IllustrationTOWED ON SEPT/19/2014 KN MILEAGE DEALER SAID NO PROBLEM FOUND;. 2ND TOW 11/02/2014 MILEAGE 187190 EGR VALVE FAILED WILL NEED ENGINE REPLACED. DEALER WHERE BOUGHT DID NOT DISCLOSE. THE TRUCK HAD THE MOTOR REBUILD IN 2008. AND MANY CLASS ACTION SUITS HAVE BEEN FILED. ON 6.0L ENGINES. *TR
2006 Ford F-250
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2006 Ford F-250 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 119.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all F-250 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
460–25K
3225–50K
3750–75K
2075–100K
36100–150K
20150K+
191 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 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 78 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports5 fire reports6 injury reports
Engine complaints
21 reportsSMELLED SOMETHING AS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55 MPH. STOP THE VEHICLE ALONG SIDE THE ROAD. CHECKED THE TRAILER. CAME BACK TO THE TRUCK AND SMOKE WAS ROLLING OUT OF THE DASH VENTS, RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HOOD WAS BURNING THE PAINT, THEN FLAMES CAME OUT FROM UNER THE HOOD. *TR
GOING 55MPH THE TRUCK STARTS SHAKING AND SHIMMING. ALL LIGHTS GO IN AND OUT AND BLOWS WHENEVER ANYTHING IS HOOKED UP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F250 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE HEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F250 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE HEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 128,691.
MY FORD F250 SUPER DUTY 2006 MODEL TRUCK STARTED UP JUST FINE ON WAY TO JOB SITE AND THEN ABOUT 1:00 P.M. THAT DAY MY TRUCK OVER-HEATED EVEN THOUGH NO INDICATION ON THE ELECTRICAL PANEL. I SAW WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF TAIL PIPE, STARTED OVER-HEATING, AND I WAS LOSING POWER IN MOTOR. I PUT WATER IN COOLANT OVER-FILL BECAUSE AL…
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MY FORD F250 SUPER DUTY 2006 MODEL TRUCK STARTED UP JUST FINE ON WAY TO JOB SITE AND THEN ABOUT 1:00 P.M. THAT DAY MY TRUCK OVER-HEATED EVEN THOUGH NO INDICATION ON THE ELECTRICAL PANEL. I SAW WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF TAIL PIPE, STARTED OVER-HEATING, AND I WAS LOSING POWER IN MOTOR. I PUT WATER IN COOLANT OVER-FILL BECAUSE ALL OF MY ANTIFREEZE DRAINED OUT AND I JUST HAD PUT IN PRIOR TO THIS DATE ABOVE ABOUT TWO WEEKS. I REGULARLY CHANGE THE OIL AND MAINTAIN ALL THE FLUIDS AND DO REQUIRED MAINTENANCE ON TRUCK PER THE MILEAGE. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO MY HOUSE WHERE I WAITED 30 MINUTES FOR TRUCK TO COOL AND THEN DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO DIESEL MECHANIC NAMED [XXX] WHO KNEW IMMEDIATELY WHAT HAD HAPPENED BECAUSE (6) OTHER TRUCKS CAME IN THE SAME WEEK WITH THE SAME ISSUE WHICH WAS TO REPLACE THE EGR'S AND ALSO THE OIL COOLER. MY BILL FOR THIS WAS OVER $3,000.00. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT I HAD WORK AND WAS ABLE TO PAY FOR THIS HUGE EXPENSE OTHERWISE I WOULD BE OUT-OF-POCKET IN A BAD WAY BECAUSE THE TRUCK IS MY LIVELIHOOD IN MY MAKING MONEY AS I AM A GENERAL CONTRACTOR AND NEED A HEAVY DUTY TRUCK. I THINK THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RE-CALL ON THIS PART BECAUSE OF THE SIX OTHER TRUCKS THAT CAME INTO HIS DIESEL SHOP THE SAME WEEK. THIS WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE EXPERIENCE AND I FEEL LIKE FORD SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS AND CORRECT THE ERROR BECAUSE THIS PART SHOULD NOT GO OUT ON A SUPER DUTY TRUCK LIKE THIS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE OVER THE COURSE OF SEVEN YEARS AND WITH EACH FAILURE, THE INSTRU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE OVER THE COURSE OF SEVEN YEARS AND WITH EACH FAILURE, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE LAST REPLACEMENT, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EMIT WHITE SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE EGR COOLER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THE GAUGES HAD BEEN WORKING PROPERLY, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN ALERTED TO THE EGR COOLER FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE BLACKTOP ROAD AT 35 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTLY DIED LOSING ALL POWER, INCLUDING STEERING AND BRAKES. THIS OCCURRED AFTER I HAD JUST EXITED A U.S. HIGHWAY WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 65 MPH. DUE TO THE FACT THAT I AM A FORMER POLICE DEFENSIVE DRIVING INSTRUCTOR I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO…
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I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE BLACKTOP ROAD AT 35 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTLY DIED LOSING ALL POWER, INCLUDING STEERING AND BRAKES. THIS OCCURRED AFTER I HAD JUST EXITED A U.S. HIGHWAY WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 65 MPH. DUE TO THE FACT THAT I AM A FORMER POLICE DEFENSIVE DRIVING INSTRUCTOR I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO A SIDE STREET. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE TO TOW A 14,000 LB. FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER AND I AM GLAD IT WAS NOT ATTACHED.. IT TURNED OUT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE STC FITTING. FORD TOLD ME THAT THIS PART HAS A COMMON FAILURE PROBLEM AND IT HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH THE REVISED STC FITTING. MY CONCERM IS THAT FAILURE OF THIS PART WITH AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER ON AN INTERSTATE COULD BE FATAL. THE STC FITTING IS APPARENTLY ATTACHED TO THE HIGH PRESSURE OIL PUMP, AND WHEN IT FAILS YOU LOSE ALL POWER AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART. *TR
