NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
145 reports35,000 miles · May 19, 2008
SteeringSuspension
2006 F-350 FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY ON OCCASION. USUALLY OCCURS WITH A CHANGE IN LEVEL OF INTERSTATE AS IN DRIVING OVER AN OVERPASS BACK ONTO THE NORMAL ROAD SURFACE. SPEED IS USUALLY AROUND 65-70 MPH WHEN IT HAPPENS. IMMEDIATE REDUCTION TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IS REQUIRED TO MAKE IT STOP. HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES SO FAR AND A…
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2006 F-350 FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY ON OCCASION. USUALLY OCCURS WITH A CHANGE IN LEVEL OF INTERSTATE AS IN DRIVING OVER AN OVERPASS BACK ONTO THE NORMAL ROAD SURFACE. SPEED IS USUALLY AROUND 65-70 MPH WHEN IT HAPPENS. IMMEDIATE REDUCTION TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IS REQUIRED TO MAKE IT STOP. HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES SO FAR AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON 3 OF THOSE OCCASIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228202
58,000 miles · May 2, 2008
Suspension
SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10226511
800 miles · Apr 23, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WILL LOCK AND CAUSE THE CALIPERS TO BURN. A SMALL FIRE OCCURRED DURING ONE OF THE FAILURES. THE BRAKES AND CALIPERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES, MOST RECENTLY ON APRIL 22, 2007. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FREQUENT FAILURES COULD BE DUE TO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WILL LOCK AND CAUSE THE CALIPERS TO BURN. A SMALL FIRE OCCURRED DURING ONE OF THE FAILURES. THE BRAKES AND CALIPERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES, MOST RECENTLY ON APRIL 22, 2007. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FREQUENT FAILURES COULD BE DUE TO SEVERAL REASONS; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER ASSISTED WITH THE FIRST FOUR FAILURES, BUT WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE CURRENT ONE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER BEING REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,672 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED HE HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. UPDATED 10/16/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10225511
28,790 miles · Apr 18, 2008
Wheels
I RECENTLY HAD A FLAT TIRE ON MY F-350 PICKUP. I NEEDED A SLEDGE HAMMER TO REMOVE THE TIRE! I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE TRUCK, STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND ASKED THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID, WE NORMALLY BEAT IT OFF THE TRUCK OURSELVES. SO I CONTACTED 2ND DEALERSHIP TO SEE HOW THEY HANDLED IT, THEY SAID…
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I RECENTLY HAD A FLAT TIRE ON MY F-350 PICKUP. I NEEDED A SLEDGE HAMMER TO REMOVE THE TIRE! I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE TRUCK, STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND ASKED THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID, WE NORMALLY BEAT IT OFF THE TRUCK OURSELVES. SO I CONTACTED 2ND DEALERSHIP TO SEE HOW THEY HANDLED IT, THEY SAID THEY HAD TO BEAT THE RIM OFF THE TRUCK AS WELL. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND ASKED THEM IF I COULD BRING IT IN AND HAVE THEM BEAT THE TIRES AND RIMS OFF AND PUT SOME KIND OF ANTICEASE ON THE RIMS SO THEY WON'T RUST AND FREEZE ON THE TRUCK. I EXPLAINED TO HER THAT WHEN I WAS BEATING THE RIM OFF OF MY TRUCK I HAD CRAWLED OUT FROM UNDER THE TRUCK, IT FELL OFF THE JACK, IT CRACKED MY DRIVEWAY, AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I TOLD FORD THIS SOUNDED LIKE A PRETTY DANGEROUS PROBLEM, WHAT WOULD THEY DO ABOUT THE COMPLAINT. THEY REFERRED ME TO THE MAINTENANCE GUIDE,TO ROTATE THE TIRES EVERY 5000 MILES. IT DOESN'T MENTION IT BEING DANGEROUS IF YOU DON'T ROTATE YOUR TIRES, JUST TO REDUCE TIRE WEAR ROTATE THE TIRES EVERY 5000 MILES. I THINK THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. NOT THE CUSTOMERS EXPENSE. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE TRUCK IN AND MAYBE I COULD WORK SOMETHING OUT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORK IT OUT, BUMPER TO BUMPER SHOULD MEAN BUMPER TO BUMPER. NOT JUST WHAT THEY THINK SHOULD BE COVERED. APPARENTLY A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM. IF YOUR ON THE ROAD AND HAVE A FLAT IT COULD COST 2-300 DOLLARS TO BE TOWED IN,HAVE THE TIRES REMOVED TO CHANGE THE FLAT. SINCE THE RIM HAS TO BE BEAT OFF THE TRUCK. A WHEEL PULLER MIGHT WORK, SOMETHING YOU DON'T CARRY WITH YOU WHEN TRAVELING. THIS PUTS THE CONSUMER IN A VERY HAZARDOUS CONDITION. ALL FORD WAS INTERESTED IN WAS THE TIRE MIGHT NOT WEAR PROPERLY IF TIRES ARE NOT ROTATED. IT DOESN'T MENTION THE RIMS BEING FROZE UP BECAUSE I DID NOT ROTATE THEM. THERE IS ONLY 29,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. WHAT DO YOU THINK? CONCERNED CONSUMER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224921
12,000 miles · Feb 14, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK, BUT NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE OIL CONTROL MODULE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH PRESSURE TO START THE MOTOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET. THE RADIO VOLUME TURNED ALL THE WAY UP INTERMITTENTLY AND WAS REPLACED. WHILE DR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK, BUT NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE OIL CONTROL MODULE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH PRESSURE TO START THE MOTOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET. THE RADIO VOLUME TURNED ALL THE WAY UP INTERMITTENTLY AND WAS REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH IN TOW HAUL MODE, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. THE DEALER UPDATED THE CODES FOR THE TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,234.
