THE FORD DEATH WOBBLE. MY 2006 F250 BECOMES UNABLE TO DRIVE AFTER HITTING A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH THE FRONT WHEEL SHAKE SO BAD THAT YOU HAVE TO ALMOST STOP FOR IT TO STOP SHAKING. AND THIS CAN BE A PROBLEM WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND PULLING OFF THE ROAD IS A PROBLEM. THERE WAS EVEN A SHOW …
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THE FORD DEATH WOBBLE. MY 2006 F250 BECOMES UNABLE TO DRIVE AFTER HITTING A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH THE FRONT WHEEL SHAKE SO BAD THAT YOU HAVE TO ALMOST STOP FOR IT TO STOP SHAKING. AND THIS CAN BE A PROBLEM WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND PULLING OFF THE ROAD IS A PROBLEM. THERE WAS EVEN A SHOW DONE ON THE PROBLEM ON TRUCK-U WHERE THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE TRACK BAR ON THE TRUCK TO REPAIR THE FORD DEATH WOBBLE. I HAVE TALK TO FORD AND THE HAS SAID THAT THE PROBLEM IS CAUSE BE THE TIRE NOT AT THE RIGHT PRESSURE WE IS BULL IF THAT WAS THE PROBLEM THEY WOULD NOT HAVE DONE A SHOW ABOUT IT YOU WOULD THINK THAT FORD WOULD HAVE WATCHED THE SHOW AND THEN THEY WOULD KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT I GUESS SOMEONE WILL HAVE GET HURT BEFORE THEY WILL DO ANYTHING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10353053
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2010
SteeringSuspension
I HAVE A 2006 FORD F250 PICKUP, 4WD, DIESEL. WHEN I HIT A BUMP ON THE HIGHWAY IT CAUSES A FRONT END SHIMMY THAT NEARLY CAUSES ME TO LOSE CONTROL. IT HAS 52,000 MILES ON IT BUT HAS DONE THIS SINCE NEW. IT HAS NO LIFT KIT, NO MODIFICATIONS. I HAVE INQUIRED WITH OTHER LATE MODEL F250 OWNERS AND THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PR…
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I HAVE A 2006 FORD F250 PICKUP, 4WD, DIESEL. WHEN I HIT A BUMP ON THE HIGHWAY IT CAUSES A FRONT END SHIMMY THAT NEARLY CAUSES ME TO LOSE CONTROL. IT HAS 52,000 MILES ON IT BUT HAS DONE THIS SINCE NEW. IT HAS NO LIFT KIT, NO MODIFICATIONS. I HAVE INQUIRED WITH OTHER LATE MODEL F250 OWNERS AND THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD SAYS IT'S DUE TO LIFT KITS, OURS HAVE NO LIFT KITS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352676
83,500 miles · Jul 15, 2010
SteeringSuspension
VIOLENT SHAKING "DEATH WOBBLE" ON A 2006 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY 4X4 PICKUP TRUCK. THE TRUCK EXPERIENCES A VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE FRONT END AT SPEEDS OF ABOUT 60-65 MPH. THIS HAPPENS WHILE ACCELERATING OR AFTER HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL AND ONLY STOPS WHEN SPEED IS REDUCED. FORD MOTOR COMPANY H…
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VIOLENT SHAKING "DEATH WOBBLE" ON A 2006 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY 4X4 PICKUP TRUCK. THE TRUCK EXPERIENCES A VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE FRONT END AT SPEEDS OF ABOUT 60-65 MPH. THIS HAPPENS WHILE ACCELERATING OR AFTER HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL AND ONLY STOPS WHEN SPEED IS REDUCED. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS SENT ME A LETTER NOTIFYING ME OF THIS PROBLEM A YEAR AGO, BUT OFFERS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM OTHER THAN A WARNING TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP DENIED THERE IS A PROBLEM AND WILL NOT FIX IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343375
33,939 miles · Apr 19, 2010
SteeringSuspension
2006 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY GAS 5.4L V8 I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING AROUND 70 WHEN I HIT A POT HOLE THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED LIKE NORMAL BUT THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRUCK STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. I STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AS FAST AS POSSIBLE, I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD WITH OUT CAUSING AN …
