NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Suspension complaints
43 reportsClear category filter25,000 miles · Aug 14, 2011
Suspension
THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THE TRUCK IS TRAVELING ALONG A ROAD OR HIGHWAY. YOUR DRIVE TURNS INTO A DEATH WOBBLE. THE TRUCK IS UNCONTROLLABLE AND JUMPS LANES AND IS ALL OVER THE ROAD. THIS IS A DANGER THAT HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO FORD BY MANY AND IT IS JUST BEING IGNORED. THIS IS A TRUE DANGER AND MAY NOT ONLY KILL THE DR…
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THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THE TRUCK IS TRAVELING ALONG A ROAD OR HIGHWAY. YOUR DRIVE TURNS INTO A DEATH WOBBLE. THE TRUCK IS UNCONTROLLABLE AND JUMPS LANES AND IS ALL OVER THE ROAD. THIS IS A DANGER THAT HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO FORD BY MANY AND IT IS JUST BEING IGNORED. THIS IS A TRUE DANGER AND MAY NOT ONLY KILL THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS BUT ANYONE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT'S ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND HAPPENING ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. THIS IS BEING SWEPT UNDER THE CARPET, JUST AS THE PINTO WAS, WITH MANY DEATHS. YOU AS THE SAFETY BOARD NEED TO STEP UP AND DO SOMETHING SO CONSUMERS CAN DRIVE THE VEHICLES THAT THEY HAVE PURCHASED, FOR MANY OVER $55,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10419336
82,356 miles · Jan 23, 2011
Suspension
2006 FORD F350 SD 4X4 FRONT END ALIGNED LESS THAN 1 MONTH PRIOR WITH ALL TIRE PRESSURE CHECKED AND CORRECTED. DRIVING IN DRY CONDITIONS APPROACHING AN OVERPASS ON A CURVE, FRONT OF OVERPASS BRIDGE SURFACE IS BUMPY AND ROUGH, SPEED 45-50 MPH. HIT ROUGH SURFACE AND FRONT END STARTED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY!!!! HAD TO HIT BRAKES…
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2006 FORD F350 SD 4X4 FRONT END ALIGNED LESS THAN 1 MONTH PRIOR WITH ALL TIRE PRESSURE CHECKED AND CORRECTED. DRIVING IN DRY CONDITIONS APPROACHING AN OVERPASS ON A CURVE, FRONT OF OVERPASS BRIDGE SURFACE IS BUMPY AND ROUGH, SPEED 45-50 MPH. HIT ROUGH SURFACE AND FRONT END STARTED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY!!!! HAD TO HIT BRAKES AND SWEAR TO SHOULDER TO KEEP FROM GOING OFF OVERPASS! *LN
NHTSA ODI #10378327
86,800 miles · Nov 2, 2010
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP WHEN THE CONTACT LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL. HE HAD TO DECREASE THE VEHICLES' SPEED TO 30 MPH TO REGAIN STEERING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE STEERING BUSHING, SHOCKS, LOWER CONTROL, AND…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP WHEN THE CONTACT LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL. HE HAD TO DECREASE THE VEHICLES' SPEED TO 30 MPH TO REGAIN STEERING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE STEERING BUSHING, SHOCKS, LOWER CONTROL, AND IDLER ARMS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN THREE WEEKS OF THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT LOCATED AN INVESTIGATION (NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: PE07057- SUSPENSION:FRONT) WHICH DESCRIBED FAILURE AND INQUIRED WITH THE DEALER. THE DEALER SET THE TIRE PRESSURE TO THE CORRECT MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,444.
