NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
221 reports12,000 miles · Apr 30, 2012
Wheels
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CRACK HAD ACCUMULATED ON THE FACTORY WHEEL DIRECTLY IN THE CENTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK ON THE WHEEL CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE WHEEL REPLACED AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CRACK HAD ACCUMULATED ON THE FACTORY WHEEL DIRECTLY IN THE CENTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK ON THE WHEEL CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE WHEEL REPLACED AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A REPLACEMENT WHEEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
NHTSA ODI #10456886
85,000 miles · Apr 23, 2012
SteeringSuspension
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HIT A SMALL BUMP AND THE FRONT END STARTS SHAKING SO VIOLENTLY THAT YOU CAN'T CONTROL THE VEHICLE. APPLYING BRAKES DOES NOT STOP THE SEVERE WOBBLE. I ALMOST WENT THROUGH A GUARD RAIL DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND FORD SAYS IT TIRE PRESSURE. NOT! THIS PROBLEM IS ALL OVE…
Read full complaint
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HIT A SMALL BUMP AND THE FRONT END STARTS SHAKING SO VIOLENTLY THAT YOU CAN'T CONTROL THE VEHICLE. APPLYING BRAKES DOES NOT STOP THE SEVERE WOBBLE. I ALMOST WENT THROUGH A GUARD RAIL DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND FORD SAYS IT TIRE PRESSURE. NOT! THIS PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. FORD NEEDS TO MAN UP AND FIX THERE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10456196
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
2006 FORD F-250. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH EGR COOLER/EGR VALVE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PURPOSE OF THE EGR COOLER WAS TO COOL THE EXHAUST. AFTER MAKING SOME INQUIRIES, IT WAS BROUGHT TO HER ATTENTION THAT IT WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED SINCE THE EGR VALVE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED PROPERLY, IT WAS G…
Read full complaint
2006 FORD F-250. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH EGR COOLER/EGR VALVE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PURPOSE OF THE EGR COOLER WAS TO COOL THE EXHAUST. AFTER MAKING SOME INQUIRIES, IT WAS BROUGHT TO HER ATTENTION THAT IT WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED SINCE THE EGR VALVE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED PROPERLY, IT WAS GETTING PLUGGED UP WITH WET CARBON. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST $3,000 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10456213
86,300 miles · Apr 9, 2012
Wheels
I OWN A 2006 FORD F-250 POWER STROKE 4 DOOR 4X4 TRUCK WITH STOCK 20 INCH MAG RIMS. TWO OF THEM ARE CRACKING IN THE FRONT . THE CRACK ON ONE OF THE RIMS IS ABOUT 6 INCHES LONG FROM SPOKE TO SPOKE ALONG SIDE THE BEAD OF THE TIRE. MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 86,000 MILES ON IT. TALKED TO FORD DEALER SHIP AND THEY TOLD ME TRUCK WAS OUT OF WAR…
Read full complaint
I OWN A 2006 FORD F-250 POWER STROKE 4 DOOR 4X4 TRUCK WITH STOCK 20 INCH MAG RIMS. TWO OF THEM ARE CRACKING IN THE FRONT . THE CRACK ON ONE OF THE RIMS IS ABOUT 6 INCHES LONG FROM SPOKE TO SPOKE ALONG SIDE THE BEAD OF THE TIRE. MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 86,000 MILES ON IT. TALKED TO FORD DEALER SHIP AND THEY TOLD ME TRUCK WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT OFFERED A EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE ONLY HELP FORD GAVE ME WAS A PRICE ON TWO RIMS FOR ABOUT $3,000.00 DOLLARS. CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY THEY SAID TRUCK WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY COULD NOT DO A THING ABOUT IT. THEY ALSO OFFERED A EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10454624
26,211 miles · Mar 26, 2012
SteeringSuspension
