This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45-50 MPH, the vehicle drove over a bump and experienced the death wobble. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the tie rods and shock absorbers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 05UPF250SW (05-16 Ford F250 / F350 4WD Vehicles with Steering Wheel Oscillation); however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
Summary: We purchased a brand new 60000 dollar truck in 2012 or 2013 and was assured by the dealer that it had a warranty to cover any issues until either 100,000 miles or 5-6 years, whichever came first. After 4 years of ownership and around 67,000 miles, the truck started experiencing problems with a high idle and then abruptly shutting off. When taken to the dealer, they couldn't replicate the issues during a brief evaluation. However, a week later, while on the way to the bank, to get cash out for are stay at the hospital to give birth to are 6th child the truck shut off and wouldn't start again. The dealer diagnosed the problem as a faulty high-pressure fuel pump due to water in the fuel and tried to charge the author $15,000 for repairs. The author questioned why the diesel fuel water separator and the second fuel filter system on the truck didn't catch the issue earlier and criticized the dealer for their negligence in ensuring safe and reliable transportation.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle drove over a small depression in the roadway and the vehicle started vibrating violently. The contact was able to steer the vehicle however, it was difficult to keep the vehicle in the lane. The contact stated he stopped depressing the accelerator and was tapping the brake pedal to slow the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after slowing down to 30 MPH, the vibration stopped, and he regained control of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vibration failure had become a recurring failure at various speeds. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the front shocks, steering control arms, and ball joints needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that the vibration failure had reoccurred. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
When driving at speeds above 55 miles per hour the pickup will develop a violent vibration commonly known as the death wobble most commonly happening when hitting a dip in the road or a bump. When this happens myself, passengers and other motorists are put at risk of a deadly accident. Most recently it happened doing 75 mph on the freeway, we were almost struck by others trying to stop the pickup and this happened three different times during a trip trying to make it home. I have taken the pickup to the Ford dealership with no solution or long-term fix to the problem for the last 4 years. I have been told that they see nothing wrong with it. I have also taken it too two different tire shops with no long-term solution. I have spent thousands of dollars to try and find a solution by replacing parts, tires twice and replacing the wheels and nothing has worked.
WE own a 2012 Ford F350 and have had two bad incidents with the dreaded -??death wobble-?? and are afraid to even drive it because the truck now seems unsafe as it feels unsturdy as if it is starting to wobble and I don't dare even taking it on the freeway. My daughter had told me that the truck began shaking violently on her while on the freeway and I didn't fully understand what she meant until it happened to me. I was traveling on the freeway in cruise control, going the speed limit of 80 mph. Suddenly the truck began to shake violently. The whole front end, the steering wheel, my arms, my body, etc. were all shaking violently. I hit the brakes. I screamed and was terrified. I thought a tire had blown out or something and was sure I was going to wreck. Upon stopping, I just sat there for a moment in disbelief, trying to catch my breath. I am fortunate that no one hit me as I was halfway in the right lane of traffic. I got out expecting to see some kind of damage but saw none. I slowly drove to the first off ramp and gingerly drove home. Holding onto the steering wheel had left my arms feeling bruised and my mental being shaken. I was telling someone about what happened and he said "Oh, that is called a "Death Wobble" and he told me that Ford Super Duty F250s and F350s were known to have this problem. I went home a went on Google to educate myself about this "Death Wobble" and was so angry that Ford has done nothing to correct this problem or have a recall. I feel very lucky to not have caused or been in a serious accident. I look at this truck and am afraid to even drive it. I read that numerous drivers have reported frightening incidents of losing control of their trucks and that there have been serious accidents with injuries, and even deaths due to this defect on these Ford trucks. They should pay to correct whatever the problem is.
- Eden, UT, USA
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July 10 2023, driving on highway in my 2012 Ford F-350 super duty going 50-55 mph front passenger tire hit small bump in road causing vehicle to -??death wobble-??. Vehicle violently pulled to the left. Luckily there was not a vehicle in that lane otherwise an accident would have ensued. Steering wheel was shaking uncontrollably and I had no control of vehicle until I slowed down to 25 mph. I delivered truck to the Ford dealer on July 11, 2023 explaining my experience. Technician was also able to reproduce the -??death wobble-?? problem and repairs were made at my expense. A year prior to this episode I had noticed a slight wobble in steering but not to this extent. I voiced my concern to the Ford dealer and they had replaced a few ball joints. There has not been any indication of steering issues up to my incident in July 2023. I would like this report to serve as a record as I feel this problem may arise again in the future. My understanding Ford has had issues with -??death wobble-??in their super duty trucks dating from 2005-2019. A recall should be issued from the manufacture regarding the unsafe and poorly engineered front end and steering components.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel started vibrating violently, causing the entire vehicle to shake. Upon reducing the speed to 10 MPH, the vehicle returned to normal functionality; however, the failure recurred. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was able to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 260,000.
