Ford F-250 SD power steering loss problems

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 Apr 6, 2026 · Electrical · AL

Truck lost all electrical power while backing a trailer up. Engine died, no steering, no brakes, no power on dash, no emergence brakes, no power to door locks, no power to windows. If vehicle had been moving any faster no telling what could have been. Vehicle was towed to ford dealership and zero reasons for such a total loss of power. When vehicle was finely stopped and put in park the key was turned off and then when turned back on power was restored. Very disturbing to know a vehicle can lose total electrical power and have no control whatsoever and no one can tell you the cause

Filed Oct 20, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · FL

While pulling a 38ft 5th wheel camper on an incline with the cruise control set at random the vehicle completely dies. It experiences a total shutdown of the engine, which in return causes a complete loss of power steering, brakes etc. The truck will not restart until you push the off button and open the drivers door to shut the entire system down

Filed Sep 19, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · CA

Ford Diesel 250 flat out stalled while driving on a very congested Highway. Full tank of Diesel. No warning. Complete stall at 65MPH, no brakes, no power steering, no lights. Was almost killed when the truck almost crashed into a bus. Happened (4) more times as we made our way back home. Internet search shows that Ford Motor Company is fully aware of this common failure of their fuel system. Federal regulators need to pressure Ford for a Recall before someone is killed

Filed Jul 11, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · NC

While driving on the interstate, my truck began to lose power and decelerate. A fuel pump and engine warning light appeared. I began to lose power steering while decelerating. When I finally stopped and the truck turned off, I tried restarting which resulted in a cranking noise and was not successful in starting. I had to contact a towing company for assistance and my truck has been undriveable since this date (7/6).

Filed Jun 17, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · NV

High Pressure Fuel Pump Failure: On [XXX] While driving on the highway our 2020 F250 Super Duty Vin # [XXX] experienced a complete and sudden loss of power in the fast lane, creating an extremely dangerous situation. Our safety and the safety of others were at risk due to us merging across 4 lanes in heavy traffic with no power steering and no motor function, parking in a very narrow shoulder area and requiring a tow from the highway. After towing and a diagnostic evaluation, it was determined that the high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failed, a known safety concern with a recall issued our truck being built in Kentucky on August 2, 2020 The cost of repairs are around $15,000. This vehicle is housed at a local diesel mechanic, and is available for inspection upon request, and has not been inspected by anyone currently. When will this recall be remedied? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 23, 2024 · Suspension · TX

The truck began to suddenly shake fiercely while driving in the highway. The steering became difficult to control for about 2 or more minutes. We looked this up and it is termed the Death Wobble. Our F250 truck is a 2016. This is dangerous and needs to be Recalled for this year of F250 - 2016

Filed Oct 25, 2024 · Tires · MD

Tire size LT285/75 R18 Component/System Failure: The front suspension and steering damper malfunctioned, leading to the "death wobble." This issue also caused excessive tire wear due to the violent vibrations and instability in the steering system. The components are available for inspection, and the worn tires and replaced parts can be provided if necessary. Safety Risk: The excessive tire wear, combined with the loss of steering control due to the wobble, significantly increased the risk of a blowout or loss of traction. At highway speeds, this made it difficult to control the vehicle, posing a serious risk to myself and others on the road. Problem Reproduced/Confirmed: Yes, the problem, including excessive tire wear and steering instability, was reproduced and confirmed by a Ford dealership service center during their inspection. Vehicle/Component Inspection: The vehicle was inspected by the Ford dealership, where they identified the steering and suspension issues that contributed to the wobble and tire wear. No other entities, such as insurance or police, have inspected the vehicle since no accidents occurred. Warning Lamps/Symptoms: There were no warning lamps or messages before the failure. However, prior to the issue, symptoms included rapid and uneven tire wear, increased steering vibrations, and vehicle instability, particularly after hitting bumps or potholes.

Filed Oct 24, 2024 · OK

The air conditioner compressor locked up (internal failure) which caused the engine v-belt to fail and resulted in the loss of power steering.

Filed Feb 6, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · OH

Vehicle has 44,000 miles, has never been wrecked in any way. Recently the advance trac system began displaying a fault at random. The light would come and go. At the time the fault light was active the turn signals did not operate normally. A message noted to service advance trac system. ( which is related to the abs) I noticed, once, the abs activate momentarily for no apparent reason. I narrowed the fault down to the steering wheel angle sensor. I had a Ford service center confirm the issue was the steering angle sensor. The sensor was on a backorder. I called around and other dealers confirmed. A week later while entering a cloverleaf and slowing down the system faulted, illuminated the error, and the abs activated. The brake system applied brakes unevenly pulling the vehicle to the left then right and aggressively slowing down without driver brake input. I had to fight to control the vehicle to prevent losing control or get rear ended. The roads were clean, dry, and it was daylight. Upon that i could see the complete loss of steering wheel angle sensor input. The dash can show this readout. Without the steering wheel angle input the system, which is to prevent accidents, nearly caused one. I tried turning off the advance trac via the traction control button, this was ineffective. I had to remove the abs pump fuse to get home safely. This system should not in any way be able to cause this severe loss of vehicle control simply due to the loss of one sensor. This is absolute unsafe software protocall. Attatched are images of the sensor reading then no place holder for it when it does not read.