The front end experiences significant head shake and "death wobble" at speeds greater than 50mph. An alignment, balance, and tire rotation did not fix it
2017 Ford F-250 SD suspension complaints
Page 4 of 21: complaints 71 to 100 of 587, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While travelling on an interstate highway going approximately 65 mph, the steering wheel and front end began to violently shake after going over the seam that separates the pavement from a bridge. The shaking only stopped after I slowed down considerably. The shaking was bad enough that I felt I did not have full control of the vehicle. The weather was sunny and 40 degrees and the pavement was dry. There were no warning lights either before, during, or after the incident. The vehicle has about 50k miles on it and has never been in an accident.
Without any warning after hitting a small bump on a newly paved highway I had extreme violent shaking in the front suspension after hitting small bump on hwy going approx 60mph, truck shook violently, steering almost unresponsive, had to emergency slow to 25mph in very heavy accident almost rear ended in last incident.. This has happened 2x in the past 6 months 12/21/2021, 8/22/2021. Truck has 12,700 miles on it. I am planning on taking into the Ford dealership after January 1st in 2022 for evaluation.I believe people are calling this a death wobble.
Right after we bought the truck after 35000 miles in 2017 it started to have the *death wobble* . After bringing it to the shop several times, they finally replaced during extended warranty at ~72000 miles steering damper, ball joints and some parts. This prevented the death wobble for about 30000 miles...and then after that it progressively worsens now. After contacting the dealership who did the replacements...we were told that the warranty on it expired.. This should be a recall from Ford
Two days in a row while driving 80 miles an hour on I-15, I drove over a rough spot in the road and the truck (steering wheel) immediately began wobbling violently and did not stop until I slowed down to about 20 miles per hour. Vehicles behind me had to switch lanes to over my truck. I took the truck to the local Ford dealer and reported the issue. They said this has been an avoid me as I quickly slowed down to maintain control issue on this model and told me what repairs were needed to fix the problem. I paid over $1000 out of my own pocket for the repair which I believe should have been covered by the manufacturer.
I have experienced a "death wobble " 3 times in this truck. The last being today. I have my truck in Cruz doing between 70/80 . When I hit an expansion joint on a bridge It feels like violent shaking in the front axle to the point of losing control. It has been happening at the same spot all 3 times and I can probably cause it to happen at will. In that spot of the interstate. It only stops if you slow down immediately! Very dangerous when in traffic!
Violent death wobble on highway. It is so bad other cars on highway slam on brakes to get away from our truck. We are experiencing some loss of control when it happens. Truck has been repaired once in the past for this and now it has started happening again. Took it to dealership that did original repairs and they claimed was not able to replicate. It then happened again for us and we have an appt at a second dealership to inspect. There are no warning lights when it happens just violent shaking after crossing a small transition bump on highway 285 in Atlanta
The Death Wobble description online is exactly what we are experiencing.
If I hit a bump or grooved part of the road the front of the truck starts shaking violently. I have to slow way down or come to a near complete stop. This has terrifying while on the interstate towing my 5th wheel or 24 foot enclosed car trailer. I have taken it to the dealer for a "recall repair" the only thing the dealership did was replace the steering damper. This is a mask for a severe issue! As soon as I left the dealership the problem reared its ugly head again. I called them immediately and scheduled to take it back in on 12 Nov 21. During the conversation with the service department the employee told me they would replace the steering damper again. I am waiting till the appointment to see. This had been an ongoing issue since I purchased the vehicle used in Feb or Mar of 2020.
11/6/21 driving 65 mph on interstate. After hitting a bump in the road the truck experienced a severe shaking in the steering to the point that the truck wasn't maneuverable. I had to slow down to 45 mph for it to go away. It happened again about 20 minutes later and I had to go off the interstate to drop the speed below 55 mph. Supposedly this is a known problem but has never been recalled.
The death wobble is back. The Ford dealership where I purchased it conducted an inspection 11/1/21. They identified front-end issues not covered under the previous death wobble fix. I’ve owned three previous trucks with no violent shaking issues while driving. This should be fix by Ford!
