NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
221 reports25,000 miles · Oct 13, 2010
SteeringSuspension
I HAVE A 2006 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY TRUCK. WHEN I HIT A ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD THE FRONT END SHAKES SO BAD YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO STOP SHAKING IS TO GET ON THE BRAKES AND STOP. I HAVE BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED IF THIS IS…
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I HAVE A 2006 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY TRUCK. WHEN I HIT A ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD THE FRONT END SHAKES SO BAD YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO STOP SHAKING IS TO GET ON THE BRAKES AND STOP. I HAVE BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED IF THIS IS NOT CORRECTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10360390
120,000 miles · Oct 7, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F250. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, BUT THERE WAS NO ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE REOCCURRED TWO DAYS AFTER THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F250. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, BUT THERE WAS NO ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE REOCCURRED TWO DAYS AFTER THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE COULD POSSIBLY BE CONTRIBUTED TO THE FUEL INJECTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR ONE YEAR DUE TO THE INTERMITTENT FAILURES AND INSUFFICIENT REPAIRS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/10/10. *LJ
NHTSA ODI #10359500
15,000 miles · Sep 19, 2010
SteeringSuspension
FORD 2006 F250 SD DIESEL, HAS HAD VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE STEERING, HAPPENS ATLEAST TWICE PER TRIP, STARTED AROUND 15000 MILES ON TRUCK, HAVE 44000 MILES NOW, SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE, THIS STARTED LITTLE OVER A YEAR AFTER I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW TIL CURRENT, 9/18/10, WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT WAS A TIRE PRESSURE ISSUE, IT…
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FORD 2006 F250 SD DIESEL, HAS HAD VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE STEERING, HAPPENS ATLEAST TWICE PER TRIP, STARTED AROUND 15000 MILES ON TRUCK, HAVE 44000 MILES NOW, SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE, THIS STARTED LITTLE OVER A YEAR AFTER I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW TIL CURRENT, 9/18/10, WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT WAS A TIRE PRESSURE ISSUE, IT IS NOT THAT, IT DID NOTHING FOR THE PROBLEM, THIS VEHICLE IS TRULY UNSAFE TO CARRY ME AND MY FAMILY IN. VERY SCARY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10356330
61,000 miles · Sep 3, 2010
SteeringSuspension
FORD 2006 F250 DEATH WOBBLE. I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK TODAY AND I HIT A LITTLE POT HOLE IN THE ROAD AND NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF MY TRUCK. THE TRUCK WAS SHAKING SO BAD I THOUGHT FOR SURE THE FRONT WHEELS WERE OFF AND WE WERE DEAD. SCARIEST THING EVER. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS ISSUE BEFORE IT KILLS SOMEONE IF IT HASN'T ALREADY. THIS…
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FORD 2006 F250 DEATH WOBBLE. I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK TODAY AND I HIT A LITTLE POT HOLE IN THE ROAD AND NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF MY TRUCK. THE TRUCK WAS SHAKING SO BAD I THOUGHT FOR SURE THE FRONT WHEELS WERE OFF AND WE WERE DEAD. SCARIEST THING EVER. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS ISSUE BEFORE IT KILLS SOMEONE IF IT HASN'T ALREADY. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS WE PAY GOOD MONEY FOR THESE VEHICLES AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE FIX. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS HOPE FORD DOSE THE RIGHT THING AND RECALLS THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10353642
30,000 miles · Aug 18, 2010
Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE WOULD RIVE OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR MOST PROFOUNDLY WHEN DRIVING AT A SPEED OF AT LEAST 50 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY IMPROPER INFLATION OF THE TIRES. THE CONTACT IN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE WOULD RIVE OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR MOST PROFOUNDLY WHEN DRIVING AT A SPEED OF AT LEAST 50 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY IMPROPER INFLATION OF THE TIRES. THE CONTACT INFLATED THE TIRES TO THE SPECIFICATIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND THE SHAKING BECAME WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ
NHTSA ODI #10350257
54,000 miles · Jul 14, 2010
Suspension
VIOLENT SHAKING OF FRONT END AFTER HITTING A BUMP ON THE ROAD. ONE STRIP OF HIGHWAY IN OUR TOWN WE CAN RECREATE ISSUE EVERYTIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343265
17,000 miles · Jun 24, 2010
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 70 MPH, THE FRONT END WOULD WOBBLE ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT AND INSTALLED A DAMPER ON THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN FOUR MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 70 MPH, THE FRONT END WOULD WOBBLE ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT AND INSTALLED A DAMPER ON THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN FOUR MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
NHTSA ODI #10339848
75,550 miles · Jun 24, 2010
Electrical SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F250. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IDLE WHEN THE CONTACT WENT TO START THE ENGINE. THE GEAR SHIFTER OPENING ERUPTED INTO FLAMES AND SMOKE. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE SMALL FIRE. A TOW TRUCK COMPANY ARRIVED TO TOW THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F250. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IDLE WHEN THE CONTACT WENT TO START THE ENGINE. THE GEAR SHIFTER OPENING ERUPTED INTO FLAMES AND SMOKE. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE SMALL FIRE. A TOW TRUCK COMPANY ARRIVED TO TOW THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED A SECOND TIME AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING UNKNOWN REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,550.
