NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
274 reports51,000 miles · Aug 31, 2010
SteeringSuspension
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
15,000 miles · Aug 30, 2010
Suspension
FREQUENT VIOLENT FRONT END SHAKING WHEN VEHICLE HOT SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. 9 OUT OF 10 FORD F250 OWNERS WE HAVE SPOKEN TO HAVE THE VERY SAME PROBLEM AND WE CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHY THIS AGENCY HAS NOT RECALLED THESE TRUCKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352854
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
31,004 miles · Aug 28, 2010
Suspension
DRIVING ON A COUNTY ROAD, THERE WAS A SECTION OF SMOOTHED PAVEMENT THAT HAD BEEN REPAIRED, SLIGHT BUMP IN ROAD. WHEN THE TRUCK WENT OVER IT, THE ENTIRE TRUCK BEGAN SHAKING, THE FRONT WHEELS VIOLENTLY SHOOK OUT OF CONTROL. IT DID NOT MINIMIZE AT ALL UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE TRUCK DOWN TO ABOUT 10MPH AND IT WENT AWAY. IT WA…
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DRIVING ON A COUNTY ROAD, THERE WAS A SECTION OF SMOOTHED PAVEMENT THAT HAD BEEN REPAIRED, SLIGHT BUMP IN ROAD. WHEN THE TRUCK WENT OVER IT, THE ENTIRE TRUCK BEGAN SHAKING, THE FRONT WHEELS VIOLENTLY SHOOK OUT OF CONTROL. IT DID NOT MINIMIZE AT ALL UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE TRUCK DOWN TO ABOUT 10MPH AND IT WENT AWAY. IT WAS ENOUGH TO SCARE MY CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT AND MYSELF. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INSTANCES OF THIS SINCE I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK, THIS BEING THE WORST. I WOULD BE VERY AFRAID OF AN ACCIDENT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED TO THIS DEGREE OUT ON A HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER AFTER THE FIRST COUPLE TIMES IT HAPPENED, THEY BLAMED THE TIRE PRESSURE AND ACTED LIKE THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF THIS PRIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS JUST AT THE DEALER A FEW WEEKS AGO FOR SERVICE WHERE THEY SET THE TIRE PRESSURES THEMSELVES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352454
53,000 miles · Aug 18, 2010
Suspension
2006 F-250 SUPER DUTY CREW CAB SHORT BED WITH 5.4L FRONT END HAS A BAD VIBRATION/RATTLE WHEN SPEED EXCEEDS 60 MPH. I DRIVE 15 MINUTES TO WORK EACH DAY ON THE HIGHWAY AND DURING MY TRAVELS I BET WHETHER OR NOT THE RATTLE AND VIBRATION WILL SHOW UP WHILE EN ROUTE. I NOTICE THE RATTLE EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS IN TOWN ESPECIALLY ON PATCHE…
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2006 F-250 SUPER DUTY CREW CAB SHORT BED WITH 5.4L FRONT END HAS A BAD VIBRATION/RATTLE WHEN SPEED EXCEEDS 60 MPH. I DRIVE 15 MINUTES TO WORK EACH DAY ON THE HIGHWAY AND DURING MY TRAVELS I BET WHETHER OR NOT THE RATTLE AND VIBRATION WILL SHOW UP WHILE EN ROUTE. I NOTICE THE RATTLE EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS IN TOWN ESPECIALLY ON PATCHED ROADS OR POT HOLE TYPE DIPS. AT HIGH SPEEDS THE VIBRATION MAY LAST FOR 5 MILES OR MORE OR IT MAY CLEAR UP IN A FEW HUNDRED FEET DEPENDING ON HOW THE NEXT BUMP IN THE ROAD STRIKES THE FRONT TIRES. I SHARE THE SENTIMENT OF OTHER THAT HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM THAT IS AN ISSUE IF YOU CANNOT MAINTAIN THE MINIMUM HIGHWAY SPEED SAFELY IN YOUR VEHICLE. FORD NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE. WHETHER ITS BAD HARMONICS WITH CERTAIN SHOCK ABSORBERS, TO HARD OF TIRES, FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY BEARING ISSUES,TOE AND CAMBER ADJUSTMENTS GETTING MESSED UP, ETC. THERE HAS GOT TO BE A COMPONENT OR SET OF RELATED ITEMS CAUSING WHAT WE ALL ARE EXPERIENCING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10350403
35,000 miles · Aug 17, 2010
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 F250 DIESEL SUPER DUTY (HAVE ABOUT 35000 MILES ON IT) PULLING A 26 FOOT RV TRAVEL TRAILER LOST THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE SPEEDOMETER WENT TO 0, CRUISE CONTROL RESET AND BASICALLY ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN. THE TRUCK GOT REAL QUIET. ABOUT 5 SECONDS LATER THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RESTORED AND ONLY LIG…
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WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 F250 DIESEL SUPER DUTY (HAVE ABOUT 35000 MILES ON IT) PULLING A 26 FOOT RV TRAVEL TRAILER LOST THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE SPEEDOMETER WENT TO 0, CRUISE CONTROL RESET AND BASICALLY ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN. THE TRUCK GOT REAL QUIET. ABOUT 5 SECONDS LATER THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RESTORED AND ONLY LIGHT THAT CAME ON, THE DASH WAS THE ABS LIGHT. THE ABS LIGHT REMAINED ON FOR ABOUT ANOTHER 100 MILES AND THEN WENT OFF. DROVE ANOTHER 200 MILES WITH NO MORE PROBLEMS. BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO FORD BUT THERE WERE NO ENGINE CODES STORED AND PROBLEM COULD NOT BE RECREATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10349972
