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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
10,376 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2020 Ford F-250 steering problems

steering problem

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2020 Ford F-250 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #27

Nov 222024

F-250

  • 45,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle drove over a bump on the highway and the front end started wobbling to the left and the right and the vehicle started shaking violently. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact took his foot off the accelerator pedal to slow the vehicle. The contact was not depressing the brake pedal during the failure. The contact was able to slow and stop the vehicle. The contact turned off and started the vehicle and was able to resume normal operation. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH over a bump in the roadway, the vehicle started shaking and swaying to the left and the right. The contact stopped the vehicle and turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle drove normally. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

- Sunnyvale, TX, USA

problem #26

Oct 042024

F-250

  • miles
Same as my previous Complaint dated yesterday, 10/3/2024, Ray Varner Ford, a Ford Dealer, tried to sell me the wrong Power Steering Fluid for this truck. I gave the Vehicle year, make, model and VIN # and they still tried to sell me passenger car steering fluid. Varner Ford LLC 2026 N Charles G Seviers Blvd, Clinton TN 37716 on Invoice [XXX], on which I purchased brake fluid but rejected the wrong PS fluid. This 250 3/4 ton truck uses Ford Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF), not power steering fluid, and adding the wrong fluid will result in system damage, failure and possibly accident if steering control is lost. A mechanic at a local Tire and Lube business told me that adding this incorrect fluid will result in damage to the seals in the PS system, so apparently this is a known problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Oak Ridge, TN, USA

problem #25

Oct 022024

F-250

  • miles
I am an Engineer in several capacities (Electronic, Mechanical, Automotive) and have studied motor vehicle fluids and lubricants in chemical and physical properties details. 2020 Ford 250 TRUCK, not light passenger veicle. A Ford Dealer, Ted Russell Parkside, 9925 Parkside Dr in Knoxville TN, sold me the WRONG POWER STEERING FLUID FOR THIS COMMERCIAL VEHICLE (TRUCK). Invoice [XXX] dated 10/02/2024. The purpose was routine maintenance on a nearly new truck. They sold me passenger CAR Power Steering (PS) fluid, not the correct Motocraft Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) : 1. ) as clearly specified on page 367 of the vehicles Owners Manual 2.) as obvious by looking at the dark red fluid, its obviously Ford ATF I took the steering fluid back to this Ford Dealer who blamed the mistake on a computer printout, which is a false excuse considering point 1.) above. The Parts Manager tried to blame me for the mistake stating I hadnt supplied the vehicles VIN number so they could look up the correct fluid. That was a deliberate LIE as: 1.) The Owner can find the correct fluid without knowing VIN as in 1.) above 2.) The Dealers Parts Employee neither asked for the VIN nor went out to get it as the vehicle was on their parking lot at the time of sale, 3.) An attempt at Blaming the Victim (me) which is a deliberate deceptive tactic Replacing the steering fluid in this heavy truck with the wrong, passenger car fluid, will result in fluid failure because normal PS fluid does not have the high pressure additive chemicals that are in the correct ATF. The wrong fluid will not lubricate the steering pump or rack in operation, especially at heavy loads, and cause excessive metal-to-metal wear and probably longer term steering failure which can result in accident or death. This further could be a deliberate fraud, as the un-knowing vehicle Owner would see system failure at some time in the future without being able to link the steering failure to installing the wrong fluid. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INF

- Oak Ridge, TN, USA

problem #24

Sep 012022

F-250

  • 21,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle began shaking violently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.

- Bay Shore, NY, USA

problem #23

Sep 152024

F-250

  • 112,600 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at speeds over 50 MPH, the vehicle began shaking violently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the pitman arm, steering damper, track bar, and drag link needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,600.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #22

Sep 132024

F-250

  • miles
As I was driving on the freeway at 65 mph the vehicle started shaking uncontrollably. I slowed my speed to 55 mph and it finally stopped. I attempted to return to 65 mph again and it started shaking even worse. I pulled off at the next exit examined the truck and it looked fine. I just drove it home at 50 mph. No warning lights or maintenance lights came on.

