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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

221 reports
55,000 miles · Jun 20, 2011
Suspension

I OWN A 2006 FORD F-250 LARIAT CREW CAB FOUR WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THREE WEEKS AGO THE TRUCK STARTED EXPERIENCING VIOLENT FRONT-END SHAKING. DURING AN EPISODE OF LEFT-TO-RIGHT SHAKING, THE TRUCK IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. WITH MY HAND PLACED ON THE 12:00 POSITION ON THE STEERING WHEEL, THE SHAKING VI…

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I OWN A 2006 FORD F-250 LARIAT CREW CAB FOUR WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THREE WEEKS AGO THE TRUCK STARTED EXPERIENCING VIOLENT FRONT-END SHAKING. DURING AN EPISODE OF LEFT-TO-RIGHT SHAKING, THE TRUCK IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. WITH MY HAND PLACED ON THE 12:00 POSITION ON THE STEERING WHEEL, THE SHAKING VIOLENTLY TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL TO WHERE MY HAND IS GOING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN 10:00 AND 2:00. SLOWING DOWN TO 30MPH HAS STOPPED EACH OF THE THREE EPISODES. THIS TRUCK HAS THE FACTORY INSTALLED WRANGLER ATS TIRES AND DOES NOT HAVE A LIFT KIT ON IT. AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES EQUAL MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDATION. I AM TAKING THE TRUCK TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP IN TWO DAYS FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THEY ACT AS IF THIS IS AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM, BUT FOLLOWING AN INTERNET SEARCH, IT APPEARS TO BE VERY COMMON. IT APPEARS THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS BLAMED TIRE PRESSURE, GIANT AFTERMARKET TIRES, AND LIFT KITS FOR THIS PROBLEM. MY TRUCK HAS NONE OF THESE POSSIBLE CAUSES. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10407612

15,000 miles · May 24, 2011
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND DROVE OVER A POT HOLE WHEN THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO ALMOST LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND DROVE OVER A POT HOLE WHEN THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO ALMOST LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.

NHTSA ODI #10402591

150,000 miles · May 11, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

2/15/10 ~ FUEL REGULATOR CHANGED. 2/16/10 ~ SENSOR AND CONNECTOR CHANGED. 3/1/2010~ FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED, EGR COLLOR CONNECTOR, HIGH PRESSURE OIL PUMP PRELACED. NOW 1 YEAR LATER ALL INJECTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10401539

31,200 miles · Apr 28, 2011
Equipment

AIR CONDITIONING ISSUE: IN TURNING ON THE AIR CONDITIONING IN MY F250 FORD TRUCK THIS YEAR IT DID NOT COOL THE CAB. IN TAKING IT TO A MECHANIC TO SEE WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM, I WAS TOLD THAT 3 TECHNICAL BULLETINS HAD BEEN ISSUED ON THE A/C UNIT. UNLESS THERE WAS A PROBLEM, NO ONE WOULD HAVE CHECKED THE A/C. BULLETINS 06-17-1…

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AIR CONDITIONING ISSUE: IN TURNING ON THE AIR CONDITIONING IN MY F250 FORD TRUCK THIS YEAR IT DID NOT COOL THE CAB. IN TAKING IT TO A MECHANIC TO SEE WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM, I WAS TOLD THAT 3 TECHNICAL BULLETINS HAD BEEN ISSUED ON THE A/C UNIT. UNLESS THERE WAS A PROBLEM, NO ONE WOULD HAVE CHECKED THE A/C. BULLETINS 06-17-12, 08-13-5 AND 08-13-5 - LACK OF A/C COOLING DUE TO DEFICIENT MATERIAL CLOGGING ORIFICE TUBE. NOW IT IS COSTING OVER $800 FROM MY POCKET TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT FORD ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT KNOWS ABOUT AND BECAUSE OF THE BAD PART, THE ENTIRE A/C SYSTEM HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10398134

141,000 miles · Apr 24, 2011
Suspension

UNCONTROLLABLE WOBBLE TO VEHICLE AFTER HITTING BUMP ON FREEWAY AT 65 MPH. NOT FIRST TIME AND LUCKY I DIDN'T END UP OFF THE FREEWAY. HAD SERVICE DONE AT FORD DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IN AUG 2010, REPLACED CAMBER CASTING AND TWO WHEEL ALIGNMENT, AND TIRE PRESSURE. PROBLEM IS BACK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10397273

