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.
In October 2018, while driving down the freeway at 70 mph in my 2017 F-250 (my truck had just over 24,000 miles on it), I hit an expansion joint and the truck immediately started shaking violently. I had to immediately pull over to the side of the road and slow down to about 35 mph. The truck did this several times before I was able to book an appointment at the dealer a couple weeks later. I took my truck to the dealer and they didn't know what was wrong, so I took it to another dealer, where they replaced the steering damper. The shaking stopped for a few days and I put the truck in storage for nine months while deployed. When I returned in October 2019, I was only able to drive for three weeks before the shaking returned after I hit an expansion joint. The truck has done this several more times when hitting expansion joints and a pothole at 70-75 mph. I am taking it back to the dealer. I am very fortunate that I or other drivers have not been seriously injured or killed yet, and I cannot take my family in this $60,000 truck. I have read about countless examples from others and I don't understand why Ford refuses to acknowledge this. When I called the dealer in topeka today, the service rep told me that this 'death wobble' is 'kind of just what the truck does.' This is crazy, and I can't accept it for a truck as expensive as this. Ford needs to do something before people are killed.
6 months ago I started having the dreaded death wooble while driving on the highway going over expansion joints or hitting a bump in the road. The truck shakes violently and does not stop until I came to a complete stop. This is extremely dangerous. I took it in to the dealer and the only part they changed was the steering stabilizer. This took care of the problem for a few months but now it's back and worse than ever. I am at the point where I wont even drive on a highway until I can get it back into the dealer which I have an appointment next Thursday. They need to fix this problem. I take my life in my hands every time I am on the highway
When driving at highway speeds(60 mph and up) and you hit a bump, hole, or deviation in the road surface the front tires begin to wobble out of control. The truck only has 11,000 miles on it and has developed a problem in the last 500 miles. The condition is so rough that I'm in fear of driving it because it is so scary give me some people at the bar. I refuse to allow my wife or daughters to drive the truck. The truck has been taking to the dealership and they agreed that there is a problem. They will be replacing the steering stabilizer. I'm truly happy that I have a dealer who is admitting there is a fault. Looking into this issue it's obvious that it's going to return and this is not a true fix it's only a band-aid to get us through the warranty time limit. I'm really hoping that Ford will address the issue and properly fix these vehicles, some of these cost upwards of $75,000 and are just about impossible to drive due to the unsafe condition.
While traveling in a straight line on an interstate around 70 mph I struck a bump and the vehicle started shaking extremely badly. It felt basically out of control. After slowing to about 40 mph the shaking stopped.
The vehicle shakes violently in the front end after a bump in the road. Dealership replaced the steering damper and arm. Condition did not improve. Dealership replaced some bushings. Problem became worse. Dealership claims that the tires are in need of replacement. These conditions all occured at speeds around 65mph. The vehicle is unsafe to drive on the road. Ford does not have an answer to my problem. I complained about a knocking sound. Manager said it was some plastic bushings in the springs. After replacing some front end parts, the sound went away. Truck is at the dealership for at least a week on each occurrence. When the truck was brand new, the display would not work correctly. Took 6 months to resolve the problem and numerous trips to the dealership. The display was finally replaced. A vibrations in the seats occurs when pulling a trailer. Dealership says the trailer is causing the problem. When a different truck pulls the trailer, no vibrations occurs in the seats and floorboard.
- Stillwater, OK, USA
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While driving on the highway at speeds between 50-70 mph, I lose complete control of my truck after driving over the slightest bump. I literally have to stop my truck before I can regain control. The vibration literally wants to throw me out of my chair. I can't even hold onto the steering.
Had the "death wobble". cruising at 70 mph and hit a patch of rough road. Truck started shaking and wouldnt stop until I reduced the speed to 35 (on a hwy). I thought I had a flat tire it was so bad.
I have 2 F250's and they both have the death wobble when hitting bumps. Are they going to have people killed before they do something? my family won't drive them anymore. Hate this truck because of this. Please do something! Ford shire won't!!!!
