENCED A SEVERE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION. THEY SAID IT ISN'T A RECALL, JUST A NOTICE. WE HAVE HAD TROUBLE W/THIS TRUCK DOING THIS PRIOR TO THE LETTER. IT'S DOCUMENTED AT BRAD HOWELL FORD IN GREENTOWN IN. AFTER RECEIVING THE LETTER WE AGAIN WENT TO BHF. WE CALLED FORD MOTOR AND TOLD THEM, THEY SAID PUT STABILIZERS ON IT AT OUR COST. WE DID. PLUS NEW FRONT SHOCKS. THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN THE VIBRATION HAPPENS. WE HAVE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP SOMETIMES. AND WE PULL TRAILERS BEHIND THE TRUCK FREQUENTLY. NEEDLESS TO SAY, WE HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN ANY CAUSE OR SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. FORD MOTOR TOOK OUR INFORMATION, PASSED IT ON TO BHF, AND THEY INTURN SAID WE WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR PUTTING THE STEERING STABILIZERS ON. AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT. WE HAVE TO DRIVE THE TRUCK TO TN IN 3 WEEKS, PULLING A TRAILER. IF THIS VIBRATION OCCURS WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE WE PRAY AN ACCIDENT DOES NOT OCCUR. I DON'T HAVE ANOTHER CHOICE FOR VEHICLES. I FEEL THAT FORD KNOWS THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM W/THE STEERING, I'VE TAKEN IT TO BHF FOR THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE PRIOR TO THE LETTER, AND STILL DRIVING A TRUCK THAT I CONSIDER UNSAFE, BUT MY ONLY OPTION. FORD KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM, THEY SHOULD PROTECT THEIR CONSUMERS AND FIND OUT THE CORRECT WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
DIESEL FUEL TANK FAILURE ON 2006 F350 POWERSTROKE. *TR
Official recalls
111V352000 · 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
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.