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2006 Ford F-250 Sd

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most F-250 Sd years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Ford F-250 Sd are substantially higher than the model-year median of 89.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

244 reports with mileage · 30 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 144 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 102 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports4 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

274 reports
33,000 miles · Apr 14, 2010
Suspension

I PURCHASED A 2006 FORD F250 EXTENDED CAB DIESEL TRUCK APPROXIMATELY EIGHTEEN MONTHS AGO. I HAD THE TRUCK INSPECTED BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRUCK WOULD QUALIFY AS A CERTIFIED PRE OWNED VEHICLE. I ALSO PURCHASED THE PREMIER LEVEL EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFERED BY FORD. SHORTLY AFTER MY PURCHASE I NOTICED …

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I PURCHASED A 2006 FORD F250 EXTENDED CAB DIESEL TRUCK APPROXIMATELY EIGHTEEN MONTHS AGO. I HAD THE TRUCK INSPECTED BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRUCK WOULD QUALIFY AS A CERTIFIED PRE OWNED VEHICLE. I ALSO PURCHASED THE PREMIER LEVEL EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFERED BY FORD. SHORTLY AFTER MY PURCHASE I NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT FROM WENT SHIMMY THAT WAS FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. FORD DEALERSHIP REPLACED TRACK BAR. TRUCK WAS ALIGNED AND TIRES ROTATED. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE EXPERIENCED WHAT CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS A VIOLENT FRONT END WOBBLE THAT IS PRECIPITATED BY RUNNING OVER ANY SIGNIFICANT ROAD IMPERFECTION AT ANY SPEED BETWEEN 35 AND 45 MPH. THE WOBBLE BECOMES SO SEVERE THAT CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE BECOMES NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE UNLESS THE SPEED IS REDUCED TO APPROXIMATELY 25MPH, AT WHICH TIME THE WOBBLE STOPS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ON AT LEAST TEN DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND I AM CERTAIN THAT IF MY WIFE OR TEENAGE DAUGHTER HAD BEEN DRIVING THE TRUCK THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS COLLISION. I AM IN RECEIPT OF ALETTER FROM FORD MOTOR CO. ADVISING ME OF OTHER COMPLAINTS RELATIVE TO THIS WOBBLE AND ADVISING ME THAT I SHOULD SCRUPULOUSLY MONITOR MY TIRE PRESSURE. I HAVE DONE AS FORD RECOMMENDED, BUT DESPITE THIS I HAVE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE WOBBLE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER CONSUMERS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE. CURRENTLY MY TRUCK IS SCHEDULED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN A FEW DAYS AND THE SERVICE WRITER ADVISES ME THAT I MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A MODIFIED STEERING DAMPENER THAT IS THE RECOMMENDED FACTORY REPAIR AND MAY CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10325735

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

38,000 miles · Apr 2, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SUPERDUTY. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON AN UNEVEN ROAD, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO UNABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN SINCE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, IT WOULD RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP BUT NO REPAIRS WERE PERFOR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SUPERDUTY. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON AN UNEVEN ROAD, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO UNABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN SINCE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, IT WOULD RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP BUT NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000.

NHTSA ODI #10323451

69,806 miles · Mar 31, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

2006 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY, DIESEL, 6.0 L, 4X4, CREW CAB, SHORT BED: TOTAL LOSS OF THROTTLE RESPONSE WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE RUNS, BUT THE TRUCK COMPLETELY STOPS AND WILL NOT MOVE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. THERE IS NO ADVANCE WARNING. IT JUST STOPS MOVING RIGHT WHERE IT IS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS OVER TH…

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2006 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY, DIESEL, 6.0 L, 4X4, CREW CAB, SHORT BED: TOTAL LOSS OF THROTTLE RESPONSE WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE RUNS, BUT THE TRUCK COMPLETELY STOPS AND WILL NOT MOVE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. THERE IS NO ADVANCE WARNING. IT JUST STOPS MOVING RIGHT WHERE IT IS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS. THE EGR VALVE HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES OR CLEANED THE OTHER TIMES, BUT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE ON THE ROAD BECAUSE IT STOPS SUDDENLY RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRAFFIC LANE. WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN MADE ON THE EGR AND RELATED PARTS....EVERYTIME WE TAKE IT TO THE SHOP THAT'S ALL THAT'S IN THERE FOR THE SAME REASONS!!

