2.1

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
74,718 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Ford F-250:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #27

Jan 312018

F-250

  • 76,000 miles
Driving at 55 mph, hit a bump in the road and front end and steering shook violently. Unable to control steering, made violent maneuver into median.

- Gloucester, VA, USA

problem #26

Jan 012018

F-250

  • 128,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-250. While driving 65 mph, the contact drove in the middle two lanes to avoid a collision with a vehicle that had pulled over to the side of the road and opened the driver's door. While passing the other vehicle, the contact's vehicle shook violently and the contact lost control of the vehicle. Also, the brake pedal failed to operate. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle once the speed slowed down to 35 mph. The vehicle was taken to desoto automall (3039 SE 70, arcadia, fl 34266) where it was diagnosed that the failure was called the "Ford death wobble". the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was also contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 128,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Arcadia, FL, USA

problem #25

Aug 272017

F-250

  • 48,000 miles
While driving 60 mph over highway steering and front wheels starting shaking so violently the truck was out of control and nearly caused major accident, this has happened to us on three occasions. I feel this problem is very dangerous and is a flaw in the design of steering, suspension of front wheels of truck, I am afraid to drive this $67000 vehicle with 48000 miles. I have taken this truck in and repair shop says there is no problem, I have it in shop again waiting for another opinion! I feel this vehicle type be recalled, I hope nobody dies from this flaw in my vehicle and it is why I wanted to report this very dangerous vehicle 2012 Ford F-250 king ranch death wobble driving conditions on three different occasions were on highway conditions driving over small pavement bumps at speeds ranging from 60 to 70 mph straight roads and also turning on curves, the truck shakes so violently that you loose control truck shaking continues until the truck almost comes to a stop while you are braking to slow down. This happens so fast and without any warning in steering or road feel, this occurs with such surprise and so violently out of nowhere

- Cottonwood, CA, USA

problem #24

Sep 052016

F-250 4WD 8-cyl Diesel

  • 108,657 miles
Last year I do believe it was six two of 2016 that I left my 2012 Ford F-250 in Colorado because it was malfunction was death wobble I had no choice but to leave it with the person that I thought I could trust by the name of [xxx] my name is [xxx] [xxx] had the truck stolen from him he didn't bother to make a police report and I had to go to rehab because I was on the run from probation I didn't find out that the truck was stolen until February 15th 2017 the truck was stolen last year in September I don't know when I just noticed September of 2016 so I need any kind of report of to wear that truck has last been pulled over if it's been involved in an accident something that I can maybe find where it's at because I cancelled out payments on it and December because I was going to I know it's a hard story to believe let the bank repo it now the bank can't find it I've made a police report in Colorado and I can't get access to the police report I know it's a hard story to believe but it's the god's honest truth I do have pictures of the truck the license plate number is [xxx] so I will be more than willing to give all the info I can but I'm not sure if we can locate it but thanks for your time my phone number is [xxx] please call me so I can find out what I can do to fix this issue right away. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Midland, TX, USA

problem #23

Jan 292017

F-250

  • 69,000 miles
Death wobble after crossing expansion joints, potholes, asphalt level change. So severe that you must instantly brake hard and try to get off highway. Happens at 75 mph. Shakes so severe that items on back seat are thrown off. Happened

- Evergreen, CO, USA

problem #22

Dec 202016

F-250

  • 117,500 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 mph and hit a bump, the steering wheel shook. As a result, the contact reduced the vehicle in speed in order to avoid a crash. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the track bar however, the failure recurred. The failure was not remedied. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,500.

- Pasadena, TX, USA

problem #21

Dec 052016

F-250

  • 62,000 miles
Violent shaking from front steering and suspension. Known problem with Ford service technicians and independent tire dealers. Ford calls it " death wobble". most affected year models are 2006 thru 2012 per service writer. Problem starts approximately 42 mph in my truck on highways or city streets usually after a small bump in road.. shaking in steering wheel and bouncing in cab. I had to come to a complete stop to stop the shake and bounce. The Ford dealer replaced track bar and ball joint. Then replaced four tires, balanced, and front end alignment. Truck now has constant vibration in steering wheel. Death wobble has occurred twice since repair. Going back to dealer. This problem has been reported and well known to Ford. No specific cause or fix has been offered. Supposedly Ford redesigned front steering and suspension in 2014 models because of this problem. The service writer, wendy, at silsbee Ford in silsbee, Texas told me she did not know why Ford does not recall these trucks it is such a big problem.

