IllustrationFRONT END WOBBLE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40-50 MPH AFTER DRIVING OVER BUMPS. NO REPAIRS HELP THE CONDITION, FRONT END ALIGNMENT, WHEEL BALANCING/TOTATION OR NEW TIRES. PROPER TIRE INFLATION. FORD DEALER IS AWARE OF CONDITON AND REPAIRS BUT WONT PROVIDE ANY OTHER ASSISTANCE. *TR
2006 Ford F-250 Sd
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most F-250 Sd years
Owner complaints for the 2006 Ford F-250 Sd are substantially higher than the model-year median of 89.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all F-250 Sd 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
700–25K
8025–50K
4150–75K
2475–100K
21100–150K
8150K+
244 reports with mileage · 30 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.
- Suspension. Review the 144 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 102 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports4 fire reports6 injury reports
Steering complaints
102 reportsSTEERING STICKS ONLY TO THE RIGHT CAUSING NOT ONLY ME BUT MY WIFE TO WRECK AT VARIOUS DIFFERENT SPEEDS. AFRAID ONE DAY ONE OF US WILL ACTUALLY WRECK WITH ONE OF OUR KIDS IN THE VEHICLE WITH US AND SERIOUS INJURY OCCURS. JUST WONDERING WHAT IT COULD BE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60-70 MPH WHEN HE TRAVELED OVER A POT HOLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO MOVE OFF THE ROADWAY TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR A MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CON…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60-70 MPH WHEN HE TRAVELED OVER A POT HOLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO MOVE OFF THE ROADWAY TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR A MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TRUCK HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT IT. A SHIMMY AND VIBRATION WHENEVER GOING OVER ANY TYPE OF IMPERFECTION ON THE ROADWAY. FROM A CONSTANT VIBRATION UP TO A SEVERE ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE SHIMMY. TRUCK WILL EVEN HOP SIDEWAYS WHEN GOING OVER A SMALL PATCH JOB ON THE HWY. I HAVE BOUGHT NEW TIRES, KEEP MY TIRE PRESSURE CONSTAN…
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TRUCK HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT IT. A SHIMMY AND VIBRATION WHENEVER GOING OVER ANY TYPE OF IMPERFECTION ON THE ROADWAY. FROM A CONSTANT VIBRATION UP TO A SEVERE ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE SHIMMY. TRUCK WILL EVEN HOP SIDEWAYS WHEN GOING OVER A SMALL PATCH JOB ON THE HWY. I HAVE BOUGHT NEW TIRES, KEEP MY TIRE PRESSURE CONSTANT AND STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP IF A FIX IS KNOWN. THE LAST SET OF TIRES WERE RUINED DUE TO CUPPING. AT $1300.00 A SET, I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO REPLACE AGAIN AFTER ONLY 15,000 MILES, BUT MORE THEN THAT, I WOULD HATE TO BE THE ONE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURY AND EVEN DEATH. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF FORD HAS COME UP WITH A REMEDY TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR
I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW AND HAVE READ THOUSANDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT IS THE SAME ISSUE. THIS TRUCK ALL MOST KILLED ME AGAIN TODAY. IT GOES INTO A "DEATH WOBBLE" WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP IF YOU ARE OVER 55MPH. IF YOU ANRT EXPECTING IT TO HAPPEN AND IT IS THE 1ST TIME YOU EXPERIENCE IT YOU WILL WRECK! …
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I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW AND HAVE READ THOUSANDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT IS THE SAME ISSUE. THIS TRUCK ALL MOST KILLED ME AGAIN TODAY. IT GOES INTO A "DEATH WOBBLE" WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP IF YOU ARE OVER 55MPH. IF YOU ANRT EXPECTING IT TO HAPPEN AND IT IS THE 1ST TIME YOU EXPERIENCE IT YOU WILL WRECK! I HAVE CONTACTED SEVERAL DEALERS AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW ABOUT OR HEARD ABOUT IT BUT THERE IS THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND ALSO HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD STATING TO CHECK TIRE PRESSURES! I HAVE DONE WHAT THEY SAID + HAD NEW SHOCKS, HAD NEW TIRES, STRUTS CHECKED, BALL JOINTS CHECKED, AND REAR SUSPENSION LOOKED AT. NOTHING IS WRONG ...THIS IS CLEARLY A FACTORY PROBLEM AND IT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE PEOPLE START DIEING FROM IT! IS FORD GOING TO RAISE MY CHILDREN WHEN THIS MAKES ME WRECK AND DIE ...NO THEY ARE NOT SO THEY NEED TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF. REPORTS SAY THAT THEY HAVE CHANGED THE SET UP ON NEWER HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS BECAUSE OF THIS SO WHY AREN'T THEY TAKING CARE OF THE ONE'S THEY ALREADY SOLD TO THE PUBLIC! PLEASE HELP...YOU CAN FIND TONS OF INFO IF YOU SEARCH " DEATH WOBBLE OR DEATH SHAKE! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY WOBBLE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY WOBBLE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,600.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH AND DROVE OVER A ROAD BUMP WHEN THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHOOK EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY WHO REPLACED THE TIRES, SHOCKS AND OTHER UNKNOWN COMPONENTS, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO L…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH AND DROVE OVER A ROAD BUMP WHEN THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHOOK EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY WHO REPLACED THE TIRES, SHOCKS AND OTHER UNKNOWN COMPONENTS, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHIMMY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MERGE INTO ANOTHER LANE. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN AND USUALLY WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 30-60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHIMMY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MERGE INTO ANOTHER LANE. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN AND USUALLY WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 30-60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A CONCURRENT INVESTIGATION OF THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08007 (SUSPENSION:FRONT) THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A VIOLENT SHAKING AFTER GOING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE VEHICLE JUMPED A HALF LANE OVER AND I HAD LOST CONTROL UNTIL MY SPEED WAS REDUCED. AT THAT TIME I WAS AFRAID OF SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES AND LOSING MORE CONTROL OR POSSIBLY FLIPPING OVER. NOW THIS VIOLENT…