NHTSA ODI #10323249

32,000 miles · Mar 16, 2010
Electrical System

FORD F-250 SD, 5.4L ENGINE. REPEATED OCCURRENCES OF ABS LIGHT ACTIVATION AFTER ONE TO ONE-AND-A-HALF HOURS AT CRUISING SPEEDS BETWEEN 55 AND 70 MPH. IF CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVE WHEN ABS LIGHT ACTIVATES, CRUISE CONTROL IS DISABLED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE GYRATED ERRATICALLY FOR A FEW SECONDS ALSO. AFTER THE …

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FORD F-250 SD, 5.4L ENGINE. REPEATED OCCURRENCES OF ABS LIGHT ACTIVATION AFTER ONE TO ONE-AND-A-HALF HOURS AT CRUISING SPEEDS BETWEEN 55 AND 70 MPH. IF CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVE WHEN ABS LIGHT ACTIVATES, CRUISE CONTROL IS DISABLED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE GYRATED ERRATICALLY FOR A FEW SECONDS ALSO. AFTER THE ABS LIGHT IS ACTIVATED, IT STAYS ON. FREQUENTLY, IT COMES BACK ON IMMEDIATELY, SOMETIMES THROUGH SEVERAL RESTARTS OF THE TRUCK. THAT IS, SOMETIMES THE ABS LIGHT COMES BACK ON IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE TRUCK IS RE-STARTED. BRAKING SEEMS UNAFFECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10320193

32,000 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Suspension

2006 FORD 250 SUPER CREW, SEVERE FRONT END VIBRATION AFTER HITTING SMALL POTHOLES OR ROAD TRANSITIONS AT HIGHWAY SPEED. OCCURS FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND CAUSES THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT SHOCKS, STABILIZER SHOCK, AND THE COIL SPRINGS. FORD HAS ISSUED A LETTER TO OWNERS STAT…

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2006 FORD 250 SUPER CREW, SEVERE FRONT END VIBRATION AFTER HITTING SMALL POTHOLES OR ROAD TRANSITIONS AT HIGHWAY SPEED. OCCURS FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND CAUSES THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT SHOCKS, STABILIZER SHOCK, AND THE COIL SPRINGS. FORD HAS ISSUED A LETTER TO OWNERS STATING TO CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURE AND THAT AS LONG AS FACTORY TIRE SIZES ARE ADHERED TO AND PROPER PRESSURE MAINTAINED THERE IS NO PROBLEM. IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT CORRECTED IT WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE DEATHS. I HAVE THE OLD COIL SPRINGS IF THEY ARE NEEDED FOR THE INVESTIGATION. THERE ARE SEVERAL BLOG SITES ON THE INTERNET THAT DISCUSS THIS ISSUE AND MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE WITH A WIDE RANGE OF YEAR MODELS IN QUESTION AND NOT LIMITED TO THE 2006 YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10315569

38,000 miles · Feb 23, 2010
Service Brakes, ElectricVehicle Speed Control

CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT DISENGAGE, TRUCK WANTS TO SPEED UP EVEN WITH BRAKE ON, THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM STARTED IN JANUARY OF 2009. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313365

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

33,481 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F250 SUPERDUTY. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE CONTACT HIT A BUMP ON THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. SHE WAS ABLE TO BRING IT BACK UNDER CONTROL MOVE OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AT A LOW SPEED SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F250 SUPERDUTY. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE CONTACT HIT A BUMP ON THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. SHE WAS ABLE TO BRING IT BACK UNDER CONTROL MOVE OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AT A LOW SPEED SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST LOCATED THAT THE STABILIZER BRACKET WAS BROKEN. THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE STABILIZER BRACKET IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO RECREATE THE FAILURE. SHE WILL CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,481. UPDATED 03/10/10 *BF UPDATED 05/20/10.