NHTSA ODI #10363770
92,000 miles · Oct 27, 2010
SteeringSuspensionCrash
I HAVE A 2006 FORD F350 4 WHEEL DRIVE SINGLE WHEEL LONG BED KING RANCH. I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR INTERSTATE ANYWHERE BETWEEN 30 AND 80 MILES AN HOUR, AND IF YOU HIT THE SMALLEST IMPERFECTIONS IN THE ROAD THE TRUCK WILL START SHAKING VIOLENTLY, UNCONTROLLABLE, THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES ABOUT 14 INCHES SIDE TO SIDE SO FA…
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I HAVE A 2006 FORD F350 4 WHEEL DRIVE SINGLE WHEEL LONG BED KING RANCH. I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR INTERSTATE ANYWHERE BETWEEN 30 AND 80 MILES AN HOUR, AND IF YOU HIT THE SMALLEST IMPERFECTIONS IN THE ROAD THE TRUCK WILL START SHAKING VIOLENTLY, UNCONTROLLABLE, THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES ABOUT 14 INCHES SIDE TO SIDE SO FAST AND HARD, THAT IT TAKES ILL I'VE GOT TO HOLD ON TO THE WHEEL. YOU CAN HEAR THE TIRES CHIRP SIDE TO SIDE ON THE PAVEMENT IT WOBBLES SO SEVERELY. I'VE REPLACED THE STEERING DAMPENER, THE POWER STEERING PUMP, HAD IT ALIGNED 4 TIMES, BRAND NEW TIRES, I HAVE ADJUSTED THE CASTOR ACCORDINGLY TO FORDS TSB FORUM, HAD MY ROTORS TURNED, AND WHEELS AND TIRES BALANCED SO MANY TIMES. ITS SO BAD, IT SHAKES THE STUFF IN THE BED OF MY TRUCK ONTO THE HIGHWAY. MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 92,000 MILES ON IT. IM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. ALL I KNOW IS THAT I DIDN'T PAY 64,000 DOLLARS FOR A TRUCK THAT I CANT DRIVE. I WILL SPEND THE MONEY TO FIX IT, BUT FORD SAYS ITS A NORMAL CONDITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10362727
90,000 miles · Oct 7, 2010
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 SUPERDUTY. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP OR POTHOLE, THE FRONT END WOULD SHIMMY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT END DAMPENER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE PROBLEM HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10359557
109,000 miles · Nov 26, 2009
SteeringSuspension
WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE HWY AT APPROX 65MPH I RAN ACROSS A PATCH OF UNEVEN ROAD AT WHICH CAUSED MY 2006 F350 4X4 STEERING TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY I HAD TO CAREFULLY PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER WHICH WAS NO SMALL TASK AS THERE WAS A LOT OF TRAFFIC THE SHAKING WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I WAS ALMOST STOPPED THIS HAPPENED 4 TIMES ON DIFFEREN…
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WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE HWY AT APPROX 65MPH I RAN ACROSS A PATCH OF UNEVEN ROAD AT WHICH CAUSED MY 2006 F350 4X4 STEERING TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY I HAD TO CAREFULLY PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER WHICH WAS NO SMALL TASK AS THERE WAS A LOT OF TRAFFIC THE SHAKING WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I WAS ALMOST STOPPED THIS HAPPENED 4 TIMES ON DIFFERENT ROADS . THE VEHICLE IS STOCK NOT LIFTED AND HAS OEM TIRES. I AM TRYING TO FIND A FIX BUT I AM FINDING OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR FORD AND THEY ARE UNWILLING TO HELP FIX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10293635
41,000 miles · Nov 13, 2009
SteeringSuspension
VEHICLE CONTROL COMPROMISED WHEN INCURRING SHARP CHANGES IN ROAD SURFACE (POTHOLES, EXPANSION JOINTS, ETC). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10292033
62,000 miles · Oct 15, 2009
SteeringSuspension
EXCESSIVE FRONT END SHIMMY ON OCCASION WITH MY FORD F350 4X4. I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE. THE FIRST TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURRED, MY TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW AND SUBSEQUENTLY MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURE SEEMED TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM FOR A WHILE. HOWEVER, RECENTLY I HIT SOME BUMPS WHILE TRAVELING ON T…