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2006 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY GAS 5.4L V8 I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING AROUND 70 WHEN I HIT A POT HOLE THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED LIKE NORMAL BUT THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRUCK STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. I STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AS FAST AS POSSIBLE, I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD WITH OUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I SPENT ABOUT AN HOUR TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED. WITH NO FINDINGS I STARTED TO DRIVE HOME VERY SLOWLY AFRAID TO GO OVER 50. I TYPED IN GOOGLE.COM FORD F250 SHAKING AND WAS AMAZED THAT THERE WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM OUT THERE AND FORD IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. I JUST CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER. ALL THE DEALERSHIP BLAME IT ON TIRE PRESSURE. AND MOST OF THEM STATE THAT THE PRESSURE NEEDS TO BE GREATER THEN LISTED ON THE DOOR OF THE TRUCK. I AM TRULY AMAZED I WAS NOT HURT OR EVEN MORE AMAZED OF THE QUICK THINKING OF THE DRIVERS AROUND ME, GOING FROM 70 PLUS TO ABOUT 30 IN A FEW SECONDS. FROM WHAT I AM READING THE HAVE BEEN ARTICLES IN A FEW MAJOR MAGAZINES AND TV SHOWS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. I AM NOW GOING TO INCREASE MY TIRE PRESSURE AND SEE IF THAT CURES THE PROBLEM, IF NOT I AM GOING TO BE FORCED TO BUY AFTER MARKET PARTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM, COSTING $ 1,000 MIN. I DON'T MIND THE PRICE FOR THE SAFETY OF MY WIFE AND PASSENGERS. BUT I WOULD THINK THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY WOULD STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT. ON THIS DAY IT HAPPENED 2 TIMES ON A 100 MILE TRIP, I AM NOW DEATHLY AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ON THE HIGHWAY, OR EVEN TAKE A PASSENGER WITH ME, OTHER THEN THAT HAPPENING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HANDLES GREAT AND NO PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10326393
137,000 miles · Apr 7, 2010
SteeringSuspension
VIOLENT FRONT END SHAKE AT ALMOST ANY SPEED AFTER HITTING POTHOLE OR EVEN DIPS IN ROADS. WORSE WITH SPEED. OCCURS ALL THE TIME. DANGEROUS ABOVE 45 MPH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10324141
Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2010
SteeringSuspension
I HAVE A 2006 F250 4X4 WHEN AT 55 MPH OR HITTING A BUMP THE FRONT END SHAKES OUT OF CONTROL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10308318
88,348 miles · Jan 28, 2010
Steering
2006 FORD F250 HD DIESEL HAS VIOLENT SHAKING OR DEATH WOBBLE AFTER HITTING SOME BUMP IN THE ROAD. TOOK TO FORD AND HAD IT CHECKED, ALIGNED, NEW TIRES, AND STEERING DAMPER, ISN'T ANY BETTER. I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I'M SUPPOSE TO DO, A FRIEND OF OURS HAD A WRECK AND WAS KILLED IN HIS TRUCK, WHICH WAS JUST LIKE OURS?*CW
NHTSA ODI #10303033
46,222 miles · Oct 24, 2009
Steering
I LOST CONTROL OF MY FORD F-250 TRUCK GOING DOWN THE ROAD. THE FRONT END STARTED A WOBBLE AND SHAKE. (DEATH WOBBLE) *TR
NHTSA ODI #10289670
50,000 miles · Oct 4, 2009
Steering
I HAVE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS HAD MY F250 SUPER DUTY 6.0 DIESEL SHIMMY VERY VIOLENTLY. THESE OCCURRENCES HAPPENED AT SPEEDS OF 50 TO 65 MPH. ON ONE OCCASION ON THE INTERSTATE I ACTUALLY PULLED OVER THINKING I HAD A BLOWOUT. NOW AT 75000 MILES, IT IS STARTING TO SHIMMY ON ROUGH PAVEMENT EVEN AT SLOWER SPEEDS OF 35 TO 45 MPH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286250
42,430 miles · Oct 1, 2009
Steering
WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY APPROX. 55MPH I HIT A BUMPY PART OF THE ROAD WHICH PUT THE VEHICLE IN AN UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE TRUCK STOPPED WITHOUT DAMAGE BUT HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE AND COULD ONLY BRAKE. HAD I BEEN IN A CORNER I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANY WAY I COULD HAVE STAYED ON THE RO…
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WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY APPROX. 55MPH I HIT A BUMPY PART OF THE ROAD WHICH PUT THE VEHICLE IN AN UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE TRUCK STOPPED WITHOUT DAMAGE BUT HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE AND COULD ONLY BRAKE. HAD I BEEN IN A CORNER I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANY WAY I COULD HAVE STAYED ON THE ROAD. I CALLED THE FORD DEALER IN DAVENPORT IOWA AND WAS TOLD IT IS CALLED THE DEATH SHAKE AND THERE WAS NO KNOWN CAUSE FOR IT. I WILL GO AHEAD AND TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER BUT HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THEM FIXING ANYTHING. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD STATING LOW TIRE PRESSURE COULD CAUSE THIS BUT MY TIRES WERE FINE. THERE WAS ALSO A PASSENGER WITH ME WHO HAS VERY SCARED WE WERE GOING TO WRECK. *TR
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.
2006 Ford F-250 Sd Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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