IllustrationMY 2006 F-250 WILL SHAKE SO VIOLENTLY WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP AT 30 TO 65 MPH IT RIPS THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF YOUR HANDS AND YOU HAVE TO HIT THE BRAKES SO HARD AND COME TO A STOP TO GET IT BACK IN CONTROL. REPLACED THE STEERING STABILIZER HAD ALIGNMENT AND STILL DOES IT. *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
Suspension complaints
144 reportsI AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2006 FORD F250 PICKUP. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN 2006. AT APPROXIMATELY THE 30,000 MILE MARK THE TRUCK STARTED TO EXPERIENCE A SEVERE SHIMMY AFTER DRIVING OVER A BUMP. THIS WOULD OCCUR RATHER RANDOMLY AND APPARENTLY UNDER ONLY THE PERFECT "BUMP OSCILLATION." ONCE THE SHIMMY STARTED THE IT WO…
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I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2006 FORD F250 PICKUP. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN 2006. AT APPROXIMATELY THE 30,000 MILE MARK THE TRUCK STARTED TO EXPERIENCE A SEVERE SHIMMY AFTER DRIVING OVER A BUMP. THIS WOULD OCCUR RATHER RANDOMLY AND APPARENTLY UNDER ONLY THE PERFECT "BUMP OSCILLATION." ONCE THE SHIMMY STARTED THE IT WOULD GET WORSE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS NEARLY STOPPED. VERY DANGEROUS AND UNNERVING. SINCE IT WAS RANDOM AND INTERMITTENT AND I WAS VERY BUSY I PUT OFF TAKING THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER UNTIL SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES HAD PASSED AND THE SHIMMY EPISODES GREW MORE FREQUENT. AS A FORMER MECHANIC (CURRENT OCCUPATION IS ENGINEER), I STAYED ON TOP OF MAINTENANCE AND TIRE PRESSURES. AT APPROXIMATELY 37,000 MILES I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT FOR EVALUATION AND REPAIR OF THE SHIMMY. EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS BARELY OUT OF WARRANTY THE DEALER CHARGED ME APPROXIMATELY $1000 TO FIX IT. THE REPAIRS APPEARED TO CORRECT THE SHIMMY AS IT HAS NO DONE SO IN THE 10,000 MILES SINCE THE REPAIRS. ON 4-22-09 I RECEIVE A LETTER FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY STATING THAT FOMOCO AND NHTSA ARE STUDYING THIS CONDITION. SINCE I HAD A DIRECT EXPERIENCE WITH THE SITUATION AND HAVE VALUABLE INSIGHT TO HOW VEHICLE OPERATE I THOUGHT I WOULD PASS ALONG MY EXPERIENCE. FORD DID NOT CARE TO HEAR ABOUT IT AS THEY WERE WORRIED ABOUT ME ASKING FOR MY REPAIR MONEY TO BE RETURNED. SO NOW I AM CONTACTING YOUR AGENCY. IT IS VERY CLEAR TO ME THAT THIS IS NOT A TIRE INFLATION OR A SUSPENSION MODIFICATION CAUSED ISSUE AS THE LETTER ELUDED TO SINCE MY TRUCK HAS ZERO MODIFICATIONS, WAS ON THE ORIGINAL TIRES WHEN IT SHIMMIED, WAS REPAIRED AND CEASED SHIMMYING ON THE ORIGINAL TIRES, AND HAS SUBSEQUENTLY HAD 4 NEW TIRES INSTALLED AND DOES NOT SHIMMY. THE PROBLEM IS IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION GEOMETRY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH MORE THAN A LETTER OF NOTIFICATION TO CHECK INFLATION PRESSURE. PLEASE CONTACT ME. *TR
I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM FORD MOTOR CO. REGARDING A SHIMMY OR SEVERE VIBRATION THAT MAY OCCUR WHEN MY FORD F-250 FORD TRUCK TRAVELS OVER A BUMP OR DIP IN THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. AT THE TIME I HAD NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED IT. I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX. 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY WHEN I DROVE TROUGH A DIP IN THE ROAD UNDER AN OV…
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I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM FORD MOTOR CO. REGARDING A SHIMMY OR SEVERE VIBRATION THAT MAY OCCUR WHEN MY FORD F-250 FORD TRUCK TRAVELS OVER A BUMP OR DIP IN THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. AT THE TIME I HAD NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED IT. I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX. 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY WHEN I DROVE TROUGH A DIP IN THE ROAD UNDER AN OVERPASS. MY TRUCK WENT IN A SEVERE SHIMMY. I ALMOST LOST FULL CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. HAD THERE BEEN A VEHICLE NEXT TO ME IN THE LEFT LANE I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AVOID HITTING IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PSI OF AIR IN MY TIRES WERE AT THE TIME. THEY WERE THE STOCK TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE TRUCK OFF THE LOT. I HAVE SINCE CHANGED THESE TIRES DUE TO WEAR. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE GIVEN A LOT OF ATTENTION. *TR
OUR COMPANY RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY ADDRESSING AN ISSUE WITH F-SUPER DUTY 250/350 4X4. IT EXPLAINS HOW A SEVERE SHIMMY COMING FROM THE FRONT END CAN BE A PROBLEM. IT OFFERS A SOLUTION OF USING THE CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE. WE ARE A COUNTY OFFICE, UPKEEP AND MAINTENANCE IS FIRST PRIORITY AND TIRE PRESSURE IS CHECK …