NHTSA ODI #10339837
130,000 miles · May 30, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicTraction Control System
I OWN A FORD SUPER DUTY F 250 2006 WAS BOUGHT 03-18-10 .APROX 2 1/2 MONTHS THE TRUCK VIOLENTLY SHAKES AND LOSES CONTROL WHEN HITTING THE SMALLEST BUMP IF EXCEEDING 45 KLM OUR HIGHER. IF YOU APPLY YOUR BRAKES WHILE THIS HAPPENS THE BACK END WILL 360 THIS IS A DEATH TRAP. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 15 TIMES BUT IT COULD OF BEEN MORE…
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I OWN A FORD SUPER DUTY F 250 2006 WAS BOUGHT 03-18-10 .APROX 2 1/2 MONTHS THE TRUCK VIOLENTLY SHAKES AND LOSES CONTROL WHEN HITTING THE SMALLEST BUMP IF EXCEEDING 45 KLM OUR HIGHER. IF YOU APPLY YOUR BRAKES WHILE THIS HAPPENS THE BACK END WILL 360 THIS IS A DEATH TRAP. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 15 TIMES BUT IT COULD OF BEEN MORE I ONLY DRIVE VERY SLOW AND IN THE SLOW LANE SO IF IT HAPPENS I CAN PULL OVER. I HAVE HAD EVERYTHING REPAIRED ON THIS TRUCK I REPLACED ALL THE HEAVY DUTY SHOCKS THE TIE RODS THE STEERING DAMPER THE ALIGNMENT THE PRESSURE IN MY TIRES AND EVEN THE BRAKES, AT FIRST I THOUGHT THE GARAGE JUST WANTED MY MONEY BUT ONCE SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET I FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS NO ONE HAS FOUND A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS AND MY OWN MECHANIC SAYS HE HAS EXHAUSTED ALL AVENUES WITH THIS TRUCK. MY BIGGEST FEAR IS SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO DIE TO MAKE FORD UNDERSTAND THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THIS TRUCK AND I DON'T WANT IT TO BE ME. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THIS TRUCK IN THE WINTER AS OF YET AND CAN TELL YOU WITH EXPERIENCE IF THE TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND I HAVE A HAD A TOUGH TIME CONTROLLING IT IN THE SUMMER IMAGINE THE WINTER. SOMEONE NEEDS TO TAKE THIS SERIOUS. JUST TELL ME HOW TO FIX IT AT LEAST I CAN MAKE IT SAFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10333888
70,000 miles · May 27, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
DURING REPLACEMENT OF SPARKPLUGS IN A 2006 FORD F-250, 5 PLUGS HAD TO BE BORED OUT DUE THE PLUGS DISINTEGRATING UPON ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE THEM. THE REPAIR COSTS ARE $600-800 TO REMOVE THE REMAINDER OF THE PLUGS AND INSTALL NEW PLUGS. WHEN THE FORD SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WAS ASKED WHAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM AND IF IT WOULD OCCUR AG…
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DURING REPLACEMENT OF SPARKPLUGS IN A 2006 FORD F-250, 5 PLUGS HAD TO BE BORED OUT DUE THE PLUGS DISINTEGRATING UPON ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE THEM. THE REPAIR COSTS ARE $600-800 TO REMOVE THE REMAINDER OF THE PLUGS AND INSTALL NEW PLUGS. WHEN THE FORD SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WAS ASKED WHAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM AND IF IT WOULD OCCUR AGAIN THE FOLLOWING ANSWER WAS PROVIDED. DURING PRODUCT ASSEMBLY AT THE FACTORY , NO LUBRICANT WAS PLACED ON THE SPARKPLUG THREADS IN "SOME MODELS", CAUSING THE BASE TO WELD ITSELF TO THE ENGINE. THIS CAUSED WHAT SHOULD BE A $300 REPAIR TO MORE THAN DOUBLE IN COST. FORD SHOULD HAVE TO BEAR REPAIR COSTS TO BORE OUT THE PLUGS, NOT THE CAR OWNER. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDELY KNOWN, BUT THE CONSUMER HAS NO COURSE OF ACTION EXCEPT A COSTLY LEGAL REMEDY. I WILL NO LONGER PURCHASE FORD PRODUCTS BASED ON MY RECENT PROBLEMS WITH THEIR PRODUCTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10332479
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.