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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

What owners actually said

145 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2021
SteeringSuspension

My truck experiences what I have learned is called the death wobble. The condition occurs intermittently but usually at speeds above 50mph and seems to be initiated by hitting any small bump. The whole front end shakes violently like the tires have been half filled with lead causing them to rotate wildly out of round. The truck …

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My truck experiences what I have learned is called the death wobble. The condition occurs intermittently but usually at speeds above 50mph and seems to be initiated by hitting any small bump. The whole front end shakes violently like the tires have been half filled with lead causing them to rotate wildly out of round. The truck actually bounces up and down rapidly and the steering wheel shakes violently creating a very unsafe driving circumstance. My research into this issue uncovered that this is a well-known condition that has been reported multiple times by many different Ford truck owners and that it occurs on Ford trucks of various year make and model. I also am aware of Fords service letter 09L02 advising owners to maintain proper air pressure to combat the issue. It is my opinion that Fords efforts to address this issue are woefully inadequate and the NHTSA has allowed this manufacturer to produce and provide an unsafe vehicle to the public for way to long. This is a hazardous condition that needs to be properly addressed.

NHTSA ODI #11419405

60,000 miles · Mar 26, 2021
SteeringSuspensionWheels

DRIVING EAST ON INTERSTATE I10 EAST OF BENSON, AZ AT AROUND 75MPH, HIT A ROUGH PATCH OF ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WENT WILD, SHAKING, VIBRATING, LOSS OF CONTROL. I HIT THE BRAKES AND WENT ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC INTO THE MEDIUM, WHERE I SKIDDED TO A STOP. I SEE FROM THE INTERNET THIS IS CALLED THE F350 DEATH WOBBLE! THE FORD F350 …

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DRIVING EAST ON INTERSTATE I10 EAST OF BENSON, AZ AT AROUND 75MPH, HIT A ROUGH PATCH OF ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WENT WILD, SHAKING, VIBRATING, LOSS OF CONTROL. I HIT THE BRAKES AND WENT ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC INTO THE MEDIUM, WHERE I SKIDDED TO A STOP. I SEE FROM THE INTERNET THIS IS CALLED THE F350 DEATH WOBBLE! THE FORD F350 AND ALL RELATED VEHICLES NEED TO BE TAKEN OFF THE ROADS, THEY ARE A POTENTIAL DEATH TRAP. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THIS ACCIDENT OR EVEN WORSE SOME INNOCENT FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IN A HEAD ON ACCIDENT! MY FORD F350 VEHICLE HAS AROUND 60,000 MILES, SUPERDUTY, 4X4. IT IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH A CAB OVER CAMPER.

NHTSA ODI #11404937

60,000 miles · Mar 11, 2021
Suspension

TRUCK VIBRATES UNCONTROLLABLY AFTER HITTING BUMPS OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS I REPLACE THE BRAKES THREE TIMES AND THAT DIDN'T FIX IT THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE IT HIT ABOUT 60K MILES. IT NOW HAS 108K I CAN NOT TRUST THIS TRUCK ANYMORE.

NHTSA ODI #11402525

135,000 miles · Mar 9, 2021
Suspension

ON 2/28/21 AND 3/6/21 WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, I EXPERIENCED TWO SEPARATE VIOLENT SHAKING EVENTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING. BOTH EVENTS OCCURED AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH UPON CROSSING PAVEMENT JOINTS. THE SHAKING IS SO VIOLENT YOU LOSE THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND JUST HOPE IT DOESN'T CAUSE A WRECK. THE…

