4.1
definitely annoying- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 28,567 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.
I was experiencing what is known as the "death wobble" in my 2016 Ford F250 FX4 truck. The truck only has 56,000 miles but is out of warranty. I recently spent $1326 to have the problem repaired. Apparently this is a major problem with these trucks. I have the repair bill but didn't include it with this statement.
- Tallahassee, FL, USA
Entered a highway on-ramp, accelerating to 65-70 mph, drove over a rough patch of road and truck front end began to shake violently(death wobble) we were very lucky to be able to slow down without being involved in an accident. I spent $5000 this past summer that was suppose to have fixed this problem.
- Lake Panasoffkee, FL, USA
On a highway, 65-70 mph, drove over a rough patch of road and truck front end began to shake violently(death wobble). Happened three times on same day, same trip. On all occasions we were very lucky to be able to stop or slow down without being involved in an accident. I spent $5000 this past summer that was suppose to have fixed the problem.
- Lake Panasoffkee , FL, USA
I was traveling on the interstate at the posted speed limit of 70 mph. I was crossing an overpass and upon exiting the overpass my vehicle began what is often referred to as -€˜death wobble-€™. My front suspension began shaking so violently that I temporarily lost control of the vehicle and had to reduce my speed dramatically in the travel lane to regain control before I was able to steer into the emergency lane. Had I been hauling or towing a load I am sure this would have resulted in a wreck. Since this happened, I have read that Ford has refused to conduct a recall on this issue. I urge the NHTSA enter this situation and require Ford to address the issue.
- Nicholasville, KY, USA
My 2016 F-250 continues to experience the Ford Truck "death wobble." It sometimes happens after I have travelled on an interstate entrance and am increasing speed up to normal highway speed (or similar situation). The front end begins to terribly "shake" and I can only stop it by drastically braking to a much slower speed or even coming to a stop. Usually, there is no obvious reason for this wobble to occur although a rough interstate entrance rough surface may increase the probability of it occurring. I have been able to handle it thus far, but I do worry about being in a traffic lane and having limited options to resolve the issue quickly.
- Rock Hill, SC, USA
At highway speed on Interstate-95, I hit a rough patch of asphalt paving and front end of vehicle began to shake uncontrollably. Vehicle continued to shake violently until speed was significantly reduced below the flow of traffic thus creating an extremely dangerous situation. All 4 shocks and steering stabilizer were replace with upgraded Bilstein brand products bya Ford master mechanic within the last 6 months.
- Cocoa, FL, USA
Violently shaking can not control truck, I-€™ve looked this up and it is known as the death wobble. It looks like they have recalled /027 but not 2016 models what can be done about this. It has happened about 6 times in 3 days
- Simms, TX, USA
I have had multiple repairs done and several components replaced and im still fighting a death wobble issue. It occurs at normal opersting speeds above 40mph when you travel across bumpy surfaces.
- Orange Park, FL, USA
While driving on Route 64 in Virginia in May 2022, the vehicle sustained severe steering wheel oscillations after hitting rough pavement, driving around 65 miles per hour. It was difficult to hold on to the steering wheel. The oscillations lasted roughly 60 seconds. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the occurrence. This occurrence happened again while driving on Route 50 eastbound to Annapolis on Saturday October 1, 2022 around 65 miles per hour. After hitting rough pavement, the vehicle sustained severe steering wheel oscillations. The oscillations last roughly 60 seconds. In both occurrence, it was difficult to hold onto the steering wheel. We were concerned that the ability for the truck to break would be impacted.
- Annapolis , MD, USA
Front wheels wobble uncontrolably after hitting a bump at speeds above 30 mph. Problem confirmed by mechanic and temperary fix acomplished by adding 2 more dampening shock absorbers in addition to the one provided by the factory and replacing front struts and frontend ball joints.
- Nacogdoches, TX, USA
Death wobble occurred this morning for the first time ever. It was terrifying for me and my children. I had to slam on the brakes so hard that I nearly slid off the road! The fact that Ford doesn-€™t acknowledge this is ridiculous. I hope and pray that this does not occur with my children in the vehicle, or while I-€™m hauling my horses.