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I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A VIOLENT SHAKING AFTER GOING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE VEHICLE JUMPED A HALF LANE OVER AND I HAD LOST CONTROL UNTIL MY SPEED WAS REDUCED. AT THAT TIME I WAS AFRAID OF SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES AND LOSING MORE CONTROL OR POSSIBLY FLIPPING OVER. NOW THIS VIOLENT SHAKING OCCURS EVERY TIME I HIT A POT HOLE OR ANY UNEVEN SURFACE AT 55 TO 60 MPH. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO FORD SERVICE AND THEY CAN NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM THAT WOULD CAUSE THE VIOLENT SHAKING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND A VIDEO OF THIS ON YOU TUBE AS "F-250 DEATH WOBBLE". THIS VIDEO SAYS IT ALL AND IS BASED ON A STOCK ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT F-250 SUPER DUTY. *TR
DRIVING ALONG AT ABOUT 45 MPH, HIT A ROUGH PATCH OF PAVEMENT AND THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK BEGAN TO BOUNCE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO OSCILLATE BACK AND FORTH, ALTHOUGH THE TRUCK DID NOT GO LEFT OR RIGHT FROM THE LINE OF TRAVEL. AFTER SLOWING DOWN THE TRUCK CAME BACK UNDER MY CONTROL, BOUNCE AND OSCILLATION STOPPED. THI…
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DRIVING ALONG AT ABOUT 45 MPH, HIT A ROUGH PATCH OF PAVEMENT AND THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK BEGAN TO BOUNCE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO OSCILLATE BACK AND FORTH, ALTHOUGH THE TRUCK DID NOT GO LEFT OR RIGHT FROM THE LINE OF TRAVEL. AFTER SLOWING DOWN THE TRUCK CAME BACK UNDER MY CONTROL, BOUNCE AND OSCILLATION STOPPED. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES (WEEKLY), WITH THE ORIGINAL TIRES AND WITH REPLACEMENT TIRES. I HAVE HAD THE FRONT END ALIGNED AND TIRES BALANCED. I CHECK THE AIR PRESSURE WEEKLY. ALL OF THIS HAD NO AFFECT ON THE OSCILLATIONS. I WOULD DRIVE OVER THE SAME AREAS DAILY ANDCOULD CONTINUE TO REPEAT WHAT HAD HAPPENED BY DRIVING THE SAME SPEED OVER THE SAME PIECE OF BAD PAVEMENT. IT IS NO WORSE OR BETTER THAN WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED. BUT HAVING MY WIFE DRIVE THE TRUCK AND HAVE THE SAME ISSUE CONCERNED ME. I DID RESEARCH THAT LED ME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM AFFECTS NUMEROUS F-250S AND TO YOUR WEBSITE. I WISH I HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS WHEN IT BEGAN, BUT MY TRUCK WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I THOUGHT I WAS OUT OF LUCK (STILL MAY BE). *TR
Official recalls
111V352000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
Jul 13, 2011
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA08007 · Violent Front End Oscillation
Opened Mar 14, 2008 · Closed Mar 31, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Suspension:front
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
PE07057 · Violent Front End Oscillation
Opened Nov 15, 2007 · Closed Mar 14, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front
ODI HAS RECEIVED 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND OSCILLATIONS COMMENCING AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.THIRTEEN OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGED DRIVING LANES UNCONTROLLABLY.FOUR OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS.IN ONE CASE THE CONSUMER ALLEGES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE, IT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND A FORD TSB (07-10-10) DESCRIBING THE SUSPENSION SHIMMY ISSUE AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.FORD HAS DESCRIBED SHIMMY AS SELF-EXCITED OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING WHEELS WITH ACCOMPANYING WHEEL TRAMP.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO DETERMINE IF THE SHIMMY CONDITION THAT OCCURS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR STARTLES THE DRIVER, THUS PRESENTING A SAFETY RISK.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
ODI HAS RECEIVED 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND OSCILLATIONS COMMENCING AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.THIRTEEN OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGED DRIVING LANES UNCONTROLLABLY.FOUR OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS.IN ONE CASE THE CONSUMER ALLEGES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE, IT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND A FORD TSB (07-10-10) DESCRIBING THE SUSPENSION SHIMMY ISSUE AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.FORD HAS DESCRIBED SHIMMY AS SELF-EXCITED OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING WHEELS WITH ACCOMPANYING WHEEL TRAMP.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO DETERMINE IF THE SHIMMY CONDITION THAT OCCURS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR STARTLES THE DRIVER, THUS PRESENTING A SAFETY RISK.
Suspension:front
ODI HAS RECEIVED 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND OSCILLATIONS COMMENCING AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.THIRTEEN OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGED DRIVING LANES UNCONTROLLABLY.FOUR OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS.IN ONE CASE THE CONSUMER ALLEGES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE, IT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND A FORD TSB (07-10-10) DESCRIBING THE SUSPENSION SHIMMY ISSUE AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.FORD HAS DESCRIBED SHIMMY AS SELF-EXCITED OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING WHEELS WITH ACCOMPANYING WHEEL TRAMP.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO DETERMINE IF THE SHIMMY CONDITION THAT OCCURS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR STARTLES THE DRIVER, THUS PRESENTING A SAFETY RISK.