32,000 miles · Aug 16, 2010
Suspension
VIOLENT SHAKING OF ENTIRE VEHICLE AFTER GOING OVER A BUMP IN ROAD AT SPEED OF 65 MPH.2006 F250 WITH 32,000 MILES ON IT.THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE WEEK, ON THE WAY TO AND FROM VACATION. THE TRUCK WAS NOT HEAVILY LOADED,NOR WAS IT TOWING ANYTHING. THE TRUCK TOWED A MOVING TRAILER ONCE BUT NOT AT HIGH SPEED. IS NOT DRIVEN ON HIGH…
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VIOLENT SHAKING OF ENTIRE VEHICLE AFTER GOING OVER A BUMP IN ROAD AT SPEED OF 65 MPH.2006 F250 WITH 32,000 MILES ON IT.THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE WEEK, ON THE WAY TO AND FROM VACATION. THE TRUCK WAS NOT HEAVILY LOADED,NOR WAS IT TOWING ANYTHING. THE TRUCK TOWED A MOVING TRAILER ONCE BUT NOT AT HIGH SPEED. IS NOT DRIVEN ON HIGHWAYS DAILY. WE WANT TO GET A CAMPER AND TOW IT WITH THIS VEHICLE, BUT IF WE HAD BEEN TOWING A CAMPER IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A TERRIBLE NIGHTMARE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10349764
125,000 miles · Aug 12, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
FORD F-250 WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINE. CONTINUOUS ISSUES REGARDING ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY. EGR COOLER FAILURE, OIL COOLER FAILURE AND BURNING COOLANT THRU EXHAUST. POSES A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR CARS TRAILING A FAILING ENGINE DUE TO THICK WHITE CLOUDS OF SMOKE. FORD IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEGE THE PRO…
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FORD F-250 WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINE. CONTINUOUS ISSUES REGARDING ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY. EGR COOLER FAILURE, OIL COOLER FAILURE AND BURNING COOLANT THRU EXHAUST. POSES A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR CARS TRAILING A FAILING ENGINE DUE TO THICK WHITE CLOUDS OF SMOKE. FORD IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEGE THE PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE AND ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10348944
125,000 miles · Aug 11, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
FORD F-250 WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINE. CONTINUOUS ISSUE REGARDING ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY. EGR COOLER FAILURE, OIL COOLER FAILURE AND BURNING COOLANT THRU EXHAUST. POSES A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR CARS TRAILING A FAILING ENGINE DUE TO THICK WHITE CLOUDS OF SMOKE. FORD IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEGE THE …
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FORD F-250 WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINE. CONTINUOUS ISSUE REGARDING ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY. EGR COOLER FAILURE, OIL COOLER FAILURE AND BURNING COOLANT THRU EXHAUST. POSES A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR CARS TRAILING A FAILING ENGINE DUE TO THICK WHITE CLOUDS OF SMOKE. FORD IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEGE THE PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE AND ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10348829
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2006 FORD-250 SD. S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING-LETTER FROM REGARDING FORD PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT REAR CALIPER SEIZED WHICH CAUSED HEAVY SMOKE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE CALIPERS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES STILL HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO HIS SATISFACTION. THERE WAS A MUSHY FEEL WH…
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2006 FORD-250 SD. S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING-LETTER FROM REGARDING FORD PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT REAR CALIPER SEIZED WHICH CAUSED HEAVY SMOKE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE CALIPERS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES STILL HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO HIS SATISFACTION. THERE WAS A MUSHY FEEL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10348802
Official recalls
1Jul 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.
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