NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
145 reports227,000 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
7,000 miles · Apr 16, 2012
Service Brakes, HydraulicFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL SEIZED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE CALIPER SEIZED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HOT AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CALIPER WAS REPAIRED. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL SEIZED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE CALIPER SEIZED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HOT AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CALIPER WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE HAD SINCE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS EITHER TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR OR THE CONTACT PERFORMED THE REPAIRS HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
NHTSA ODI #10455372
120,000 miles · Apr 2, 2012
Fuel System, Diesel
THIS IS A 2006 FORD AMBULANCE THAT HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUE'S WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS THE MOST RECENT WAS DURING A EMERGENCY RESPONSE WHEN THE AMBULANCE LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN THE CREW WAS UNABLE TO COMPLETE THEIR RESPONSE TO THE EMERGENCY BECAUSE THE AMBULANCE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE AMBULANCE WAS TOWED TO…
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THIS IS A 2006 FORD AMBULANCE THAT HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUE'S WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS THE MOST RECENT WAS DURING A EMERGENCY RESPONSE WHEN THE AMBULANCE LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN THE CREW WAS UNABLE TO COMPLETE THEIR RESPONSE TO THE EMERGENCY BECAUSE THE AMBULANCE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE AMBULANCE WAS TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THEY REPORTED THE FUEL TANK WAS COMING APART ON THE INSIDE AND CLOGGING THE FUEL SYSTEM. WE CONTACTED FORD AND COMPLAIN OF ALL THE FUEL PROBLEM AND THE MOST RESENT THE FUEL TANK THE END RESULT WAS THEIR CLAIMING ITS NOT THEIR PROBLEM BUT OURS THE REPAIR EST IS OVER $7000.00 THIS AMBULANCE HAS SPENT MORE TIME IN THE SHOP THEN RESPONDING TO EMERGENCY CALLS AND HAS LEFT OUR CREWS SIT WHILE IN ROUTE OR ON THE SCENE OF MEDICAL EMERGENCY. THE FORD DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM WE HAVE NEVER HAD THESE TYPE OF PROBLEMS WITH ANY AMBULANCE WE OWNED OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS AND A AMBULANCE BREAKING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A EMERGENCY CALL IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE TO THE PATIENT AND CREW ...... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10453843
100,000 miles · Feb 24, 2012
SteeringCrash
STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT A THREE WAY INTERSECTION. WHEN LIGHT CHANGED PROCEEDED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION TO THE LEFT SPEED WAS BETWEEN 10-15 MPH HALF WAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WHEN THE STEERING BOX FAILED. LOST ALL STEERING AND COLLIDED WITH TELEPHONE POLE OPPOSITE THE INTERSECTION.THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OR PREEMPTIV…
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STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT A THREE WAY INTERSECTION. WHEN LIGHT CHANGED PROCEEDED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION TO THE LEFT SPEED WAS BETWEEN 10-15 MPH HALF WAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WHEN THE STEERING BOX FAILED. LOST ALL STEERING AND COLLIDED WITH TELEPHONE POLE OPPOSITE THE INTERSECTION.THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OR PREEMPTIVE SIGNS OF EQUIPPED FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. THE COLLISION CENTER WHO DID THE ESTIMATE ON THE TRUCK STATED HE HAD NEVER SEEN A STEERING BOX FAIL THE WAY THIS ONE DID THE PINION GEAR IN SIDE EXPLODED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10449171
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
60,000 miles · Jan 3, 2012
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE ABNORMALLY WHEN DRIVING OVER ROAD BUMPS AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MAY BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. TIRE PRESSURE ON EACH TIRE WAS CHECKED, BUT TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE ABNORMALLY WHEN DRIVING OVER ROAD BUMPS AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MAY BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. TIRE PRESSURE ON EACH TIRE WAS CHECKED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10442234
15,000 miles · Dec 14, 2011
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN DRIVING OVER ANY ROAD BUMP. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE FAILURE COULD LIKELY BE CAUSED BY IMPROPER TIRE INFLATION AND THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD INSPECT THE TIRE PRESSURE. THE TIRE PRESSURE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN DRIVING OVER ANY ROAD BUMP. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE FAILURE COULD LIKELY BE CAUSED BY IMPROPER TIRE INFLATION AND THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD INSPECT THE TIRE PRESSURE. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS ADJUSTED BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,000. PROBLEMS HAPPENS REGULARLY. PROBLEM BECOMES MORE FREQUENT AND SEVER WHEN PULLING A TRAILER. UPDATED 1/20/2012 *BF UPDATED 01/27/12
NHTSA ODI #10439931
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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