NHTSA ODI #10304590

98,670 miles · Feb 2, 2010
Suspension

PURCHASED A 2006 FORD F-250 KING RANCH, 4X4, QUAD CAB, 6.0 DIESEL, AUTO TRANS. A FEW MONTHS AGO. NEVER REALLY DROVE ON HIGHWAY MUCH UNTIL RECENTLY, I DRIVE FROM NJ TO PITTSBURGH, PA EVERY WEEKEND (AND BACK). TRUCK HAS AN OUT OF CONTROL FRONT END SHIMMY...CAN'T DRIVE OVER 55 MPH OR, IF I DO AND HIT A SLIGHT BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE …

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PURCHASED A 2006 FORD F-250 KING RANCH, 4X4, QUAD CAB, 6.0 DIESEL, AUTO TRANS. A FEW MONTHS AGO. NEVER REALLY DROVE ON HIGHWAY MUCH UNTIL RECENTLY, I DRIVE FROM NJ TO PITTSBURGH, PA EVERY WEEKEND (AND BACK). TRUCK HAS AN OUT OF CONTROL FRONT END SHIMMY...CAN'T DRIVE OVER 55 MPH OR, IF I DO AND HIT A SLIGHT BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE TRUCKS FRONT END SHIMMIES SO BAD, I CAN'T SEE OUT THE REAR VIEW MIRRORS THEY VIBRATE SO BAD FROM THE FRONT END SHAKING. THE STEERING WHEEL TAKES ALL I HAVE TO KEEP IT IN MY HANDS. THIS HAS GOT TO BE FIXED, (((NOW!!))) AN ACCIDENT IS DEFINITE, ESPECIALLY IN THE SNOW MONTHS!! DAMAGE RESULTING = NO DAMAGE....YET!! I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE THIS TRUCK, I AM IN THE MILITARY, SERVING ON ACTIVE DUTY AND JUST CAN'T GO OUT AND BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE! FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS ASAP. ALL TOYOTA HAD WAS A BAD ACCELERATOR AND LOOK HOW QUICKLY THEY ARE FIXING THAT!! CONTACT ME = Y. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10303890

Official recalls

1

11V352000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

Jul 13, 2011

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.

Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.

Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA08007 · Violent Front End Oscillation

Opened Mar 14, 2008 · Closed Mar 31, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Suspension:front

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

PE07057 · Violent Front End Oscillation

Opened Nov 15, 2007 · Closed Mar 14, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front

ODI HAS RECEIVED 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND OSCILLATIONS COMMENCING AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.THIRTEEN OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGED DRIVING LANES UNCONTROLLABLY.FOUR OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS.IN ONE CASE THE CONSUMER ALLEGES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE, IT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND A FORD TSB (07-10-10) DESCRIBING THE SUSPENSION SHIMMY ISSUE AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.FORD HAS DESCRIBED SHIMMY AS SELF-EXCITED OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING WHEELS WITH ACCOMPANYING WHEEL TRAMP.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO DETERMINE IF THE SHIMMY CONDITION THAT OCCURS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR STARTLES THE DRIVER, THUS PRESENTING A SAFETY RISK.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension

ODI HAS RECEIVED 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND OSCILLATIONS COMMENCING AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.THIRTEEN OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGED DRIVING LANES UNCONTROLLABLY.FOUR OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS.IN ONE CASE THE CONSUMER ALLEGES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE, IT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND A FORD TSB (07-10-10) DESCRIBING THE SUSPENSION SHIMMY ISSUE AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.FORD HAS DESCRIBED SHIMMY AS SELF-EXCITED OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING WHEELS WITH ACCOMPANYING WHEEL TRAMP.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO DETERMINE IF THE SHIMMY CONDITION THAT OCCURS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR STARTLES THE DRIVER, THUS PRESENTING A SAFETY RISK.

Suspension:front

ODI HAS RECEIVED 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND OSCILLATIONS COMMENCING AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.THIRTEEN OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGED DRIVING LANES UNCONTROLLABLY.FOUR OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS.IN ONE CASE THE CONSUMER ALLEGES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE, IT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND A FORD TSB (07-10-10) DESCRIBING THE SUSPENSION SHIMMY ISSUE AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.FORD HAS DESCRIBED SHIMMY AS SELF-EXCITED OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING WHEELS WITH ACCOMPANYING WHEEL TRAMP.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO DETERMINE IF THE SHIMMY CONDITION THAT OCCURS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR STARTLES THE DRIVER, THUS PRESENTING A SAFETY RISK.