NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
274 reports125,000 miles · Jun 22, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD OVER HEAT AND SMOKE WOULD COME FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTACT NEEDED TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD OVER HEAT AND SMOKE WOULD COME FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTACT NEEDED TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #10408541
Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2011
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND THEN TO THE LEFT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS COLD. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL AND CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS A MECHANIC AND STATED…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND THEN TO THE LEFT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS COLD. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL AND CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS A MECHANIC AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD CAUSED BY A STUCK VALVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
NHTSA ODI #10406932
195,000 miles · Jun 10, 2011
Suspension
MY 17 YR OLD SON HAS AN '06 FORD F-250 SD CC LARIAT 4X4 TRUCK, WHICH I PURCHASED 12/09. HE BEGAN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS FRONT END "DEATH WOBBLE" EVERYONE ELSE IS COMPLAINING ABOUT. A MECHANIC REPLACED THE BUSHINGS IN THE FRONT TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, WHICH COST $210. BUT IT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM, MY SON COMPLAINED AGAIN A WEEK…
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MY 17 YR OLD SON HAS AN '06 FORD F-250 SD CC LARIAT 4X4 TRUCK, WHICH I PURCHASED 12/09. HE BEGAN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS FRONT END "DEATH WOBBLE" EVERYONE ELSE IS COMPLAINING ABOUT. A MECHANIC REPLACED THE BUSHINGS IN THE FRONT TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, WHICH COST $210. BUT IT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM, MY SON COMPLAINED AGAIN A WEEK LATER AND HIS NEW TIRES PURCHASED FALL 2010 WERE BASICALLY BARE. SO I DROVE THE TRUCK THROUGH DOWNTOWN ATLANTA ON I-85, WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE HOV LANE AT 58 MPH IN A CURVE. THE FRONT END BEGAN SHAKING SO VIOLENTLY I COULD BARELY MAINTAIN MY LANE AND HAD CARS BESIDE, FRONT & REAR OF ME. THIS WOBBLE CAUSED A HUGE CUP OF CHANGE IN THE DASH CUPHOLDER TO SPEW LIKE A BUSTED WATER PIPE. WE JUST PUT NEW BF GOODRICH TIRES ON, BUT I'M CONCERNED THESE WON'T LAST A YEAR EITHER. HOW CAN IT BE FIXED? I'M VERY WORRIED FOR MY SON'S SAFETY. THIS IS A LAWSUIT WAITING TO HAPPEN FOR FORD, AND THIS PARTICULAR WEBSITE HAS A BLETHERA OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME DEATH WOBBLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10405877
40,173 miles · May 21, 2011
Suspension
UPON HITTING BUMPS ON ROADWAY I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF TRUCK FOR APPROX 2 TENTHS OF A MILE UNTIL I SLOWED DOWN. FRONT END SHOOK VIOLENTLY SOMEBODY IS GOING TO DIE IN ONE OF THESE DEATH TRAPS,I HOPE ITS NOT ONE OF MY KIDS
NHTSA ODI #10403273
15,000 miles · Apr 14, 2011
Suspension
I OWN A 2006 F - 250 SD, BOUGHT USED WITH < 6K MILES. I DRIVE IT TO HAUL AND TOW SEVERAL ITEMS AND IT HAS BEEN A GOOD TRUCK. THE ONLY MAJOR ISSUE IS THAT IF I HIT A UNEVEN SURFACE, RAILROAD TRACKS OR BUMPS WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 50 MPH, THE ENTIRE FRONT END FEELS AS IF TS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. IT SHAKES VIOLENTLY AN…
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I OWN A 2006 F - 250 SD, BOUGHT USED WITH < 6K MILES. I DRIVE IT TO HAUL AND TOW SEVERAL ITEMS AND IT HAS BEEN A GOOD TRUCK. THE ONLY MAJOR ISSUE IS THAT IF I HIT A UNEVEN SURFACE, RAILROAD TRACKS OR BUMPS WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 50 MPH, THE ENTIRE FRONT END FEELS AS IF TS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. IT SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND THE STEERING BECOMES ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPEN I THOUGHT THAT I HAD A FLAT. I STOPPED THE TRUCK ASAP WHICH WAS DIFFICULT. I GOT OUT AND NOTICED NOTHING VISIBLY WRONG. THIS HAPPENED AFTER CROSSING A RR TRACKS THAT IS FAILRY SMOOTH, AND LOCATED ON A FOUR LANE. TIRE PRESSURE IS CHECKED OFTEN (EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS) AND IS INFLATED TO THE STANDARD. I NOW KNOW IF I'M TO KEEP THIS VEHICLE I MUST SLOW DOWN TO AVOID AN INCIDENT FROM OCCURRING. IT APPEARS THAT MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN WRITTEN BUT HAVE FALLING ON DEAF EARS. IT WILL LIKELY TAKE A DEATH FOR SOMEONE TO ACT. TIRE PRESSURE IS NOT THE ISSUE. A SERIOUS AND UNDERMINED ISSUES REMAIN. I INVITE YOU TO COME AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND GO OVER THE SAME RR CROSSING I DID, THEN YOU MAY UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN. A RECALL HAS BEEN ORDERED FOR LESS AND NEEDS ATTENTION NOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10395888
25,000 miles · Apr 13, 2011
Steering
