2.1

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
75,618 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #24

May 012014

F-250 8-cyl Diesel

  • 35,000 miles
My truck starts shaking violently at 40-60 mph. Steering control is lost and can only be regained by coming to a complete stop. Truck will not switch lanes and pulling over to the shoulder is impossible due to loss of steering. Shaking is violent to the point of loosening bolts. Taken to dealer to be checked under warranty. They claimed it was air pressure or the need for new tires. The vehicles tires are in good condition and air pressure is set at factory recommended levels. Ford says this behavior is normal. A serious accident extremely possible. An independent suspension shop claims issue is due to defective ball joints, lack of steering damper, and defective control arms.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #23

Sep 012013

F-250 8-cyl

  • 32,000 miles
When hitting a bump or pot hole at highway speed the front tires wobble uncontrollably until you all but stop. This could catch someone off guard to crash into someone on the highway.

- Fredericksburg , PA, USA

problem #22

Feb 102014

F-250 8-cyl

  • 101,527 miles
Truck developed a violent shake in the front end and became uncontrollable. Have to stop immediately before vehicle will stop shaking. The issue is referred to the "Ford death wobble" with many recorded instances of this on the web and youtube. Issue has gotten worse and is unsafe to drive. Has been in the Ford dealer and many new parts replaced but problem persist. Ford dealer cannot seem to correct so it has been in two other garages for second opinions. Contacted Ford Motor Company and they have no recalls or any knowledge of this problem. Vehicle is a danger to the highway.

- Norton, VA, USA

problem #21

Dec 162010

F-250

  • 1,480 miles
Driving East bound on the 91 freeway in the diamond lane I drove over a roadway imperfection. As soon as I hit it with my left front tire the vehicle made a violent motion to the left almost causing me to strike the center divider. This happened several other times before I returned the vehicle to the dealer to have it checked (12/16/2010). By this time, striking an imperfection with either front tire caused the vehicle to move laterally, left or right. After several visits to the Ford dealer without remedy, a Ford engineer was summoned for a test drive. We drove the vehicle to a spot I consistently have the problem and it violently pulled to the left when the front left tire hit the spot (transition road: 405 freeway to the northbound 710 freeway). Both the engineer and the service manager were in the vehicle at that time and both felt what I was complaining about. Later that same day I was looking at a Ford Fusion with my son and the Ford engineer drove into the lot in a new Ford Super Duty 4X4 that he had driven to that same location. He told me and my son that the new vehicle did the same thing and he would report back to Ford so that they could do something about it. I was later contacted by the Ford manager and told that my problem was within Ford tolerance for the vehicle. He also told me I could probably go over to the four wheel drive parts store and purchase something that might help with the problem. I continue to have this problem but it appears to be getting worse. Even my friends who drive with me complain about this issue telling me I need to do something about it. This past week I contacted Ford again via their fix-it hot line and spoke with one of their representatives who looked into my complaint (he spoke with the Ford manager and Ford engineer). Today he advised me the problem was normal for the vehicle. Anyone else complaining?

- Lomita, CA, USA

problem #20

Jan 132014

F-250

  • 85,000 miles
While driving at freeway speed hit pothole and truck began to shake violently. Pulled of the freeway to inspect and everything looked ok. Got back onto freeway and crossed over a bridge and the same violent shake happened until I slowed down to about 40 mph. Dropped truck off at dealer on way home from work.

- Racine, WI, USA

problem #19

Jan 102014

F-250 8-cyl Diesel

  • 47,503 miles
While driving on straight roads, if you encounter rough road surface (construction, pothole, etc) steering and front end of the vehicle begins to oscillate violently. It is almost like the oscillation creates a harmonic frequency that increases the intensity to a degree that the vehicle must be slowed or stopped to recover.

