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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
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60,000 miles · Mar 31, 2011
Steering

2006 FORD F-250 EXPERIENCES A SEVERE VIBRATION BETWEEN 50 - 65 MPH. SPECIFICALLY NOTICED AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE OR DRIVING ON UNEVEN ROADS. TRUCK IS COMPLETELY STOCK AND HAS HAD SHOCKS/ STEERING STABILIZER / BRAKES / TIRES / ALIGNMENT / (REPLACED/COMPLETED) AT A CERTIFIED FORD DEALER WITHIN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. ADDITIONALLY, I…

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2006 FORD F-250 EXPERIENCES A SEVERE VIBRATION BETWEEN 50 - 65 MPH. SPECIFICALLY NOTICED AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE OR DRIVING ON UNEVEN ROADS. TRUCK IS COMPLETELY STOCK AND HAS HAD SHOCKS/ STEERING STABILIZER / BRAKES / TIRES / ALIGNMENT / (REPLACED/COMPLETED) AT A CERTIFIED FORD DEALER WITHIN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. ADDITIONALLY, I HAD EVERY BALL JOINT, TIE ROD END, STEERING COMPONENT INSPECTED AT MY COST TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE. THE STEERING VIBRATION STILL EXISTS. FORUMS AND OTHER SITES HAVE STARTED TO CALL THIS THE "DEATH WOBBLE". ALTHOUGH IT CAN BE ESCAPED BY SLOWING DOWN OR ACCELERATING THROUGH THE VIBRATION, IT CAN EASILY CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL TO THE UNEXPECTED DRIVER. I HAVE DRIVEN FORD VEHICLES (TRUCKS) FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE VENTURED TO FILE AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT. FOLLOWING THE SERVICE BULLETIN TO ADJUST TIRE PRESSURE DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. BRAND NEW TIRES AND ALIGNMENT OFFERED A MINOR REPRIEVE ONLY FOR ME TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUES LESS THAN 50 MILES LATER. PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE NEED TO GET SPECIFIC IN ORDER TO PROMPT ACTION FROM EITHER THE NHTSA OR THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I DID NOT EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE TILL APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES, SOMETIME AFTER A BRAKE CHANGE. THE SUBSEQUENT ISSUES LEAD ME TO CHANGE THE AFOREMENTIONED EQUIPMENT IN ORDER TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. TO THIS POINT, THE DEALERSHIP CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG BUT THE ISSUE REMAINS. TO REINTERATE, THIS TRUCK IS STOCK, NO MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AND REQUIRED MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN CONDUCTED BY THE DEALER IN EVERY INSTANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10393902

96,000 miles · Mar 29, 2011
Steering

AT AROUND 65 MPH MY 2006 FORD F250 HAS A VERY HORRIBLE SHIMMY IN THE FRONT END. THIS SHIMMY COMES WHEN THE VEHICLE HITS A CHANGE IN THE PAVEMENT OR ANYTHING OTHER THAN A PERFECT SMOOTH ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #10393663

55,460 miles · Feb 15, 2011
Steering

STEERING WHEEL FREEZES TURNING TO THE RIGHT. MY WIFE WAS GOING TO TOWN AND CAME TO A RIGHT HAND CURVE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN THEN POPPED FREE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NOW WHEN MANEUVERING TO PARK OR JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT VARYING SPEEDS. IT IS AT THE FORD DEALER NOW BEING REPAIRED. I TALKED TO THE MECHANIC DOING …

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STEERING WHEEL FREEZES TURNING TO THE RIGHT. MY WIFE WAS GOING TO TOWN AND CAME TO A RIGHT HAND CURVE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN THEN POPPED FREE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NOW WHEN MANEUVERING TO PARK OR JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT VARYING SPEEDS. IT IS AT THE FORD DEALER NOW BEING REPAIRED. I TALKED TO THE MECHANIC DOING THE REPAIR WORK. HE ASKED ME WHAT YEAR THE TRUCK WAS AND TOLD HIM IT WAS A 2006 F-250 4X4. HE THEN TOLD ME THAT FORD CHANGED THE TYPE OF STEERING GEAR BOX THAT THEY USE IN 2005 AND HAVE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE SECTOR GEAR IN THE STEERING GEAR BOXES EVER SINCE THEY DID THAT CHANGE. I INSTALLED A FILTER ON THE RETURN LINE. AFTER DRIVING IT A FEW MILES I REPLACED THE FILTER AND DISMANTLED THE OLD FILTER AND FOUND A THICK LAYER OF SLUDGE ON THE MAGNET PART OF THE FILTER. THIS INDICATED THAT SOMETHING WAS WEARING AND CONTAMINATING THE SYSTEM WITH METAL PARTICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10382769

