Ford F-250 SD jerking problems

Filed Oct 11, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · NC

At interstate speeds, when the truck hits a bump or an expansion joint going onto or off a bridge, the steering wheel jerks hard and pulls the truck into the next lane. I've been reporting this front-end problem to Ford dealers for almost two years. About eight months ago, on XXX near [XXX], it nearly made me hit the car in the lane beside me. It happened again this past weekend (XXX) on XXX in [XXX], coming back from [XXX] with my daughter in the truck: coming off a bridge, it jerked me toward the guardrail. [XXX] Ford, [XXX] Ford, and Johnson City Ford have each inspected the truck multiple times, and the problem has not been fixed. This is a serious safety risk at highway speed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 31, 2026 · Steering · KS

I experienced a severe, violent, and uncontrollable front-end suspension and steering wheel oscillation—commonly known as the "Ford Super Duty Death Wobble." While traveling at highway speeds approximately 70mph, I came across a bridge expansion joint (nothing unusual) and immediately upon impacting the joint, the front axle began shaking so violently that it caused a sudden, near-total loss of steering control. The violent shaking made it nearly impossible to maintain a straight lane of travel, risking a catastrophic multi-vehicle collision. The steering wheel jerked violently side-to-side, forcing me to rapidly and dangerously decelerate in active highway traffic to regain control of the vehicle. This defect created an extreme, unpredictable safety hazard. I immediately let-off the accelerator with some braking to stop the oscillation and regain control. A local specialty alignment shop previously attempted an adjustment, as I had experienced this a couple of months before (although not as severe as this most recent incident) on [XXX] in eastern [XXX]. The adjustment temporarily masked the underlying issue for approximately 2.5 months before the violent oscillation returned as I am reporting now. The local Ford dealership (Victory Ford) has confirmed that the vehicle qualifies for Customer Satisfaction Program 20B02 (Steering Linkage Damper Replacement), demonstrating the manufacturer's awareness of this dangerous defect. However, no formal safety recall has been issued. Aside from Fords damper replacement online research and an independent alignment shop recommends replacement of track bars, bushings, steering damper, etc. with heavy duty parts. Fords damper replacement is reported to only mask the real problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 15, 2026 · Transmission · NE

This is a follow-up to my original complaint #XXX, filed XXX, regarding the failure of the 10R140 10-speed automatic transmission in my 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty (VIN: [XXX]). The transmission began exhibiting symptoms of gear slipping, jerking, delayed and harsh shifting, and pinging from the torque converter around 100,000 miles. These symptoms progressively worsened until the transmission suffered a catastrophic internal failure. As documented in the attached Sid Dillon Ford repair order, an authorized Ford dealer found metal contamination in the transmission fluid and confirmed that a complete transmission replacement was required. The attached Friesen Ford repair order also shows that harsh engagements were present and that a transmission flush failed to resolve the issue. I have also attached a sworn statement from [XXX], an independent automotive technician who has serviced vehicles for my family for several years. In his sworn statement, he confirms that these 10R140 transmissions have known serious ongoing issues and that many mechanics avoid working on them due to these problems. Ford Motor Company was provided with the above repair records and the sworn statement but has denied any responsibility or reimbursement for the transmission failure. The failure created a serious safety risk due to the sudden loss of propulsion while driving. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 20, 2026 · Transmission · MO

At around 139,000 miles i started to noticed some intermittent noise coming from the drivetrain. I took it to two different repair shops and was told it was tire noise. over time the grinding noise increased to the point of shuddering and jerking while shifting with no warning lamps showing. At 144,500 miles I contacted my aftermarket warranty and they said to take it to a certified shop to get it checked out. They did not have any preferred shops in my area so I took it to US Automotive. At 145,000 miles the shop contacted the warranty company and proceeded with investigation of the issue. After inspection and tear down they confirmed the transmission had the typical failure for the 10R80 10-speed automatic transmissions. They turned over there findings and the warranty company which has agreed to the findings and has offered a replacement used transmission with 125,000 miles on it and will also not cover the full cost to install the used unit. I feel that this is fraud and outside of the warranty agreement. I am now paying the expense to put the original transmission back into the truck to try to take it the 2.5 hours back to the dealership which sold me the truck along with the warranty to see what they will do in the matter. I hope it doesn't fail on the highway on the way.

Filed Jun 9, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · WI

10 day roundtrip from [XXX] to [XXX]. 5 incidents of catastrophic engine failure on interstates. Truck started to jerk, sputter, lost power at an alarming rate. No engine light until failure ocurred. Very dangerous with heavy holiday traffic. Lives were in danger, us and other vehicles around us. No one expects travel to go from 70 mph,to 50, 30, 15 in such a short period of time. Pulled over to "investigate" code failures we deemed as o2 sensors. Afterwards the truck started back up, no engine lights and drove as normal. Started using premium gasoline, hoping it would help. Started driving in right lane as much as possible but had a failure ocurr right in front of on ramp as well at interstate speeds. Had another family following us so they also witnessed and pulled over all incidents. Brought into Ford 7/18/24 upon return home. Paid $125 inspection fee, concern not present, come back if happens again. Makes no sense that codes not present to pull. 12/13/2024 engine light on, catalytic converter replaced. 06/19/25 truck had catastrophic failure returning from work on hwy. XXX on [XXX], just two miles from leaving home another failure with no warning lights in heavy Friday traffic in construction zone. Couldn't clear the traffic lane completely. Very scary. Waited for clearing and limped it to a nearby off ramp. Same jerking, loss of power. Vehicle towed to shop for 2 weeks, testing, fuel pump replaced. Picked up 07/07/25. Next day received recall notice 25S75 in the mail 7/08/25. Everything made sense. 1/24/26 - Battery failed inspection @ 40% during oil change. Replaced battery ourselves from Costco. 04/23/26- Warning light, P0420 pulled, shop recommended engine tune -up. Paid $175 inspection fee + $671.20 tune up. 5/29/26 engine light on, P0420 pulled, recommend catalytic convertor replaced but not under factory warranty anymore so wants us to pay $4000 bill. Escalated up through Ford. As of 6/5/26 - Ford will pay half. I refuse. Should be covered by recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF I