- Louisville, NE, USA

problem #18

Nov 262013

F-250 8-cyl Diesel

  • 66,000 miles
I was traveling South on highway 99 in the central valley of California North of visalia, ca. I was maintaining my speed in the fast (second lane) lane between 65 and 70 mph on a portion of the highway that was recently laid with fresh asphalt. This of course, made the road surface very smooth although there was some transition portions of the road surface with a few rougher sections. Going over one of the transitions the front end of the truck began to shake violently. I immediately attempted to slow down which was very dangerous due to the amount of traffic both behind me and to the slow lane to my right. I believe the other drives saw my situation and allowed me to pull to the slow lane to get control of the truck. Once my speed was reduced to around 35 to 40 mph, the shaking stopped. The passenger who was with me was undoubtedly shaken up - no bun intended. Unfortunately, this was the second time I experienced the "death wobble" that so many other Ford truck owners have experienced. The first occurrence was about three months earlier while traveling on the golden state highway in bakersfield, ca. My speed at that time was 60 mph and began to shake uncontrollably after passing over a concrete to concrete transition in the road. Following both events I took my truck to the local Ford dealer for diagnosis. My dealer is jim burke Ford, bakersfield, ca. The first time into service the dealer changed out the steering stabilize and said all other front end and steering components checked out fine. The steering stabilizer change out was funny because I had replaced the original one and installed a new bilstein brand steering stabilizer on the truck a few months prior. I have enjoyed this truck but it is beginning to scare my as I'm concerned another event could result in a serious accident. Please help us Ford truck owners. Thank you.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #17

Nov 052013

F-250 8-cyl Diesel

  • 15,000 miles
I have an F-250 Super Duty FX4. The truck only has 15,000 miles and last year in Oct, 2012 the truck had a violent shimmy in the front end at 9,000 miles. This occurred on two different occasions and I took the truck to the dealer and they replaced the steering stabilizer and the problem was fixed for about a year. The truck has started this shaking again. This has occurred three different times in the last month. This happens if I change lanes that are uneven at about 35-40 mph and will also happen at speeds greater than 60 mph if the road is a bit bumpy. It is very scary and the truck is uncontrollable until the shaking stops.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #16

Nov 042013

F-250 8-cyl Diesel

  • 31,000 miles
As I was driving on the highway at highway speed, all of the sudden after going over a rough patch of road, I experienced a severe rattling and loss of control. I had to come to a complete stop on the highway and nearly caused a multiple car pile up. A week later, I had the same thing. This time as I was approaching highway speed getting on to the highway. After coming to a complete stop, this caused another accident on that highway that I was not involved in but was a direct result of my having to slow to a stop due to this incident. After this, I looked online and it appears that this has been a problem with Ford Super Duty trucks since 2006 and has caused more than one accident and possible fatalities. This is a fairly common problem as well. The truck is less than 3 years old, and has less than 36,000 miles on it.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #15

Jul 012013

F-250 8-cyl Diesel

  • 30,500 miles
Was going over a bridge that had uneven pavement with a slight bank to the left and the steering and entire vehicle began to shake uncontrollably and put the vehicle into the nearby field after running off the road. I contacted Ford dealership and was informed to check tire air pressure (air pressure was fine-stock tires and rims). Front steering stabilizer was checked and that was fine. Track bar and tie rod checked and those too were fine. A local four wheel drive shop informed me that they are quite aware of this problem and at 31000 miles they recommended changing the tie rod, dual steering stabilizers, and another alignment. Most off road dealers are aware of this problem and even say to adjust the caster to a positive 4 to correct. As seen on the internet, this began around 2005 with straight axle and coil suspension. Ford must rectify this problem!

- Saucier, MS, USA

problem #14

Jul 232013

F-250 8-cyl Diesel

  • 120,000 miles
While driving at 70 mph on the interstate, after hitting a small bump in the road, the front end of my 2011 F250 FX4 diesel began violently. I had to pull onto the median and slow to less than 20 mph to make it stop. This has been an ongoing problem, and, although I have brought the vehicle in for service, changing the shocks and steering stabilizer, I still have the same issues.

