IllustrationCRACKED POLISHED FORGED ALUM 20" WHEEL. ORIGINAL FORD EQUIPMENT. DID NOT HIT POT HOLE. DID NOT HIT ANYTHING! WHEEL IS CRACKED/SPLIT OPEN SPOKE TO SPOKE PARALLEL WITH TIRE BEAD. TIRE IS FINE. WHEEL IS OBVIOUSLY UNSAFE!
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 reportsHAD A CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC 275/70R18 BLOW OUT ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE TOWING. IT WAS A REAR DRIVE TIRE ON A 2006 F350 DIESEL. THE TIRE BLEW RIGHT APART, TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE, CAUSING ENTIRE LEFT SIDE BED DAMAGE, RESULTING IN OVER $3,000 OF DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK
ENGINE DIES WHILE DRIVING. DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME. MAINLY WHEN ACCELERATING AND IF LET OFF GAS AND APPLY BRAKES.
CORRUPTED V.I.N CALIBRATION IN PCM CAUSING A.B.S MODULE TO LOCK FRONT BRAKES AND NOT FULLY RELEASE. 2 FRONT ABS SENSORS READ 14% DIFFERENT SPEED FROM REAR CAUSING ABS TO SENSE AN ISSUE WHEN THERE IS NOT AN ACTUAL MECHANICAL ISSUE. WHEN A.B.S TRIES TO SLOW FRONT WHEELS IT DOES NOT FULLY RELEASE FRONT WHEELS CAUSING BRAKES TO OVER…
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CORRUPTED V.I.N CALIBRATION IN PCM CAUSING A.B.S MODULE TO LOCK FRONT BRAKES AND NOT FULLY RELEASE. 2 FRONT ABS SENSORS READ 14% DIFFERENT SPEED FROM REAR CAUSING ABS TO SENSE AN ISSUE WHEN THERE IS NOT AN ACTUAL MECHANICAL ISSUE. WHEN A.B.S TRIES TO SLOW FRONT WHEELS IT DOES NOT FULLY RELEASE FRONT WHEELS CAUSING BRAKES TO OVERHEAT TO THE POINT OF CAUSING BRAKE FIRE. I HAVE WORKED WITH FORD DEALERSHIP TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE BUT THEY CANNOT COME UP WITH A SOLUTION.
WHILE TOWING MY LARGE CAMPER, ON THE FREEWAY, I HIT A BUMP. THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO STOP THE TRUCK WITHOUT WRECKING. I HAD TO STOP IN THE TRAFFIC LANE. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. AFTER RESUMING TRAVEL, THE FRONT END WOULD SHIMMY AT ABOUT 45 MPH. I HAD T…
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WHILE TOWING MY LARGE CAMPER, ON THE FREEWAY, I HIT A BUMP. THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO STOP THE TRUCK WITHOUT WRECKING. I HAD TO STOP IN THE TRAFFIC LANE. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. AFTER RESUMING TRAVEL, THE FRONT END WOULD SHIMMY AT ABOUT 45 MPH. I HAD TO DRIVE HOME AT 40 MPH...ROUGHLY ANOTHER 75 MILES. I THINK I HAVE SEEN AN ADVISORY LETTER FROM FORD, TO OWNERS, CONCERNING THIS. THERE ARE MANY, MANY INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING. ONE CAN FIND DOZENS OF EXAMPLES OF THIS HAPPENING IF ONE LOOKS ON LINE. NEITHER FORD NOR THE LOCAL FORD DEALER SEEMS TO BE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. WE WERE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 60 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED LIQUID UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THERE WAS A DAMAGED HEAD GASKET THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED LIQUID UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THERE WAS A DAMAGED HEAD GASKET THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL DUE TO BLACK ICE. THE CONTACT DROVE INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED OUT OF THE DITCH. THE CONTACT STRUCK THE CENTER CONSOLE AND SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, AND SEVERE PAIN TO THE HEAD, NECK, AND SH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL DUE TO BLACK ICE. THE CONTACT DROVE INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED OUT OF THE DITCH. THE CONTACT STRUCK THE CENTER CONSOLE AND SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, AND SEVERE PAIN TO THE HEAD, NECK, AND SHOULDERS. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND ANOTHER PASSENGER SUSTAINED UNDISCLOSED INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE'S SEAT WAS CONSIDERED A FIFTH SEAT FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AXLE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE REMEDY WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AXLE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE REMEDY WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE EXHAUST PIPE SMOKED AND/OR STEAMED AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE CHECK TEMPERATURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT FILLED THE ENGINE WITH WATER AND DROVE HOME. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE EGR COOLER LEAKED; THEREFORE, THE EG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE EXHAUST PIPE SMOKED AND/OR STEAMED AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE CHECK TEMPERATURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT FILLED THE ENGINE WITH WATER AND DROVE HOME. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE EGR COOLER LEAKED; THEREFORE, THE EGR COOLER AND THE OIL COOLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.