Filed Mar 22, 2026 · Transmission · CA

I was driving from [XXX] back to [XXX] on I-5. I was at 70mph when a slower vehicle merged into my lane and I got on the gas to pass them. The transmission locked into 10th gear and never downshifted, the engine revved, and then I lost complete power of the transmission for several seconds. I went from 70 to 55 and then it jerked back into gear. I had my 2 small kids in the back seat and wife in the truck. This happened to me with my 2020 F-150 when my wife was pregnant and then eventually got worse and worse. My transmission shifts hard when put in gear and most times will lurch forward. It bogs down in 4th gear a lot and lately all the way through 6th gear. Doesn't happen all the time but enough to worry whether its safe to keep driving with my family in it (only vehicle in the family). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 18, 2026 · VA

This issue with the truck has been going on since last year can be driving down the highway at a speed of 55 to 70 mph depending on the speed limit and the truck will start jerking and bucking to the point where it will almost sling you through the windshield and the reduced engine power will come on and you have no power at all taking it to the Ford dealership to get the powertrain control module reprogrammed I was informed that would fix the issue it did not there was a recall on the cp4 high pressure fuel pump that was manufactured by Bosch i have one of those fuel pumps in the ford company said 2017 f250 super duty diesel wasn't apart of the recall why did they all of a sudden do a recall to have the power train control module programmed on my 2017 Ford f250 super duty diesel that is the same thing that is called for in the recall of the high pressure cp4 fuel pump on other models this is becoming an issue because i have the exact same fuel pump made by Bosch and the same symptoms are happening as to the recall of the fuel pump in other year models I took my truck to the dealership to have it reprogrammed and it is still doing the same thing the day that I took it over there and they do nothing about it this could cause someone's life to be on the line when driving this particular year make and model and they do not want to recognize that it's coming from the cp4 high pressure fuel pump

Filed Jan 28, 2026 · Transmission · NC

2020 Ford F250 with 85,000 miles. We purchased new and all maintenance has been done on time and by Ford Service. Transmission began jerking when going from park to drive (or reverse). Noticeable lunging of the vehicle when putting into gear. This began in December 2025. This is a safety concern if anyone is in front of or behind the vehicle when this happens. The truck jumps. Now the transmission is not shifting gears smoothly when the truck is in motion. This is a known problem with trucks manufactured during this time period with 10R80 transmissions. Ford has been less than helpful in helping me come to a resolution. They tell me there was a TSB sent out. They attempted to reprogram software (at a cost of $424 to me). I will upload the invoice from Ford. This only made the problem worse. They quoted me a "special price" of $8,500 to replace the transmission, however their service department is SIX WEEKS out. For this reason we have chosen to have the transmission replaced at a local transmission shop. Their price is $9,932.41. I have attached that invoice. Ford needs to take accountability for this safety problem and attempt to make these vehicles safe. They should absorb at least some of the cost to fix this design problem. We paid full price to purchase a new, safe vehicle. That is not what we received. Rather than a "Technical Service Bulletin", Ford should be forced to do a recall and make this right for customers who paid top dollar for these vehicles.

Filed Nov 8, 2025 · Transmission · TN

October 2024 (while out of state vacation): The transmission violently downshifted upon moderate acceleration such that truck lurched with a loud bang, went into limp safe mode in traffic, with no rear warning because brakes were not applied. I was able to shut the vehicle off and restart, and able to engage the transmission, though engagement remained harsh. No Check Engine Lights were illuminated. Upon return home, I got the truck to local dealer service center. They had the truck for a week and said they could not determine a cause or problem...no scanner codes recorded? Their tech could not duplicate. From October 2024 until June 2025, this same behavior occurred 2-4 times, all without CELs. June 2025: Truck taken to local dealership with symptom list, only now occurring more frequently. At my insistence, I asked the dealer to involve Ford Engineering, to diagnose, and to compel Ford to honor the active full warranty still in place. This unresolved issue began October 2024. The dealer had the truck for over a month, and said he could not proceed further in diagnosing unless Ford authorized warranty payment for labor and parts. No progress was made, and it was told to me I HAVE TO CONTACT FORD and push, because the dealer is an independent shop, not Ford proper. I took the truck away and drove, to allow possible worsening, or some other code to be recorded or CELs to show. October 2025: Truck violentlt downshifted without acceleration or deceleration from 35 mph to almost )mph, skidding and fishtailing, going into limp mode, and I was almost rear ended by following traffic...since brakes were not activated to cause this. Truck went immediately into limp mode, and would not now engage PARK. I turned it off, restarted, and transmission would hardly go into DRIVE. I limped home, and vowed I will not drive it again until repaired! No CELs illuminated. The truck was towed to the dealer at my cost, and has been there over 2.5 weeks as of 11/8/25. Ford denies help.

Filed Nov 7, 2025 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250 SD. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light, the transmission failed to downshift from seventh gear, causing the vehicle to jerk. The transmission warning light was illuminated, and the message "Power Train Malfunction - Reduce Power" was displayed on the Ford Mobile App. The contact's neighbor, an independent mechanic, diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V256000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.