FaultScore

2006 Ford F-250 SD steering problems

102 of the 353 complaints about the 2006 Ford F-250 SD are about the steering — 29% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 41,133 miles.

D

102

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Steering 97 95.1%
Linkages 4 3.9%
Gear BOX (Other Than Rack AND Pinion) 1 1.0%

Steering across every Ford F-250 SD year

1999 18 0.7%
2001 21 0.9%
2002 12 0.5%
2003 16 0.7%
2004 15 0.6%
2005 67 2.7%
2006 102 4.2%
2007 23 0.9%
2008 39 1.6%
2010 13 0.5%
2011 47 1.9%
2012 18 0.7%
2015 126 5.2%
2016 117 4.8%
2017 717 29.4%
2018 252 10.3%
2019 775 31.8%
2020 45 1.8%
2021 15 0.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 46,687 miles Bridgton, ME

STEERING

PULLING OUT FROM A STOP, TURNED LEFT AT ABOUT 25 MPH VERY TIGHT PULL ON STEERING TO LEFT, PULLING WHEEL TO LEFT (FELT LIKE LOSS OF PWR STEERING) WHEN IT CAME BACK TRUCK SHOT TO RIGHT. FELT LIKE THERE WAS 20/30DEG PLAY IN WHEEL THEN CAME OUT OF IT. HAD IT CHECKED COULD NOT FIND ANY THING THIS STARTED APPOX 3/4 MONTHS AGO. PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT WHEEL GOT VERY TIGHT AGAIN , STOPPED TURNED WHEEL WAY LEFT, WAY RIGHT, WAY LEFT THEN STARTED GOING EASY AGAIN. CALLED FORD DEALER TODAY AND SAID BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH STEERING BOXES ON THESE TRUCKS, IT WILL COST ABOUT 1100.00 TO REPAIR. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM INTERNET HAS HUNDREDS OF THESE COMPLAINTS, AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE IF FORD DOESN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET INJURED VERY BAD OR KILLED.

NHTSA complaint #10585636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lindenhurst, NY

STEERING

MY TRUCK HAD A EARLIER CRASH DUE TO A FAULTY STEERING BOX IN DECEMBER 2013. THE BODY SHOP REPLACED THIS- WITH A FACTORY STEERING BOX. WE NOTICED A LITTLE TIGHTNESS ON ONE SIDE AND HAD THE BODY SHOP LOOK AT IT AGAIN. THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. WE HAD THE TRUCK GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH (3/8/14) AND IT TOOK 3 MEN TO TRY TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEN THE TRUCK CAME OUT OF THE WASH. ONCE AGAIN WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THIS DEFECTIVE PART REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10568306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 146,000 miles Newport, TN

STEERING

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE STEERING ON THE TRUCK GOT TIGHT AND FELT LIKE IT HAD LOST POWER STEERING. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AND HAVING THE STEERING PUMP CHANGED. HOPE THIS CORRECTS THE ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10566225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,100 miles Cumberland, MD

STEERING

VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY DEVELOPED BETWEEN 30-45 DEGREES OF FREE PLAY IN THE STEERING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS SIGN OF A PROBLEM OR WEAR. TRUCK WAS DIAGNOSED TO HAVE A STEERING BOX FAILURE AND IS BEING REPAIRED NOW. MECHANIC STATED IT COULD HAVE, WITHOUT WARNING, FAILED COMPLETELY WITH NO STEERING AT ALL OR COULD HAVE LOCKED. EITHER SYMPTOM IS A SAFETY ISSUE. COST TO REPAIR APPROX. $1100.00..

