IllustrationLARGE INACCURACIES ON THE SPEEDOMETER,SOMETIMES DOESN'T WORK AT ALL SOMETIMES STUCK ON ONE SPEED. NEVER THE RIGHT SPEED.*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
What owners actually said
274 reportsI CURRENTLY DRIVE 84 TOYOTA PICKUP BECAUSE I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE MY 06 F250 4X4 SD. IF YOU ARE DRIVING ABOVE 60 MPH AND HIT THE SMALLEST BUMP IN THE ROAD, IT WILL BEGIN TO SHAKE SO HARD IT WILL CAUSE YOU TO CHANGE LANES AND YOU CANNOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE UNTIL YOU STOP HARD WITH THE BRAKES. MY FAMILY IS NOT ALLOWED TO RIDE I…
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I CURRENTLY DRIVE 84 TOYOTA PICKUP BECAUSE I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE MY 06 F250 4X4 SD. IF YOU ARE DRIVING ABOVE 60 MPH AND HIT THE SMALLEST BUMP IN THE ROAD, IT WILL BEGIN TO SHAKE SO HARD IT WILL CAUSE YOU TO CHANGE LANES AND YOU CANNOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE UNTIL YOU STOP HARD WITH THE BRAKES. MY FAMILY IS NOT ALLOWED TO RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE NO MATTER WHAT. THE DEALER STATES THAT IT IS THE DAMPENER AND TIRE PRESSURE. OBVIOUSLY THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT VIOLENT SHAKING IS...IT IS NOT THE DAMPENER AND TIRE PRESSURE....THE TRUCK WILL LITERALLY BOUNCE OUT OF ITS LANE OR OFF THE ROAD. IF FORD DOES NOT RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM, I AM SURE THAT MANY PEOPLE WILL DIE WHILE DRIVING THESE. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK BRAND NEW AND REFUSE TO DRIVE IT......GUESS YOU GOT YOUR MONEY THOUGH, DIDN'T YOU FORD. *TR
I OWN 2005 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. AT SPEEDS OVER 65MPH I GET A VIOLENT SHAKE IN MY STEERING WHEEL,SO BAD THAT I HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I HAVE GONE ON LINE AND DISCOVERED THAT PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE SAD PART IS NOTHING SEEMS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IN 2005 MODELS AND NEWER THIS IS A PROBLEM…
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I OWN 2005 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. AT SPEEDS OVER 65MPH I GET A VIOLENT SHAKE IN MY STEERING WHEEL,SO BAD THAT I HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I HAVE GONE ON LINE AND DISCOVERED THAT PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE SAD PART IS NOTHING SEEMS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IN 2005 MODELS AND NEWER THIS IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE IN 2005 FORD REDESIGNED THE FRONT SUSPENSION SYSTEM .PLEASE LOOK INTO. *TR
MY 2006 F-250 SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN I TRAVEL AT BETWEEN 45 AND 50 MPH. I PUT ON NEW TIRES AND THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING. I'VE TAKEN THEM TO GET BALANCED AND IT STILL HAPPENS. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME IT'S THE TIRES. *TR
WHEN TRAVELING OVER MILDLY ROUGH ROADS AT SPEED (45 AND ABOVE) THE TRUCK STARTS SHAKING AND THE STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATES TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS HARD TO HOLD ON TO IT. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE SHAKING IS TO STEER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT ABRUPTLY OR SLOW TO 30 MPH OR LESS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIED SEVERELY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A TECHNICIAN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIED SEVERELY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A TECHNICIAN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. RECENTLY, THE STEERING WHEEL GEAR BOX FAILED. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND STILL HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
2006 FORD F250 SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN HITTING A BUMP ON HIGHWAY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE SHAKING IS SO VIOLENT THAT IT CAUSES YOU TO TEMPORARILY LOOSE CONTROL UNTIL YOU GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. HOWEVER, IT REQUIRES SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE DEALE…
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2006 FORD F250 SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN HITTING A BUMP ON HIGHWAY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE SHAKING IS SO VIOLENT THAT IT CAUSES YOU TO TEMPORARILY LOOSE CONTROL UNTIL YOU GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. HOWEVER, IT REQUIRES SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE DEALER. AFTER REPLACING THE DAMPENER ON THE FRONT END IT QUIT. THE SHAKING IS STARTING AGAIN AFTER ONLY 10,000 MILES. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS IT. *TR
I HAVE AN 06 F250. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 40-45 SINCE I VE HAD THE TRUCK NEW I HAVE HAD MAJOR WOBBLE. YESTERDAY ON THE INTERSTATE I WAS DRIVING MY FAMILY BACK FROM DISNEYLAND AND HIT A POTHOLE AROUND 70MPH. THE TRUCK SHOOK OUT OF CONTROL IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO GET THE TRUCK TO THE SHOULDER. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK IN SEVERAL…
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I HAVE AN 06 F250. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 40-45 SINCE I VE HAD THE TRUCK NEW I HAVE HAD MAJOR WOBBLE. YESTERDAY ON THE INTERSTATE I WAS DRIVING MY FAMILY BACK FROM DISNEYLAND AND HIT A POTHOLE AROUND 70MPH. THE TRUCK SHOOK OUT OF CONTROL IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO GET THE TRUCK TO THE SHOULDER. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK IN SEVERAL TIMES AND HAVE BEEN TOLD NO PROBLEMS. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
WAS TRAVELING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT APPROX. 70 MPH AND WENT OVER AN UNEVEN SPOT IN THE ROAD. THE TRUCK WENT COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL AND BEGAN HOPPING UP AND DOWN AND BACK AND FORTH. IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO KEEP MY HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL UNTIL I COULD BREAK TO ABOUT 30 MPH AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. FRIENDS IN THE C…
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WAS TRAVELING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT APPROX. 70 MPH AND WENT OVER AN UNEVEN SPOT IN THE ROAD. THE TRUCK WENT COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL AND BEGAN HOPPING UP AND DOWN AND BACK AND FORTH. IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO KEEP MY HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL UNTIL I COULD BREAK TO ABOUT 30 MPH AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. FRIENDS IN THE CAR IN BACK OF ME SAID MY TIRES WERE LEAVING THE ROAD AND THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN THEIR LIFE. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE BUT NOT TO THIS EXTENT. I LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND THAT IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE AND NOW AM VERY WEARY OF DRIVING THIS TRUCK. I WILL TAKE THIS TRUCK TO THE DEALER AND SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO BUT I FEEL FORD SHOULD PICK UP THE BILL ON MY $40,000 TRUCK. *TR
I DRIVE A 2006 F250. WHEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND YOU HIT A POT HOLE OR BRIDGE WHERE THE HIGHWAY CHANGES TO THE BRIDGE AND BACK TO BLACKTOP, THE FRONT WHEEL SHAKES SO BADLY IT ALMOST JERKS THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF YOUR HAND. FORD SAYS THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING THIS, AND HAVE NOT HEARD OF IT. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED OUT SEVER…
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I DRIVE A 2006 F250. WHEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND YOU HIT A POT HOLE OR BRIDGE WHERE THE HIGHWAY CHANGES TO THE BRIDGE AND BACK TO BLACKTOP, THE FRONT WHEEL SHAKES SO BADLY IT ALMOST JERKS THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF YOUR HAND. FORD SAYS THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING THIS, AND HAVE NOT HEARD OF IT. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED OUT SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO PROBLEM BEING FOUND. THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE A VERY BAD ACCIDENT IF IT HASN'T ALREADY. *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.