10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 8 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 6 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 12,003 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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« Read the previous 20 complaints
My vehicle experienced three "death wobble" occurrences. All within a few hundred miles of each other. Starting at around 22,000 miles.(November 2019) extreme steering wheel oscillation and uncontrollable lane shifts. These occurred after hitting a pot hole or a seam in the road. All of my occurrences were at highway speed. The only remedy is to immediately brake hard and attempt to move to the shoulder. I contacted my dealer and the truck was given a new steering stabilizer per the most current tsb. I paid to have the truck re-aligned. (alignment was out due to the "death wobble" jarring the front end so hard) 4000 miles after this service, I started to experience "bump steer", humps in the road transfer to the steering wheel excessively. The truck is also pulling hard to the right. Now at 8000 miles past the service the "bump steer" is even worse. There is noticeable play in the steering wheel and you must work to keep the truck in your lane. Having someone move the steering wheel while visually inspecting the steering components showed play in multiple linkages. Tie rod ends and track bar heim joint both are worn out at less than 31,000 miles. Unacceptable, and not safe. The steering stabilizer is a band-aide to push me out of my bumper to bumper warranty. It is on the edge of failing and sending the truck back into more "death wobble". this truck has only been serviced by Ford. All recommended maintenance has been performed. Including tire rotations. It is my opinion that steering components fail prematurely. The new steering stabilizer has not remedied the problem with my truck. It will be going back to the dealer for another round of service. It will need at a minimum a new track bar, tie rod ends and an alignment. Ill be filing a reimbursement claim directly with Ford if I am asked to pay for the alignment again this round.
- Mccoy, TX, USA
1/31/2020 driving approx 65 mph on interstate I hit a small undulation and the front of my vehicle began to oscillate violently. It was almost impossible to maintain grip on wheel. I was unable to immediately slow or pull over due to traffic and guard rails. I was in the process of making a right merge to another interstate and this was simply impossible. After clearing the guard rail I was able to ease to shoulder and slow to approx 20 mph. This stopped the violent shaking and I regained control. Less than 1/2 mi later I hit another normal undulation at approx 50 mph and same thing occurred, I was traveling in a straight line and slowed to 25 mph in center lane of interstate to regain control. I immediately took to the Ford dealership which denied ever hearing of anything like this, however conducting my own research this was clearly the "death wobble". this is a new vehicle w/ low milage and w/O exception every non Ford specialist I have spoken with is very familiar with this. This is clearly a design flaw and if it hasn't already, will result in serious if not fatal accident. Given all the info available on the web including a class action suit, Ford's denial is simply a lie. I have 3 children and this truck is my primary source of transportation, after experiencing the "death wobble" no parent of sound mind would ever put children in this vehicle w/O this issue being certifiably resolved. My vehicle has no after mkt parts and and very low milage. I am still well with my warranty
- Memphis, TN, USA
"death wobble" over the past 5 months (it is now 1/30/2020) the entire front end of the vehicle shakes violently and uncontrollably at a high rate of speed, typically highway speeds, ranging anywhere from 50-80 mph. Although, it has happened at a speed of about 40-45. It happens out of nowhere with no apparent provocation, I.e., hitting a pothole, turning, hitting the brakes, etc. It usually happens when driving in a straight line and nothing seems to make it stop. I've tried hitting the brakes, slamming the brakes, continuing to hold my speed steady, accelerating slightly, and praying to god to make it stop. Nothing works, it just eventually stops but not before traffic clears all around me. It is noticeable from outside the vehicle as I have seen drivers hit the brakes and fall back in traffic around me. The violent shaking makes it difficult to keep the vehicle steady or in my lane of traffic. The violent shaking makes the vehicle bounce all over the road. It makes it impossible to hold the steering wheel steady or straight. It is terrifying and unnerving. I believe it is going to kill me or someone else. I haul trailers with heavy equipment almost daily. Many times I am on the highway or on city streets. If it continues to happen, the damage will be costly and may kill innocent people, including myself. I am afraid to think what will happen if these unexpected, violent shakes happen while I am hauling heavy equipment.
- Kenner, LA, USA
While driving on a congested four lane interstate highway I experienced a steering malfunction that was horrifying. I purchased my 2019 F250 new in early November 2018. There have been no modifications to the original equipment. The truck had approximately 21000 miles at the time of the first event which occurred on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020. As previously stated, I was driving in the far left lane of a congested interstate highway in the metropolitan St.louis Missouri area. I was driving under the posted speed limit due to the volume of vehicles on the road at that time. I was in the far left lane due having no plans to exit the interstate for many miles and to avoid all of the vehicles switching lanes to exit the interstate. The condition of the pavement did not raise any obvious concerns but we have had some freeze/thaw weather this winter season. I would characterize/associate the onset of the event with a moderate bump in the pavement, possibly a raised joint from the recent freeze/thaw weather conditions. The contact with the pavement defect initiated a steering bump to the left towards a concrete retaining wall at which time I responded by increasing my grip on the steering wheel more firmly to bring the vehicle back to the center of the far left lane in which I had been travelling. The bump steering event spontaneously progressed to a violent front end wobble that was very intimidating to myself and my adult son who was riding in the front passenger seat. The wobble appeared to be associated with the front left side wheel but the entire front end was oscillating extremely violently. I was able to apply the right turn signal and navigate through the three congested lanes of traffic onto the shoulder and then an exit ramp at which time the event ceased once the vehicle slowed significantly prior to a stop. I experienced a second similar event sat, 2/02/20.