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EXCESSIVE FRONT END SHIMMY ON OCCASION WITH MY FORD F350 4X4. I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE. THE FIRST TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURRED, MY TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW AND SUBSEQUENTLY MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURE SEEMED TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM FOR A WHILE. HOWEVER, RECENTLY I HIT SOME BUMPS WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND THE FRONT END BEGAN TO SHIMMY VERY VIOLENTLY. I KNEW TO HIT THE BRAKES TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING, BUT I HAD TO STAY ON MY BRAKES UNTIL I SLOWED TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH BEFORE I COULD REGAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I CALLED A LOCAL FORD SERVICE CENTER, BUT THEY SAID THEY WOULD "ONLY BE GUESSING" AT THE PROPER WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I THEN CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE, AS I AM NERVOUS ABOUT RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I CALL SEVERAL SERVICE CENTERS UNTIL I FIND ONE THAT HAS EXPERIENCE WITH TRYING TO FIX THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. I HAVE DONE THAT AND I HAVE FOUND THAT NONE OF THE LOCAL DEALERS KNOW HOW TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS SHIMMY PROBLEM IS OCCURRING MORE AND MORE OFTEN AND I AM CONVINCED THAT IT WILL EVENTUALLY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10288585
67,039 miles · Aug 25, 2009
SuspensionTires
I OWN A 2006 FORD F-350 4X4 SHORT BED CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCK. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND NO MODIFICATIONS HAVE EVER BEEN MADE. I HAVE KEPT THE VEHICLE IN GOOD MECHANICAL SHAPE, KEPT THE TIRES INFLATED TO RECOMMENDED LEVELS, AND KEPT THE TIRES BALANCED AND ROTATED. THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS EXPERIENCED A SEVERE STEERING OSCILLATION …
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I OWN A 2006 FORD F-350 4X4 SHORT BED CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCK. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND NO MODIFICATIONS HAVE EVER BEEN MADE. I HAVE KEPT THE VEHICLE IN GOOD MECHANICAL SHAPE, KEPT THE TIRES INFLATED TO RECOMMENDED LEVELS, AND KEPT THE TIRES BALANCED AND ROTATED. THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS EXPERIENCED A SEVERE STEERING OSCILLATION WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING OVER 50 MPH AND HITS A SMALL BUMP ON THE HIGHWAY. THE OSCILLATION IS MOST SEVERE IF THE BUMP IS HIT WHILE IN A LEFT TURN. WHEN THIS OCCURS, I BREAK UNTIL SPEED IS REDUCED TO ABOUT 30 MPH TO 40 MPH AND THE OSCILLATION STOPS. WHEN THIS OSCILLATION OCCURS, THE VEHICLE HAS LIMITED STEERING CONTROL. IT GENERALLY TRAVELS IN A STRAIGHT DIRECTION BUT DOES NOT RESPOND WELL TO STEERING WHEEL INPUT UNTIL THE OSCILLATION IS DAMPENED. THE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT AND IN SOME CASES IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. THIS OSCILLATION HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. IN THE CASE TODAY, THIS OSCILLATION WAS SO SEVERE THAT IT HAS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE INTO THE OPPOSING TRAFFIC LANE. I NEARLY HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION, THE OPPOSING VEHICLE MOVED OVER TO THE SHOULDER TO ALLOW ME TO PASS. THESE OSCILLATIONS HAVE OCCURRED WITH BOTH THE ORIGINAL CONTINENTAL LT275/70R18 TIRES AND ALSO THE REPLACEMENT MICHELIN LT275/70R18 TIRES. TIRES PRESSURES HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED AT 65 PSI FRONT AND 75 PSI REAR AS RECOMMENDED BY THE OWNER'S MANUAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10281763
65,000 miles · Aug 14, 2009
SteeringSuspension
2006 FORD F-350 SD 2WD HAS A VIOLENT FRONT END SHIMMY THAT HAS BEEN CAUSED BY THE SMALLEST IMPERFECTION IN THE HIGHWAY. AT SPEEDS OF 50MPH+ THE SHAKING IS SO INTENSE THAT IT CAUSES SWERVING AND YOU MUST COME TO A NEAR COMPLETE STOP BEFORE THE SHAKING WILL CEASE. SINCE IT HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY, WE HAVE NEARLY BEEN REAR ENDED AND…
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2006 FORD F-350 SD 2WD HAS A VIOLENT FRONT END SHIMMY THAT HAS BEEN CAUSED BY THE SMALLEST IMPERFECTION IN THE HIGHWAY. AT SPEEDS OF 50MPH+ THE SHAKING IS SO INTENSE THAT IT CAUSES SWERVING AND YOU MUST COME TO A NEAR COMPLETE STOP BEFORE THE SHAKING WILL CEASE. SINCE IT HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY, WE HAVE NEARLY BEEN REAR ENDED AND HAVE SWERVED INTO OTHER LANES. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ALL PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. IT CAN OCCUR ONCE EVERY OTHER DAY OR FOUR TIMES IN 20MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10280408
Official recalls
1Jul 13, 2011
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
Consequence: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
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.
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