- Bourg, LA, USA

problem #13

Jul 042013

F-250

  • 80,000 miles
I have had repeated issues with the steering of my truck. I have taken it in to the Ford dealership for the last 2 years and have been unable to get this resolved. The issue is known as the "death wobble". I was unaware of how common this issue was until I started reading forms where many people have had the same complaint. I have nearly lost control of my truck way too many times.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #12

Feb 062012

F-250 8-cyl Diesel

  • 3,000 miles
During a drive on the hwy, the vehicle went over an uneven section of the road causing the vehicle to wobble and shake violently. I pulled over to inspect the front end of the vehicle thinking I had hit something or had a flat tired. Nothing out of the ordinary was found. The same event occurred a month or so later when driving back from the airport and hit a pot hole at about 50 miles an hour. The vehicle once again felt out of control shifting from left to right on the hwy and felt uncontrollable. Got home, checked all associated suspension hardware and nothing out of the ordinary was detected. At this point, I am a bit hesitant to go at speed limit and constantly watching, avoiding main highways. It seems like the vehicle has suspension issues and it was not designed accordingly to its heavy duty ratings. The vehicle is a road hazard and a danger to the driver and other drivers..

- Tracy, CA, USA

problem #11

Mar 022013

F-250 8-cyl Diesel

  • 36,000 miles
Experienced violent shaking of front wheels and steering after driving over a bump in road because of change in pavement on fly-over pass. Vehicle was uncontrollable and had a tremendous vibration in the front end. Had to reduce speed to a near stop on interstate highway to get shaking to stop and to re-gain control of vehicle.

- Wolfforth, TX, USA

problem #10

Jan 162013

F-250

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F250. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle shook violently without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician diagnosed that the shimmy shocks, steering gear, pitman arm, ball joints, and tie rods needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 80,000.

- Northport, AL, USA

problem #9

Oct 242011

F-250 8-cyl Diesel

  • 6,000 miles
At 55 mph, if you hit a bump in the road the front end shakes, jumps across the road. Very difficult to handle. You have to slow down. This needs to be looked at. We had the vehicle at Ford several time and they found nothing!

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #8

Jul 092011

F-250

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the front end shimmered severely when the vehicle hit a bump. The vehicle was taken to the dealer four times who replaced the ball joints and stabilizer arm but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 30,000 and the current mileage was 68,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Kennard, NE, USA

problem #7

Nov 012012

F-250

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at highways speeds, driving over a bump the vehicle started to shake violently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 45,000.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

problem #6

Oct 072012

F-250 4WD 8-cyl Diesel

  • 37,750 miles
While traveling West bound on interstate 70 in a construction zone with uneven pavement the vehicle's right front wheel passed over a pavement patch which was slightly raised. Almost immediately the left front wheel passed over a pavement patch which was slightly raised. These two relatively minor bumps caused a wobble in the steering which then intensified until the vehicle steering was virtually uncontrollable. In order to stop the violent bouncing and wobble I had to brake hard almost coming to a stop. This unexpected rapid speed reduction quite naturally caused vehicles to have to brake very hard to avoid a collision. Subsequent research on the internet has revealed that this is not an unusual problem with this vehicle. www.thedieselstop.com/forums/F149/front-end-bounce-high-speeds-274673/ it is important to note that I am not a beginner at operating heavy duty pick up trucks. I drove 3/4 ton and one ton 4X4 trucks for 30 years as part of my duties as a rural area law enforcement officer with co-lateral duties in remote area search and rescue. Had I been towing my fifth wheel trailer when this high speed wobble occurred it could very well have resulted in a major traffic incident/collision involving multiple vehicles. As it was we were very lucky to have avoided rear end collisions as a result of the necessity to unexpectedly brake and slow to regain control of our truck.

- La Canada Flintridge, CA, USA

problem #5

May 012012

F-250 8-cyl Diesel

  • 18,000 miles
Driving approximately 45 mph on a state highway, making a slight left turn, hit a small bump in the road, and the steering wheel started jerking violently from left to right from the 9:00 to 3:00 positions. I could not stop it with both hands. I had to brake the vehicle to almost a complete stop to end the jerking. This has been happening on almost a daily basis. The vehicle currently has 22,193 miles on it. It has been to the dealership at least 4 times and they have been called numerous times with the problem. They have checked the tire pressure several times. The front end. Changed the steering damper, which slightly helped for about 500 miles. It is now happening every time I drive the vehicle and is getting worse. Now also happening at lower speeds, around 30 mph and up.

- Morgantown, WV, USA

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