SEE ATTACHED DESCRIPTION WITH THIS REPORT USING TCN: CCN26-19640 DESCRIPTION WRITE-UP... ..UPDATED 04/19/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEFECT INVOLVED SEVERE FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATION THAT CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND LANE CHANGE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE PERFORMS PERFECT WHE…
Read full complaint
SEE ATTACHED DESCRIPTION WITH THIS REPORT USING TCN: CCN26-19640 DESCRIPTION WRITE-UP... ..UPDATED 04/19/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEFECT INVOLVED SEVERE FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATION THAT CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND LANE CHANGE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE PERFORMS PERFECT WHEN NOT TRANSPORTATION A LOAD AT ANY SPEED ON ANY ROAD CONDITION. HOWEVER, WHEN TRAVELING DOWNGRADES OF 6% OR MORE WITH THE 5TH WHEEL TRAILER AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH, A LIGHT TOUCH OF THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE COMBINATION VEHICLE DOWN INITIATES THE OSCILLATION WHICH WILL NOT STOP THE UNTIL THE VEHICLE SPEED FALLS BELOW 50 MPH. UPDATED 05/02/12
NHTSA ODI #10454088
46,000 miles · Mar 20, 2012
SteeringSuspension
THE TRUCK NOW THREE TIMES IN LESS THAN 5 MONTHS HAS SHOOK SO BAD THAT WE COULDN'T HOLD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL, WHEN JUST RIDING OVER A BRIDGE SEAM. THE TRUCK SHOOK SO BAD THAT THE CAR IN THE NEXT LANE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND WE ENDED UP IN THE MEDIAN. WE HAVE PURCHASED NEW TIRES AND WE CHECK OUR PRESSURE DAILY. WHICH HAS NOTHING T…
Read full complaint
THE TRUCK NOW THREE TIMES IN LESS THAN 5 MONTHS HAS SHOOK SO BAD THAT WE COULDN'T HOLD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL, WHEN JUST RIDING OVER A BRIDGE SEAM. THE TRUCK SHOOK SO BAD THAT THE CAR IN THE NEXT LANE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND WE ENDED UP IN THE MEDIAN. WE HAVE PURCHASED NEW TIRES AND WE CHECK OUR PRESSURE DAILY. WHICH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS ISSUE. SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED WITH THIS HYPER SHAKING. I KNOW IF THERE ISN'T SOMETHING DONE THERE ARE GOING TO BE ACCIDENTS. WE LIVE IN THE NORTHEAST WHERE WE HAVE SNOW AND ICE WITH THE ROADS IN THAT CONDITION WE WOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL THE TRUCK IF WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ON ICE AND SNOW. LUCKY IT WAS NOT SNOWING AND IT WAS DRY PAVEMENT. I KNOW IF SOMETHING ISN'T DONE ABOUT THIS AND ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED FORD IS GOING TO BE SORRY WHEN SOMEONE IS KILLED. THE PROBLEM IS SO BAD YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING AND HAVE NO PLACE TO GO WHEN THIS HAPPENS. WE ALMOST SIDESWIPED THE CAR NEXT TO US THANK GOODNESS THEY WERE PAYING ATTENTION WHEN IT HAPPENED. THEY STOPPED AND ASKED IF WE WERE OK. THEY SAID THEY NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE. WE HAVE OWNED AT LEAST 6 F-150 TRUCKS AND 4 FORD EXPLORERS SO YOU COULD SAY WE ARE FORD PEOPLE. BUT I AM NOT SO SURE WE WILL STAY A FORD FAMILY SINCE THEY DON'T SEEM TO WANT TO DO ANYTHING TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE AND IT IS HAPPENING IN THE NEW ONES ALSO. WE HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAS A 2011 AND IT DOES THE SAME THING. I KNOW YOU HAVE DISMISSED COMPLAINTS BEFORE BUT SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED. THEN MAYBE SOMETHING WILL BE DONE BY YOU OR FORD WHEN THAT HAPPENS IT IS A SHAME THAT IT TAKES A DEATH TO MAKE SOMEONE DO SOMETHING. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10452381
203,201 miles · Mar 13, 2012
Suspension
WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND HIT A SMALL BUMP. FRONT END STARTED SHAKING SEVERLY. TRUCK WAS FORCED TO CHANGED LANES AND THANK GOODNESS NO ONE WAS BESIDE ME. EVERYTHING IN THE TRUCK WAS SHAKING. ONCE I PULLED OVER OT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I COULD SMELL A BURNT SMELL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10451566