- Brazoria, TX, USA
violent shaking from front end at moderate highway speed experienced when bumps road or when driving on groved surfaces. problem confirmed by ford mechanic and repaired at my expense. Approximately one year later same violent shake. same ford dealer replaced parts originally repaired by them. from time to time a less severe shake has been noted. Have repair invoices. concerned this problem will result one day in loss of vehicle control.
- Queen Creek, AZ, USA
Traveling on uneven road leads to uncontrollable driving when u hit a bump the front end shakes to the point you have to stop even when passing a vehicle on interstates ( my incident) my mechanic has changed numerous parts, rotated tires ( installed 06 21) i cannot let my wife drive this truck for fear of her not being able to control the shaking if she hits a bump especially while on the interstate I just think she would freak out I did the first time now I am very cautious when driving but in Louisiana it is impossible to miss a bump
- Thibadoux , LA, USA
While driving on a highway I went over a bump in the road and the vehicle started shaking violently and I could not control it. I applied the brakes and slowed to about 30 mph and the shaking stopped. No other motorists were involved.
- Rindge, NH, USA
On 08/01/2022 at approximately 1400 hours, I was driving my 2016 Ford F250 4x4 and towing a 5th wheel trailer weighing approximately 14000 lbs. I was traveling at approximately 60 MPH when I hit a small bump on I-215 which caused a violent shaking from the front end of the vehicle (condition commonly referred to as "death wobble"). I immediately released the accelerator to try and correct the violent shake, but the condition continued. I attempted to brake, which caused the condition to worsen and brake efficiency was greatly reduced. Allowing the vehicle to coast and slow down without brake input was the only way to correct the condition. Once we slowed to below 45 MPH, the condition was no longer present. I inspected the front end suspension and steering components of the vehicle. I discovered the ball joint (Ford Part# MCF-2225) securing the track bar to the front axle was warn and had excessive play in it. This play allowed the front axle to have lateral movement perpendicular to the vehicles travel. All other suspension and steering components checked okay. After replacement of the track bar ball joint, the condition has not reoccured. The defective ball joint is available for inspection, however it fell apart when pressed out of the front axle. This issue caused a severe reduction in steering and braking, putting myself and those around me at risk. As the truck is no longer in warranty, it has not been seen by the dealer or a third party. There was no warning prior to the condition occurring.
- Escondido, CA, USA
10 times over about a 12 month period, (with 5 of the 10 happening in one 6 hour period, after we have spent thousands of dollars trying to fix this issue) if we run over a bump in the road at over 60 mph, the front end of the truck goes into violent, uncontrollable shaking. The only way to stop it is to smash the brakes as hard as you can to get the trucks speed below 30 mph so you can regain control of the steering wheel and front end. It-€™s one of the scariest things we have ever experienced. Please make FORD fix this problem before someone gets killed!!!!
- Cypress, TX, USA
Death rattle in the front-end suspension!!!!!! I have spent thousands of dollars to replace original factory parts since this issue has happened in the past year once I passed 125,000 miles, even with brand new parts replaced and beefed up in shocks and springs and steering arms. I still have this happening between 50 plus mph. bumps and cracks in the road will set this off in heavy highway traffic and I have to slow down to 10mph to get the truck under control. this will cause an accident eventually.
- Lk Barrington, IL, USA
The front-end of vehicle begins to violently shake after crossing over a rough spot in road or driving over grooves in road. The only way to stop the violent shake is to extremely slow or stop the vehicle.
- Mansfield, TX, USA
My truck regular experiences violent shakes when I hit bumps in the road when traveling over 45MPH. I was on a bridge today and had to slow traffic to less than 30mph to control the shakes. The last 4 times I have entered the freeway at a specific entrance I have experienced the violent shakes, requiring me to enter the emergency lane to gain control.
- San Diego, CA, USA
- Fort Washington, MD, USA