THE VEHICLE IS A 2006 FORD SUPERDUTY 4X4. HAS HAD NO MODIFICATIONS TO SUSPENSION. STILL FACTORY TIRES AND CURRENTLY AT 31,000 MILES. I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THE TRUCK ON THE INTERSTATE. HITTING EVEN A SMALL BUMP AT 65MPH CAUSES THE FRONT END TO SHAKE SO BADLY THAT CONTROLLING THE TRUCK IS NO LONGER POSSIBLE. TODAY 04/13/11 THE MOS…
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THE VEHICLE IS A 2006 FORD SUPERDUTY 4X4. HAS HAD NO MODIFICATIONS TO SUSPENSION. STILL FACTORY TIRES AND CURRENTLY AT 31,000 MILES. I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THE TRUCK ON THE INTERSTATE. HITTING EVEN A SMALL BUMP AT 65MPH CAUSES THE FRONT END TO SHAKE SO BADLY THAT CONTROLLING THE TRUCK IS NO LONGER POSSIBLE. TODAY 04/13/11 THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT IT HAPPENED IN THE AFTERNOON RUSH ON I95 HERE IN RICHMOND WHERE I LIVE. SENDING ME ACROSS THE LANES AND ALMOST OFF THE ROAD,. I AM A VIRGINIA STATE SAFETY INSPECTOR. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT ALL STEERING PARTS ARE STILL LIKE NEW AND TIGHT. I EVEN RETORQUED ALL BOLTS. I HAVE TALKED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. THEY SAY THERE'S A TSB FOR A NEW DAMPER. THIS PROBLEM IS FAR BEYOND A STEERING DAMPER.. IT HAS DONE THIS A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES,BUT IM SURE WILL DO IT EVERY TIME YOU HIT A BUMP AT HIGHWAY SPEED. FORD WONT OR CANT FIX IT AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH A TRUCK THAT I CANT DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE. IT WOULD MAKE A GREAT TEST TRUCK FOR THE NHTSA SINCE IT ISN'T GOOD FOR MUCH ELSE SINCE I HAVE TO TRAVEL THE INTERSTATE ON A WEEKLY BASIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10395796
60,000 miles · Mar 31, 2011
Steering
2006 FORD F-250 EXPERIENCES A SEVERE VIBRATION BETWEEN 50 - 65 MPH. SPECIFICALLY NOTICED AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE OR DRIVING ON UNEVEN ROADS. TRUCK IS COMPLETELY STOCK AND HAS HAD SHOCKS/ STEERING STABILIZER / BRAKES / TIRES / ALIGNMENT / (REPLACED/COMPLETED) AT A CERTIFIED FORD DEALER WITHIN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. ADDITIONALLY, I…
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2006 FORD F-250 EXPERIENCES A SEVERE VIBRATION BETWEEN 50 - 65 MPH. SPECIFICALLY NOTICED AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE OR DRIVING ON UNEVEN ROADS. TRUCK IS COMPLETELY STOCK AND HAS HAD SHOCKS/ STEERING STABILIZER / BRAKES / TIRES / ALIGNMENT / (REPLACED/COMPLETED) AT A CERTIFIED FORD DEALER WITHIN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. ADDITIONALLY, I HAD EVERY BALL JOINT, TIE ROD END, STEERING COMPONENT INSPECTED AT MY COST TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE. THE STEERING VIBRATION STILL EXISTS. FORUMS AND OTHER SITES HAVE STARTED TO CALL THIS THE "DEATH WOBBLE". ALTHOUGH IT CAN BE ESCAPED BY SLOWING DOWN OR ACCELERATING THROUGH THE VIBRATION, IT CAN EASILY CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL TO THE UNEXPECTED DRIVER. I HAVE DRIVEN FORD VEHICLES (TRUCKS) FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE VENTURED TO FILE AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT. FOLLOWING THE SERVICE BULLETIN TO ADJUST TIRE PRESSURE DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. BRAND NEW TIRES AND ALIGNMENT OFFERED A MINOR REPRIEVE ONLY FOR ME TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUES LESS THAN 50 MILES LATER. PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE NEED TO GET SPECIFIC IN ORDER TO PROMPT ACTION FROM EITHER THE NHTSA OR THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I DID NOT EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE TILL APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES, SOMETIME AFTER A BRAKE CHANGE. THE SUBSEQUENT ISSUES LEAD ME TO CHANGE THE AFOREMENTIONED EQUIPMENT IN ORDER TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. TO THIS POINT, THE DEALERSHIP CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG BUT THE ISSUE REMAINS. TO REINTERATE, THIS TRUCK IS STOCK, NO MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AND REQUIRED MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN CONDUCTED BY THE DEALER IN EVERY INSTANCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10393902
40,000 miles · Mar 31, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. WHILE HAVING THE BRAKES SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BACKING PLATES FOR THE REAR BRAKES WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000.
NHTSA ODI #10393842
Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2011
Tires
2006 FORD F250. CONSUMER STATES SEVERAL PROBLEM WITH VALVE STEMS. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD TO REPLACE THE VALVE STEMS SEVEN TIMES BECAUSE THEY WERE LEAKING BETWEEN THE WHEEL AND THE STEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10393279
96,000 miles · Mar 29, 2011
Steering
AT AROUND 65 MPH MY 2006 FORD F250 HAS A VERY HORRIBLE SHIMMY IN THE FRONT END. THIS SHIMMY COMES WHEN THE VEHICLE HITS A CHANGE IN THE PAVEMENT OR ANYTHING OTHER THAN A PERFECT SMOOTH ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES.
NHTSA ODI #10393663
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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