- Maricopa, AZ, USA

problem #21

May 312024

F-250

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Pulling my 5th wheel home to California today from Williams AZ on [XXX]. The truck has just over 53k miles. At least 8 times today my wife and I experienced the death wobble traveling on [XXX]. These episodes were difficult to overcome as we were in freeway traffic. The front end shook so violently that it took everything I had to maintain my lane, slow down and not become involved in an accident or wreck. I have called Ford customer service and have received a case #. As well I have an appt Wednesday at the dealership. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Hanford, CA, USA

problem #20

Nov 112023

F-250

  • miles
Driving on the interstate at speed limit after hitting a bump the driving straight the truck began to shake or ocellate violently to the point I did not have full control of the vehicle. Almost forced me off the pavement. THis is a known problem known by Ford but they are not going to recall it becuse no one has died YET! [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Dover, AR, USA

problem #19

Sep 032023

F-250

  • 66,000 miles
The contact owned a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving 63 MPH, several warning chimes and alarms began to sound off and the warning message stating, "Traction Control Failure, " had illuminated. At the same time, the steering wheel had suddenly seized which caused the vehicle to veer off the side of the road and further into the woods. The contact was unsure of how the vehicle came to a stop due to being knocked unconscious during the incident. Due to injuries, the contact was unable to recall details. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact received head, back, and leg injuries The vehicle was towed and totaled. There was a police report filed. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer, diagnosed, or repaired. The manufacturer had been made aware of the failure and opened a case regarding the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.

- Hampton, AR, USA

problem #18

Apr 092023

F-250

  • miles
Experienced -??the death wobble-?? going 68 mph on a highway after hitting a small transition.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #17

Apr 012023

F-250

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The clock spring in my truck has been replaced two times now and is now failed for a third time. I-??ve heard from other owners, and they are also experiencing problems with their steering wheel clock springs.

- Show Low, AZ, USA

problem #16

Mar 162023

F-250

  • miles
Traveling on the highway when I would hit rough road or potholes the front end would shake violently enough to scare me, like the front end was loose. I did not lose control, but it was at the point where I thought I could. I have never felt anything like it. After doing some research and finding many others with the same issue enough that the common name for it was the Ford "Death Wobble"! My Pickup is an F250 2020 with 60000 miles on it should not have that problem this soon. But in my research, I found that it was happening as low as 20,000 miles and that the repairs would only hold for about 25,000 miles. To verify I took it into the local Ford dealership who did a diagnostic check up on it and said the drag links were shot. They said it was a common thing and that they replace several a week to the tune of about $1500 plus dollars.

- St. Johns, AZ, USA

problem #15

Feb 202023

F-250

  • miles
Purchased this truck used on 2/18/23. Test drove with no problems. Drove home 80 miles with no problems. Drove around home 30 miles with no problems. This morning 2/20/23 I drove the truck to work and just a few miles from home while traveling approximately 55 m.p.h. the front end of the vehicle started shaking violently, and I had to apply braking and almost come to a stop before it stopped. Once it stopped I continued to work, 30 miles away with no further issues. On the way home from work, I made it to near the same area where the shaking happened this morning and it occurred again, at around the same speed. A couple of hours later, I drove back over the same section of road and going away from home no issues, but coming back it happened again in approximately the same location that it had returning from work. I returned home picked up my wife and it did not occur in this spot going either direction, but we continued up the road after passing our home and turned onto another somewhat rough road. After about a mile it occurred for the forth time in this one day. My wife was very frightened. No warning lamps were lit, and the vehicle has not been in for service yet since this is only my second day driving the vehicle, which only has 8 months of warranty left.

