8.4
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $3,000
- Average Mileage:
- 68,650 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 11 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (10 reports)
- change ball joints, gear box, shocks (1 reports)
Ok, so the so called "death wobble" is more than an annoying problem. Had my wife been driving, we would have wrecked - at least that's what she says. Truck is getting traded this week. I can't risk having that happen again while driving at 65 miles per hour. Not a fun experience at all. Guess I should have done some research on this before I bought the truck. Are there any complaints of this happening with the newer F250?
- scubarob, Mount Union, US
Tire shimmy, or death wobble, very scary. Sometimes I would have to come to a complete stop on the highway just for the vehicle to stop shaking. After replacing the tie rods a couple of time, checking the alignment, adding a dual steering stablizer, and purchasing new tires. This issue was finally resolved. Took about two years in and out of the shop trying to figure out the many source of the issue.
- Jonathan R., Salida, CA, US
MY NEXT CONTACT IS WITH AN ATTORNEY, IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ROLL THIS TRUCK FORD WILL HAVE A NEW OWNER, I HAVE BEEN READING THE COMMENTS ON THIS ISSUE AND I FEEL THAT IF FORD CAN NOT FIX IT THEY NEED TO REFUND THE MONEY WE HAVE ALL PAID FOR OUT TRUCKS. MY HUSBAND WAS ON HIS WAY TO WORK YESTERDAY HE WENT ACROSS A BRIDGE IMBUTMENT, THE TRUCK WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND HE ENDED UP IN THE MEDIAN STRIP BECAUSE THERE WAS A CAR BESIDE HIM ON THE INTERSTATE.
I THINK THAT FORD NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM AND EITHER FIX IT OR REPLACE IT, BUT IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE NEW ONES ALSO.
MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN A FORD MAN ALL OF HIS LIFE HE HAS OWNED AT LEAST 6 FORD F 150'S HE WANTED A F250 FOR HAULING OUR FOURWHEELERS, WHAT A MISTAKE, NOW WE KNO WHY THE MAN TRADED IT IN WITH SUCH LOW MILES ON IT AND IT WAS IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION. AND THE DEALERSHIP NEVER TOLD US ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUES WITH THEY STYLE TRUCK.
I AM WORKING ON GETTING US ALL SOME PUBLIC ATTENTION AND I HOPE MY EFFORTS DO SOME GOOD WILL KEEP EVERYONE POSTED AS THINGS HAPPEN. WE HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK SINCE OCT 2011 THIS HAS HAPPEND THREE TIMES IN 5 MONTHS. GOT HELP FORD IF IT CAUSES AN ACCIDENT AND SOMEONE IS HURT. I GUESS WE ALL HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO BE KILLED BEFORE THEY WILL DO ANYTHING.
- ktprobst, Linden, P, US
This truck is the biggest peice of crap i have ever owned. I knew that there was a problem with the front end shaking, but it usually stopped after a few seconds.Untill just recently I was on the parkway heading North and was doing around 60 mph in the right lane when I hit a bad patch of potholes and completly lost control until slowing down to around 45 mph. Talk about scary. I think I WAS OUT OF CONTROLL FOR 10 SECONDS!
Now my tires are damaged GOOD JOB FORD. I have been driving ford trucks since 1982 and My 1979 Ford F250 drove like a Cadillac compared to this piece of junk. This will be the last ford I own, I just hope I don't die in it before I replace it
- Sean D., Mt.Laurel, NJ, US
wow Im never buying a Ford again in my life. First off besides having the shakes at any speed I go and skipping my cds it shakes so bad. The dealerships suck I have never heard of having to make an appointment to get anything done even if you are the first person in line. That appointment includes just to look at it and see whats the issue. Do your vehicles have that many problems you guys cant keep up? Im done with Ford first and last truck I will ever buy from them. I am going back to GM now they can make a good truck. I should have never decide to go with a this f250. I'm going to the Chevy dealer tomorrow and picking out a new truck wish Ford would pay for some of it.
- jml, St.Louis, MO, US
Federal Trade Commission - call them and let them know your situation. The more people we get to complain the better chance that we have on getting the Commission to help us. If I have the same problems as you, please send this info out to the others with this problem. thank you
- Latif S., Miami, FL, US
I have an 06 F-250 crew cab 4x4 short wheelbase with the 6.0 diesel. Suspension s stock with the FX4 package and the factory 20 inch rims/tires. I bought it from a friend w/113k miles. At about 118K, I got the near loss of control situation as everyone else. AT first it was only at 60+ MPH going over pot holes, crossing road seams at off-angles, etc. The problem is becoming more pronounced. As an aside, it does it when unladen, or when towing a 10K GVWR 5th wheel camper. The tie rod ends were replaced shortly before I bought the truck due to a similar concern. The ball joints check out OK now along with the tie rod ends. It still has an older set of front shocks and the factory stabilizer.