44,000 miles · Jan 27, 2011
Steering

EVERY TIME I HIT A POTHOLE ON THE FREEWAY MY FRONT END WOBBLES VIOLENTLY AS THE HOLE FRONT END IS ABOUT TO DROP OUT. IT ONLY STOPS WHEN I SLOW WAY DOWN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10379250

58,000 miles · Jan 19, 2011
SteeringTires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 DIESEL SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, HE MOMENTARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY UNTIL THE VEHICLE SPEEDS WAS SLOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY UNDE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 DIESEL SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, HE MOMENTARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY UNTIL THE VEHICLE SPEEDS WAS SLOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY UNDER INFLATED TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000. UPDATED 06/16/11 *BF UPDATED 06/27/11

NHTSA ODI #10377213

130,000 miles · Dec 2, 2010
SteeringSuspension

2006 F250 SD DIESEL SHAKES EXTREMELY VIOLENTLY WHEN CRUISING AT 55MPH+ AND HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD. TRUCK IS UNCONTROLLABLE, DIFFICULT TO AVOID OTHER CARS. SLOWING TO ABOUT 35 MPH WILL RESOLVE THE SITUATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES IN 11 MONTHS, BOTH TOWING TRAILERS, EMPTY, ETC. TIRE PRESSURE, JOINTS, BEARINGS, DAMPENER…

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2006 F250 SD DIESEL SHAKES EXTREMELY VIOLENTLY WHEN CRUISING AT 55MPH+ AND HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD. TRUCK IS UNCONTROLLABLE, DIFFICULT TO AVOID OTHER CARS. SLOWING TO ABOUT 35 MPH WILL RESOLVE THE SITUATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES IN 11 MONTHS, BOTH TOWING TRAILERS, EMPTY, ETC. TIRE PRESSURE, JOINTS, BEARINGS, DAMPENER, ALIGNMENT ETC ARE ALL FINE. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS TO BE EXTREMELY COMMON AMONG 2005-2006 F250 OWNERS, NO PERMANENT SOLUTION IS KNOWN BY FORD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10368643

32,004 miles · Nov 23, 2010
SteeringSuspension

2006 FORD SUPERDUTY CREW CAB F-250 4X4 DIESEL THIS VEHICLE HAS ON MANY OCCASIONS STARTED WOBBLING SO BAD AFTER HITTING A BUMP THAT IT IS OUT OF CONTROL AND THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO GET YOU TO DO SOMETHING BESIDES SLAP FORD MOTOR ON THE WRIST. I KNOW YOU HAVE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS…

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2006 FORD SUPERDUTY CREW CAB F-250 4X4 DIESEL THIS VEHICLE HAS ON MANY OCCASIONS STARTED WOBBLING SO BAD AFTER HITTING A BUMP THAT IT IS OUT OF CONTROL AND THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO GET YOU TO DO SOMETHING BESIDES SLAP FORD MOTOR ON THE WRIST. I KNOW YOU HAVE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS JUST LIKE MINE ABOUT THIS VEHICLE. ALL FORD HAS DONE IS ISSUE A VAGUE TSB THAT DOES NOT EVEN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I DEMAND A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE UNTIL THEY CAN FIX THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF MY OWN MONEY TRYING TO FIX MY TRUCK AND I STILL AM HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE MOST OF THE ISSUE IS IN THE STEERING BOX USED ON THIS VEHICLE AND FORD SHOULD RE-DESIGN AND FIX THIS ISSUE ON THEIR OWN DIME. ALOT OF US HAVE PAID $50,000 FOR A VEHICLE THAT WE ARE TOO SCARED TO PUT OUR FAMILY IN AND DRIVE. MY WIFE REFUSES TO EVEN RIDE IN IT ANYMORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10367233

88,000 miles · Sep 28, 2010
SteeringSuspension

MY 2006 F250 SD FRONT END SHAKES VERY BAD OVER POT HOLES AND STOPS WHEN I GET UNDER 20 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10358146

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2010
SteeringSuspension

I HAVE A STOCK 2006 FORD F-250 WITH STOCK WHEELS AND TIRES AND AT STOCK HEIGHT. SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK FROM BRAND NEW AROUND 60MPH THE TRUCK SHAKES AND WOBBLES VIOLENTLY. AND WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS IT HAS WITH SO MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10357952

40,800 miles · Sep 7, 2010
SteeringSuspension

F250 4X4 TRUCK EXPERIENCED FOR THE 3RD TIME THE "DEATH WOBBLE" WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 65 MPH. STEERING WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND THE TRUCK BOUNCED OUT OF THE LANE NEARLY HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CAUSING SEVERAL CARS TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES. THIS WAS AFTER HITTING A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354076

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.