NHTSA complaint #10564623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lindenhurst, NY Crash 1 injured

STEERING

WE WERE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED WHEN THE STEERING LET LOOSE AND WE HAD NO CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK CRASHED INTO A POLE IN THE LOT, AND WAS UNABLE TO BE MOVED DUE TO LOSS OF STEERING. IT HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY. HAD THIS BEEN A PARKING LOT WITH CARS AND OR PEOPLE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. THE IMPACT FROM HITTING THE POLE, CAUSED MY WIFE'S NECK TO SNAP BACK AND SHE HAS SOME STRAIN IN HER NECK. ACCORDING TO THIS LINK FORD HAS BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THEIR STEERING AND "DEATH BUMP" ACTION CAUSING THE TRUCKS TO SHIMMY OUT OF CONTROL- WE DID NOT HAVE ANY WARNING- JUST COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING> THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED.

NHTSA complaint #10557946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Imperial, CA

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD WITH 95,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 55 MPH OR FASTER THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VERY VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE OR REPAIR THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10558024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles Westminster, CO

STEERING

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD THE TRUCK STARTED TO DO THE DEATH WOBBLE AND SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN AND JERK THE WHEEL TO GET IT TO STOP. ITS INCREASINGLY GETTING WORSE AND NOW DOING IT AT LOWER SPEEDS AROUND 25- 30MPH. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED WRECKS WITH VEHICLES REAR ENDING ME, OR WOBBLING IN THEIR DIRECTION. IT ALSO HAPPENED IN A NEIGHBORHOOD WITH CHILDREN PLAYING, I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO HIT THE KIDS! THE BRAKES ALSO FAIL WHILE BEAKING AND HITTING A BUMP. THE TIRES ARE AT THE RECOMMENDED PRESSURE AND THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AS I HAVE SEEN WHILE DOING MORE RESEARCH. IM AFRAID THIS WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE TRUCK TO ROLL OR WRECK. DONT LET THE LOSS OF LIFE OPEN THIS INVESTIGATION AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10544800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,500 miles Coral Springs, FL

STEERING

I BOUGHT A 2006 FORD F-250 SUPERDUTY 4X4 IN 2008 WITH 11,300 MILES. SIX MONTHS AFTER BUYING TRUCK, I NOTICED ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 60-70 MPH IF I HIT A SERIES OF BUMPS IN THE ROAD THE FRONT END STARTS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND MUST SLOW DOWN TO 35-40 MPH TO STOP THE SHAKING. I STILL HAVE THE TRUCK FORD SENT ME A LETTER SAYING THERE ARE NO ISSUES BUT TO MAKE SURE TIRES ARE PROPERLY INFLATED AND BALANCED. THAT DOES NOT STOP THE VIOLENT SHAKING. I HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED BECAUSE I HAVE READ SO MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS WHERE THEY HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND STILL HAVE THE ISSUE. I AM WAITING FOR FORD TO RECALL AND CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE 32,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK NOW AND I AM VERY CAREFUL WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10526035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,000 miles Little ELM, TX

STEERING

FORD F250 2006 4X4 SUPER DUTY LT. WHEN DRIVING AND HITTING MINOR BUMPS IN THE ROAD THE FRONT END WILL START TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY UNTIL SIGNIFICANT SPEED REDUCTION. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND CAN BE REPRODUCED. GOING TO REPLACE THE STEERING DAMPENER AS THAT IS LESS EXPENSIVE THAN TAKING IT TO THE DEALER WHO WILL NOT SAY IF THEY HAVE HEARD OF THE ISSUE. COULD BE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY IF IT HAPPENS UNEXPECTEDLY.

