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.
While driving on the two lane freeway at approximately 65mph in the right lane, a lane change to the left lane was initiated as a slower moving truck was in the right lane. Following the lane change to the left lane, the front left tire hit the pavement recess accommodating the yellow reflector embedded in the pavement, which was on the inside of the fog line. Upon impact with the reflector recess the vehicle front end and steering wheel began to shake violently. The steering wheel shook side-to-side so violently that it shook the drivers hands, arms, shoulders and head back and forth so quickly and violently that the drivers vision was impaired; the driver could see but all objects were blurred due to the shaking. Fortunately the left shoulder was paved and an area to the left of the shoulder was also paved (but not maintained perhaps a construction related turn around or cross over). Steering was severely impaired. With great difficulty the vehicle was steered off of the left lane onto the shoulder and then stopped on the additional paved area to the left of the paved shoulder. The violent vehicle and steering shaking subsided ONLY following stopping the vehicle. Had this incident occurred in heavy traffic, on a two lane road or a road without shoulders the outcome may well have ended in loss of control of the vehicle. Ford acknowledges that its Super Duty 4x4 vehicle experience "Death Wobble"; a violent shaking of the front end and steering. This incident was a "Death Wobble" incident: initiated by a bump encountered by one front wheel, violent shaking of the steering and front end, loss of steering control, continued shaking until stopped. Ford has offered to repair, but there are no parts available. This vehicle defect must be considered for recall and immediate long term repair. The vehicle in this incident was a 2019 Ford F350 Super Duty with approximately 38,000 miles. Part wear is unlikely with such a low-mileage vehicle, as acknowledged by Ford.
I was crossing a railroad at 50-55 miles per hour and the front end started shaking violently and was barely able to control it. almost had to stop to get the shaking to stop.
Ford has issued a recall on the steering dampener. The ford brand part is on back order. There are several aftermarket options available however ford refuses to cover the costs of these parts. They are also refusing to cover the cost of a rental vehicle similar to what I a currently driving. Basically forcing me to drive a vehicle with a serious steering defect.
My 2019 F350 is having the death wobble again. First occurred in 2021. Speeds 35-50 shakes truck like it will fall apart. Have to stop vehicle to resume normal driving. Ford fixed once in august 2021. Retuned again in summer/fall 2022. Ford said they wont cover second repair to replace the know left dampener.
The steering stabilizer malfunction. We were traveling on the Highway with a six horse trailer when after hitting a bump the truck started the death wobble. Had to slow down to less then 45 before leveling out. It caused swerving into other lanes causing near collision. We had replaced the stabilizer less then 5 000 miles ago when we had the same issue. The dealerships don-??t have the part available and we had to replace it again on the side of the road. This is a reoccurring problem with this make of truck. Everyone I know has had this issue. We have the broken part. There was no warnings. It-??s ridiculous that Ford is not being held responsible for this issue. It-??s dangerous and will eventually end with loss of life for someone. I reported the original incident to you.
- Phoenix , AZ, USA
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Our truck has had several occurances with the "death wobble" that is associated with the following items: Track bar bushing, Damper bracket, Ball joints, Control arms, Shocks, Struts. When we are traveling at a higher rate of speed any bump that we hit can create a uncontrollable wobble that if we do not slow down immediately makes it feel like we will crash.
Death Wobble was a consistent problem. Driving at approximately 40-60 mph and the front end and steering wheel shook violently after hitting a bump in the road. I have an extended warranty and Ford repaired it yesterday (I hope). They said it was caused by loose parts. Here is a list of their repairs: Installed BC3Z 3050 C : Joint ASY - Ball Installed AC3Z 3A116 A : Bush - Front Suspension AR Installed HC3Z 3304 A : Rod ASY - Drag link Installed 3A131 B : Ind ASY - Drag link rod Replaced loose parts Track bar ball joint Track bar bushing Upper drag link, lower drag link, right hand tire rod end. Steering dampener shock Installed RS5415 : Rancho Steering dampener Installed HC3Z 3A131 H : End - Spindle Rod Connection Alignment #629
While getting on the freeway my vehicle started to shake violently when I hit about 50 mph. There was no warning. The road surface was kind of rough. The shaking affected the steering wheel so much that it made controlling the vehicle very difficult. I thought a wheel was falling off or we had a blow out. Luckily there was a wide shoulder. Two semis with wide loads (trusses) were able to move to the left lane to avoid hitting me. It traumatized me and my passenger. We could have been killed and no one would have known about the violent shaking we experienced. I usually am towing a horse trailer. I don't know what might have happened if I had horses with me. This is a known problem to Ford. It's referred to as the "death wobble". They have extended the warranty for this but haven't made a recall. The service appointment for this isn't available until December or later! Ford told me I can either not drive it until then, or only drive it under 40 miles per hour, or pay someone to replace the steering dampener (which they would not reimburse). My truck is a 2019 F350 with only 9,000 on it. My husband replaced the defective part and we have it if needed for inspection. At the very least this problem should be highly publicized so if it happens drivers will be able to recognize the problem and try to slow down and hold onto the wheel. We were totally caught off-guard. Owners of the affected trucks should be encouraged to change the part on their own. Ford says there's a part shortage and can't schedule replacement for 3 months. We were able to get the part the same day at Napa. Ford refused to reimburse for it.