- Village Mills, TX, USA

problem #20

Mar 012016

F-250 4WD 8-cyl Diesel

  • 90,000 miles
Ford F250 truck - front end suspension and 4 wheel drive problems. Since March of this year 2016, @ 90K miles, while driving down the road, traveling around 50 mph, the front suspension on my Ford F250 started shaking and wobble uncontrollable. This has happened probably 20 times or so. The wobble was so serious and scary. I would have to apply my brakes and hold onto the steering wheel with a strong grab, to keep my truck on the road. Other vehicles around mine, would scatter out of my way. On October 17, 2016, I had the steering damper replaced and the track bar ball replaced, costing $361.71. "death wobble", was still happening. Last month on November 14, 2016, I took my truck into our local Ford dealership for repairs on the suspension problem - "death wobble". repairs included, bar - front suspension ti, joint asy - ball, nut, end asy - drag link rod, rod, rod asy - drag link, adjuster asy @ 2, all replaced with new parts. Replace drag ink and end, install adjusters for castor, front end alignment (4 wheel drive). The Ford dealership was even aware of this existing problem with the Ford F250 suspension, from previous complains and repairs. My repair cost was $1205.07. Now my 4 wheel drive will not lock in on the front end. I have an appointment, taking my truck back to Ford dealership tomorrow morning for additional repairs. This is a major safety issue on these vehicles and something must be done about it. A recall should and must be mandatory for the public safety. This issue will end up killing someone (if, it has not already) if, a recall is not ordered immediately.

- Livingston, TX, USA

problem #19

Mar 092016

F-250

  • 84,000 miles
While driving at speeds above 50 mph on both city and highway roads the front end and steering wheel start to wobble and vibrate to a point where control of the vehicle is almost lost. The only way to remedy the wobble/vibration is to hit the brakes and slow the vehicle down. This only occurs when driving over uneven pavement, pot holes or washboard roads. My research has revealed that this is a very common problem with the F250S and is commonly referred to as the "death wobble". the 2 dealers I brought it to even agreed that it is a common problem that they have been dealing with. This problems occurs almost every highway trip I take.

- Lafayette, LA, USA

problem #18

Jun 252012

F-250

  • 3,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-250. While driving 40 mph, the front end of the vehicle shook and became difficult to control. The failure occurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the drag link and the ball joints needed to be replaced. The vehicle also needed a front end alignment. The repairs were done; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 3,000.

- Hellam, PA, USA

problem #17

Nov 172015

F-250

  • 124,000 miles
Bought vehicle with 89,000 miles in 2013; currently have 124,000 miles. About 3 months ago, vehicle started a shake in steering, lasting 1-2 seconds, whenever a large pothole/bump on 11/17/2015, while driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle started the "death wobble", lasting approximately 30 seconds, until the vehicle got slowed down below 30 mph. Continued to work, keeping the speed below 60 mph, and then the same on the way home, and problem didn't occur. Vehicle has stock tires, and no additional lifts.

- Springfield, OH, USA

problem #16

Oct 252015

F-250

  • 36,172 miles
Driving at highway speeds of 55 - 65mph and hit a slight bump in the road the entire front end of the vehicle shakes uncontrollably. In order to get this to stop you must slam on the brakes to bring the speed down to 15 - 20 mph. Ford dealership service adviser and mechanic acknowledge this issue exists and has since 2005 but there isn't any resolution for the issue. My vehicle has been in the shop 3 different times for over a month in total time. Ford region customer service manager states the issue is the road. I find it odd there are may other Ford truck owners with the same issue.

- Meridian, ID, USA

problem #15

Oct 242015

F-250

  • 49,000 miles
The vehicle's engine will stall (cut off) without any indication or notice during motion or at a stop. This has happened at city speeds (less than 25 mph) and at highway speeds (greater than 55 mph) the vehicle will not immediately start but may start after standing for some time. This causes power steering, power brakes and other important safety features to be degraded or lost.

- Romney, WV, USA

problem #14

Oct 222015

F-250

  • 28,000 miles
While driving down straight down the highway about 50 mph. I crossed a bridge expansion joint and the front of the pickup shook violently. I had to apply the brakes firmly and pull to the shoulder quickly. I thought the front end of the truck was coming apart and I was going to wreck. This had never happened before and there was no warning prior to the event. I had been driving about 20 miles before this occur. It happened again several days later. I only have 28K miles on it. My friend later told me this was the 'death wobble' and that he had it on his F250-2012. He said it required replacement of a suspension bar(track bar) on the front of the truck which I had done. No further problem have been noted since replaced..1 week ago. The shop where I had the work done said they have fixed about 70 trucks and it will occur again when the ball joint on the bar wears out again. I have a king ranch model with 20 inch tires that may be a contributing factor. Other people I know with F250S and 18 inch tires have not noticed this problem.

