IllustrationTRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN HIT ROUGH SPOTS ON HIGHWAY (OVER 60MPH). OCCURS ON BRIDGES, POTHOLES, ROUGH AREAS, ETC. SHAKING IS SO VIOLENT VEHICLE IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL AND MUST SLOW DOWN TO 40 MPH IN ORDER FOR SHAKING TO STOP. *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 reportsFORD F-250 SD SHAKING VIOLENTLY AFTER CROSSING A BRIDGE WITH UNEVEN SURFACES, BUMPS, POT HOLES. TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL, LET OFF EXCELERATOR AND IT FINALLY STOPPED. *TR
WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40 - 70 MPH ON HIGHWAY OR CITY STREETS VEHICLE FRONT END BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND NEARLY LOOSES CONTROL OF STEERING SYSTEM. MISHAP OCCURS WHEN VEHICLE DRIVES ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT SURFACES OR WHEN IT STRIKES ROAD POTHOLES (SMALL AND LARGE). WHEN TRAVELING ON A BUSY INTERSTATE IN ORLANDO, F…
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WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40 - 70 MPH ON HIGHWAY OR CITY STREETS VEHICLE FRONT END BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND NEARLY LOOSES CONTROL OF STEERING SYSTEM. MISHAP OCCURS WHEN VEHICLE DRIVES ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT SURFACES OR WHEN IT STRIKES ROAD POTHOLES (SMALL AND LARGE). WHEN TRAVELING ON A BUSY INTERSTATE IN ORLANDO, FL THIS VIOLENT ACTION NEARLY CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. MANY INTERNET FORD F250 FORUMS ARE CURRENTLY DISCUSSING THE SAME ISSUE AND IT APPEARS FORD IS ONLY OFFERING MINOR "BAND-AID" TYPE REPAIRS THAT ONLY CORRECT THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN / ENGINEERING ISSUE. *TR
MY '06 FORD F-250 HAS A DESIGN FLAW THAT CAUSES IT TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AT SPEED AND REQUIRES TO ALMOST STOP TO CORRECT. VERY UNSAFE AND NOW ABOUT USELESS TO DRIVE. ARE THERE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? THANKS, DANTE *TR
I HAVE AN 06 FORD F 250 SUPER DUTY SUPER CAB XLT WITH AN 8 FOOT BED. I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH EXTREME HIGHWAY SHAKING. WHEN IT HAPPENS TO ME I'M USUALLY GOING OVER 60 MPH, AND IT HAPPENS WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, TO ME IT FEELS LIKE IT IS COMING FROM THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE,LIKE THE WHEELS ARE NOW BOUNCING INSTEAD OF ROLLIN…
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I HAVE AN 06 FORD F 250 SUPER DUTY SUPER CAB XLT WITH AN 8 FOOT BED. I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH EXTREME HIGHWAY SHAKING. WHEN IT HAPPENS TO ME I'M USUALLY GOING OVER 60 MPH, AND IT HAPPENS WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, TO ME IT FEELS LIKE IT IS COMING FROM THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE,LIKE THE WHEELS ARE NOW BOUNCING INSTEAD OF ROLLING,THE SHAKING IS EXTREMELY VIOLENT,AND I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO APX. 40 OR LESS MPH TO MAKE IT GO AWAY. SOMETIMES IT WOULD LAST ALMOST A FULL 30 SECONDS,BUT I NEVER SEEM TO HAVE ANY STEERING ISSUES,THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN MY CONTROL,BUT MAYBE THAT'S BECAUSE MY INSTINCT IS TO JUST GO STRAIGHT AND SLOW DOWN. IN ANY CASE, I'VE HAD 2 PEOPLE WITNESS THIS WHILE IN THE TRUCK WITH ME AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND BOTH OF THEM TURNED WHITE WITH FEAR,THIS IS NOT JUST A LITTLE SHIMMY,LIKE AN UNBALANCED TIRE OR SOMETHING, IT IS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW AND FORD BETTER DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! *TR
THE TRUCK SHOWED NO SIGNS OF TROUBLE LEADING UP TO THE EVENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MILES AN HOUR AND HEADING AROUND A RIGHT HAND CORNER IN THE ROAD THE TRUCK HIT AN INDENTATION IN THE ROAD SURFACE WHICH CAUSED THE TRUCK TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AND DRIFT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE CAUSING THE TRUCKS MIRROR TO HIT A BOX …