FORD F-350 2006 OSCILLATION I HAVE FILED A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT BEFORE RE THE VIOLENT OSCILLATION THAT HAPPENS WITH OUR FORD F-350 TRUCK. WE HAVE HAD MORE EVENTS AT SLOWER SPEEDS AND THE SHAKING IS ALMOST UNMANAGEABLE NOW. WEDNESDAY MAY 11 APPROX 1PM EXITING THE BOURNE BRIDGE MA. I WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 40MPH AND EXITING THE…
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FORD F-350 2006 OSCILLATION I HAVE FILED A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT BEFORE RE THE VIOLENT OSCILLATION THAT HAPPENS WITH OUR FORD F-350 TRUCK. WE HAVE HAD MORE EVENTS AT SLOWER SPEEDS AND THE SHAKING IS ALMOST UNMANAGEABLE NOW. WEDNESDAY MAY 11 APPROX 1PM EXITING THE BOURNE BRIDGE MA. I WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 40MPH AND EXITING THE BRIDGE. THERE WAS A ROUGH CONSTRUCTION PATCH ON THE ROAD RIGHT WHERE THE ROAD CONNECTS TO THE BRIDGE. AS I HIT THE ROUGH PATCH, THE OSCILLATION BEGAN AND THE TRUCK SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY APPROACHING THE ROTARY. THERE WAS A LOT OF TRAFFIC AND CARS IN THE LANE BESIDE ME THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. MAY 20, 2016 AT APPROX 5PM. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING WEST ON HIGHWAY ROUTE 6, CAPE COD MA AT APPROX 55MPH. AS HE PASSED EXIT 6, HE HIT A ROUGH PATCH AND THE TRUCK BEGAN OSCILLATING VIOLENTLY. HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL IT AND SWERVED IN BOTH LANES OF THE WESTERLY 2-LANE HIGHWAY ALSO RUBBING AGAINST THE CURB. LUCKILY THE TRAFFIC STOPPED WHEN SEEING HIS TRUCK OUT OF CONTROL AND NO ONE WAS HURT OTHER THAN MY HUSBAND BEING TOTALLY SHAKEN. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN INFLATED AS RECOMMENDED BY FORD WHEN THE SENT A LETTER RE THIS DEFECT. THIS TRUCK IS DANGEROUS, NOT ONLY TO US BUT OTHERS WHO ARE ON THE ROAD. I HAVE CONTACTED THE PLYMOUTH FORD DEALER WHERE THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED, FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND FORD HEAD OFFICE. EVEN THOUGH THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE TRUCKS ARE DEFECTIVE, THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING THEM. OUR TRUCK IS OSCILLATING REALLY BADLY AND IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, NOT ONLY FOR THOSE OF US DRIVING THESE DEFECTIVE FORD F-350 2006 TRUCKS, BUT FOR THE OTHER INNOCENT LIVES ON THE ROAD.
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.