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ON 2/28/21 AND 3/6/21 WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, I EXPERIENCED TWO SEPARATE VIOLENT SHAKING EVENTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING. BOTH EVENTS OCCURED AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH UPON CROSSING PAVEMENT JOINTS. THE SHAKING IS SO VIOLENT YOU LOSE THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND JUST HOPE IT DOESN'T CAUSE A WRECK. THE SHAKING WILL NOT STOP UNTIL SPEED IS REDUCED TO APPROXIMATELY 20MPH, WHICH IN ITSELF IS DANGEROUS ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. A PASSENGER IN MY TRUCK DURING FIRST INCIDENT SAID HE THOUGHT I HAD HIT A LOAD OF PIPES IN THE ROAD. DURING THE SECOND EVENT, NEARBY MOTORISTS LOOKED AT ME LIKE MY TRUCK WAS FALLING APART. I AM VERY UPSET THAT FORD AND NHTSA HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL. THIS PROBLEM STARTED WHEN VEHICLE WAS BRAND NEW. FIRST DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. A SECOND DEALER TIGHTENED VARIOUS FASTENERS ON FRONT SUSPENSION AND MADE STEERING BOX VERY TIGHT. I WAS ALSO GIVEN NEW ALIGNMENT SPECS (WHICH I GAVE TO TIRE INSTALLER), AND ADVISED INFLATING TIRES TO MUCH HIGHER PRESSURE THAN TRUCK WAS DELIVERED NEW WITH. IT IS UNWORKABLE BECAUSE IT RESULTS IN BRUTAL RIDE IF TRUCK IS OPERATED WITHOUT PAYLOAD. I BELIEVE THESE EVENTS ARE CAUSED BY UNDAMPED RESONANCE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. IT FEELS LIKE THE WHEELS ARE ALTERNATELY POUNDING UP AND DOWN, LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE. THE STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATES SO HARD YOU CAN'T HOLD ON.

NHTSA ODI #11399954

220,000 miles · Sep 28, 2020
SteeringSuspension

I WAS RIDING DOWN HWY55 AT ABOUT 65 TO 70 MPH AND TRUCK STARTS TO WOBBLE AND BOUNCE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE TRUCK BOUNCED TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT. AFTER GATHERING MYSELF I GOT OUT TO CHECK TRUCK AND THERE WAS NO FLATS AND ALL LUGS WAS THERE. I THOUGHT MAYBE I RAN OVER SOMETHING BUT ABOUT 12 MILES DOWN T…

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I WAS RIDING DOWN HWY55 AT ABOUT 65 TO 70 MPH AND TRUCK STARTS TO WOBBLE AND BOUNCE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE TRUCK BOUNCED TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT. AFTER GATHERING MYSELF I GOT OUT TO CHECK TRUCK AND THERE WAS NO FLATS AND ALL LUGS WAS THERE. I THOUGHT MAYBE I RAN OVER SOMETHING BUT ABOUT 12 MILES DOWN THE TRUCKS DOES IT AGAIN. BUT THERE ARE MANY CARS BEHIND AND ON THE SIDE OF ME. CARS AND TRUCKS ARE GOING DOWN THE OF ROAD TO GET OUT OF WAY. THIS IS SO A VERY FRIGHTEN AND HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU ARE NOT PREPARED OR AWARE OF ABOUT THIS TRUCK. FORD TO BE ON OF THE TOP TRUCK MANUFACTURE IT GREATLY SADDEN ME TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE VISUALLY AWARE OF THE TRUCKS DEATHLY DEFECT FOR OVER 15 YEARS. YOU HAVE NOT MADE AN EFFORT TO PROVIDE A SAFE DURABLE PRODUCT TO PROTECT YOUR ROYAL CUSTOMERS OR YOURSELVES. TECHNOLOGY HAS AFFORDED MANY SEEN APPLICATION TO DO SO. YET YOU HAVE IGNORE WHAT IS YOUR COMPANY FUTURE.

NHTSA ODI #11361469

200,000 miles · Jan 20, 2020
SteeringSuspension

DEATH WOBBLE, THE TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN I DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY SINCE DAY ONE WHEN I BOUGHT IT . THE DEALER WON'T FIX IT THAT , THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT .AND THE DEALER SAYS TO REMOVE AIR FROM THE TIRES AND IT SHOULD STOP THE SHAKING .

NHTSA ODI #11300513

150,000 miles · Sep 25, 2019
Steering

TRUCK HAS A STEERING PROBLEM.MOST OF THE TIME TRUCK TRAVELS STRAIT.SOME TIMES AFTER MAKING A TURN RIGHT OR LEFT THE TRUCK CONTINUES TRAVEL IN THAT DIRECTION! I HAVE TO YANG HARD ON THE STEERING WHEEL BACK IN OPPOSITE DIRRECTION TO GET TRUCK BACK IN ITS LANE!ALSO SOMETIMES THE TRUCK OUT OF THE CLEAR BLUE TRUCK TAKE OFF TO THE RIG…