NHTSA complaint #10504659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Monticello, FL

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F250 SUPERDUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 30-60 MPH OR WHEN DRIVING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED, BALANCED AND ALIGNED SEVERAL TIMES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA complaint #10503173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 53,000 miles Monticello, FL

STEERING

FRONT END WOBBLE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40-50 MPH AFTER DRIVING OVER BUMPS. NO REPAIRS HELP THE CONDITION, FRONT END ALIGNMENT, WHEEL BALANCING/TOTATION OR NEW TIRES. PROPER TIRE INFLATION. FORD DEALER IS AWARE OF CONDITON AND REPAIRS BUT WONT PROVIDE ANY OTHER ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA complaint #10497697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Albany, KY

STEERING

STEERING STICKS ONLY TO THE RIGHT CAUSING NOT ONLY ME BUT MY WIFE TO WRECK AT VARIOUS DIFFERENT SPEEDS. AFRAID ONE DAY ONE OF US WILL ACTUALLY WRECK WITH ONE OF OUR KIDS IN THE VEHICLE WITH US AND SERIOUS INJURY OCCURS. JUST WONDERING WHAT IT COULD BE.

NHTSA complaint #10493144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,000 miles Valley Springs, CA

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60-70 MPH WHEN HE TRAVELED OVER A POT HOLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO MOVE OFF THE ROADWAY TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR A MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10486471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,000 miles Oologah, OK

STEERING

TRUCK HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT IT. A SHIMMY AND VIBRATION WHENEVER GOING OVER ANY TYPE OF IMPERFECTION ON THE ROADWAY. FROM A CONSTANT VIBRATION UP TO A SEVERE ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE SHIMMY. TRUCK WILL EVEN HOP SIDEWAYS WHEN GOING OVER A SMALL PATCH JOB ON THE HWY. I HAVE BOUGHT NEW TIRES, KEEP MY TIRE PRESSURE CONSTANT AND STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP IF A FIX IS KNOWN. THE LAST SET OF TIRES WERE RUINED DUE TO CUPPING. AT $1300.00 A SET, I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO REPLACE AGAIN AFTER ONLY 15,000 MILES, BUT MORE THEN THAT, I WOULD HATE TO BE THE ONE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURY AND EVEN DEATH. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF FORD HAS COME UP WITH A REMEDY TO THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10469018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 154,000 miles Franklin, IN

STEERING

I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW AND HAVE READ THOUSANDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT IS THE SAME ISSUE. THIS TRUCK ALL MOST KILLED ME AGAIN TODAY. IT GOES INTO A "DEATH WOBBLE" WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP IF YOU ARE OVER 55MPH. IF YOU ANRT EXPECTING IT TO HAPPEN AND IT IS THE 1ST TIME YOU EXPERIENCE IT YOU WILL WRECK! I HAVE CONTACTED SEVERAL DEALERS AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW ABOUT OR HEARD ABOUT IT BUT THERE IS THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND ALSO HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD STATING TO CHECK TIRE PRESSURES! I HAVE DONE WHAT THEY SAID + HAD NEW SHOCKS, HAD NEW TIRES, STRUTS CHECKED, BALL JOINTS CHECKED, AND REAR SUSPENSION LOOKED AT. NOTHING IS WRONG ...THIS IS CLEARLY A FACTORY PROBLEM AND IT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE PEOPLE START DIEING FROM IT! IS FORD GOING TO RAISE MY CHILDREN WHEN THIS MAKES ME WRECK AND DIE ...NO THEY ARE NOT SO THEY NEED TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF. REPORTS SAY THAT THEY HAVE CHANGED THE SET UP ON NEWER HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS BECAUSE OF THIS SO WHY AREN'T THEY TAKING CARE OF THE ONE'S THEY ALREADY SOLD TO THE PUBLIC! PLEASE HELP...YOU CAN FIND TONS OF INFO IF YOU SEARCH " DEATH WOBBLE OR DEATH SHAKE!

NHTSA complaint #10460739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,000 miles Karlil, PA

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY WOBBLE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,600.