I have experienced the "Death Wobble" experienced by many during my internet research into the violent shaking and oscillation of the front wheels at speeds in excess of 50 MPH. The condition occurs routinely on approach and departure from bridges where the concrete slabs have subsided causing a "pothole" effect, on pavement patches, and potholes. The violent oscillation and shaking can cause temporary loss of control. I had to slow down to a dangerously low speed in congested interstate traffic for the conditon to subside.
When driving down the interstate the truck started shaking vigorously where we had to pull over 6 times to get the truck to stop shaking. It looked like the tires were bouncing of the road. Very scary.
This is in regards to the Ford "death wobble" that occurs at under normal driving conditions where the vehicle rattles to violently it is not able to be controlled or operated safely. This has happened numerous times and with greater frequency. Ford will only replace the steering dampener, which they have, and it did not fix the problem. If anything it made it worse. Ford also does not consider this a warranty issue, and will not even address it as compensated work. This is likely because Ford knows that this is a major design flaw and it is cheaper to stiff customers than pay to make it right.
While driving 60mph or faster and drive over a little bump or a highway over pass, bridge with expansion things, the steering wheel and front tires shake , wobble uncontrollably . You have to hold on for dear life and slow down and pullover. Well that's not that easy on the interstate. It happened last night on the interstate and scared the living daylite out of me. Now I'm afraid to drive the truck over mph55. Ford supposedly fixed the front end when it had 15,000. miles. I'm calling the ford dealer monday.
At least 10 occupancies of the death wobble since Fall 2020. Had it addresses by dealership in Feb 2021 by having the stabilizer replaced at no charge under program 20n04. The fix lasted approximately 6 months. Taking the truck back in on Tuesday, 10/5/21 to be reassessed.
Violent oscillation/shaking of the steering wheel components after going through an uneaven transition or pot hole on the road at around 60 miles per hour or more. After researching people call it"death wobble" This problem start after 20k miles after buying the truck brand new from the dealership, it's been going on. Last time it happened was yesterday September/08/2021 on highway 10W Baytown ,Texas. Almost get rear ended by an eighteen wheeler wen trying to slow down .
Twice, when accelerating into the freeway a violent shaking, “death rattle” of the steering wheel back and forth left and right. I pulled off to side of freeway . Started back up and the problem seemed to have resolved.
We’ve been experiencing the Ford know “Deathwobble” since approximately 30,000 miles and we currently have 48,000. Ford has replaced the steering stabilizer at least two times and it reoccurs within 4,000 miles. I’ve spent countless hours online trying to remedy this problem. I recently replaced the drag link and the associated tie rod end (The OEM ones had minimal play but I wanted to rule out any possibilities), changed to a Bilstein steering stabilizer and 4 new Bilstein shocks. Unfortunately, on are recent 150 mile trip we had two terrifying Death Wobble experiences that we came very close both times having an accident. Today we were actually forced to go into highway median to avoid being pulled into other high speed traffic. I’m including pictures of the tire marks of this incident. This problem is very dangerous and frightening to have happen. Please help!
Death Wobble on numerous occasions. I first took it to Ford and put some "dampener" on it to fix it. I noticed that the truck still vibrated, but did not go into the death wobble immediately.4-5 months later, a worse death wobble started. It always happens when you hit a bridge abutment paving transition. The violent shaking does not stop until you slow way down. I have had to leave the road twice due to 18 wheelers behind me. It is so bad now, vehicles around me can see the violent shaking and move over and get away from me. This is an extremely dangerous event. If a younger driver freaks out and lets go of the steering wheel, deaths will be inevitable.
The front end and steering wheel shake out of control when going over 50 MPH. I have to stop the truck to stop the shaking.
I have randomly experienced violent shaking of the steering wheel while driving, and have come close to striking vehicles in other lanes twice when this has happened. After discussing incident with co-workers that also own F250's they have experienced same issue which is also known as "Death Wobble". Apparently this is a common defect with Ford trucks and there has not been any recall done on this issue. My Truck has less than 45k miles on it, and I am concerned for my safety and my family's safety while driving this vehicle.
While driving down the highway on dry non windy evening at 75mph the front end started to violently shaking "death wobble" the shaking was transfered through the steering wheel and the entire truck was shaking violently side to side. I was in fear I was going to crash or the truck shake apart. I was able to slow the vehicle down and pull off the road. After visualizing the front end and tires I could find no loose or broken equipment. All tire pressure was within 2 lbs of each other. Vehicle is a 2017 ford f250 xlt diesel with 85k miles. I was able to continue and drive the truck on the side roads home. I have had no recent work done. This is the first time. I am in fear of driving the vehicle.