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OUR COMPANY RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY ADDRESSING AN ISSUE WITH F-SUPER DUTY 250/350 4X4. IT EXPLAINS HOW A SEVERE SHIMMY COMING FROM THE FRONT END CAN BE A PROBLEM. IT OFFERS A SOLUTION OF USING THE CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE. WE ARE A COUNTY OFFICE, UPKEEP AND MAINTENANCE IS FIRST PRIORITY AND TIRE PRESSURE IS CHECK WEEKLY AND ALWAYS MEETS MANUFACTURES RECOMMENDATION. THAT IS NOT A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WHEN THE PICK-UP HITS A BUMP IN THE ROAD, IT TAKES ALL THAT I HAVE TO KEEP THE TRUCK ON THE ROAD! THIS I FEEL IS A SERIOUS DANGER! TIRE PRESSURE I FEEL IS A CHEAP ATTEMPT AT A SOLUTION. *TR
THE COMPLAINT I HAVE IS REGARDING THE F-250 SHIMMY. I HAVE BATTLED THIS FOR 2 YEARS. THE VIOLENT RATTLE OF THE TRUCK IS GOING TO GET MYSELF OR SOMEONE HURT IF NOT CORRECTED. I WOULD INVITE ANY DOUBTERS TO DRIVE MY TRUCK. AT SPEEDS OF 65-70 MPH, YOU HAVE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN-ORDER FOR THE VIBRATION TO STOP. ON INTER…
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THE COMPLAINT I HAVE IS REGARDING THE F-250 SHIMMY. I HAVE BATTLED THIS FOR 2 YEARS. THE VIOLENT RATTLE OF THE TRUCK IS GOING TO GET MYSELF OR SOMEONE HURT IF NOT CORRECTED. I WOULD INVITE ANY DOUBTERS TO DRIVE MY TRUCK. AT SPEEDS OF 65-70 MPH, YOU HAVE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN-ORDER FOR THE VIBRATION TO STOP. ON INTERSTATE TRAVEL, IT IS NOT EASY TO GET PULLED OVER WITH TRAFFIC BEARING DOWN. THE LETTER FORD DISTRIBUTED YESTERDAY IS VERY TELLING, THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX, OR DO NOT WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY FOR A RECALL. THIS VIOLENT VIBRATION IS A DANGER, AND CONTINUES TO WORSEN. PARTICULARLY WITH THE TERRIBLE SHAPE OF TODAY'S INFRASTRUCTURE. PLEASE HELP FORD OWNERS ASAP. *TR
FRONT END WOBBLE AND SHIMMY, REALLY SCARY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SUPERDUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIE RODS, BUSHINGS, AND BALL JOINTS WERE WEARING OUT. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SENT HIM A LETTER STATING THAT IT WAS NOT A RECALL NOTICE. INSTEAD, THE LETTER STATED THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE DRIVES OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, IT WILL SHIMMY UNCONTROLLABLY. THE V…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SUPERDUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIE RODS, BUSHINGS, AND BALL JOINTS WERE WEARING OUT. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SENT HIM A LETTER STATING THAT IT WAS NOT A RECALL NOTICE. INSTEAD, THE LETTER STATED THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE DRIVES OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, IT WILL SHIMMY UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE MUST BE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD FOR THE FAILURE TO CEASE. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPAIR THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE ON HIS OWN, WHICH WAS VERY EXPENSIVE. THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
MY F-250 SUPER DUTY, HAS A SEVERE FRONT END SHIMMY AT HIGHWAY SPEED. MY WIFE AND I COULD HAVE DIED IN ONE INSTANCE,WE HAD TO MOVE ACROSS TWO LANES TO THE SHOULDER AS THE TRUCK BOUNCED UNCONTROLLABLY. I THOUGHT THE TIE RODS WERE GOING TO SNAP . THIS DID NOT HAPPEN JUST ONCE, BUT NUMEROUS TIMES. EVERY TIME I APPROACH A BRIDGE DECK…
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MY F-250 SUPER DUTY, HAS A SEVERE FRONT END SHIMMY AT HIGHWAY SPEED. MY WIFE AND I COULD HAVE DIED IN ONE INSTANCE,WE HAD TO MOVE ACROSS TWO LANES TO THE SHOULDER AS THE TRUCK BOUNCED UNCONTROLLABLY. I THOUGHT THE TIE RODS WERE GOING TO SNAP . THIS DID NOT HAPPEN JUST ONCE, BUT NUMEROUS TIMES. EVERY TIME I APPROACH A BRIDGE DECK, BUMP OR POT HOLE I'M AFRAID THE TUCK MAY HAVE A UNCONTROLLABLE SHIMMY AND LOSING CONTROL! YOU NEVER KNOW IF THE TRUCK WILL HAVE A SLIGHT,OR SEVERE SHIMMY,SOMETIMES THERE IS NO SHIMMY AT ALL. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS TO BE RECTIFIED!!! JUST SO YOU ARE MADE AWARE MY TIRES ARE FINE AS IS MY SPEED. *TR
EXTREMELY VIOLENT SHAKING, LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH AFTER HITTING SUCCESSIVE POT HOLES. SHAKING SO SEVERE IT CAUSED THE DRIVERS DOOR TO OPEN. HAS HAPPENED FEW TIMES SINCE NO AT SEVERE. *TR
EVERY 3000 TO 4000 MILES THE FRONT SUSPENSION WILL BEGIN TO RATTLE AND WOBBLE. LOCAL DEALER HAS INSTALLED AND REPLACED STEERING DAMPENER SHOCK ON 3 OCCASIONS. SERVICE MANAGER STATED, MORE THAN ONCE, THAT FORD WILL ONLY LET THEM DO SO MUCH. *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.