- Granite City, IL, USA
Driving approximately 70 mph on highway, hit rough area in road, truck began shaking violently. Slowed speed to 30 mph before it quit. It did it several more times within the next 10 miles, truck only has 12,000 miles on it.
- Coweta, OK, USA
Sterring wheel started violently shaking and almost impossible to control vehicle. Almost hit someone head on at 55 mph! problem is commonly known as the Ford death wobble!
- Sandusky, MI, USA
Driving on the freeway at about 68mph and pass an uneven part of the road and truck violently starts shaking. Had to pull over for it to stop. They call this the "death wobble". took vehicle to Ford dealership the following morning and the confirmed it was the issue and installed kc3Z 3E651 B :damper asy. Others who have experienced this and a damper install had the problem return.
- Mesa, AZ, USA
Driving on interstate at 70 mph and hit a transition on a bridge and the steering wheel and started to shake. Within seconds the whole truck was shaking violently. I had to brake immediately with heavy traffic all around to 30 mph to get it to stop, almost causing a significant accident.
- Nichols, SC, USA
In motion on highway speed of 60-65 mph. Smooth surface. Experienced violent, uncontrollable shaking. Slowed speed and attempted to pull over. Shaking stopped after 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile. This is the 3rd occurrence in the past 30 days. First time occurred after hitting bump in the road. Next 2 occurrences began without warning. This most recent one that occurred on 1/27/2020 at 7:00 pm was the longest and most dangerous episode yet. Have already contacted the dealer and they called it the 'death wobble' and ordered parts.
- Cleveland, TX, USA
Severe shaking and movement in the steering system causing an almost loss in control. Truck has been "fixed" once already and problem persists. This has happened on multiple occasions.
- Grand Prairie, TX, USA
Experiencing violent shaking of front end and steering wheel known as the death wobble traveling at speeds of 50 to 70 miles per hour. Have to brake and wrestle it to a stop to get control of the vehicle...this is very dangerous in traffic. Has happened several times
- Farmerville, LA, USA
Vehicle shake violently after going over a bump on highway and driving at highway speeds, to stop need to lower speed closer to +-30 mph, loose control of steering. Problem nicknamed death wooble seems it is a normal problem on Super Duty models. Safety issue.
- Westford, MA, USA
Driving 68-70mph down freeway and the truck starts to death wobble. Had to pull over to get it to stop. 2019 F250 16.9K miles. Terrified my 14 year old daughter, could have caused an accident. Vehicle is not safe.
- Mesa, AZ, USA
Local highway driving the truck shake uncontrollably for about 5-10 minutes or until the truck slows to a near stop. The shake will also occur when hitting a pot hole, going over railroad tracks or braking. The first experience occurred at 17,000 miles and has since continued to a current 26,000 miles. After taking to Ford dealership service they have indicated that several trucks were experiencing the same and the part(s) were on back order. After approx. 30 days, the dampner came in, however, the defect has occurred several times since. Returned to Ford service and had a tire alignment done. To no avail, the same issue has occurred again. I have researched this defect and found the Ford community is calling this occurrence as the "death wobble".
- Georgetown, SC, USA
Got the death wobble 4 times. Have takin the truck to Ford 2 times, each time they said it was fixed. Steering wheel/vehicle shakes violently.
- Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Starting at 15,500 my truck started the so called "death wobble" Ford has been having trouble with. This is my second new truck in 2 years with it and the problem doesn't get fixed. When hitting the slightest bump my truck becomes unstearable due to violent shaking. Ford of uniontown has seen the video of my truck doing it, their service technicians have also experienced it and the only answer I get is " be careful" and one service tech said when he drove it he was afraid for the people next to him. I need a truck, I have a business, I need this resolved and not at my cost again. Nor the lives of my family or someone else. I have video if I can upload it somewhere to show you.. please help
- Vanderbilt, PA, USA
Ford needs to fix the death wobble on this trucks, ,,,,,,I'm almost have a accident that day
- Rio Grande City, TX, USA
2019 F250 king ranch purchased new in late June 2019. Front shimmy (also referred to as "death wobble"), started occurring at around 16,000 miles. The front wheels, suspension, steering column, etc, . will shake violently after passing over a bump, such as an expansion joint, potholes, or pavement overlaps at 60 mph or greater. Happens mostly during interstate/highway driving. Violent shaking will not stop until vehicle has slowed to < 25 mph. As soon as problem started, the truck was taken to the dealer service department. Parts replaced as stated on the attached invoice dated 12/10/19. This did not correct the problem, so the vehicle was taken back to the dealer service department. The parts replaced are stated on the attached invoice dated 12/26/19. This did not correct the problem and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer service department on 1/14/20. The service manager stated that they are encountering the same issues with other F250 owners, especially with the 2017-2020 models. The parts manager ordered what he referred to as a "sleeve" that he hoped would fix the problem, but the part is on back-order for 4-8 weeks. The dealership will not provide a replacement vehicle for the time being, so I am forced to drive an unsafe vehicle.
- Charleston, WV, USA
Hit a bump on the road at 45mhp and the truck starts to wobble violently had to tap the brake to stop it.
- Big Spring, TX, USA
- Kenner, LA, USA