This vehicle has what is commonly known as the death wobble. I have taken it in to have the issue resolved and repairs were made. The repairs haven't completely resolved the issue. The steering and suspension issues over bump at highway speeds still cause it to feel like there may be a loss of control.
While driving at a speed of 65mph on the interstate, I began to make the curve in the road. Ahead of me was a bump in the road as my front wheels hit the bump, my truck sharply turned pushing me into the other lane and began shaking violently. Shaking was so bad I could barely hold onto the steering wheel or control the vehicle. I began to slow down and around 25mph the shaking finally stopped and the truck seemed to return to normal function.
Mileage 21098. Driving down highway 65 MPH, road got bumpy, I thought the pickup was going to shake it self apart. Lucky no other vehicles was around me. I managed to get it stopped and pulled over, it was very frightening, I could not find the problem. It happened again at 45 MPH. I took it to the dealer, and they said "yes we are very famillar with this problem. They performed recall 20n04 and replaced steering damper. I still get lot of shaking and lot of control, especially on gravel roads with washboards.
When at highway speeds, if the vehicle drives over a pothole or uneven road, the front end suspension (including steering wheel and front wheels) begin to wobble violently. It has been characterized as the death wobble. The problem only corrects itself once the truck is grossly slowed down without braking. Braking makes the issue worse as it is happening. I have almost lost control of the truck. Ford has been of no help in this issue. Waiting for a recall.
I've had my truck to the dealer previously for bad vibration in the front end and steering when on the interstate going 65-70mph after hitting an imperfection in the road. Dealer first replaced the steering damper in may/2020. The vibration continued, but wasn't as bad as previously experienced. Then last week the vibration worsened. I then experienced what was known as the death wobble. I was on the interstate and hit an imperfection in the road and almost lost control with a violent vibration in steering and entire body. Almost had a horrible accident with a semi tractor as I was trying to gain control. Worst experience I have ever had. Took it to the dealer the very next day, 4/21/2021, and they replaced the track ball joint. I bought this vehicle new, and now only 38k miles. I love ford trucks, as this is my second f250 I've owned. The first one was a 2003, which I also bought new. I'm very frustrated with these front end parts wearing out prematurely. I had to pay for the repairs yesterday as my truck is out of warranty, which I feel ford should have fixed this due to it's previous repair for vibration issues when rolling over imperfections in the road. I am now wondering if I should get rid of this truck after reading multiple topics on the internet of other owners having the same experiences.
I am experiencing what people refer to as 'the death wobble'. It has happened about 4 times since I purchased the truck in december 2020. All 4 instances were the same.... Going around maybe 48mph on a city street with uneven pavement/small holes the truck begins to shake uncontrollably. I mean, the whole truck will viciously shake and give the driver no control until the vehicle is slowed down to about 25mph. When it shakes you have to hold on to the steering wheel tight and just try your best to stay in your lane. It's so dangerous and scary! There are tons of videos of other fords online doing exactly what happens to me in my truck. I believe it is an issue with 2017+ ford f-250 and f-350's but there is no current recall. Something with these year models suspension is not correct. The dealer I purchased the truck from is going to replace the dampeners, but from what I have read from everyone with this issue, it is a temporary fix and the wobble returns after a few months. There is a ford installed 6in lift and 37in tires on the truck(had this when I purchased) but from investigating this issue is not related to that.
While driving on the freeway at 65 MPH the steering wheel violently began shaking uncontrollably. You could visually see and feel the entire front of the truck shaking. It got worse when I applied the brakes. This has occurred several times when driving over minor imperfections on the road. I took the truck in to get the recall fixed, but it did not fix the wobble. I actually experienced an even worse wobble 1 week after the repair. The wobble is still a serious problem. The first time it happened, the wobble was not immediately noticeable as it was mild and I thought it was the road. The second time it happened, I thought I ran over something on the road that caused me to get a flat tire when in fact the tire was fine and that was the actual wobble. Everything was shaking and I had to grip the steering wheel to control the direction of the truck. Each occurrence happened while driving between 55-65 MPH on the freeway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2017 Ford F-250 SD?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history