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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
60,000 miles · Sep 16, 2011
Fuel System, Diesel

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS RUSTING DUE TO A FAULTY COATING ON THE INSIDE OF THE TANK. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS RUSTING DUE TO A FAULTY COATING ON THE INSIDE OF THE TANK. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10425750

21,000 miles · Sep 1, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,500.

NHTSA ODI #10422936

126,000 miles · Jul 14, 2011
SteeringSuspension

2006 FORD F350 EXPERIENCE EXTREMELY VIOLENT SHAKING WHEN DRIVING 45 PLUS MPH AND HIT ANY TYPE BUMP. SHAKING IS SO VIOLENT STEERING IS NOT CAPABLE AND BRAKING ONLY MAKES SHAKING WORSE. I'VE CONTACTED DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY REPLACED A BUSHING BUT PROBLEM PERSISTED. THEY HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS BASICALLY OUT O…

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2006 FORD F350 EXPERIENCE EXTREMELY VIOLENT SHAKING WHEN DRIVING 45 PLUS MPH AND HIT ANY TYPE BUMP. SHAKING IS SO VIOLENT STEERING IS NOT CAPABLE AND BRAKING ONLY MAKES SHAKING WORSE. I'VE CONTACTED DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY REPLACED A BUSHING BUT PROBLEM PERSISTED. THEY HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS BASICALLY OUT OF CONTROL WHEN THIS HAPPENS. LAST DATE OF OCCURRENCE IS JULY 14,2011 AND THIS PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED SINCE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALER. TRUCK HAS NO LIFT AND IS STOCK MODEL. PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10412372

134,800 miles · May 26, 2011
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY ON THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 134,800.

NHTSA ODI #10402808

105,953 miles · May 12, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TRAILER BREAK CONTROLLER FAULTY, REPLACE EGR AND INJECTORS. 3/31/09~ REPLACE EGR COOLER, GASKET, FUEL FILTERS. 6/8/10~ ICP SENSOR & CONNECTOR FAULTY, CAC HOSE LEAKING, INJECTORS FAULTY, EGR VALVES CHANGED. 6/25/10~ 17 DAYS LATER BACK AGAIN IN SHOP FOR SAME ISSUE. TRUCK RUNS THEN WHEN YOU STOP THE TRUCK IN HOT WEATHER, IT WILL …

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TRAILER BREAK CONTROLLER FAULTY, REPLACE EGR AND INJECTORS. 3/31/09~ REPLACE EGR COOLER, GASKET, FUEL FILTERS. 6/8/10~ ICP SENSOR & CONNECTOR FAULTY, CAC HOSE LEAKING, INJECTORS FAULTY, EGR VALVES CHANGED. 6/25/10~ 17 DAYS LATER BACK AGAIN IN SHOP FOR SAME ISSUE. TRUCK RUNS THEN WHEN YOU STOP THE TRUCK IN HOT WEATHER, IT WILL NOT RESTART FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR. TRUCK NEEDS TO COOL DOWN BEFORE RESTARTING. AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT PROBLEM IS AND FIX IT CORRECTLY.

NHTSA ODI #10403449

75,000 miles · Apr 4, 2011
SteeringSuspension

FORD F350 DEATH SHAKE HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES TRUCK HITS BUMP OR POT HOLE REGARDLESS OF SPEED (BUT SHAKE IS WORSE OVER 40 MPH)AND STARTS A VERY DANGEROUS SHAKE THAT GETS WORSE UNTIL THE WHOLE TRUCK IS OUT OF CONTROL. BRAKING HARD TO STOP WILL STOP IT BUT ACCIDENT SEEMS TO BE AROUND THE CORNER. I HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER AND TIRE…

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FORD F350 DEATH SHAKE HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES TRUCK HITS BUMP OR POT HOLE REGARDLESS OF SPEED (BUT SHAKE IS WORSE OVER 40 MPH)AND STARTS A VERY DANGEROUS SHAKE THAT GETS WORSE UNTIL THE WHOLE TRUCK IS OUT OF CONTROL. BRAKING HARD TO STOP WILL STOP IT BUT ACCIDENT SEEMS TO BE AROUND THE CORNER. I HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER AND TIRE SHOP THEY SAY NOTHING WRONG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10394247

80,000 miles · Feb 2, 2011
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE SHAKING WOULD WORSEN WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS AND AROUND TURNS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE SHAKING WOULD WORSEN WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS AND AROUND TURNS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10379945

5,000 miles · Feb 1, 2011
Suspension

THIS IS A COMPANY VEHICLE DRIVEN BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT EMPLOYEES. MANY OF THESE DRIVERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF A SUDDEN VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE VEHICLE WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, USUALLY AFTER HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD, EXPANSION JOINT, ETC. THIS SHAKING WILL ONLY STOP BY LOWERING SPEED SOMETIMES TO AS LOW AS 10 MPH. WE HAVE TAKEN THE …

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THIS IS A COMPANY VEHICLE DRIVEN BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT EMPLOYEES. MANY OF THESE DRIVERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF A SUDDEN VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE VEHICLE WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, USUALLY AFTER HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD, EXPANSION JOINT, ETC. THIS SHAKING WILL ONLY STOP BY LOWERING SPEED SOMETIMES TO AS LOW AS 10 MPH. WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS IN SOLVING THE PROBLEM. THEY EVEN ADVISED US TO INSTALL AIRBAGS TO THE REAR SUSPENSION TO DISTRIBUTE WEIGHT TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN LOADED. WE ARE CURRENTLY ON OUR FOURTH SET OF QUALITY E-RATED TIRES (RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURE IS MAINTAINED) BUT ARE STILL EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10380530

69,338 miles · Jan 27, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, HE NOTICED SMOKE BEING EMITTED FROM THE TAILPIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN AND THE GASKET, EGR, AND OIL COOLANT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, HE NOTICED SMOKE BEING EMITTED FROM THE TAILPIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN AND THE GASKET, EGR, AND OIL COOLANT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,338.

NHTSA ODI #10379301

135,000 miles · Jan 4, 2011
Suspension

APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH AGO I PURCHASED A 2006 FORD F350 SUPER DUTY.WHILE TRAVELING ALONG HIGHWAYS 45-65MPH, AFTER HITTING A ROUGHER PORTION OF THE ROAD, THE FRONT WHEELS BEGIN TO HOP/SHAKE IN A HIGHLY UNSAFE MANNER TO WHICH THE VEHICLE IS ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERYTIME I TRAVEL ON THE HIGHWAYS WHICH IS EVER…

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APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH AGO I PURCHASED A 2006 FORD F350 SUPER DUTY.WHILE TRAVELING ALONG HIGHWAYS 45-65MPH, AFTER HITTING A ROUGHER PORTION OF THE ROAD, THE FRONT WHEELS BEGIN TO HOP/SHAKE IN A HIGHLY UNSAFE MANNER TO WHICH THE VEHICLE IS ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERYTIME I TRAVEL ON THE HIGHWAYS WHICH IS EVERYDAY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE QUITE EXTENSIVELY ONLINE IN SUCH FORUMS AS THIS. MANY HAVE TRIED REPLACING PARTS BUT IT SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE NOTHING WAS OUT OF THE ORDINARY BEFORE I WASTE HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO FIX. SAFETY IS OF THE MAIN CONCERN FOR MYSELF AND ESPECIALLY OTHERS ON THE ROAD DUE TO THE SIZE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED A LOCAL REPUTABLE FORD DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS AS OF TODAY JANUARY 4 2011. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10374098

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.