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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
1,000 miles · Jun 7, 2013
Electrical SystemCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ALTERNAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515705

106,000 miles · May 29, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel System, Diesel

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP, CIRCUIT AND THE FUEL INJECTORS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP, CIRCUIT AND THE FUEL INJECTORS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514140

130,000 miles · Apr 2, 2013
Engine

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

NHTSA ODI #10505315

51,900 miles · Mar 21, 2013
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

MY HUSBAND DRIVES A 2006 FORD F250 SUPERCAB PICKUP TRUCK WITH APPROXIMATELY 53,000 MILES (LOW MILEAGE FOR THE YEAR OF THE TRUCK). RECENTLY, THE LATCH CABLES ON THE REAR SUICIDE DOORS BOTH BROKE WITHIN 1 MONTH OF EACH OTHER, RENDERING THE REAR DOORS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. FROM RESEARCHING BLOGS ONLINE, THIS IS CAUSED BY A DEFECTI…

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MY HUSBAND DRIVES A 2006 FORD F250 SUPERCAB PICKUP TRUCK WITH APPROXIMATELY 53,000 MILES (LOW MILEAGE FOR THE YEAR OF THE TRUCK). RECENTLY, THE LATCH CABLES ON THE REAR SUICIDE DOORS BOTH BROKE WITHIN 1 MONTH OF EACH OTHER, RENDERING THE REAR DOORS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. FROM RESEARCHING BLOGS ONLINE, THIS IS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE PLASTIC PART IN THE LATCH MECHANISM AND IS QUITE COMMON ON THIS TYPE FORD TRUCK DOOR. THE PARTS AND LABOR ARE QUITE COSTLY ($400 PER DOOR), AS THE WHOLE MECHANISM MUST BE REPLACED, RATHER THAN JUST THE DEFECTIVE PLASTIC PIECE. THIS IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY CONCERN, AS ANYONE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IS TRAPPED INSIDE, AS THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLATCH AND OPEN. WE WERE TOLD BY FORD CUSTOMER CARE THAT THEY WILL NOT CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AND MUST REPLACE THE LATCH WITH THE SAME TYPE LATCH CABLE THAT HAS ALREADY BROKEN (CASE # [XXX]). THERE IS NO GUARANTEE WITH THE REPLACEMENT THAT IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN AND IS QUITE A SAFETY CONCERN, ESPECIALLY IF A CHILD IS IN THE REAR SEAT, AS PASSENGERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT DURING AN EMERGENCY. WE FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE AND THE DEFECTIVE PIECE SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE. PERHAPS YOUR AGENCY CAN LOOK INTO THIS MATTER TO SEE IF THIS IS AS COMMON A PROBLEM AS IT APPEARS AND IS NOT ISOLATED TO MODEL AND YEAR OF OUR FORD TRUCK. THESE DOORS ARE COMMON ON MANY FORD TRUCKS. FORD WILL NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY OR RELIEF FOR THIS SITUATION. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503882

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO EXHIBIT A VIOLENT VIBRATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN TRAVELING BETWEEN 40-60 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, POTHOLE OR UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO EXHIBIT A VIOLENT VIBRATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN TRAVELING BETWEEN 40-60 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, POTHOLE OR UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10500135

62,565 miles · Feb 18, 2013
Service Brakes

THE BRAKE CALIPERS ON THE F-250 S.D. [RIGHT SIDE ONLY] LOCKED UP CAUSING IT TO PULL VERY HARD TO THE RIGHT. ON THE REAR I HAD TO REPLACE: ROTOR, CALIPER, AND PADS. ON THE FRONT, [RIGHT] JUST THE PADS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10498483

108,013 miles · Jan 28, 2013
Engine

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

NHTSA ODI #10494918

112,000 miles · Jan 23, 2013
SteeringSuspension

WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MILES PER HOUR THE TRUCK STATED VIOLENTLY SHAKING IN THE FRONT END AND THE STEERING WHEEL DID AS WELL WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE SHAKING STOPPED AS I REDUCED SPEED TO 20 MILES PER HOUR. VERY DANGEROUS , AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HIT OTHER CARS TWICE. AFRAID TO DRIVE ON HIGHWAY!! NE…

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WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MILES PER HOUR THE TRUCK STATED VIOLENTLY SHAKING IN THE FRONT END AND THE STEERING WHEEL DID AS WELL WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE SHAKING STOPPED AS I REDUCED SPEED TO 20 MILES PER HOUR. VERY DANGEROUS , AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HIT OTHER CARS TWICE. AFRAID TO DRIVE ON HIGHWAY!! NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY FORD BEFORE SOMEONE DIES!! *TR ## VIN PASSED ##

NHTSA ODI #10494444

1,500 miles · Dec 31, 2012
SteeringSuspension

THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK BEGINS TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AT 60 MILES AN HOUR. SOMETIMES A BUMP CAUSES IT, OTHER TIMES IT OCCURS WHEN SIMPLY DRIVING STRAIGHT. HAVE HAD REGULAR SERVICE AT FORD DEALER, BUT THE ISSUE HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE YEARS. HAVE ALERTED THEM OF THE PROBLEM FOR YEARS. IT'S ALL OVER THE INTERNET…

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THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK BEGINS TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AT 60 MILES AN HOUR. SOMETIMES A BUMP CAUSES IT, OTHER TIMES IT OCCURS WHEN SIMPLY DRIVING STRAIGHT. HAVE HAD REGULAR SERVICE AT FORD DEALER, BUT THE ISSUE HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE YEARS. HAVE ALERTED THEM OF THE PROBLEM FOR YEARS. IT'S ALL OVER THE INTERNET AS "FORD F250 FRONT END SHAKE" OR MORE CONCERNINGLY AS THE "FORD DEATH WOBBLE." IT'S NOT A TIRE PRESSURE ISSUE, AS I'VE ONLY USED PROPERLY INFLATED FACTORY TIRES THAT WERE DEALER INSTALLED. PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO GET WORSE, AND THE SHAKE HAS NOW MADE THE TRUCK VIRTUALLY UNDRIVABLE AT 60 MPH. PLEASE GOOGLE THE ISSUE. IT'S REAL. LOVE MY FORD, BUT MY FAMILY COMES FIRST, AND THE WOBBLE IS TOO SCARY TO IGNORE. JUST PAID ANOTHER $2800 TO TRY ANOTHER FIX (TRACK BAR AND BALL JOINTS), PLUS ANOTHER $2000 FOR NEW TIRES. SOMEONE WILL GET HURT WITH THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490616

35,500 miles · Dec 28, 2012
Service Brakes

WHILE BACKING UP APPLYING BRAKING, HEARD POP THEN HAD BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE FAILURE. VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER STRIKING EMBANKMENT. APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN PRESSURE RETURNED WITH GRINDING AND ERRATIC WHEEL BRAKING. MECHANIC FOUND BROKEN CALIPER SUPPORT BRACKET DEFECTIVE CALIPER AND ROTOR DUE TO INTERFERENCE HAD THIS OCCURRED AT A…

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WHILE BACKING UP APPLYING BRAKING, HEARD POP THEN HAD BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE FAILURE. VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER STRIKING EMBANKMENT. APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN PRESSURE RETURNED WITH GRINDING AND ERRATIC WHEEL BRAKING. MECHANIC FOUND BROKEN CALIPER SUPPORT BRACKET DEFECTIVE CALIPER AND ROTOR DUE TO INTERFERENCE HAD THIS OCCURRED AT A GREATER SPEED OR OTHER LOCATION THE OUTCOME WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490410

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.