← New search

2006 Ford F-350

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Ford F-350 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 93.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

131 reports with mileage · 14 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 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. 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.

11 crash reports4 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

145 reports
125,678 miles · Dec 31, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2006 FORD CREW CAB POWERSTROKE TURBO DIESEL HAS AN ENGINE OIL COOLER AND EGR/EGR COOLER PROBLEMS THAT KEEPS THE TRUCK FROM FULL POWER UP HILLS AND WITH LOADS. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PULLING TRAILER UP GRADE'S, IT LOSES POWER, BLOWS WHITE SMOKE AND BECOMES UNSTABLE. THE TEMP. BETWEEN THE OIL COOLER AND THE EGR COOLER SHUTS DOWN T…

Read full complaint

MY 2006 FORD CREW CAB POWERSTROKE TURBO DIESEL HAS AN ENGINE OIL COOLER AND EGR/EGR COOLER PROBLEMS THAT KEEPS THE TRUCK FROM FULL POWER UP HILLS AND WITH LOADS. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PULLING TRAILER UP GRADE'S, IT LOSES POWER, BLOWS WHITE SMOKE AND BECOMES UNSTABLE. THE TEMP. BETWEEN THE OIL COOLER AND THE EGR COOLER SHUTS DOWN THE TRUCKS COMPUTER, LEAVING THE TRUCK INOPERABLE. COSTS TO REPAIR $6793. WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE I'M STARTING TO SEE THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINS ON THIS ENGINE DESIGN ARE YOU WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BE KILLED BEFORE YOU DO SOMETHING? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373623

35,000 miles · Nov 16, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 HEAVY DUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE FOUR BOLTS ATTACHED TO THE ENGINE THAT CONTROLLED BRAKES AND STEERING. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE AND WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN; HE WAS ALSO UNABLE TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE …

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 HEAVY DUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE FOUR BOLTS ATTACHED TO THE ENGINE THAT CONTROLLED BRAKES AND STEERING. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE AND WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN; HE WAS ALSO UNABLE TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FOUR BOLTS BROKE AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FOUR BOLTS WERE REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #10366396

104,986 miles · Oct 28, 2010
SuspensionTires

1. TRAVELING AT 65 MPH HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD 2. FRONT AXLE BEGINS OSCILLATING WITH SUCH VIOLENCE THAT CONTROL OF THE TRUCK IS DIFFICULT UNTIL SLOWED DOWN, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKES TO THE POINT YOU FEEL IT WILL COME APART. I WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN I EXPERIENCED THIS. I NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I'M TERRIFIED WHEN…

Read full complaint

1. TRAVELING AT 65 MPH HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD 2. FRONT AXLE BEGINS OSCILLATING WITH SUCH VIOLENCE THAT CONTROL OF THE TRUCK IS DIFFICULT UNTIL SLOWED DOWN, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKES TO THE POINT YOU FEEL IT WILL COME APART. I WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN I EXPERIENCED THIS. I NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I'M TERRIFIED WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN ON A ICY ROAD. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED. 3. NOTHING. APPARENTLY THERE IS NO FIX AS IT IS UNKNOWN. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. VEHICLE INFORMATION: ? 2006 ? FORD ? F350 ?? ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENT ? VIN - [XXX] ? TIRES BFG ALL TERRAIN 325/65 R18. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10362821

52,000 miles · Sep 30, 2010
Steering

I HAVE AN '06 F-350. AT 55MPH+, HITTING A BUMP WILL ALMOST CAUSE THE TRUCK TO SELF DESTRUCT. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY. FORD SEEMS TO NOT BE ABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. PLEASE FORCE A RECALL BEFORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10358378

100,000 miles · Sep 22, 2010
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERIES IN THE VEHICLE KEEP GOING DEAD AND THE ALTERNATOR IS ALSO DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER CANNOT FIND THE FAILURE BUT THE OWNER THINKS THE FAILURE IS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED BUT DID NOT OFFER …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERIES IN THE VEHICLE KEEP GOING DEAD AND THE ALTERNATOR IS ALSO DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER CANNOT FIND THE FAILURE BUT THE OWNER THINKS THE FAILURE IS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10356965

44,504 miles · Sep 20, 2010
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 DIESEL SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT OPERATE PROPERLY WHEN HAULING A FOREST RIVER CEDAR CREEK RV TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BUT A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THE PRODIGY. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED. THE FAILURE AND C…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350 DIESEL SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT OPERATE PROPERLY WHEN HAULING A FOREST RIVER CEDAR CREEK RV TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BUT A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THE PRODIGY. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,504. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH A FACTORY INSTALLED TOWING PACKAGE TO PULL HIS 5TH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONSUMER THEN PURCHASED A NEW 5TH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILER THAT WAS EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INSTALLED BRAKE CONTROLLER FOR THE TRAILER. THE CONSUMER SOON DISCOVERED THAT THE TOWING PACKAGE FOR THE F-350 DID WORK WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE WHEN TOWING THE TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FACTORY INSTALLED BRAKE SYSTEM ONLY WORKED WHEN IT WAS APPLIED MANUALLY, WHEN TRYING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT OR STOP SUDDENLY. UPDATED 06/22/11

NHTSA ODI #10356553

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FUEL FILTER AND EGR VALVE WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR EACH TIME HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FUEL FILTER AND EGR VALVE WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR EACH TIME HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO ANOTHER AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE; THEREFORE, IT WAS NOT REPAIRED. HE ALSO STATED THAT WHITE SMOKES WAS COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

NHTSA ODI #10354463

3,000 miles · Sep 3, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD SUPERDUTY. THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE MADE A NOISE GIVES AN ODOR THAT MADE THE CONTACT NAUSEOUS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSIS STATED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND STUD WERE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY WHICH CAUSED THE GASKET T…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD SUPERDUTY. THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE MADE A NOISE GIVES AN ODOR THAT MADE THE CONTACT NAUSEOUS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSIS STATED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND STUD WERE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY WHICH CAUSED THE GASKET TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER VALID; THEREFORE THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA ODI #10353702

105,000 miles · Aug 18, 2010
Seats

FRONT CENTER SEAT BACK HAS FAILED DUE TO CRACK IN PLASTIC BODY STRUCTURE. RESULTS IS THE BACK REST IS NOT SUPPORTING CENTER PASSENGER BACK PROPERLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350462

40,000 miles · Jun 23, 2010
Steering

I HAVE A 2006 FORD F350 SUPER DUTY TRUCK I PURCHASED NEW AND AFTER 40,000 MILES I NOTICES ONCE THE FRONT END SHOOK SO BAD I ALMOST CRASHED . I THOUGHT IT WAS THE ROAD BUT A MONTH LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD DO AN ALIGNMENT AND ALSO REPLACE THE STEERING STABILIZER. AFTER ABOU…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2006 FORD F350 SUPER DUTY TRUCK I PURCHASED NEW AND AFTER 40,000 MILES I NOTICES ONCE THE FRONT END SHOOK SO BAD I ALMOST CRASHED . I THOUGHT IT WAS THE ROAD BUT A MONTH LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD DO AN ALIGNMENT AND ALSO REPLACE THE STEERING STABILIZER. AFTER ABOUT $600 IT HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES . IT IS SUCH A BAD SHAKE WHEN YOUR GOING ABOUT 60-65 YOU COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT . SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10339629

Official recalls

1

11V352000 · 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

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.