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THE TRUCK SHOWED NO SIGNS OF TROUBLE LEADING UP TO THE EVENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MILES AN HOUR AND HEADING AROUND A RIGHT HAND CORNER IN THE ROAD THE TRUCK HIT AN INDENTATION IN THE ROAD SURFACE WHICH CAUSED THE TRUCK TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AND DRIFT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE CAUSING THE TRUCKS MIRROR TO HIT A BOX TRUCK AND SMASH INTO THE INTERIOR OF MY TRUCK. WHEN THE TRUCK SLOWED DOWN TO BELOW 35, I REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OFF TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. THE BOX TRUCK, APPARENTLY NOT REALIZING WHAT HAD HAPPENED, CONTINUED ON WITHOUT STOPPING. THE MIRROR WAS DESTROYED, GLASS WAS COVERING THE INTERIOR OF MY TRUCK, AND I SUFFERED MINOR CUTS ON MY FACE AND ARM. I RETURNED HOME WITH MY TRUCK AT SPEEDS UNDER 40 MPH, BUT STILL COULD FEEL A SHUDDER WHEN THE TRUCK HIT EITHER A RAISED BUMP OR AN INDENTATION IN THE ROAD. THE DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS IN THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK, BUT NOT THE MIRROR. I WAS TOLD THAT THE MIRROR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE TRUCK HAS NOT HAD THE PROBLEM SINCE. I AM NOT AWARE IF THE OLD PARTS ARE STILL AVAILABLE. *TR
AFTER LETTING 2006 F250 DIESEL WARM UP FOR APPROXIMATELY 5MINS, PROCEED TO GET ONTO I-35, ABOUT 5 MILES FROM THE HOUSE WHEN I SET THE CRUISE CONTROL FOR 70MPH EVERYTHING WAS FINE. WITHIN A MILE OF GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY, TRUCK HESITATED AND COMPLETELY STALLED. I MOVE THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY TO AWAIT A TOW. I…
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AFTER LETTING 2006 F250 DIESEL WARM UP FOR APPROXIMATELY 5MINS, PROCEED TO GET ONTO I-35, ABOUT 5 MILES FROM THE HOUSE WHEN I SET THE CRUISE CONTROL FOR 70MPH EVERYTHING WAS FINE. WITHIN A MILE OF GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY, TRUCK HESITATED AND COMPLETELY STALLED. I MOVE THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY TO AWAIT A TOW. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FOUND THAT THE FICM WAS BAD. A DAY AFTER I PICKED UP THE TRUCK, AGAIN, THE VEHICLE HESITATED FOR A SECOND BEFORE STALLING IN CITY TRAFFIC. I LOST POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING AND WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET OFF OF THE CITY STREETS. CURRENTLY TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN, WHERE THE ISSUE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. CONCERN THAT IF SOMEONE OTHER THAN A 6'4" PERSON WAS DRIVING THIS 7500LB VEHICLE, THEY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STEER THIS VEHICLE OUT OF THE TRAFFIC. I'VE HEARD OF COMMON COMPLAINTS WITH THE FICM/HPOP/EGR ISSUES WITH THESE TRUCKS AND AM SURPRISED THAT NO RECALL HAS BEEN CREATED BY FORD. *TR
MY FORD F-250 SUPERDUTY DIESEL OCCASIONALLY SHAKES EXTREMELY VIOLENTLY WITH TEMPORARY COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND CROSSING UNEVEN OBSTACLES SUCH AS BRIDGE GAPS AND SMALL ROAD DEVIATIONS. THE VEHICLE FEELS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY IN THE FRONT END AND INHIBITS STEERING. THE SHAKE IS EXTREMELY VIOL…
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MY FORD F-250 SUPERDUTY DIESEL OCCASIONALLY SHAKES EXTREMELY VIOLENTLY WITH TEMPORARY COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND CROSSING UNEVEN OBSTACLES SUCH AS BRIDGE GAPS AND SMALL ROAD DEVIATIONS. THE VEHICLE FEELS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY IN THE FRONT END AND INHIBITS STEERING. THE SHAKE IS EXTREMELY VIOLENT IN NATURE WITH OSCILLATING LARGE AMPLITUDE DEFLECTIONS IN EACH WHEEL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45-70 MPH, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THIS FAILURE, BUT IT WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT TRADED THE VEHICLE IN AT A LOSS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,806.
VIOLENT FRONT END SHAKE AFTER HITTING SMALL POT HOLES OR BUMPS AT ANY SPEED, COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OF TRUCK UNTIL COMING TO STOP. *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.