IllustrationTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH UNDER NORMAL DRY CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE HIT A POTHOLE AND SPUN OUT. THE CONTACT HAS SPOKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT FAILURE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 16,000.
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
Suspension complaints
144 reportsI HAVE A 2006 F250 THAT THE FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY AFTER HITTING A HOLE OR SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AT 55 TO 60 MPH,THEN YOU MUST USE BOTH HANDS TO CONTROL VEHICLE AND SLOW DOWN TO UNDER 40 MPH OR LESS TO REGAIN CONTROL. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I AM A LARGE MAN 6'2" 240LBS AND MY FEAR IS THAT MY WIFE OR SOMEONE …
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I HAVE A 2006 F250 THAT THE FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY AFTER HITTING A HOLE OR SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AT 55 TO 60 MPH,THEN YOU MUST USE BOTH HANDS TO CONTROL VEHICLE AND SLOW DOWN TO UNDER 40 MPH OR LESS TO REGAIN CONTROL. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I AM A LARGE MAN 6'2" 240LBS AND MY FEAR IS THAT MY WIFE OR SOMEONE OF A SMALLER STATURE BE DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND RESULTS IN A FATALITY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES THROUGHOUT A SIX MONTH PERIOD I OWNED THE TRUCK AND IS CONTINUALLY GETTING WORSE , BY THAT I MEAN EVERY DAY THIS PAST WEEK. *TR
TRUCK HAS A VERTICAL VIBRATION MOST NOTICEABLE BETWEEN 45-50 MPH. TRUCK ALSO HAS STEERING PROBLEM AT HIGH SPEEDS SUCH AS INTERSTATE DRIVING. AN EXPANSION JOINT IN THE HIGHWAY WILL JUST ABOUT CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. FORD DENIES ANY PROBLEM, YET HAS ISSUED TSB 07-05-11 TO ADDRESS THE CONCERN THAT A FEW CUSTOMERS MAY …
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TRUCK HAS A VERTICAL VIBRATION MOST NOTICEABLE BETWEEN 45-50 MPH. TRUCK ALSO HAS STEERING PROBLEM AT HIGH SPEEDS SUCH AS INTERSTATE DRIVING. AN EXPANSION JOINT IN THE HIGHWAY WILL JUST ABOUT CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. FORD DENIES ANY PROBLEM, YET HAS ISSUED TSB 07-05-11 TO ADDRESS THE CONCERN THAT A FEW CUSTOMERS MAY HAVE. APPARENTLY IT IS MORE THAN A FEW CUSTOMERS. THIS TRUCK IS DANGEROUS ON THE INTERSTATE. *TR
2006 FORD F250, SHAKES VIOLENTLY TO THE POINT OF LOSING CONTROL IF I ENCOUNTER ROUGH ROAD ON THE HIGHWAY. SO FAR PROBLEM OCCURS AT SPEEDS OVER 60MPH. *TR
I OWN A 2006 F250 4*4 AND WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH THE TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND EVEN SWAYS FROM LANE TO LANE, WHEN ENCOUNTERING ANY ROUGH PLACE IN THE ROADWAY. THIS IS A VERY VIOLENT SHAKING AND I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO KEEP THE TRUCK FROM WRECKING. THE SHAKING WILL NOT STOP UNTIL YOU HAVE SLOWN DOWN …
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I OWN A 2006 F250 4*4 AND WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH THE TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND EVEN SWAYS FROM LANE TO LANE, WHEN ENCOUNTERING ANY ROUGH PLACE IN THE ROADWAY. THIS IS A VERY VIOLENT SHAKING AND I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO KEEP THE TRUCK FROM WRECKING. THE SHAKING WILL NOT STOP UNTIL YOU HAVE SLOWN DOWN DRAMATICALLY OR COME TO A STOP. FORD HAS COMMENTED THAT IT COULD BE THE AIR PRESSURE AND HAVE ORDERED A STEERING DAMPER TO TRY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS TRUCK HAS DONE THIS SINCE DAY ONE AND WITH THE FACTORY TIRES AND THE NEW TIRES THAT I HAVE ON IT NOW. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT RESULTING FROM THE DEFECT IN DESIGN.
NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING CONDITIONS. SPEEDS BETWEEN 65 AND 75 MPH WHEN THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED, HIT A BUMP OR DIP IN ROAD. VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE FRONT END, RESULTING IN DANGEROUS LOSS OF CONTROL AND LANE CHANGES. HAD TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN TO BELOW 30 MPH OR A FULL STOP IN ORDER TO END THE VIOLENT SHAKING. HAPPENED MORE OFTEN AFT…
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NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING CONDITIONS. SPEEDS BETWEEN 65 AND 75 MPH WHEN THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED, HIT A BUMP OR DIP IN ROAD. VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE FRONT END, RESULTING IN DANGEROUS LOSS OF CONTROL AND LANE CHANGES. HAD TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN TO BELOW 30 MPH OR A FULL STOP IN ORDER TO END THE VIOLENT SHAKING. HAPPENED MORE OFTEN AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR LONG DISTANCES. GETS WORSE AND MORE FREQUENT AS DRIVING CONTINUED. FIRST OCCURRENCE, TAKEN TO FORD DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED DEFECTIVE" STEERING DAMPER. SECOND TIME TAKEN TO FORD DEALER - THEY RAN TCP FOR NEW ALIGNMENT SPECS AND NEW, IMPROVED STEERING DAMPER. THIRD TIME TAKEN TO FORD DEALER - REPLACED TRACK ARM BALL JOINT AND ADJUSTED ALIGNMENT TO MORE NEW SPECS. FOURTH TIME AT FORD DEALER - TSB ADJUSTED ALIGNMENT TO NEW SPECS AND REPLACED STEERING DAMPER WITH ANOTHER NEW, IMPROVED PART. *AK VEHICLE IS IN REPAIR SHOP FOR FIFTH TIME AT THIS MOMENT. NO ATTEMPTED REPAIRS HAVE LASTED MORE THAN 2000 MILES.
TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AT APPROXIAMTELY 10,000 MILES AND THEY PERFORMED TSB'S (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS). HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP DEALERS NOW GOING ON THE 8TH TIME FOR SAME ISSUE. THE TRUCK EXPERIENCES A DANGEROUS "HYPER-SHAKE" AT APPROXIMATELY 50-70 MPH. THE TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY SIDE TO SIDE, AND UP AND …
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TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AT APPROXIAMTELY 10,000 MILES AND THEY PERFORMED TSB'S (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS). HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP DEALERS NOW GOING ON THE 8TH TIME FOR SAME ISSUE. THE TRUCK EXPERIENCES A DANGEROUS "HYPER-SHAKE" AT APPROXIMATELY 50-70 MPH. THE TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY SIDE TO SIDE, AND UP AND DOWN AND DRIFTS OUT OF LANE AND TO CORRECT IT MUST APPLY THE BRAKES. STEERING OF THE VEHICLE IS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPEDED , AND SHAKING CONTINUES UNTIL TRUCK SPEED IS DECREASED TO APPROX. 30 MPH. I HAVE DONE ALL SUGGESTIONS GIVEN TO ME BY THE DEALERSHIPS. REBALANCE TIRES, CHECKED ALIGNMENT AND TIRE PRESSURE. I AM CURRENTLY TAKING THIS VEHICLE TO FORD DEALERSHIP MARCH 23, 2007 FOR THEM TO TRY AND FIX THE HYPER-SHAKE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND IT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT HIGHWAY SAFE.
I HAVE THREE 2006 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY'S THAT EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM. THESE TRUCKS EXPERIENCE A DANGEROUS "HYPER-SHAKE" AT APPROX. 50-65 MPH. TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY SIDE TO SIDE AND UP AND DOWN, STEERING IS GREATLY IMPEDED, AND SHAKING CONTINUES UNTIL TRUCK SPEED IS DOWN TO 40-45 MPH. I HAVE RE-BALANCED TIRES, CHECKED AL…
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I HAVE THREE 2006 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY'S THAT EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM. THESE TRUCKS EXPERIENCE A DANGEROUS "HYPER-SHAKE" AT APPROX. 50-65 MPH. TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY SIDE TO SIDE AND UP AND DOWN, STEERING IS GREATLY IMPEDED, AND SHAKING CONTINUES UNTIL TRUCK SPEED IS DOWN TO 40-45 MPH. I HAVE RE-BALANCED TIRES, CHECKED ALIGNMENT, REPLACED STEERING DAMPENERS BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. *JB
SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW, MY 2006 FORD F250 BOUNCES SO SEVERELY ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OVER 55 MPH WHEN HITTING EXPANSION JOINTS, IT HAS CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS ONLY HAPPENS ON CERTAIN SECTIONS OF HIGHWAY. NO INJURIES HAVE OCCURED YET AS I HAVE LEARNED WHICH PARTS OF THE HIGHWAY TO SLOW DOWN ON. BUT, THE VEHICLE IS NOT S…
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SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW, MY 2006 FORD F250 BOUNCES SO SEVERELY ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OVER 55 MPH WHEN HITTING EXPANSION JOINTS, IT HAS CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS ONLY HAPPENS ON CERTAIN SECTIONS OF HIGHWAY. NO INJURIES HAVE OCCURED YET AS I HAVE LEARNED WHICH PARTS OF THE HIGHWAY TO SLOW DOWN ON. BUT, THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ON STRANGE HIGHWAYS.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT AROUND 65 MPH, AND I HIT A POTHOLE. AFTER HITTING THE POTHOLE (RATHER SMALL), THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY OUT OF CONTROL AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES SO FAR. IT HAS …
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT AROUND 65 MPH, AND I HIT A POTHOLE. AFTER HITTING THE POTHOLE (RATHER SMALL), THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY OUT OF CONTROL AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES SO FAR. IT HAS OCCURRED AT 11,000; 14,000; AND 17,000 MILES. CHECKED TIRE PRESSURE AND BALANCE PERSONALLY AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. CALLED TO ASK DEALERSHIP ABOUT PROBLEM, THEY SAID TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING IT IN, HAVE NOT DONE SO YET. *NM
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.