I was driving on a two lane back road around 45 to 50 MPH, and my truck started violently shaking and I lost all control of steering. I went into the oncoming lane, luckily no one was coming, and had to hit my brakes hard to get the shaking to stop. It has also happened while driving at speeds of 35-40 on a city street and 60 MPH on a highway. This is known as death wobble. The wobble was so bad that it loosened the track bar and the bolt holding the power steering hard line. I lost all power steering fluid within seconds. I have researched it, tried replacing several parts, like tie-rods, and it has lessened a little bit, but if I hit a bumpy road or even just a patch of new pavement, it starts shaking. I have read a lot of other ford owners are experiencing this same issue with their trucks.
2005 Ford F-350 SD suspension problems
38 complaints (18% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 35,000. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 38
- of this car's complaints
- 18%
- typical mileage
- 35,000
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Front22
- Rear3
- Front: springs: coil springs2
- Rear: springs1
- Front: stabilizer bar1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Ford F-350 SD suspension problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Violent front end oscillation
This investigation was opened based on 78 consumer complaints of severe suspension and steering wheel oscillations after the subject vehicles traveled over an uneven surface.odi was concerned about these complaints because many of them alleged loss of control and the loss of control occurredat speeds above 50 miles per hour.at the time these complaints were received, odi was also aware of the tsb 07-10-10 and early warning field reports that discussed the shimmy condition on the subject vehicles.since opening this investigation, odi has confirmed, based on consumer complaints, warranty data, testing conducted by vrtc, and odi inspection of complaint vehicles, that the owners of the subject vehicles are experiencing shimmy events on their vehicles.however, odi has also confirmed that owners typically do not maintain their tires at the pressures recommended by ford on the tire label.further, odi has found that in order for shimmy to occur, tire pressures must be substantially below (at least 20%) those specified on the vehicle tire label.odi considers these unsafe tire conditions to be the result of one of three typical situations.the tires are being improperly maintained, the owners are intentionally setting the tire pressures low to enhance ride quality, or aftermarket tires (not designed for use on the vehicle) are installed to change the appearance or function of the vehicle.the subject vehicles are intended and designed to be used as heavy duty vehicles and as such require that the tires be capable of handling the loads for which the vehicle is designed and marketed.in order for the tires to be capable of handling these loads, the proper tire pressure must be maintained.in light of the information gathered in this investigation and ford's agreement to notify subject vehicle owners (now and every two years until the vehicles reach ten years from their production date) about the importance of maintaining proper tire pressures on their vehicles, further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.for additional information, see the attached closing report.
EA08007
Violent front end oscillation
Odi has received 78 consumer complaints of severe suspension and steering wheel shimmy and oscillations commencing after the subject vehicles traveled over an uneven road surface. The majority of these incidents occurred at speeds of 50 MPH or greater.thirteen of the complaints received by odi allege loss of steering control and that the vehicle changed driving lanes uncontrollably.four of the complaints received by odi allege that the vehicle left the road surface as a result of the violent suspension and steering wheel oscillations.in one case the consumer alleges that after the vehicle left the road surface, it crashed into a wooded area.additionalfactors contributing to the opening of this ea were early warning field reports,submitted by ford, describing suspension shimmy / oscillationsand a ford tsb (07-10-10) describing the suspension shimmy issue and how to repair the problem.ford has described shimmy as self-excited oscillation of the steering wheels with accompanying wheel tramp.this pe has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea) to determine if the shimmy condition that occurs on the subject vehicles creates a condition where the vehicle becomes difficult to control or startles the driver, thus presenting a safety risk.
PE07057
What 2005 Ford F-350 SD owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I have a 2005, crew cab, short bed, 6.0 diesel f-350. When driving at 55-75mph on the highway, I passed a small bump triggering a rigorous shaking of the front end. I could not apply brakes rapidly, and the steering wheel began to shake. I barely had control of the vehicle, but after finally slowing down to a stop the shaking stopped. It was very dangerous, and has happened 6 times since at 55-75mph.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-350. The contact was driving with the cruise control activated at 75 MPH. The vehicle exhibited an abnormally loud explosion from the front of the vehicle. The contact pulled and was unable to find any problem with the vehicle. One hour later, the noise recurred without warning. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told the failure came from the tie rods and coil springs. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and they confirmed that the failure was common and there was an alignment issue, but would not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 42,000.