While crossing over an expansion joint on the highway traveling around 60 mph in my 2017 cc 4WD F250 the steering wheel began to violently shake. Everything fell out of the cup holders and off the dash and the entire truck began to violently shake uncontrollably. After managing to slow the vehicle down and avoid other vehicles at the same time, I was able to reach the shoulder and come to a stop. Scary as hell. Had to drive truck home on the feeder at 40 mph for fear of it happening again. The dealer replaced the stabilizer at around 11,000 miles. That fix lasted 5,000 miles. So now waiting on the third stabilizer in 16,000 miles and the part is backordered. Very disappointed and surprised that this has not been addressed as a major safety concern. Had it happened in traffic or in the rain I, as well as those around me, might not have escaped without injury. So the dealer says that the "Ford tsb fix" is only good for around 5,000 miles. Each dealer visit everything checks out perfect except the stabilizer. This is a new truck that shouldn't require a 5000 mile front-end job. When the "death wobble" happens there is no warning. There are no symptoms or signs prior to the event and per the dealer, all is good. It is not. Truck is a hazard for anyone in or around it at highway speeds.
At normal highway speeds of 65 to 70 mph upon hitting a bump in the road the vehicle's front end will start to shake violently causing lack of control over the direction of the vehicle. This lack of control can cause the vehicle to either go straight when you need to turn or to bounce you into another lane. The only way to stop this violent shaking is to quickly reduce speed to around 30 mph. This in itself is a very dangerous situation on a congested interstate. This seems to be caused by nothing more than hitting an expansion joint on a bridge overpass, so you don't have to hit a pothole or some other avoidable object. Both the violent shaking and the corrective action are a danger not only to the driver and passengers in this vehicle, but also to anyone around or behind this vehicle. Ford dealership states Ford has nothing to say on the matter. Initial concern was handled by replacing the steering stabilizer, a fix which lasted only 8 months, then the exact same situation occurred again. On my last 400 mile trip, I lost control of the vehicle 6 times from this situation. Fortunately, no one was hurt. The shaking was so violent, that my windshield cracked.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-250. While driving 60 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise and the vehicle began to shake forcefully. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to randall reed's prestige Ford (located at 3601 S shiloh rd, garland, tx 75041, (972) 468-1024), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,000.
2017 Ford F-250 wheels violently shaking when driving over bumpy or bridge expansion joint. Vehicle had 22000 miles when first started. Been to dealership four times with no fix. This problem is going to kill people if not resolved. Have been told, air pressure not correct, rotors, brakes, tires, alignment. All of these have been addressed with no resolution. Ford has a problem and are not taking responsibility. Spent 70K on Ford Super Duty and afraid to drive or let any family member drive. If or when something tragic happens the lawsuit will not be pretty. Tell Ford to fix the issue! dealer said they performed tsb 18-2268 and still no resolution. I'm curious if Ford executives would be willing to put their family in this vehicle for a family outing? invested too much money to purchase this vehicle and now too much time and additional money to fix with no solution.
While towing a 7000 lb trailer/rv, the truck started shaking badly after driving over a bridge expansion joint. This occurred three times in one day while driving on Canada hwy 104 between antigonish ns and moncton nb. After staying in a walmart parking lot in moncton nb, the shaking happen one more time the next day on hwy 1 while driving to saint john. Each time, the brakes were applied and the shaking stop at about 35 mph. Each time, the shaking started while driving between 60 and 70 mph, and crossing a bridge expansion joint. The truck had about 26,000 miles when this was happening. The same trailer setup has be used form thousands of mile since the truck was new. The shaking was very bad and I am very thankful no other cars were close by when it happen.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-250. While driving approximately 60 mph, the entire vehicle started to wobble uncontrollably. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The contact initially thought that a tire had flattened. The vehicle restarted normally and was driven at 60 mph to a destination two hours away. The vehicle was taken to mullinax Ford Lincoln (7311 airport blvd, mobile, al 36608), but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was currently at the dealer awaiting repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.