WHILE PULLING A TRAVEL TRAILER, ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. PULLED OVER AND NOTICE COOLANT RESERVOIR IS EMPTY. TOOK VEHICLE INTO A REPAIR SHOP, MOTOR COOLANT AND BOTH EGR COOLER FAILED. SERVICE SHOP REPORTED THAT FORD INFORMED THEM THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE. THEY KEEP EXTRA EGR PARTS ON HAND FROM THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF FAILURES R…
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WHILE PULLING A TRAVEL TRAILER, ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. PULLED OVER AND NOTICE COOLANT RESERVOIR IS EMPTY. TOOK VEHICLE INTO A REPAIR SHOP, MOTOR COOLANT AND BOTH EGR COOLER FAILED. SERVICE SHOP REPORTED THAT FORD INFORMED THEM THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE. THEY KEEP EXTRA EGR PARTS ON HAND FROM THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF FAILURES REPORTED. *TR
I WAS PULLING A 3 HORSE TRAILER HOME FROM AN EVENT LOCATED IN JACKSON, MS . WHEN WE REACHED MCCOMB, MS THE TRUCK DIED. WE WERE RUNNING ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN THAT HAPPENED, POWER STEERING WAS GONE AND TRUCK HAD TO ROLL TO A STOP. I PUT THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON, WAITED A MINUTE AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE TRUCK. IT CRANKED AND I WAS…
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I WAS PULLING A 3 HORSE TRAILER HOME FROM AN EVENT LOCATED IN JACKSON, MS . WHEN WE REACHED MCCOMB, MS THE TRUCK DIED. WE WERE RUNNING ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN THAT HAPPENED, POWER STEERING WAS GONE AND TRUCK HAD TO ROLL TO A STOP. I PUT THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON, WAITED A MINUTE AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE TRUCK. IT CRANKED AND I WAS ABLE TO LIMP HOME. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE TRUCK IS STILL IN THE SHOP AND THE MECHANICS ARE CHANGING PARTS BUT CANNOT SEEM TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IN FRUSTRATION, I DID A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND IT APPEARS THAT THIS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM FOR 03-07 POWERSTROKE DIESELS. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, A DEFECT IN THE ENGINEERING AND THAT FORD SHOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE INFORMED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. *TR
I HAVE OVER 118 PAGES OF REPAIRS DEALING FROM ELECTRICAL, SUSPENSION, ENGINE FAILURE, TURBO, FLUID LEAKAGE, OIL COOLER FAILURE. EJECTORS, GLOW PLUGS AND COUNTING. THEY CONTINUE TO REOCCUR TIME AFTER TIME AND DEALER WILL NOT COVER. I MET ALOT OF CONSUMERS THAT HAS THE SAME VEHICLE AND THEY ALL ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I KNOW …
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I HAVE OVER 118 PAGES OF REPAIRS DEALING FROM ELECTRICAL, SUSPENSION, ENGINE FAILURE, TURBO, FLUID LEAKAGE, OIL COOLER FAILURE. EJECTORS, GLOW PLUGS AND COUNTING. THEY CONTINUE TO REOCCUR TIME AFTER TIME AND DEALER WILL NOT COVER. I MET ALOT OF CONSUMERS THAT HAS THE SAME VEHICLE AND THEY ALL ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I KNOW THAT FORD HAS SUED THE DESIGNER OF THE 6.0 ENGINE AND WON BILLIONS BUT WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER. THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS, IF YOU KNOW THAT IF THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH A PROBLEM WHY NOT ASSIST THE CONSUMER IN CORRECTING INSTEAD OF DOING A PATCH JOB. THEY WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO DO THE RIGHT THING UNLESS SOMEONE FORCE THEM TO DO SO. THANKS *TR
Official recalls
108V344000 · Trailer Hitches
Jul 28, 2008
KNAPHEIDE IS RECALLING 108 MY 2006-2008 PRO SERIES TRUCK BEDS EQUIPPED WITH AN ICC BUMPER WHICH INCLUDED A PROVISION FOR A BALL HITCH. THERE MAY BE AN INSUFFICIENT WELD ATTACHING THE HITCH CHANNEL TO THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN BENDING OF THE HITCH CHANNEL OR THE HITCH COULD BE PULLED OFF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: KNAPHEIDE WILL OFFER TWO REMEDIES TO ITS CUSTOMERS: (1) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO DO NOT USE THE HITCH, THE HITCH WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TRUCK BED AND REPLACED WITH AN ICC BUMPER; OR (2) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO NEED A HITCH, A RECEIVER HITCH ASSEMBLY WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING HITCH ASSEMBLY AND ALL SUSPECT WELD JOINTS WILL BE RE WELDED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KNAPHEIDE AT 1-877-473-5763.
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.