On 4 separate occasions while driving my truck under 60 mph, the truck started shaking violently. The steering froze and the complete chassis, frame and body shook and felt like it was falling apart. It only subsided when I decelerated below 30 mph.
After traversing across a bridge the truck started shaking violently. I could not keep the truck under control and it started to ver off the interstate to the shoulder. Once the truck slowed down to about 30 mph the truck stopped shaking. I was towing a 39-?? camper. Once the shaking started I had absolutely no control of the truck. This truck only has 35,000 miles on it and should not be experiencing steering and suspension failure. After researching this is a very common issue with these trucks.
Going down a hill, started to slowdown with traffic and the steering wheel started to shake violently. Had to slowdown quickly to about 10 MPH for it to quit shaking
Traveling with fifth wheel out of home state and the steering wheel and front end starts shaking violently. Was on the interstate when this happened. This has happened now three times and I-??m concerned I may loose control and crash.
Traveling at 60 miles per hour I hit a bump in the freeway and the truck went into uncontrollable shake and jumped around like a pogo stick until I came to a stop. Pulled to the side of the road and checked wheels and looked at the suspension but didn't see anything unusual. Traveled normally after that. I only have 22,000 miles on this truck and have had bouncing and jumping before when traveling over bumps but it had been quite mild compared the what just happened. Luck we didn't hit or get hit!
I just purchased my 2019 F350 King Ranch and a 2023 Gator made 24.9K 35+5 trailer for my business. When driving the truck without trailer truck does well. However when I purchased and picked up trailer and got on the highway I felt vibration in the steering wheel and cab of truck between 65-75 MPH. I checked tire pressures and everything was in range. (My truck and trailer have brand new tires) I proceeded back on the highway and it continued to shake periodically this scared me! I did some research and found that it resembles the "Death Wobble" I have not reported this problem to the dealership because it states to contact you guys first. I will contact dealership next. Oh there were no indictor light that came on or are on. This truck is available and can be inspected. Thanks
On September 21, 2022 I was driving to Vail, CO. I hit a bump in the road as I was heading up the Vail pass. Immediately after, my truck started shaking violently out of control with no control of my steering. I skid across the highway and was lucky not to hit anything. When looking this up it appears it was the Ford Death Wobble.
Death wobble horrific experience (2)x on 9/15/22 after work on the interstate coming home. Almost rear ended by 18 wheeler. Travel speed 74. 6-lane highway, I had to control the vehicle best as possible in order to move over (3) lanes safely. Cars raced past blaring their horns b:c accident almost happened. Again on 9/18/22, merging on the interstate travel speed 60 with trailer attached. It was a VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE! I almost got killed not to mention another person could-??ve lost their life too! This defect IS NO JOKE!! Ford should take responsibility & RECALL THESE VEHICLES!!! Do we have to die before they decide to fix a defective part(s)" I love my F350, & only source of transportation. I can-??t afford to repair it at the moment. But Ford can at No charge to me. $65k vehicle, $3k parts/labor on a defect known by Ford & they-??re not gonna take care of their customers?" WTF!!! I-??ll sue Ford - safety is priority but not to Ford!
Extreme shaking / loss of control when hitting bump (Ford -??Death Wobble-??) No accident, was able to slow to a stop and regain control. Happened a few times, had to keep extremely slow to get home.
I have less then 40k on my 2019 f350 and I was driving home from work on August 24th on a back country road and all of a sudden my truck went into a complete shake as if I was going over rumble strips times 10... I was only going maybe 70km hr on dry/smooth road. I stopped the truck got out and looked at all my tires and nothing to be seen. Proceeded to head home and all was fine again. When this happened I had very little control of steering. This scares the absolute crap out of me as I haul horses all the time on the hwy's and if this was to happen doing higher speed hauling, I am scared of the outcome. I am a very experienced driver and hauling, driven all across Canada and the States hauling high end horses even in Europe. I am hoping a fix is in the very near future as if I was to lose my life or one of my animals life because of this... NOT GOOD for a anyone. thanks
While traveling on the highway and going over uneven pavement the truck began shaking violently and i lost control of said vehicle. once slowed below 40 mph I regained control.
Driving the Richardson Highway, just north of Eureka Alaska, towing a small trailer with a side by side on. Hit a bump (frost heave) on the highway. The steering wheel became uncontrollable and shaking violently side to side. So violent, it was extremely difficult to maintain control. Called for a tow truck, but that was a minimum of 5 hours away. During this time, a friend of mine in town, did some research and we concluded it was the SuperDuty Death wobble, which appears to be a common experience. This is completely unacceptable, this should be a mandatory recall and this issue fixed before someone dies.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fall River Mills, CA, USA