NHTSA complaint #10445440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Erie, PA

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH AND DROVE OVER A ROAD BUMP WHEN THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHOOK EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY WHO REPLACED THE TIRES, SHOCKS AND OTHER UNKNOWN COMPONENTS, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA complaint #10439726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Rittman, OH

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHIMMY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MERGE INTO ANOTHER LANE. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN AND USUALLY WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 30-60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A CONCURRENT INVESTIGATION OF THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08007 (SUSPENSION:FRONT) THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA complaint #10438760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Covina, CA

STEERING

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A VIOLENT SHAKING AFTER GOING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE VEHICLE JUMPED A HALF LANE OVER AND I HAD LOST CONTROL UNTIL MY SPEED WAS REDUCED. AT THAT TIME I WAS AFRAID OF SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES AND LOSING MORE CONTROL OR POSSIBLY FLIPPING OVER. NOW THIS VIOLENT SHAKING OCCURS EVERY TIME I HIT A POT HOLE OR ANY UNEVEN SURFACE AT 55 TO 60 MPH. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO FORD SERVICE AND THEY CAN NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM THAT WOULD CAUSE THE VIOLENT SHAKING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND A VIDEO OF THIS ON YOU TUBE AS "F-250 DEATH WOBBLE". THIS VIDEO SAYS IT ALL AND IS BASED ON A STOCK ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT F-250 SUPER DUTY.

NHTSA complaint #10437224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,123 miles Tucson, AZ

STEERING

DRIVING ALONG AT ABOUT 45 MPH, HIT A ROUGH PATCH OF PAVEMENT AND THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK BEGAN TO BOUNCE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO OSCILLATE BACK AND FORTH, ALTHOUGH THE TRUCK DID NOT GO LEFT OR RIGHT FROM THE LINE OF TRAVEL. AFTER SLOWING DOWN THE TRUCK CAME BACK UNDER MY CONTROL, BOUNCE AND OSCILLATION STOPPED. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES (WEEKLY), WITH THE ORIGINAL TIRES AND WITH REPLACEMENT TIRES. I HAVE HAD THE FRONT END ALIGNED AND TIRES BALANCED. I CHECK THE AIR PRESSURE WEEKLY. ALL OF THIS HAD NO AFFECT ON THE OSCILLATIONS. I WOULD DRIVE OVER THE SAME AREAS DAILY ANDCOULD CONTINUE TO REPEAT WHAT HAD HAPPENED BY DRIVING THE SAME SPEED OVER THE SAME PIECE OF BAD PAVEMENT. IT IS NO WORSE OR BETTER THAN WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED. BUT HAVING MY WIFE DRIVE THE TRUCK AND HAVE THE SAME ISSUE CONCERNED ME. I DID RESEARCH THAT LED ME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM AFFECTS NUMEROUS F-250S AND TO YOUR WEBSITE. I WISH I HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS WHEN IT BEGAN, BUT MY TRUCK WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I THOUGHT I WAS OUT OF LUCK (STILL MAY BE).

NHTSA complaint #10435519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,326 miles Sidney, OH

STEERING

DRIVING MY 2006 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY CREW CAB 4X4 AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 70 MPH THE TRUCKS FRONT END BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND BOUNCE UNCONTROLLABLY AFTER GOING OVER AN UNEVEN SECTION OF BRIDGE. THE VIBRATION WAS SO BAD I THOUGHT THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK WAS GOING TO TEAR ITSELF APART. AS I BEGAN TO SLOW THE TRUCK DOWN AND GET OUT OF THE NORMAL TRAFFIC LANES THE VIBRATION AND BOUNCING DID NOT FINALLY SUBSIDE UNTIL ABOUT 35 MPH. WHILE THIS OCCURRED WITH MY ENTIRE FAMILY IN THE TRUCK I WAS FEARFUL OF WHAT MAY HAPPEN AND WHEN IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN AS WE WERE STILL SEVERAL HOURS FROM OUR HOME. A FEW MILES LATER WE CROSSED ANOTHER BRIDGE THIS TIME DOING 65 MPH AND THE FRONT END BEGAN TO VIBRATE AGAIN BUT STOPPED MUCH QUICKER THAN BEFORE ONCE I DECREASED TO 45MPH. THIS ISSUE IS RAMPANT ON THE VEHICLE REPORTING WEBSITES AND WILL EVENTUALLY GET SOMEONE KILLED. I PRAY FORD DECIDES TO FINALLY INVESTIGATE AND OFFER SOME FACTUAL EVIDENCE AND A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM SO MANY DRIVERS ARE EXPERIENCE WITH THESE TRUCKS.I LOVE MY FORD TRUCK BUT NOT AT THE COST OF LOSING MY LIFE OR CAUSE INJURY TO SOMEONE ELSE.