My truck has the "death wobble". on 6/7/19 took truck to dealer with 32,499 miles. Gulf coast Ford angelton, tx. Dealer confirmed death wobble replaced all 4 steering links, steering shock, checked alignment and set toe. 10/22/19 truck now has 41,000 miles and the death wobble has returned. Waiting to hear from dealer. This is a major safety concern of loosing control of vehicle. I have a video of the death wobble. Please take action on this issue I know that NHTSA has heard of this problem before. Ford does not have a fix. This is the second Ford that I have had that had this issue. The dealer told me the 2019 models do it as well. Ford needs to be held accountable. Both death wobbles I have experienced vehicle was in motion at speeds of 60-65
I am writing to you regarding my truck which has just under 12000 miles on it, but, this letter goes beyond my truck, it includes potentially every F250 on the road from at least the 2017 model year and potentially other years. The issue is the infamous death wobble which occurs on certain rough roads and bridge joints. I am currently on a trip to Colorado and South Dakota from Pennsylvania and in the last 1600 miles have experienced the problem more than 35 times (what's the point of counting?). I know you have a technical bulletin out listing a fix which from my research apparently doesn't work long term but does wear out tires a hell of a lot faster. Have any of you been out on the interstate at 75mph and experienced this problem? if not, put yourself in one of these improperly engineered trucks and drive until you find the right combination of speed, bump frequency and any other situation which may cause occurrence. When it happens, you will have thoroughly scared it out of you along with the drivers of the vehicles around you. The looks on their faces would be priceless if it were a horror show instead of a road situation. In order to stop death wobble the vehicle must be brought to an almost complete stop, often in places where the berm of the road isn't wide enough or safe enough to get off on and you have an 18 wheeler about to run up your butt. After you finish wiping, take the time to think about how engineering could screw up so badly and quality could let it slide and the blasted bean counters can be so afraid of cutting into profits to permit a proper fix. By the way, it appears that the dealers have difficulty getting the 'parts' for the inadequate fix. I suspect in addition to the immediate risks associated with this problem, there is also the potential for fatigue failure of suspension components.
My father was driving the truck at highway speeds and all of a sudden the truck started shaking violently, it was very unstable. We have taken it to the dealership many times but the shaking is still there and it occurs at lower than highway speeds now.
My 2017 Ford F-250 has a "death wobble" that has almost killed us several times. When driving on the interstate above about 65 mph and hitting some rough pavement it develops a death wobble so violent I have to white knuckle the steering wheel and slam on the brakes to gain control, which only happens at about 30 mph. After the second time I had the tires balanced as I thought that was the cause, but it happened again three times on our last trip.
While driving 55 mph on a country road we went over a bridge seam and the front end of the truck went into a violent shake. This had happened a couple times prior to this but not as bad. Dealer told me it was due to under inflated tires, that I had to keep them at 70 psi. Tire pressure hasn't changed anything. I tow a 28 ft. Travel trailer often, if this happens as violently as last night we will surely loose control of the rig. This is a very serious problem that needs immediate resolution!
2017 pre owned Ford F250 diesel purchased with 10K miles on it. Purchased truck Nov 2018. Experienced 6-7 episodes of "death wobble" at speeds over 60 mph. This issue occurs only at speeds over 50-60 mph when hitting semi rough road. It begins to shake very violently and won't stop even when continuing on to smooth road. Only way I have been able to stop it after it starts is to slow down below 50 mph (thereby front loading the suspension by applying the brakes) which is not a safe thing to do when traveling 75 mph on the highway. Also, be aware this truck is totally stock from Ford. No aftermarket parts of any kind. Truck now has about 30K miles on it and I have owned it about 11 months. Truck is great in every other way and drives really well in every other way. This death wobble doesn't happen with every patch of rough road, but is more likely the rougher the road is at those speeds. Took to dealer ship in Aug 2019 and they replaced multiple parts in front end suspension all free of charge. It just did the death wobble again this last weekend 10/12/19. I am scheduled for a 1K mile trip this next week so I will just have to be careful and truck is scheduled for service on this issue on 11/4/19. We will see if anything can be done. But please understand this does nearly cause the vehicle to run off the road. It at least causes it to veer 1-2 feet out of the lane you are in. It's even worse when towing a 5-10K pound load. I have seen many less dangerous items recalled on various vehicles and this should certainly be addressed. Someone will be killed one day with this problem. This is not to mention advanced wear of front suspension parts and tires over the life of the vehicle.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Manhattan, KS, USA