NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
145 reports60,000 miles · Feb 9, 2016
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
WHEN MERGING ON FREEWAY. TRUCK KEPT ACCELERATING AFTER LETTING OFF GAS PEDAL. SLAMMED ON BRAKES TO SLOW TRUCK. TRUCK KEPT GOING FASTER AND HAD NO CONTROL OF SPEED OR WAY TO STOP TRUCK. AFTER INCIDENT NOW TAC ODOMETER ON DASH NEEDLE WONT GO BACK TO ZERO AFTER YOU SHUT TRUCK OFF CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFF AND NO FLOOR MATS IN TRUC…
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WHEN MERGING ON FREEWAY. TRUCK KEPT ACCELERATING AFTER LETTING OFF GAS PEDAL. SLAMMED ON BRAKES TO SLOW TRUCK. TRUCK KEPT GOING FASTER AND HAD NO CONTROL OF SPEED OR WAY TO STOP TRUCK. AFTER INCIDENT NOW TAC ODOMETER ON DASH NEEDLE WONT GO BACK TO ZERO AFTER YOU SHUT TRUCK OFF CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFF AND NO FLOOR MATS IN TRUCK.
NHTSA ODI #10825158
120 miles · Jan 25, 2016
SteeringSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO VIBRATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE AS TO WHAT REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF THE VEHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO VIBRATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE AS TO WHAT REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120.
NHTSA ODI #10822088
120,000 miles · Jan 18, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringSuspension
FORD F-350 2006 COMPLAINT. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED VIOLENT SHAKING (SHIMMYING) WHEN THE TRUCK HITS A BUMP ON THE HIGHWAY AND AS A RESULT, EXTREME DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. OUR FIRST EXPERIENCE WAS IN AUGUST 2015, ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHILE TRAVELLING AT 75MP. WE HIT A BUMP AND THE TRUCK / STEERING WHEEL…
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FORD F-350 2006 COMPLAINT. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED VIOLENT SHAKING (SHIMMYING) WHEN THE TRUCK HITS A BUMP ON THE HIGHWAY AND AS A RESULT, EXTREME DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. OUR FIRST EXPERIENCE WAS IN AUGUST 2015, ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHILE TRAVELLING AT 75MP. WE HIT A BUMP AND THE TRUCK / STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS CAUSING US TO SWERVE ACROSS LANES AND STRUGGLE TO KEEP THE TRUCK IN THE LANE AND OUT OF TRAFFIC'S WAY. WE HAVE SINCE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM FOUR MORE TIMES HITTING BUMPY HIGHWAYS AT SPEEDS AS LOW AS 50MMP AND AS RECENT AS 2 WEEKS AGO. WE HAVE CHECKED IT OUT AND OUR MECHANIC ADVISED THAT HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. IT HAS BEEN A GREAT CONCERN OF OURS AS IT PUTS OUR LIVES (AND THOSE ON THE ROAD WITH US) AT DANGER WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURS. ADDITIONALLY, EVERY TIME THE VIOLENT SHAKING OCCURS, IT THROWS OFF THE ALIGNMENT AND BALANCING FOR THE TRUCK. WE HAVE JUST RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD ADVISING OF THIS PROBLEM AND I HAVE CALLED THE SERVICE CENTER FROM THE FORD DEALER WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM. FORD IS NOT ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS TO THESE DEFECTS AT THIS TIME. OUR TIRE PRESSURE IS IN KEEPING WITH FORD'S RECOMMENDATIONS AS THEY SUGGEST IN THEIR LETTER. FORD F-350 TRUCKS SHOULD NOT BE APPROVED FOR USE ON HIGHWAYS AS THIS DEFECT COULD RESULT IN FATAL ACCIDENTS IF THE SHAKING CANNOT BE CONTROLLED. ALSO, FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING THE FAULTY TRUCKS.