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TRUCK HAS A STEERING PROBLEM.MOST OF THE TIME TRUCK TRAVELS STRAIT.SOME TIMES AFTER MAKING A TURN RIGHT OR LEFT THE TRUCK CONTINUES TRAVEL IN THAT DIRECTION! I HAVE TO YANG HARD ON THE STEERING WHEEL BACK IN OPPOSITE DIRRECTION TO GET TRUCK BACK IN ITS LANE!ALSO SOMETIMES THE TRUCK OUT OF THE CLEAR BLUE TRUCK TAKE OFF TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT AN I HAVE T PULL THE WHEEL IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO GET TRUCK BACK IN IT'S LANE!OTHER TIMES GOING THAN THE ROAD THE TRUCK HITS A BUMP IN THE ROAD AN TRUCK WILL EITHER GO RIGHT OR LEFT AN STEERING WHEEL HAS TO BE PULL THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO GET IT BACK IN IT'S LANE! I NOTICE THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BEFORE AN NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT! MECHANICS SAY IT'S THE STEERING PUMP OR STEERING BOX WHICH HAS NOT CORRECTED ANY BODY'S TRUCK THAT THAT HAS BOTH THESE PARTS REPLACE! THIS CAN CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT FORD SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #11258188

99,987 miles · Aug 5, 2019
SteeringSuspensionWheels

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT APPROX 60 MPH, HIT PATCH IN ROAD, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, DEATH WOBBLE, ALMOST CAUSED CRASH WITH 6 OTHER VEHICLES. WENT STRAIGHT TO DEALERSHIP TOLD IT WAS STEERING SHIMMY SHOCK FAILURE. ALIGNMENT. PAY FOR OUT OF POCKET, ALTHOUGH HAD SAME TRUCK IN SHOP FOR FRONT END REPAIRS IN JANUARY 2019.

NHTSA ODI #11241718

92,000 miles · Apr 24, 2019
Suspension

THE FRONT SUSPENSION WOBBLES VERY BAD WHEN GOING 40-60 MILES OVER A SMALL UNEVEN PAVEMENT. JUST REPLACED THE TIRES AND GOT AN ALIGNMENT. STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, I'M NOT ABLE TO DRIVE MY TRUCK CAUSE IT WOBBLES SO BAD THAT I HAVE TO COMPLETELY STOP FOR THE WOBBLING TO STOP. I PURCHASED MY TRUCK NEW AND NOW HAS 92K AND HAD N…

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THE FRONT SUSPENSION WOBBLES VERY BAD WHEN GOING 40-60 MILES OVER A SMALL UNEVEN PAVEMENT. JUST REPLACED THE TIRES AND GOT AN ALIGNMENT. STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, I'M NOT ABLE TO DRIVE MY TRUCK CAUSE IT WOBBLES SO BAD THAT I HAVE TO COMPLETELY STOP FOR THE WOBBLING TO STOP. I PURCHASED MY TRUCK NEW AND NOW HAS 92K AND HAD NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR AFTER MARKET TIRES OR PARTS. I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT IT WITH GENUINE PARTS DON'T KNOW THE PROBLEM AND NEED HELP.

NHTSA ODI #11203415

3 miles · Nov 14, 2018
Unknown Or Other

I SLOWED TO LET A VEHICLE PASS ON A NARROW STREET. WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR TO GET MY 2006 FORD F350 WITH THE 6.0L POWERSTROKE DIESEL ENGINE BACK UP TO 25 MILES PER HOUR, THE GAS PEDAL PULLED ITSELF TO THE FLOOR AT ABOUT 15 MILES PER HOUR AND WOULD NOT COME OFF THE FLOOR. I HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKES AND PUT THE TRUCK IN N…

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I SLOWED TO LET A VEHICLE PASS ON A NARROW STREET. WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR TO GET MY 2006 FORD F350 WITH THE 6.0L POWERSTROKE DIESEL ENGINE BACK UP TO 25 MILES PER HOUR, THE GAS PEDAL PULLED ITSELF TO THE FLOOR AT ABOUT 15 MILES PER HOUR AND WOULD NOT COME OFF THE FLOOR. I HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKES AND PUT THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL, THEN USE MY FOOT TO GET UNDER THE GAS PEDAL AND RETURN IT TO IT'S NORMAL OPERATING POSITION. AFTER, I DROVE TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE ELECTRICAL SENSOR IN THE GAS PEDAL WAS PROBABLY BAD AND THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACED. THIS INCIDENT ALMOST CAUSE ME TO REAR END A PERSON AT THE STOP SIGN IN FRONT OF ME AND PEDESTRIANS CROSSING THE ROAD IN THE CROSSWALK.

NHTSA ODI #11151586

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.