While driving at speed higher than 60 miles, when hit a small road bump or imperfection, front wheels start to wobble uncontrollably, up to a point where steering becomes impossible to steer, making it very hard to control the vehicle. This is a life threatening event! As far as I know it is a problem that happens a lot on this particular model.
The contact's mother owns a 2012 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle drove over a depression in the roadway and lost control of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was bouncing to the left and right and the steering column and steering wheel was vibrating. The contact stated that the vehicle became almost impossible to control. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was not diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 20N04 -Steering Linkage Damper (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Encountered violent shaking of whole truck traveling on I95. Transitioned from a bridge to road surface and the whole vehicle began to violently shake - Loosing all control of steering & braking. Released gas pedal and slowed to shoulder. Was informed later this is a known issue with all Ford Superduty trucks with solid front axle.
Death wobble. The steering wobbles back and forth. I have owner the vehicle for 4 years and had to have it fixed 3 times. This is extremely dangerous. Glad my wife was not driving when it has happened.
STERRING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY BACK AND FORTH, AS WHEEL AS THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKING. AFTER CHECKING ON LINE FOEND THE TERM "DEATH WOBBLE" ASSOCIATED WITH THESE SYMPTOMS. i WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR ON A PAVED HIGHWAY. THE ONLY WAY I WAS ABLE TO STOP VIOLENT SHAKING / WOBBLE WAS TO SLOW ALMOST TO A STOP. VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 77,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT CHECKOUT AND REPAIRED. APPOINTMENT IS SCHEDULED FOR NOV. 22, 2022.
when the truck is traveling at highway speeds and goes over an imperfection in the road surface like a bump, bridge expansion joint etc... The truck will vibrate violently and will not stop until the speed is reduced often times under 50 mph which can be dangerous on a highway. This has been happening for the past year and a half. I have tried brining it to multiple mechanics and have replaced a number of parts.
While traveling on the highway at 70~75 mph the vehicle went over a small highway joint. This caused the truck to shake violently with little to no control. Only after dropping speeds less than 45mph did the violent shaking stop. The sudden slow down in the middle of the highway, the violent shaking and the lack of steering control was extremely dangerous and caused an immediate life safety issue to myself, my family and other vehicles and motorists near mine. The vehicle was inspected by a mechanic. The tires have been balanced and rotated are not worn. The shocks on all four tires were replaced. The steering stabilizer shock was replaced and joints inspected. The problem persists and only is replicable during highway speeds. The event comes without any warning and the vehicle is uncontrollable.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH on the expressway, the vehicle drove over a bump on the roadway and the vehicle and the steering wheel started shaking violently. The contact depressed the brake pedal and veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred three times while driving over bumps on the roadway the same day. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and test driven. The dealer inspected the suspension and diagnosed that no issues were found. However, the dealer advised the contact that the tires needed to be replaced as they were worn on the inside. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
-€œDeath Wobble-€ vehicle shakes uncontrollably when hitting bumps/grooves in pavement or going at speeds above 50 mph putting driver at extreme risks. Repaired steering dampener, shocks, and tires, but nothing has offered a solution to the issue.
My truck shakes violently at 40-45 mph. It has difficult to diagnose the exact component to replace. I took the truck to a independent repair service and they told me it was the death wobble. They did drive the vehicle and confirmed the shaking. It will cause me to pay over $1000 dollars to fix. Not to mention the tires that have been ruined because of it. No police or anyone else has inspeced it. No warniing lamps or messages present.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at 55-60 MPH on cruise control, the vehicle hit a bump and started shuddering uncontrollably, causing the steering wheel to shudder as well. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that as he was losing control of the vehicle, he depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle stopped shuddering. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The contact stated that the vehicle was not yet diagnosed; however, the dealer replaced the steering bar. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving at 50-65 MPH, and sometimes at slower speeds. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
On 10/29/2021 when driving I had the death wobble happen at 65 mph. Steer was shaking violently causing me to hit the ditch with no damage to my truck but really scared my wife and I. I am going to have most if not all the front end parts replaced at approximate cost of $2500. This is a Ford problem that they should pay for.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Coventry, RI, USA