2005 ford f350 crewcab. I took it to the dealer because a few people told me that when they were following me my truck was making dog tracks. It was going down the road crooked. I took it to the dealer and they found I had a broken leaf spring in the right rear of my truck. I have not misused this truck and concerned about the quality and safety. I just wanted to report this. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
I have a 2005 ford f-350 4x4 crewcab diesel which exhibits severe front end shimmy and steering wheel vibration when going over rough roads or cattle guards. This is so severe that I have to come to a complete stop in order to continue. Ford is aware of this problem but apparently won't issue a recall to fix it. It is an extremely dangerous situation.
I own a 2005 ford f 350 that sometimes has a violent steeringwheel shake at highway speeds after hitting small bumps in roadway. Has happened maybe 5 times in 4years where so severe that could not turn steering wheel until speed was reduced by braking quickly.
My 2005 sd f-350 crew cab ford truck shimmies violently when traveling on the interstate and I hit some uneven roadway. It doesn't stop until I almost come to a stop or slow down to below 45mph. The shimmy is very uncontrollable and dangerous and sometime the truck changes lines do to the violent shaking.
2005 ford f-350 4x4 dually with severe front end shake at around 50 MPH and hitting a bump in road. Must slow to 35 MPH to stop shaking. Ford dealer stated problem was due to improper tire pressure. Have replaced steering stabilizer, and drag line, to no benefit as of yet.
2005 ford f350 pick up truck shakes violently in the front end at speeds exceeding 55 MPH after crossing over uneven surface. Has happened over 25 times and is very dangerous. Will only stop "wobbling" when it gets below approx. 30-25 MPH. I've had many instances where I had to get the truck to the shoulder to prevent being hit from behind or side swiped and still get the truck down to 25 MPH to get it to quit. Started several months ago, found online that it is not too uncommon and never knew where to go until now. I am scared to drive this truck, however, it is my only means of transportation to work etc. The truck has been to the shop, $900 later and truck "shook" that evening on highway 101. The ford store where I purchased it said it really isn't fixable.... Whatever that means!
I own a 2005 ford f-350 4x4 6.0 diesel. It has 63,000 miles on it. On many occasions the steering wheel has shimmied or oscillated violently to the point I almost lost control of the truck. This is very dangerous. When the front wheels hit a bump or pothole, with a very small amount of turning the vehicle to the left or right such as going around a curve, the front wheels have started to violently shimmy or oscillate causing the steering wheel to violently shimmy back and forth. This usually occurs at speeds above 40 MPH. Four times I have almost lost control of the truck. Once the truck turned left into an oncoming lane but fortunately there where no oncoming vehicles at that moment. I had to slow down to about 25-30 MPH and move to the shoulder of the road to gain control of the vehicle. This is a serious problem with this vehicle especially in heavy traffic or on two lane mountain roads. I originally complained about this after I purchased the vehicle in february 2005, and was told the truck was within specs and there was nothing to be done. I request the federal safety agency look into this. I have discussed this with other owners and they too have had similar loss of control problems from steering wheel shimmy or oscillation. I believe there are other trucks that have the same problem.
Questions about the 2005 Ford F-350 SD suspension
Does the 2005 Ford F-350 SD have suspension problems?
Owners have filed 38 complaints about the suspension of the 2005 Ford F-350 SD, 18% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2005 Ford F-350 SD suspension problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 35,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2005 Ford F-350 SD suspension?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Ford F-350 SD have bad suspension?
The Ford F-350 SD model years with the most suspension complaints are 2019 (227 complaints), 2017 (219 complaints) and 2016 (81 complaints).
Other 2005 Ford F-350 SD problems
Engine 56Steering 38Fuel system 29Electrical 28Brakes 23Tires 16Transmission 13Acceleration 3Body 3Wheels 3Airbags 2Lights 2Visibility 2
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