NHTSA complaint #10430575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,200 miles EL Centro, CA

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH OVER SMALL ROAD BUMPS, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE UNTIL THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE OVER ROAD BUMPS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. THE STEERING LINKAGES AND STEERING DAMPENER WERE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE FOLLOWING REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,200. UPDATED 10/13/11 *BF UPDATED 01/12/12

NHTSA complaint #10426658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Lakewood, CO

STEERING

WHEN DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS I NEVER KNOW WHEN THE FRONT END IS GOING TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE SO BAD THAT I CAN'T SEE OUT THE REAR VIEW MIRRORS TO EVEN KNOW WHO IS AROUND ME WHEN MY TRUCK IS COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL. I CAN'T BELIEVE SOMEONE HAS NOT DIED YET! IT'S NOT IF, BUT WHEN. A JOINT IN THE ROAD, POT HOLE, OR JUST A PAVEMENT IRREGULARITY CAUSES IT, BUT I NEVER KNOW WHEN. I'VE ASKED SERVICE AND SALES TECHS AT BOTH PHIL LONG FORD/LITTLETON, CO AND LAKEWOOD FORD/LAKEWOOD, CO AND RECEIVED THE SAME LINE OF CRAP, THAT I'M THE FIRST PERSON WHO EVER MENTIONED IT. CHECK MY TIRE PRESSURE IS WHAT I'M TOLD. ALL I HAD TO DO WAS GOOGLE THE PROBLEM AND I FOUND A SEEMINGLY ENDLESS LIST OF COMPLAINTS OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS SITE WAS ALREADY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE WHEN I WENT TO SELECT THE "FAILED COMPONENTS", STEERING WAS ALREADY HIGHLIGHTED. THIS IS A $50,000 TRUCK I'M AFRAID TO DO THE SPEED LIMIT IN. LOADED OR UNLOADED, PULLING A TRAILER OR NOT, THE PROBLEM CAN PRESENT ITSELF. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS OR DEATHS DOES IT TAKE BEFORE FORD IS HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT?

NHTSA complaint #10426295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65 miles Wintersville, OH

STEERING

SHIMMY- THE SHIMMY PROBLEM THAT OCCURS IN THE 4X4 F250 SHOULD STILL BE A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE FOR THOSE OF US THAT STILL OWN THESE TRUCKS. THE DEALER TRIED THE TIRE INFLATION STORY WITH ME, BUT THAT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ROAD RACING SPORT CARS FOR MANY YEARS I KNOW THAT ONE POUND CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN HANDLING AND I MADE SURE THAT THE TIRES WERE INFLATED CORRECTLY. THEN THEY TOLD ME THAT FORD SENT THEM A NEW SET OF ALIGNMENT SPECS. WELL AS WE ALL KNOW NOW THAT DID NOT FIX IT EITHER. THEN THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TIRES BEING CUPPED WAS CAUSING THE SHIMMY, MY RESPONSE TO THAT WAS THAT IT WAS THE SHIMMY CAUSING THE TIRES TO CUP NOT THE TIRES BEING CUPPED CAUSING THE SHIMMY, ALTHOUGH THE WORSE THE CUPPING, THE WORSE THE SHIMMY. AFTER INSISTING ON NEW TIRES AND THEN THE NEW LINE UP SPECS, WE TRIED IT AGAIN. THEN 960 MILES LATER AND ONLY ROAD DRIVING THE SAME CUPPING WAS HAPPENING AGAIN. THEN IT WAS THE DAMPENER AND ATTACH POINT THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. THEN 2 YEARS LATER CAME THE LETTER ABOUT DECELERATING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES AND THEN ABOUT 45 MPH IT SHOULD FIX IT. I GUESS THAT WOULD BE OK UNTIL YOUR GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH WITH AN 18 WHEELER BEHIND YOU GOING 70 MPH. WOULD IT BE OK AFTER WHAT COULD BE A SERIOUS AND POSSIBLY FATAL ACCIDENT THAT I COULD PULL OUT MY LETTER THAT I GOT FROM FORD AND TELL EVERYONE, SORRY BUT I DRIVE A FORD.

