10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 5 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 4 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 12,660 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Driving at highway speed (60+) in a straight direction, under dry conditions of 55 degrees F, I encountered a short patch of paved road with a rough or washboard surface. Suddenly the vehicle began to encounter severe sustained steering wheel oscillation which shook the entire vehicle, reduced my ability to steer the vehicle, and resulted in the vehicle entering the oncoming lane of traffic. After slowing the vehicle to approximately 40mph, the oscillation ended and I was able to regain steering control. This occurred again shortly after encountering a similar road surface. The vehicle was unloaded except for the 4 occupants.
- Taylor, TX, USA
Twice this past weekend, I experienced what the dealership calls "death wobble". the steering wheel and entire truck started shaking violently after going over uneven asphalt. The first occurence was on the highway around 75mph and the second time was at approximately 55mph. It felt like the truck was going to shake itself apart and I had very little steering until I slowed the truck down below 20mph. In both instances, I was seriously concerned for my life (and I don't scare easliy in vehicles). After reading on the internet, it appears this is a widespread issue with Super Duty Ford. Surprised this is happening to a truck with only 33,000 miles on it! I am scheduling a time for the truck to go back to the dealership.
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
Ford F-250 at highway speed (50-70mph) will become totally unstable after hitting an uneven section of road, bump, pot hole. Vehicle begins to shake violently. Vehicle control is not gained until the truck is slowed down to 15-20 mph. Other cars notice and slow down, to avoid possible collision. The issue is and will result in a fatal accident. Vehicle was taken to dealership for this issue and was told they could not duplicate the problem. The issue was explained and nothing was done to solve the problem.
- Hialeah, FL, USA
Vehicle (2019 Ford F250 XLT) experienced what is commonly referred to as the "death wobble". when hitting a bump or irregularity along the interstate, at highway speeds (70 mph and above), the entire vehicle and steering column shook violently and was uncontrollable. I experienced this event twice on a recent trip out of state, with my grandchildren in the vehicle. I immediately stopped at a mechanic shop, and described the event to the mechanic, who informed me that this is a common problem with the Ford F250, and although there are measures than can be implemented to reduce the issue with the faulty front end suspension and design, the "death wobble" will most likely continue. I have spoken with several other Ford F250 owners who are experiencing the same issue with their vehicles. These vehicles are unsafe to drive at highway speeds, and are putting the occupants of the vehicle, and and other highways travelers in the vicinity of the vehicle, at risk of injury or death. As far as video documentation of the incident, please go to you tube, and enter Ford F250 "death wobble". you will see several instances of this event. In speaking with the Ford Motor Company, I was informed that the front end of the F250S were re-designed in the year 2020, and that the "death wobble" is no longer an issue. This does nothing to help the people who purchased the F250S between 2011 and 2019. Thank you.
- Sulphur, LA, USA
When I'm driving down the interstate, and I hit a pothole or uneven expansion joint, my vehicle experiences what's called death wobble. The steering wheel shakes violently in your hands, you lose the ability to control the vehicle, and all you can do is slow down and wait for it to stop. Not very safe when you're in rush hour traffic. The first time this problem happened was November of 2019, 29400 miles. They didn't have parts until January to put on my truck. The part is just a steering damper, which is a band-aid for the overall issue. Now my truck is doing it again(62,900mikes), 9 months after repair.
- Goodlettsville, TN, USA
Uncontrollable wobbling at high speed 65-75mph
- Collinsville, OK, USA
In the last two weeks my 2019 F-250 truck has started shaking when reaching speeds around 50 mph. The entire front end of the truck starts rattling and steering wheel starts jolting back and forth at a rapid pace causing you to not have control of the vehicle. This occurs on well paved roads, highways and interstates. When searching for what the cause may be for this issue, I find hundreds of complaints and reports about the "death wobble". this definitions is exactly what is occurring with my vehicle. I have had the 2019 truck for just over a year and have less than 40,000 miles on it. I did buy the extended warranty on the truck so hopefully Ford will honor it and fix it correctly so I can safely drive it again.
- Lynden, WA, USA
Truck experiences 'death wobble' meaning it starts to shake violently while driving (in motion) making it uncontrollable. This occurs most often on the freeway. Truck has already received what Ford said repairs the issue, but issue still continues
- Houston, TX, USA
Initially the vehicle was very hard to gain control of the steering while going over expansion joints on the interstate during a recent trip. Really scary event with my son in the vehicle. Today I hit a pothole while getting on the onramp to the interstate at about 65mph. The steering wheel wobbled uncontrollably. I had 2 18 wheelers beside me and traffic behind me approaching fast. I had to come to a complete stop on the shoulder while almost getting rammed in the rear. Same day I hit a small bump in the road going 70 mph and with no traffic around the same thing happened. Steering wheel vibrated uncontrollably and my wife was able to video the incident. I had to pull to the shoulder and come to a stop for the shaking to stop. 2 times in the same day for the steering wheel to shake but the 3 time in a week that I have been scared to death I was about to die in a vehicle accident.
