IllustrationPURCHASED TIRES ON 2/27/2013 . TIRES HAVE 27,441 MILES ON THEM. THEY WERE ORIGINALLY WARRENTED FOR 40 MONTHS OR 50,000 MILES. ALL 4 TIRES HAVE SIDEWALL CRACKING CLOSE TO THE WHEEL RIM. DOT #'S ARE UTOT HWB 4212,UTOT HWB 5012, UTOT HWB 5012, UTOT HWB 5012
2006 Ford F-350 Sd
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2006 Ford F-350 Sd do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 73.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all F-350 Sd years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
290–25K
3825–50K
1550–75K
1975–100K
13100–150K
6150K+
120 reports with mileage · 7 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.
- Steering. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports
Tires complaints
14 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 SD EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN LTX M/S2 TIRES, SIZE: LT275/70R18 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SIDEWALL AND THE STEEL BELT OF THE FRONT DRIVER S…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 SD EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN LTX M/S2 TIRES, SIZE: LT275/70R18 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SIDEWALL AND THE STEEL BELT OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED. THE TIRES WERE NOT INSPECTED OR REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
TOYO OPEN COUNTRY XTREME A/T II LT285/75R/17E BOTH INSIDE DUALS SIDEWALL BUBBLES. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE TIRE DEALER AND TOYO TIRES USA. TIRES PURCHASED IN MAY 2013. TIRES HAVE 5,130 MILES ON THEM. DOT SERIAL # M431013 SAME FOR BOTH TIRES. THE TRUCK HAS A TRUCK CAMPER MOUNTED IN THE PICK UP BED. TIRES WERE MAINTAINED AT 75…
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TOYO OPEN COUNTRY XTREME A/T II LT285/75R/17E BOTH INSIDE DUALS SIDEWALL BUBBLES. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE TIRE DEALER AND TOYO TIRES USA. TIRES PURCHASED IN MAY 2013. TIRES HAVE 5,130 MILES ON THEM. DOT SERIAL # M431013 SAME FOR BOTH TIRES. THE TRUCK HAS A TRUCK CAMPER MOUNTED IN THE PICK UP BED. TIRES WERE MAINTAINED AT 75 PSI ON ALL 7 TIRES. TRUCK HAS A 12 PACK REAR LEAF SPRING SYSTEM INSTEAD OF THE OEM 5 PACK AND 1 OVERLOAD SPRING THAT FORD CALLED IT'S CAMPER PACKAGE. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE TIRES IF NEEDED. THANK YOU *TR
I PURCHASED A NEW SET OF CONTINENTAL TIRES FROM COLONY TIRE LOCATED IN RALEIGH NC IN LATE 2012 EARLY 2014. I DRIVE A F-350 SD. IN AUGUST 2013 I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY SON ON NC I 40 E BOUND AROUND 400 ML MARKER WHEN 1 OF THE TIRES BLEW OUT. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT, 1ST BLOW OUT ON THAT TRUCK IN 8 YRS. THE 2 CONTINENTAL TIRE BLE…
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I PURCHASED A NEW SET OF CONTINENTAL TIRES FROM COLONY TIRE LOCATED IN RALEIGH NC IN LATE 2012 EARLY 2014. I DRIVE A F-350 SD. IN AUGUST 2013 I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY SON ON NC I 40 E BOUND AROUND 400 ML MARKER WHEN 1 OF THE TIRES BLEW OUT. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT, 1ST BLOW OUT ON THAT TRUCK IN 8 YRS. THE 2 CONTINENTAL TIRE BLEW OUT DECEMBER 12TH 2013 ON I 40 E BOUND ALSO NEAR 411 MILE MARKER. AT THAT TIME I WAS THINKING WHAT ARE THE ODDS BUT AGAIN THINGS HAPPEN. THE THIRD TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE TRAVELING TO GREENVILLE SC. THAT WAS IN FEBRUARY 20, 2014. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK. THAT WAS THE THIRD TIRE THAT BLEW IN THAT SAME SET. I HAVE THE LAST 2. I WENT TO TURNKEY TIRE SERVICE TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE CONTINENTAL TIRES. IT WAS AT THAT TIME THAT HE SHOWED ME HOW TO READ THE DOT NUMBER ON THE TIRE. WE LEARNED AT THAT TIME THAT THE TIRE WERE MANUFACTURED IN APRIL 2005 AND WAS SOLD IN 2013. I CONTACT CONTINENTAL TIRE AND OFFERED THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME EXAMINED THE TIRES THAT I HAD LEFT AND THEY DECLINED. THEY DID WANT ME TO SEND THEM THE REMAINING 2 TIRES THAT I HAD BUT I DIDN'T THINK I SHOULD GET RID OF THE ONLY TWO TIRES THAT LINK ME AND THESE TIRES TO CONTINENTAL TIRE. CAN YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN OR SHOULD DO AT THIS POINT. WHEN I WENT INTO COLONY TIRE, THEY HAD TO ORDER THOSE TIRES. I DO NOT KNOW WHERE THEY ORDERED THEM FROM BUT IT TOOK A FEW DAYS TO GET IN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 HD WITH PRO-COMPETITION EXTREME ALL TERRAIN TIRES, SIZE LT 37X13.50X17 (N/A) D RATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE AS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SHOULDER WHERE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 HD WITH PRO-COMPETITION EXTREME ALL TERRAIN TIRES, SIZE LT 37X13.50X17 (N/A) D RATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE AS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SHOULDER WHERE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS SHREDDED. A TOW DRIVER WAS NOTIFIED WHO REMOVED THE FAILED TIRE AND REPLACED IT WITH THE SPARE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS 26,663 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRE WAS 22,062.
BF GOODRICH TIRE TREAD SEPARATION AT 55MPH. TIRE HAD 35,500 MILES USE. *TR
SET OF COOPER TIRES WE PURCHASED FOR OUR VEHICLE (3) HAVE TREAD SEPERATION. (1) EXPLODED CAUSING VEHICLE DAMAGE IN THE AMOUNT OF $4200. *TT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN LTX A/T2 TIRES, SIZE LT 275/70/R18. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL 5 TIRES (INCLUSIVE OF THE SPARE) DEVELOPED CRACKS AT THE SIDEWALL AROUND THE RIM. THE CONTACT CALLED THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WHO CALLED THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WHO TO PAY 50% OF THE COSTS OF NEW TIRES. THE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN LTX A/T2 TIRES, SIZE LT 275/70/R18. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL 5 TIRES (INCLUSIVE OF THE SPARE) DEVELOPED CRACKS AT THE SIDEWALL AROUND THE RIM. THE CONTACT CALLED THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WHO CALLED THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WHO TO PAY 50% OF THE COSTS OF NEW TIRES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 45,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 SD WITH CONTINENTAL CONTI TRAC TR TIRES, SIZE 275/70/R18. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TRAVELING AT 25 MPH OR MORE IN SNOWY WEATHER, THE TIRES WOULD EXHIBIT POOR TRACTION. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT TIRES WERE WEARING PREMATURELY. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AT THE DEALER DUE TO A DEFECTIVE FOUND IN THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 SD WITH CONTINENTAL CONTI TRAC TR TIRES, SIZE 275/70/R18. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TRAVELING AT 25 MPH OR MORE IN SNOWY WEATHER, THE TIRES WOULD EXHIBIT POOR TRACTION. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT TIRES WERE WEARING PREMATURELY. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AT THE DEALER DUE TO A DEFECTIVE FOUND IN THE TREAD. MOST RECENTLY, THE REAR TIRES WERE FAILING DUE TO DEFECTIVE TREAD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF THE TIRES AND STATED HE WOULD ONLY USE THE VEHICLE WHEN PULLING A HORSE TRAILER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRES WAS 24,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE 28,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 34,000.
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
Official recalls
111V352000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
Jul 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.