NHTSA complaint #10425534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,862 miles SAN Angelo, TX

STEERING

UNCONTROLLABLE WHEEL SHIMMY AT SPEEDS FROM 35 - 65 MPH. THE FAILURE CAN BE REPLICATED AT WILL. PREVIOUS INVESTIGATION FOR THIS PROBLEM STOPPED AT A TIRE PRESSURE PROBLEM BUT THIS IS NOT THE CASE. NEW TIRES, PROPER PRESSURE, BALANCED, ROTATED DOES NOT CHANGE THE CONDITION. POOR AIR PRESSURE MAINTENANCE BY VEHICLE OWNERS WAS NOT THE CORRECT DIAGNOSIS OF THIS PROBLEM. THE WHEEL SHIMMY IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND UNPREDICTABLE. THE WHEEL SHIMMY WILL NOT STOP UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS ALMOST COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. LOSS OF CONTROL AND BECOMING A TRAFFIC HAZARD IS A POTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING EVENT FOR THE DRIVER, PASSENGERS AND SURROUNDING VEHICLES. THERE IS AN APPARENT FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM BY AN AFTER MARKET COMPANY BUT THE EXPENSE OF ABOUT $1000 FOR THE OEM REPAIR IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DESIGN PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10420885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Dover, FL

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE AND REGAIN CONTROL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT WAS A MECHANIC AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA complaint #10417674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,000 miles Collierville, TN

STEERING

THE TRUCK AT 55 - 65 MPH GOES INTO WHAT HAS BEEN DESCRIBE AS A DEATH WOBBLE. THE TRUCK STARTS SHAKING VIOLENTLY. IT IS ALL YOU CAN DO TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE TRUCK UNTIL YOU SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 40 MPH WHICH IS DANGEROUS ON THE FREEWAY. FORD HAS A DEFECT IN THE STEERING ON THESE TRUCKS AND IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. I FEAR FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY. THE FORD DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIX IT. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE ABOUT 12000 MILES. IT NOW HAS 100000 MILES AND STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE ABOUT 2008.

NHTSA complaint #10416598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Scottsdale, AZ

