NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
21 reportsClear category filter170,000 miles · Nov 30, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE ENGINE DID NOT START. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE ENGINE STARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE ENGINE DID NOT START. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE ENGINE STARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000. UPDATED 08/02/16*LJ UPDATED 08/09/16.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10807516
25,000 miles · Feb 26, 2015
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXHAUST FUMES WERE EMITTING FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE EXHAUST FUMES IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED O…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXHAUST FUMES WERE EMITTING FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE EXHAUST FUMES IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
NHTSA ODI #10690881
227,000 miles · Jun 21, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND WHILE ACCELERATING, BLUE SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE TACHOMETER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT RESPONDED. THERE WAS A LOUD ROAR FROM THE ENGINE THAT WOULD BECOME PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER AS THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND WHILE ACCELERATING, BLUE SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE TACHOMETER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT RESPONDED. THERE WAS A LOUD ROAR FROM THE ENGINE THAT WOULD BECOME PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER AS THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXHIBIT ENOUGH POWER TO ACCELERATE UPHILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE HEAD GASKETS, TURBO AND TWO FUEL INJECTORS WOULD NEED REPLACING. IN ADDITION, THE EGR WOULD NEED TO BE BYPASSED WITH A KIT IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE ENGINE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE BUT OFFERED LITTLE ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 227,000. UPDATED 7/16/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE EGR VALVE, WHICH CLOGGED THE EXHAUST AND TURBO FILTERS, WHICH CAUSE CARBON BUILD-UP. UPDATED 07/24/12
NHTSA ODI #10462602
65,000 miles · Jan 19, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE AND STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE PRIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBO CHARGER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE AND STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE PRIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBO CHARGER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA ODI #10444580
23,913 miles · Jan 10, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START,A/C , PERFORMANCE, ENGINE LIGHT SLUGGISH TAKE OFF, PERFORMANCE, WHITE SMOKE AND EGR LEAKING DIESEL FUEL ON TOP OF MOTOR, THIS TRUCK HAS HAD TWO REBUILT ENGINES UPON THE FIRST 50,000MILES.ENGINE COVERED IN OIL, FUEL INJECTOR MAIN PROBLEM STARTED WITH OVERHEATING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10443255
2,500 miles · Jan 9, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringSuspension
THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW HAS HAD NUMEROUS INCIDENTS WITH A SEVERE UNCONTROLLABLE SHIMMY IN FRONT END AND STEERING WHEEL.I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. FORD HAS SENT A FEW NOTIFICATIONS STATING THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM,BUT THAT IT IS JUST CAUSED FROM IMPROPER …
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THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW HAS HAD NUMEROUS INCIDENTS WITH A SEVERE UNCONTROLLABLE SHIMMY IN FRONT END AND STEERING WHEEL.I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. FORD HAS SENT A FEW NOTIFICATIONS STATING THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM,BUT THAT IT IS JUST CAUSED FROM IMPROPER INFLATION.I HAVE SET THE TIRES TO MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDED PSI WEEKLY,AND DOESN'T MAKE A BIT OF DIFFERENCE.FORD IS CLOSING THEIR EYES ON THIS ONE, AND IT IS GOING TO COST LIVES!!!.WHEN THIS OCCURS YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE IS THE ENGINE IS JUNK. MY VEHICLE HAS 43000 MILES CURRENTLY,AND HAS HAD THE MOTOR TAKEN OUT OF IT TWICE ALREADY FOR REPAIRS!!!,AND HAS BEEN TO DEALER AT LEAST 6 OR 7 TIMES.I OWN A SMALL TREE CARE COMPANY AND REALLY CANT AFFORD A $45000 MISTAKE TO A MULTI BILLION DOLLAR COMPANY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10443216
2,000 miles · Jan 4, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ABOVE MENTIONED TRUCK WHICH HAS 11,750 MILES ON IT. SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED AT THE END OF 2005, THE TURBOCHARGER HAS BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES OR AT APPROXIMATELY 2000 MILE INTERVALS. THE VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED WITH OIL AND FILTER CHANGES MORE FREQUENT THAN FORD RECOMMENDS. DUE TO A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT REGARDING FAULTY …
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THE ABOVE MENTIONED TRUCK WHICH HAS 11,750 MILES ON IT. SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED AT THE END OF 2005, THE TURBOCHARGER HAS BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES OR AT APPROXIMATELY 2000 MILE INTERVALS. THE VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED WITH OIL AND FILTER CHANGES MORE FREQUENT THAN FORD RECOMMENDS. DUE TO A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT REGARDING FAULTY TURBOS, FORD EXTENDED MY WARRANTY UNTIL 2011 THROUGH AN OASIS SERVICE CONTRACT. FORD ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEMS WITH FAULTY TURBOS THROUGH THE ISSUANCE OF SIX OR MORE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS. A FAULTY TURBO CAUSES THE TRUCK TO RUN POORLY AND FAIL CONNECTICUT EMISSIONS TESTS AND RISKS FURTHER ENGINE DAMAGE. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. I HAD SENT THEM REPAIR RECORDS, PHOTOS AND DOCUMENTATION. THEY NEVER RESPONDED IN WRITING, BUT PHONED AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING FURTHER THAT THEY WOULD DO. IT IS APPARENT THAT THERE IS AN ENGINEERING OR DESIGN FLAW ASSOCIATED WITH THE TURBOS. FORD HAS REPLACED EACH TURBO WITH THE SAME TYPE AND HAS FAILED TO CORRECT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. I'M NOT REQUESTING REPLACEMENT OF THE VEHICLE, NOR MONETARY COMPENSATION ALTHOUGH THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED CONSIDERABLE INCONVENIENCE AND LOSS OF TIME. I AM REQUESTING, THAT IF FORD CANNOT REPAIR THIS PROBLEM, ONCE-AND-FOR-ALL, THAT THEY EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR THE LIFE OR THE TRUCK OR AT LEAST FOR AS LONG AS I OWN THE TRUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10442383
80,000 miles · Dec 13, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIGOROUSLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO SHAKE ABNORMALLY WHEN DECELERATING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIGOROUSLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO SHAKE ABNORMALLY WHEN DECELERATING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD ERRATICALLY SHIFT, AND THE FUEL TANK WAS DELAMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS BUT THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE SHAKING. THE TECHNICIANS WERE ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT SENSOR AND THE FUEL TANK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10439708
60,000 miles · Nov 28, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
TRUCK RUNS ROUGH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON, FUEL SENSOR ERROR. THERE SEEMS TO BE QUITE A FEW SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. DEALERS STATED FUEL TANKS ARE CORRODING. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL? THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. FORD SHOULD DEAL WITH IT OR MADE TO. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10437584
113,048 miles · Nov 14, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F350. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND RELEASED SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE ENGINE EXHAUST EGR VALVE. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE EGR VALVE WAS REPLACED. THE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F350. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND RELEASED SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE ENGINE EXHAUST EGR VALVE. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE EGR VALVE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,048 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,232. UPDATED 02/03/12*LJ UPDATED 02/08/12
NHTSA ODI #10435497
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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