NHTSA ODI #10218040
58,034 miles · Feb 8, 2008
SuspensionTires
I HAVE HAD TWO (2) F350 2006 SUPER DUTY FORD TRUCKS THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS ARE COMPLETELY GONE AT 54,000 MILES AND AT 58,000 MILES. COSTING AT TOTAL OF $2,200.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10217478
8,200 miles · Jan 22, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F350. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR SEVEN DAYS AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO LOW OIL PRESSURE. THEY FURTHER STATED…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F350. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR SEVEN DAYS AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO LOW OIL PRESSURE. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS VERY COMMON AND THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TEN MONTHS LATER AT 36,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP SINCE OCTOBER OF 2007 AND THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE HAS LOST POWER AT LEAST THREE TIMES SINCE THE INITIAL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AND HAS BEEN FOR THE PAST 60 DAYS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
NHTSA ODI #10215667
35,000 miles · Dec 3, 2007
SteeringCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING BECAME LOOSE AND THE VEHICLE SIDESWIPED A DUMP TRUCK. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO HIS CHEST. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR AN ALIGNMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A HOSE LEAKING POWER STEE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING BECAME LOOSE AND THE VEHICLE SIDESWIPED A DUMP TRUCK. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO HIS CHEST. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR AN ALIGNMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A HOSE LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. AFTER THE HOSE WAS REPLACED, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP AFTER THE CRASH AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THE CRASH. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
NHTSA ODI #10210721
16,000 miles · Nov 14, 2007
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC TR BSW, SIZE LT275/70R18 125/122S TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE WAS FLAT. THE FACE OF THE TIRE DETACHED AND HE NOTICED PREMATURE WEAR ON ALL FOUR TIR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC TR BSW, SIZE LT275/70R18 125/122S TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE WAS FLAT. THE FACE OF THE TIRE DETACHED AND HE NOTICED PREMATURE WEAR ON ALL FOUR TIRES. AS OF NOVEMBER 14, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE TIRES. THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR FELT THAT THE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE TIRES: TREAD/BELT (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05T022000); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT VERIFIED IF HIS TIRES WERE INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
NHTSA ODI #10208891
Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2007
SteeringCrashInjury
FAX FROM SENATOR TRANSMITTING LETTER FOR CONCERNS WITH THE STEERING ON HIS 2006 FORD PICKUP AND FORD'S REFUSAL TO PAY DAMAGES DUE TO AN ACCIDENT. *KB THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS COMING INTO THE CURVE, AND AS SHE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL, THERE WAS NO STEERING CONTROL. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES ON THE WET PAVEMENT AND LOST CONTROL…
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FAX FROM SENATOR TRANSMITTING LETTER FOR CONCERNS WITH THE STEERING ON HIS 2006 FORD PICKUP AND FORD'S REFUSAL TO PAY DAMAGES DUE TO AN ACCIDENT. *KB THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS COMING INTO THE CURVE, AND AS SHE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL, THERE WAS NO STEERING CONTROL. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES ON THE WET PAVEMENT AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN HER SLIDING OFF THE ROADWAY STRIKING SEVERAL TREES. THE STEERING ARM ON THE TRUCK WAS BROKEN, IT APPEARED THE ARM BROKE AS SHE STARTED OUT ON THE TURN. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10208269
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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