- Lawton, OK, USA

problem #13

Dec 162014

F-250 4WD 8-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
The truck went into a wobbling front wheel situation when I hit an irregular pavement stretch. It has also happened when you go over an expansion joint on a bridge or hit a bump or pothole at freeway speeds.

- Merrimack, NH, USA

problem #12

Nov 212014

F-250 4WD 8-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
I was driving the speed limit of 65 mph on the interstate, when the truck went over a rough spot in the road and began to shake uncontrollably. I could not steer do the steering wheel and the front of the truck shaking so violently. I managed to get the truck slowed down quickly and over onto the median. I stopped and got out to check around and under the vehicle and found nothing. As I attempted to get up to speed and merge back onto the highway the truck started shaking again. After getting up to about 50 mph it smoothed out. I took the truck to discount tire and had the wheels rebalanced and the front checked with no problems noted. The truck has done this about 4 or 5 more times since and it always after you go over a rough spot in the road. The vehicle shakes so bad that you cannot control it and you have to stand on the brake to slow it down enough to be able to steer it. This can result in a major accident or death!!! I have also had problems with the transmission since the truck was new. When it shifts from 1st to 2nd sometimes there is a long delay where the throttle is pushed down and the truck does nothing for approximately 5 seconds, this has occurred numerous times in intersections and can cause you to be struck in the side. I have had the truck to the shop 3 times and they changed the transmission body and the transmission pump and it still continues to have the problem...

- Crossroads, TX, USA

problem #11

Dec 032014

F-250 4WD 8-cyl

  • 68,000 miles
I currently own a 2012 F-250 lariat 6.7 liter diesel and I started having what some may call a "death wobble" on my front end sometimes it's not that bad but at other times from 40-60mph it gets so bad I have to pull over. I'm so frustrated with it and im even afraid to let my wife drive it in fear that something bad may happen one day. Ford deliberately refuses to recognize the problem and tries to offer bandaids for the problem I need this fixed because I didn't spend 70K on a truck that I'm afraid to drive. Please do something before a lawsuit I join a lawsuit and get this matter taken above everyone else's heads. This is something that thousands of people are experiencing just by looking online.

- Crawfordsville , AR, USA

problem #10

Jan 172015

F-250 4WD 8-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
While driving on the 400 just East of augesta Kansas the truck suddenly developed a "death wobble". it is called by other names as well, the steering started shaking uncontrollable and have to bring the truck to a stop. This was the second it in three weeks it hardened. It is at the deals hip now and can not find the cause. This seems to be common with the model of truck. This is very dangerous and needs to be addressed. Ford must take action and not wait as long as Jeep took to admit their is the problem I order to fix.

- Leon, KS, USA

problem #9

Jun 302014

F-250 8-cyl Diesel

  • 26,865 miles
New 2012 Ford F250, Super Duty, 4X4, crew cab truck, purchased 11/2013. Approx. 1 month prior, the truck began having a vibration at highway speeds (75% highway driving, 25% city). The vibration got worse over the course of a day. The 2nd day the front passenger tire exhibited a large bulge (tread separation) on the inside two tread grooves. Ford replaced the tire, with another of the same brand and model. On 6/30/2014, the front driver tire, with no warning, developed the same issue, a large bulge in the inside tread grooves. The tires are Continental Contitrac LT275/65R18 123/120S tires, dot# A3B9 479B 2511. Both tires had very little tire wear and the wear was even across the tire surface, the tires showed no sign of potential failure. I did get to see the inside of the second failed tire, there did not appear to be any damage except the cord separation which was not visible from either the inside or outside of the tire; I did take photos. I contacted Ford's corporate number and awaiting a call from the dealer's service manager, and regional service manager in reference to this safety concern. Ford did state they would contact NHTSA; Ford reference number cas04645143-Z4T8T9. Each time I have to replace the Continental tire under warranty Ford has to locate the tire and it is not easy to locate. In addition, every new Ford F250 on the dealers lot has another name brand tire, which I believe indicates Ford has issue with the Continental tires. I searched the NHTSA data base and found almost the exact same incident; NHTSA id# 10568111. I also found numerous similar complaints about the tire model. I attempted to contact Continental, case #[xxx], the call taker read from a script and could offer no help. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Palm Springs, FL, USA

problem #8

Jun 232013

F-250

  • 8,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the contact had to turn the steering wheel excessively in order to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,000.

- Felton, CA, USA

Read the next 7 complaints »