STEERING

SEVERE SHAKING OF THE FRONT END OCCURRED 3-4 TIMES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (70 MPH) AFTER HITTING A ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD. THIS CONDITION WAS SO SEVERE AND FRIGHTENING THAT I HAD TO HOLD THE TRUCK STRAIGHT AND COME TO AN ALMOST COMPLETE STOP. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I GOT OUT TO CHANGE THE TIRE AND DISCOVERED THAT NONE WERE FLAT. I THEN REMEMBERED THAT FORD HAD SENT ME A LETTER DESCRIBING A PROBLEM WITH "SHIMMY", A SEVERE VIBRATION AND OSCILLATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THEY THEN BLAMED IT ON PRESSURE. I DON'T RECALL THE PRESSURE IN MY TIRES AT THE TIME BUT I BELIEVE THEY WERE NOT TOO LOW. I HAVE MY TRUCKED SERVICED REGULARLY AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP. MY TIRES WERE WORN (OVER 50000) BUT STILL HAD A LITTLE TREAD LEFT. BTW- I BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW WITH THESE SAME TIRES. I HAVE NOT MODIFIED MY TRUCK. I DO NOT BELIEVE IN "LIFTING" A 4WD VEHICLE. I DO HAVE A CAMPER ON MY TRUCK BUT IT ONLY WEIGHS 1300 LBS. MY TRUCK IS AN 2006 F-250 WITH A CAMPER SUSPENSION (I BELIEVE THIS IS AN EXTRA 300 LB. RATING) WHICH SHOULD EASILY ACCOMMODATE THIS WEIGHT. I BELIEVE AT THE TIME THE DEALERSHIP BLAMED IT ON THE TIRES (WORN AND UNDER-INFLATED). I HAD THEM PUT NEW TIRES ON (SAME EXACT KIND). AND DO A GOOD BALANCE JOB. NORMALLY I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT TIRES AT THE DEALERSHIP. THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM. I STILL HAD THIS ISSUE IN THE BACK OF MY MIND AND WANTED TO RESOLVE IT. I WOULD NOT WANT TO SELL A VEHICLE WITH THIS CONDITION. I JUST GOT BACK FROM A 2 WEEK TRIP TO MONTANA AND HAD THE ISSUE COME BACK (I NOW HAVE 95000 ON MY TRUCK (40000) ON THIS SECOND SET OF TIRES. IT HAPPENED TWICE IN UTAH COMING DOWN STEEP HILLS WITHIN MILES OF EACH OTHER. THIS TIME IT SEEMED TO BE A RESULT OF HEAVY BRAKING AND WAS NOT AS SEVERE, AS I DIDN'T HAVE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I PUT AIR IN THE TIRES PRIOR TO THE TRIP. RIGHT NOW I JUST MEASURED THE PRESSURE @ 70 PSI ON BOTH FRONT TIRES (SPEC SAYS 80) AND MEASURED .185 INCHES OF TREAD LEFT.THIS CONDITION SHOULD NOT OCCUR EVEN IF THE TIRES ARE WORN.I NEED THIS FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #10415585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Milton, MA

STEERING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND THEN TO THE LEFT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS COLD. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL AND CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS A MECHANIC AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD CAUSED BY A STUCK VALVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

NHTSA complaint #10406932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Glen Allen, VA

STEERING

THE VEHICLE IS A 2006 FORD SUPERDUTY 4X4. HAS HAD NO MODIFICATIONS TO SUSPENSION. STILL FACTORY TIRES AND CURRENTLY AT 31,000 MILES. I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THE TRUCK ON THE INTERSTATE. HITTING EVEN A SMALL BUMP AT 65MPH CAUSES THE FRONT END TO SHAKE SO BADLY THAT CONTROLLING THE TRUCK IS NO LONGER POSSIBLE. TODAY 04/13/11 THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT IT HAPPENED IN THE AFTERNOON RUSH ON I95 HERE IN RICHMOND WHERE I LIVE. SENDING ME ACROSS THE LANES AND ALMOST OFF THE ROAD,. I AM A VIRGINIA STATE SAFETY INSPECTOR. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT ALL STEERING PARTS ARE STILL LIKE NEW AND TIGHT. I EVEN RETORQUED ALL BOLTS. I HAVE TALKED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. THEY SAY THERE'S A TSB FOR A NEW DAMPER. THIS PROBLEM IS FAR BEYOND A STEERING DAMPER.. IT HAS DONE THIS A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES,BUT IM SURE WILL DO IT EVERY TIME YOU HIT A BUMP AT HIGHWAY SPEED. FORD WONT OR CANT FIX IT AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH A TRUCK THAT I CANT DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE. IT WOULD MAKE A GREAT TEST TRUCK FOR THE NHTSA SINCE IT ISN'T GOOD FOR MUCH ELSE SINCE I HAVE TO TRAVEL THE INTERSTATE ON A WEEKLY BASIS.

NHTSA complaint #10395796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2006 Ford F-250 SD problems

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