36,000 miles · Mar 14, 2011
Suspension

2006 F250 WITH 36,000 MILES. FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY AFTER HITTING BUMPS IN ROAD. APPEARS TO BE MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN ENCOUNTERING A SERIES OF BUMPS AND GOING DOWN HILL. THERE IS A LOSS OF EFFECTIVE BRAKING WHEN FRONT END IS SHAKING . CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY NO RECALL WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY SIMILAR POSTINGS SUBMITTED. ALSO FR…

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2006 F250 WITH 36,000 MILES. FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY AFTER HITTING BUMPS IN ROAD. APPEARS TO BE MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN ENCOUNTERING A SERIES OF BUMPS AND GOING DOWN HILL. THERE IS A LOSS OF EFFECTIVE BRAKING WHEN FRONT END IS SHAKING . CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY NO RECALL WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY SIMILAR POSTINGS SUBMITTED. ALSO FRONT DRIVE UNIVERSALS ARE BEING REPLACED AT 45,000 MILES AND VACUUM LINE FOR 4 WHEEL ACTIVATION HAS BURNED OFF THREE TIMES, REPAIRED TWICE MY DEALER AT CUSTOMERS COST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10390092

108,400 miles · Mar 11, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO DECELERATE HE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR. WHEN HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, THE CALIPERS ON THE BRAKE LINE HAD DISINTEGRATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMAT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO DECELERATE HE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR. WHEN HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, THE CALIPERS ON THE BRAKE LINE HAD DISINTEGRATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,400. UPDATED 04/12/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE PULLED THE BRAKE APART, HE NOTICED ONE OF THE TWO CALIPER PISTONS HAD DISINTEGRATED. UPDATED 04/13/11

NHTSA ODI #10389849

30,000 miles · Mar 3, 2011
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH AND DROVE OVER A ROAD BUMP. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE "DEATH WOBBLE" THAT INFORMED OWNERS TO CHANGE THE TIRES, LOWER THE TIRE PRESSURE AND HAVE A WHEEL ALIGNMENT PERFORMED. THE CO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH AND DROVE OVER A ROAD BUMP. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE "DEATH WOBBLE" THAT INFORMED OWNERS TO CHANGE THE TIRES, LOWER THE TIRE PRESSURE AND HAVE A WHEEL ALIGNMENT PERFORMED. THE CONTACT FOLLOWED THE DIRECTIONS ACCORDING TO THE LETTER BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THE "DEATH WOBBLE" AND BELIEVED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10386266

58,000 miles · Feb 12, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

I PURCHASED A 2006 FORD F 250 WITH THE TRITON 54 . I HAD IT FOR 2 DAYS WHEN THE MOTOR STARTED TICKING. I'M TOLD THAT IT'S A SPARK PLUG ISSUE AND NO ONE IS WILLING TO WORK ON IT DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF FIXING THE PROBLEM WHEN THE PLUGS BREAK OFF IN THE HEAD AND THEY ALSO SAID IT WILL PROBABLY BLOW A SPARKPLUG OUT . THIS WILL COST…

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I PURCHASED A 2006 FORD F 250 WITH THE TRITON 54 . I HAD IT FOR 2 DAYS WHEN THE MOTOR STARTED TICKING. I'M TOLD THAT IT'S A SPARK PLUG ISSUE AND NO ONE IS WILLING TO WORK ON IT DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF FIXING THE PROBLEM WHEN THE PLUGS BREAK OFF IN THE HEAD AND THEY ALSO SAID IT WILL PROBABLY BLOW A SPARKPLUG OUT . THIS WILL COST APROX. $3000 TO FIX . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10381722

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages

VEHICLE WAS STOLEN OFF LARSON FORDS LOT WITHIN 30 SECONDS. I WAS TOLD BY A DETECTIVE THAT THIS THE F150, 250, 350 ARE VERY EASY TO STEAL BY JABBING A SCREW DRIVER UP AND BEHIND THE DOOR HANDLE WHICH UNLOCKS THE DOOR THEN PUT THE SCREW DRIVER IN THE IGNITION AND START IT UP AND FORD COMPANY KNOWS ALL ABOUT THIS AND DID NOTHING TO…

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VEHICLE WAS STOLEN OFF LARSON FORDS LOT WITHIN 30 SECONDS. I WAS TOLD BY A DETECTIVE THAT THIS THE F150, 250, 350 ARE VERY EASY TO STEAL BY JABBING A SCREW DRIVER UP AND BEHIND THE DOOR HANDLE WHICH UNLOCKS THE DOOR THEN PUT THE SCREW DRIVER IN THE IGNITION AND START IT UP AND FORD COMPANY KNOWS ALL ABOUT THIS AND DID NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10372435

Official recalls

1

08V344000 · 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

2

EA08007 · 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.