NHTSA ODI #10820797
115,000 miles · Jan 12, 2016
SteeringSuspension
SHIMMY IN FRONT END FORCES LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. SHIMMY OCCURS AT SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH. HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TIRE PRESSURE, CONTRARY TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY CLAIMS. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT END STEERING DESIGN AND SHOULD BE REVIEWED IN GREATER DETAIL BY THE NHTSA AND FIXED WITH MORE THAN A LETTER FROM FORD TELLING ME T…
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SHIMMY IN FRONT END FORCES LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. SHIMMY OCCURS AT SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH. HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TIRE PRESSURE, CONTRARY TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY CLAIMS. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT END STEERING DESIGN AND SHOULD BE REVIEWED IN GREATER DETAIL BY THE NHTSA AND FIXED WITH MORE THAN A LETTER FROM FORD TELLING ME TO CHECK THE AIR PRESSURE IN MY TIRES. AIR PRESSURE IS PERFECT AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA ODI #10819574
170,000 miles · Nov 30, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE ENGINE DID NOT START. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE ENGINE STARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE ENGINE DID NOT START. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE ENGINE STARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000. UPDATED 08/02/16*LJ UPDATED 08/09/16.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10807516
75,000 miles · Aug 18, 2015
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED 10,000 MILES PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. MA 10/22/2015 THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE ALONG WITH THE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. ALSO, THE BRAKES BECAME DISABLED ON THE TRAILER, THE CONSUMER WAS TOWING. UPDATED 12/09/15.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10749381
131,000 miles · Jun 24, 2015
Power TrainSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SWAYED SIDE TO SIDE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT, CASE SHIFTER, TRANSMISSION, LIFT PUMP, TRANSFER CASE, LEFT CALIBER, FUEL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SWAYED SIDE TO SIDE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT, CASE SHIFTER, TRANSMISSION, LIFT PUMP, TRANSFER CASE, LEFT CALIBER, FUEL LINE AND REAR SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000. MA 08/13/15 UPDATED 09/01/2015*LJ UPDATED 10/14/2015*JS
NHTSA ODI #10730174
106,428 miles · May 1, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS DRIVING ON NORTHBOUND FM 920 BETWEEN PEASTER AND POOLVILLE, TEXAS IN THE RAIN. BECAUSE OF THE RAIN, I WAS NOT DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 60 MPH, ONLY DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THERE WERE TWO VEHICLES APPROACHING ME SOUTHBOUND ON FM 920. ONE OF THEM WAS PASSING A VEHICLE AND WAS DRIVING HEAD ON TO ME WHILE PASSING …
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I WAS DRIVING ON NORTHBOUND FM 920 BETWEEN PEASTER AND POOLVILLE, TEXAS IN THE RAIN. BECAUSE OF THE RAIN, I WAS NOT DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 60 MPH, ONLY DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THERE WERE TWO VEHICLES APPROACHING ME SOUTHBOUND ON FM 920. ONE OF THEM WAS PASSING A VEHICLE AND WAS DRIVING HEAD ON TO ME WHILE PASSING THE OTHER VEHICLE IN THE RAIN. I DID NOT WANT HER TO HIT ME SO I SWERVED TO MISS HER AND ENDED UP IN A DITCH AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY PICKUP WAS TOTALED. BOTH OF THE OTHER VEHICLES LEFT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10714112
65,265 miles · Apr 16, 2015
Service Brakes
THE VEHICLE SHOOK AT 65 MPH AND SHIMMIED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. WE FIRST HAD TIRE ROTATED AND BALANCED AND A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF RIGHT SIDE BALL JOINTS. IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. WHEN WE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER REPAIR, THE DEALER TOOK US BACK TO LOOK AT THE REAR B…
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THE VEHICLE SHOOK AT 65 MPH AND SHIMMIED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. WE FIRST HAD TIRE ROTATED AND BALANCED AND A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF RIGHT SIDE BALL JOINTS. IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. WHEN WE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER REPAIR, THE DEALER TOOK US BACK TO LOOK AT THE REAR BRAKES. THE BACKING PLATES HAD FAILED DUE TO RUST AND THE PINS FOR THE PARKING BRAKE SHOES HAD PULLED THROUGH. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH ROTORS, BOTH BRAKE SHOES, THE BACKING PLATES AND THE PADS FOR THE DISK BRAKES.
NHTSA ODI #10706022
25,000 miles · Feb 26, 2015
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXHAUST FUMES WERE EMITTING FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE EXHAUST FUMES IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED O…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXHAUST FUMES WERE EMITTING FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE EXHAUST FUMES IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
NHTSA ODI #10690881
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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