43,000 miles · Mar 4, 2012
Power Train
F250SD DIESEL ABOUT 65 MI.S.OF ELI,NV. THE CK ENGINE SYMBOL CAME ON,SO I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WAS OIL ALL OVER THE TOP OF THE ENGINE,[MAYBE 1 GAL.]. OIL WAS COMING OUT OF PLASTIC COOLANT OVERFLOW BOX. NO OIL SHOWED ON CHECK STICK. I GOT 2 GAL OF OIL FROM SOMEONE PASSING BY AND LIMPED INTO ELI NV. TH…
Read full complaint
F250SD DIESEL ABOUT 65 MI.S.OF ELI,NV. THE CK ENGINE SYMBOL CAME ON,SO I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WAS OIL ALL OVER THE TOP OF THE ENGINE,[MAYBE 1 GAL.]. OIL WAS COMING OUT OF PLASTIC COOLANT OVERFLOW BOX. NO OIL SHOWED ON CHECK STICK. I GOT 2 GAL OF OIL FROM SOMEONE PASSING BY AND LIMPED INTO ELI NV. THE PICKUP SEEMED TO RUN OK AND NO OTHER WARNINGS SHOWED. [I WATCHED TEMPS CLOSELY]. TURNED OUT THE OIL COOLER INTERNAL [UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD] SPRUNG A LEAK AND FORCED OIL INTO THE COOLANT SYSTEM. MY TRUCK WAS BARELY OVER THE 5 YR. WARRANTY SO NO HELP THERE FROM FORD. I ALWAYS WANTED A FORD DIESEL BUT NOT ANYMORE. COST $2200. FOR REPAIRS, AND LOST 3 WEEKS WITH THE TRUCK. HAD TO HIRE A U-HAUL TO GET HOME TO BOISE AND COME BACK FOR MY PICKUP. MY QUESTION IS WHY NO HELP FROM FORD? I STILL HAVE THE BAD COOLER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10450223
98,286 miles · Feb 26, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
EGR AND OIL COOLER FAILURE...CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE AND HYDROLOCK SITUATION. THE ENGINE STOPPED THE TRUCK RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE $2542.42. SURE WOULD BE NICE FOR FORD TO HAVE A HAND IN THE REPAIRS DUE TO THEIR FAULTY ENGINE DESIGN. I HAVE READ 100'S O…
Read full complaint
EGR AND OIL COOLER FAILURE...CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE AND HYDROLOCK SITUATION. THE ENGINE STOPPED THE TRUCK RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE $2542.42. SURE WOULD BE NICE FOR FORD TO HAVE A HAND IN THE REPAIRS DUE TO THEIR FAULTY ENGINE DESIGN. I HAVE READ 100'S OF REPORTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS AND FORD STILL WILL NOT FIX OR HELP PAY FOR THEIR ENGINE. FORD REFUSED TO HELP WITH REPAIR COST. I ONLY HAVE 98000K MILES. PLEASE LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION INTO THESE COMPLAINTS. I BELIEVE YOU WILL FIND ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO WARRANT AN INVESTIGATION. I AM SURE THAT THE LOBBYIST AT FORD ARE DOING THEIR JOB TO KEEP THIS FROM BECOMING A RECALL SITUATION. IT IS HURTING NO ONE BUT THE OWNERS OF THIS 6.0L DIESEL ENGINE!!! WE NEED YOUR HELP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10449348
112,000 miles · Jan 26, 2012
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline
THE FICM (FUEL INJECTOR CONTROL MODULE) ON THE 6.0L POWERSTROKES ARE A KNOWN ITEM TO FAIL. THEY LOSE VOLTAGE AND MAKE INJECTORS NOT WORK, WHICH SHUTS OFF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME WHILE AT AN IDLE OR GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. ONCE THIS HAPPENS, THE TRUCK SHUTS OFF AND YOU LOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY. MIN…
Read full complaint
THE FICM (FUEL INJECTOR CONTROL MODULE) ON THE 6.0L POWERSTROKES ARE A KNOWN ITEM TO FAIL. THEY LOSE VOLTAGE AND MAKE INJECTORS NOT WORK, WHICH SHUTS OFF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME WHILE AT AN IDLE OR GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. ONCE THIS HAPPENS, THE TRUCK SHUTS OFF AND YOU LOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY. MINE SHUT OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD SEVERAL TIMES NOW, BUT FORD DOES NOT WANT TO WARRANTY IT. MY SMALL TOWN FORD DEALERSHIP REPLACES SEVERAL OF THESE PARTS A WEEK. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE FOR THEM TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10445453
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.
Illustration