I have conducted a fair amount of internet research. NHTSA has already closed two investigations concerning this matter (REF: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/results.cfm?action_number=EA08007&SearchType=QuickSearch&summary=true AND REF: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/results.cfm?action_number=PE07057&SearchType=QuickSearch&summary=true ) . I would encourage anyone to do a search engine inquiry using "Ford Death Wobble" and peruse the results. 2006 model trucks seem to be the poster child for this malady. 2005 was the first year for the Super Duty 4x4 front coil spring suspensions which lasted through the 2007 model year. I don't know if the 2008 and up trucks are identical in design or not.
There are a variety of opinions on the matter. Voiced opinions and speculation allege a variety of complicit factors which alone or in a state of combination can result in "death wobble." Amongst these are : incorrect tire pressure of 80% or less of the manufacturer's recommendation, worn steering gear boxes, track bars not torqued to factory specification, worn tires, improperly or unbalanced tires, and others. Suggested repairs include putting on a double cylinder steering damper - and sharp criticisms alleging that this will only mask the symptom while the cause grows worse unbeknownst to the owner/driver. There is a company that sells a front end repair kit that has received reasonable reviews, albeit an expensive (at my income) proposition: REF: http://www.wcmotorsport.com/pages/SprDuty.htm or www.SuperDutyWobble.com )
"Other than that, Jackie, how was Dallas?" I have been fairly happy with this truck, and while this issue needs corrective action, I won't bemoan Ford. They didn't intentionally set out to try and kill the public through a well disguised plan for a phantom life threatening condition to appear months after its initial sale from the dealer. However, if there is an independently verifiable pattern of occurrence involving specific components, I am of the opinion that I am owed a forthright layman's explanation of the condition, and what steps must be taken to fully and properly correct the problem.
The truck tows great, runs well, gets many compliments, and is fairly economical to operate (for what it is). My next steps will be to replace the tires (which it needs, current ones are at about 30-40% tread life left) and to check and replace the front shocks if necessary. My wife and kids ride in this truck with me, and I have no one to blame but myself if this is being caused by either the tires or shocks. I'll revisit my opinion once these items are addressed and the status of others verified. Once the steering and suspension components are repaired/replaced, all found to be within specification (alignment/tire pressures/torque), and in good operating condition, I doubt this problem will continue to exist. However, if it does, I will have a stack of receipts, list of actions taken and research records to prove my point(s). And if it comes to that, I just want my truck fixed and an explanation published so that others do not suffer the same risks. But I'll cross that bridge when and if I get to it.
If someone reading has fixed this problem, I think that we would all like to know. Please share. Thanks.
- R. W., Houston, TX, US
Time for a class action lawsuit against Ford. They are aware of the problem, but have done nothing to fix it. Does someone (or more) have to die before they acknowledge the problem? The loss of control is so fierce that I fear driving it over 40 MPH. I cannot afford another vehicle.
- mwhite7097, Ellington, CT, US
I have a 2006 f-250 xlt with a v-10, on the highway at any speed when i hit bumps the truck will shake like i have no shocks. It is not in the steering it is the whole truck, been to three different dealers, new shocks, steering stabilizer, carrier bearing, rims and tires, bearings in front hubs and still same problem. Mechanics tell me its just stiff ride and the long wheel base. The funny thing is if i put my plow on it goes away?
- Mike F., Southgate, MI, US
Hyper Shaking is a really good way to describe this problem. Hit the right combination of bumps at highway speeds and the entire truck vibrates violently. Loss of control is without a question a possibility. Where I live we have only 2 lane roads, if this had occurred in the middle of passing, I might not be here to tell the tale. Is there no fix for this? I've owned Fords my whole life and never had anything close to this major of a problem. Drive careful!
- Scott B., San Juan Del Sur, Rivas, Nicaragua
I inherited this vehicle and just started driving regularly this week. Just fine around town but then I went to Denver, from Colorado Springs on I-25 when it started. I noticed a mild shaking about 60 - 70 m/h depending whether concrete or asphalt. There is a section of interstate that the speed limit is 65 and is concrete. I've been told that they pull waves in the concrete to prevent vehicles from speeding. I noticed a rougher ride in my other vehicles but not too bad. In this Ford, the truck started bouncing, I felt like a little boy bouncing on grandpa's knee. This happen between 55 - 80, after trying to find a speed which the bouncing was minimal a settled in around 60 - 70. Once the interstate returned to asphalt the bouncing minimized again.
The same thing happen on the return trip and again going up the next day. The return trip was different. While still in Denver on I-25 asphalt section (traveling at 50-55 m/h) I hit a series of ripple/waves in the roadway and instantly the truck started shaking so bad I thought the read axle was coming off.
My 24 year old son told after it went away that it was "Death Wobble" he had that exact experience in his 6.5 inch lifted Jeep. When it started is just let off the gas and held the wheel straight until we dropped to 40, put EM flasher on and started breathing again. Two lines of thoughts were, 1) the truck had no load and maybe it needs heavy weight in the rear to stabilize the suspension 2) something on the suspense broke off and I feared the axle would fall off. I haven't checked it yet but ran across this website and the problems and they seem to be spot on. Now what?
- John G., Colorado Spgs, co, US