- Flowood, MS, USA
Truck has 26,600 miles, tires rotated from new per manual at Ford dealer. Tire pressures at spec. Normal tire wear. 90% pavement driven. On familiar two lane paved state road during clear weather while traveling between 70-75mph upon hitting a slight bump in the road the steering wheel began oscillating at a high rate with my complete inability to control the vehicle. The road had a slight curve to the right and I was unable to manipulate the trucks direction causing an oncoming vehicle to leave their lane into the shoulder to avoid collision. Immediately upon this happening I let off of the accelerator and did not apply the brakes for fear of losing control further with a vehicle oncoming. Once the vehicle passed I firmly applied the brakes and upon slowing to about 40-45mph the truck self corrected and I regained full control. Immediately after the incident my steering wheel is now 3-5 degrees off center to the right hand side in order to maintain a straight track when driving. The next day the truck exhibited the wobble at speeds between 60-75mph after hitting minor potholes and bridge approaches at least 3 times in a normal course of driving. My local Ford dealers service advisor said I had experienced the "death wobble" and that they would replace the steering dampner and re-align the truck under warranty. I am not convinced this is the total solution and I am very skeptical of continuing to drive this vehicle. Had I been on a busier road I am not sure the outcome would have been the same.
- Bryan, TX, USA
My wife and I were driving down E-470 near southlands mall, when we hit a bridge joice followed immediately by a pot hole. This subsequently caused our 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty lariat with a little over 27K miles, to begin shaking uncontrollably, to where we had to slow to 20 mph and veer for the side of the road, or risk being propelled into the neighboring vehicle. Completely unsafe and ridiculous to see this out of a new truck. Scared the living hell out of us. And we consistantly trailer horses, if this were to happen while we were trailer our horses?? oh my god.
- Pueblo West, CO, USA
I experienced the "death wobble". I was driving on a highway in Oregon and as I crossed onto a bridge on the grande ronde river at about 50 mph, the steering wheel started shaking violently. I gradually slowed down and regained control. I took the truck to a Ford dealer and they replaced the steering dampener. The service advisor told me that this was the second time that the truck had been repaired for that issue. The truck had fewer than 27,000 miles and the dampener had been replaced twice.
- Kuna, ID, USA
2019 Ford F-250 has developed a death wobble at 17,000 miles this happens 65 and over miles an hour. I called Ford and it has been six days I leave messages every day and they will not call me back not sure what to do the truck is dangerous to drive. Please help
- Sandston, VA, USA
I was driving on the freeway at 75 mph when I went over a bridge transition. The trucks steering wheel began to shake uncontrollably and I had to slow the truck down to 20 mph in heavy traffic to get the shaking to stop. The trucks brakes seemed to not work at normal levels when slowing down, I had to let off the gas to get the truck to slow down. This is very unsafe. I could barely control the truck enough to change lanes to start getting over to the emergency lane. I am hesitant to drive my truck anymore if this death wobble is going to happen again.
- Santee, CA, USA
It happen around 1815, when I experience the death wobble, the truck violently started shaking and it was felted on the front end of my Ford F250 Super Duty truck. It occur at a speed of 65 miles per hour. While driving on the over pass of the freeway and going over the groove in the road. It was a frightening incident of almost losing control of my truck. If their where lots of vehicle on the road a serious accident or injuries could have occurred. I try to stop and made matters worst so I quickly let it slow way down until it almost came to a complete stop in the middle of the freeway. Today I call the dealer and was told that they are aware of the issue but no recalls. The dealer needs to come up with a satisfactory way to end the problem. Before life are lost. Thanks
- Corpus Christi, TX, USA
I've experienced the death wobble once. Ford put a new steering dampener on the truck. 20,000 thousand miles latter I now have the same issue with the death wobble. Called Ford and they are not going to take care of it. This happened to me at 70 mph on a very busy city portion of interstate and almost got me into an accident. Ford is not willing to fix the problem and told me after talking with Ford that they were going to do this same thing and note for you guys
- Omaha, NE, USA
When you go over a bump, transition strip, overpass in the road the truck the wheel shakes uncontrollably and the truck wants to leave the road you have to hang on tight with both hands just to try to gain control back of the vehicle.
- Rigby, ID, USA
Filed claim 11365809. Issue resolved at local dealership on 10/27/2020 for 2nd time. On 11/14/2020 issue reoccurring. Violent and uncontrollable shaking of vehicle when driving speeds over 45 mph. "death wobble"
- Bakersfield, CA, USA
My wife and I were driving on interstate 70 cruising along 70 mph. When I crossed over a bridge abutment the truck began shaking vigorously and the steering wheel was hard to control. I was not able to regain control of the vehicle until I got over on the shoulder and reduced speed to around 25 mph. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed and not covered up. Would not be good if I had my fifth wheel camper behind me with my two kids in the vehicle. The truck only has 14,000 miles on it!
- Freeport, OH, USA
- Durango, CO, USA