- Cedar Grove, NC, USA

problem #14

Dec 122022

F-250

  • miles
2020 Ford F250 Super Duty, I have a Severe Death Wobble that has developed for the second time in a short period of time. The Ford Death Wobble is The Violent Shaking of the Vehicle can cause loss of control of the vehicle and difficulty steering wile vehicle is in operation at any time under typical driving conditions or speed. This exposes the driver and occupants of vehicle, as well as others who share the road with them, to an increased risk of accident, injury, or death. This description of death wobble was taken from a class action lawsuit that was filed in 2019. The first occurrence happened around 47,000 miles. I brought it in to the dealership; they said it was a steering damper not covered under the warranty. I paid for the replacement of steering damper. However the replacement did not fix the issue. I took it back in for further evaluation and repairs. After nearly a week of them having the vehicle at the dealership; they finally agreed to have the track bar replaced under warranty. The technician working on vehicle said that an axle needed to be replaced as well but it was not replaced at the time. After track bar was replaced; there was a drastic improvement and problem was resolved but short lived. About 7 months later and at 85,000 miles the death wobble has returned and is much worse. Due to the issue, steering is very loose and sloppy. causing you to catch the vehicle from side to side of the lane due to the steering wheel not being straight. setting off errors and disables many of the safety features. Some of the features that are disabled wile driving: advanced traction control system, pre-collision assist system fault, abs system, hill descent control fault, hill start assist. After bringing truck to dealership for this issue again; they quickly realized that the issue has returned again and stated that the axle shaft will need to be replaced this time in addition to prior parts. They again are trying to say that warranty may not cover repairs

- Lancaster, SC, USA

problem #13

Oct 062022

F-250

  • miles
This vehicle has the death wabble. It has happened at least 5 times in the last 6 to 8 months. The last incident the vehicle shook so bad we thought it was going to turn over. Only happens at higher speeds and whenever you hit a bump or.pothole in the road.

- Bloomfield, KY, USA

problem #12

Aug 112022

F-250

  • miles
My 2020 Ford F-250 4x4, has 40,000. Has developed the "Death Wobble". I went over a expansion joint on a bridge at 55mph and the front wheels started violently shaking, it would not stop until I slowed to 5 mph. My mechanic replaced both the inner and outer drag links, although they were not very worn. After they were replaced the "Death Wobble" returned when I drove over another expansion joint. The mechanic again replaced both inner and outer drag links. I went to a Ford dealer and talked to the service writer and was told that Ford knows about this "Death Wobble" but their not going to fix-it. There are lots of complaints about this, and this needs to be fixed. When a truck gets into this "Death Wobble" it could very easily cause a accident. So far I have spent over $1000 in repairs with no guarantee that this problem is fixed!

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #11

Aug 142022

F-250

  • miles
Went over a bump and the car started shaking violently. Research has shown this is called the Ford Death wobble. I had to stop on a busy street to get it to stop, which is dangerous

- Canton, GA, USA

problem #10

Mar 102022

F-250

  • miles
I have been experiencing a light oscillation of the steering wheel when hitting expansion joints and bumps in the road at highway speeds (50-75 MPH). Today when I hit the same expansion joint/ bump, my steering wheel oscillated violently, the truck shook violently and the brakes were not very effective in slowing the truck. This lasted about 3 to 5 seconds. I was travelling about 70 MPH when this occurred and I did not see the speed where it stopped as I was a bit shaken up.

- Wharton, TX, USA

problem #9

Feb 262022

F-250

  • miles
After hitting a bump/pothole on the road a violent shaking took place throughout the vehicle, the steering wheel shook violently. I was able to slow down to approximately 10mph and the vibration stopped. I then continued on my journey. It happened another 5 times. This happened in a construction zone with no where to pull off. Through sheer strength I was able to control the truck, but vehicles behind me had to slow down as well. No inspection done as yet, vehicle going to dealer on 03/07/2022. Online reports of something similar called "death wobble". No inspection by police or insurance. No warnings or warning messages etc.

- Wimauma, FL, USA

problem #8

Feb 072022

F-250

  • miles
While traveling down highway 65-70 mph. after hitting bumps in road my truck started shaking& shimmering wildly. While holding on to steering strongly, slowed down, pulled over and it finally quit. I heard of earlier Ford trucks having problems like this. They called it the Death Wobble!!! I thought problem had been solved by Ford, but this has happend two times to me recently. Have not heard of anyone with newer trucks having problem like this. My truck is 2020 Ford F-250. What do I need to do to solve problem. Thanks

- Brady, TX, USA

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