The steering wheel shakes violently . It occurs at above 50MPH. The steering wheel can not be held or the vehicle controlled. You have to slow to almost a stop to regain control of the wheel and ultimately the vehicle. The shacking was very subtle to begin with but now it is getting more violent as time goes on.
2011 Ford F-350 steering complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 50, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced the death wobble after driving over a bump in the road. The contact stated that the vehicle violently and uncontrollably shook after driving over the bump in the roadway and the contact was able to regain control of the vehicle once the vehicle had slowed down. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
On 5/8/21, while driving at approximatly55-60 MPH, I hit a pothole on hwy231 south (4 lane) and the front end of my 2011 f350 truck started to shake violently and became hard to steer. I had to almost stop before it quit shaking. I was afraid we (wife & I) were going to loose control and hit another vehicle. I took it to a repair shop and after inspection, they told me there was a problem only a ford dealer could fix. The shop had seen this before and ford refused to tell them what parts were needed to do that fix. On 5/12/21, I took the truck to tallassee automotive ford dealer for repair. After inspection, they said they knew the problem and could fix it for $1100 (or $11?? Something. I was flabbergasted at the amount, but had to have it fixed and agreed. They oredered parts and called two days later to come pick it up. Upon arrival, they said my bill was $1450. I complained loudly that they told me $1100 something. After consultation between someone I did not see, they agreed to discount it by $300. Later someone told me they had heard of this ford problem and I should look it up online. I did and found stories about something called the "death wabble." my purpose for this complaint is to add my voice to the group of pepople who have had a similar experience and may require ford motor company to take responsibility for their obvious design flaw that could cause injuries or death to unknowing people. As for the repairs, it seems they replaced everything between the two front wheels and the steering column. Not being a mechanic, I do not know what caused this or what was really necessary to fix it. No symptoms before this incident indicated there was anything wrong with my truck. There were no warnings or events that could have made me check out any problem like this situation. I have not contacted ford motor co., the police, or insurance company. Looking on the internet, it is apparent ford is aware of thiis problem and claims no responsibility.
The vehicle is shaking terrible at 50 maybe 60 MPH can't tel exactly because I was scared .I got new tires and is still doing same. I was on hwy 83 toward scott city ks.
When driving down the roads the front end and steering wheel goes into a violent shaking and vibration to point where I have to almost stop the truck. It seems to happen on both town roads and highways it also seems to be worse on the highway.
On multiple occasions when driving at highway speeds when I run across ruff roads or bumps the trucks front end begins to wobble and shake. The shake is worse if I am in any kind of turn, but it will do it on straight roads also. I must slow down to under 30 MPH to regain control of vehicle. I have taken it into ford dealerships and gotten no results. One dealership claimed it to be in the ball joints and I had them replaced but the problem still exists. Doing online research, I am seeing others with the same issue and some calling it the death wobble. I have been experiencing this since 2018 but the last time was 10/22/2020.
Vehicle hit a pothole on interstate 75 north near dalton georgia at approximately 65 miles per hour. The front right wheel and front end violently shook and the steering wheel shook so bad control of the f350 became an issue. I was unable to control the vehicle until I slowed to below 20 miles per hour. The incident presented a very serious safety issue
I was driving and my steering arms caught on fire.
Driving my 2011 ford f-350 today and hit a bump doing 55mph on a black top road going straight forward, after the bump the "death wobble" started and almost shook my pickup into the ditch. I had to slow down to 20 MPH to get it to stop. After a lot of reading, this is a common problem in ford super dutys that are my pickups age and brand new. Why have they not fixed this problem and made a recall to fix all the older pickups as well??!!
Death warble twice 7/15/2020 on the highway doing the speed limit almost killed several people with truck and empty trailer. Death warble needs to be addressed immediately. Have spent too much time and money on a truck that should be considered unsafe to drive on the freeway.
08during 2018 we took an extended camping trip to maine. It was at this time we experienced the most instances of what I have heard called "death wobble".the first time was in pennsylvania pulling the fifth wheel camper when we hit a pothole and was terrified I was going lose control. This occurred at least three more times, once more with the cmper and twice just traveling with the truck, but all brought on by hitting a bump in the pavement.all happened on interstates and fairly heavy traffic. Having to come almost to a stop in heavy traffic is not something no one should have to experience.in 2019 we finally got to where we could financially have a ford dealer look at.this. They replaced the ball joints , upper and lower and aligned the front end. So far it has not occurred again.
While driving at highway speeds steering wheel shakes uncontrollably after hitting a bump and won't stop until slowing down nearly stopping.
On three separate occasions while driving on highway at approximately 70 MPH the front wheels began oscillating (death wobble) after going over a rough patch of road or bridge expansion joints. The oscillation makes it impossible to steer and the only way it will stop is to slow down to 25 MPH or below. Nearly struck in the rear end by another vehicle while trying to regain control.
2011 ford f-350 super duty 4x4. The vehicle has never had a lift or large tires of any kind installed on it and has always had stock oem spec tires. This vehicle has what has become known as "the death wobble". Ford calls it "sustained steering wheel oscillation". It is extremely dangerous and terrifying to experience. The problem is well documented and I am shocked that there has not yet been a safety recall on this. The death wobble primarily occurs at speeds above 50 or so miles per hour when the vehicle hits a pot-hole, expansion joint, unavoidable road debris, etc. It also has a nasty snowball effect in that once you have experienced it a couple of times the additional damage it is creating causes it to happen easier and easier to the point that it will then occur regularly all the way down to 35 miles per hour. We have experienced the death wobble literally many dozens of times over the years since we purchased this vehicle. We have done and replaced everything that we can think of to fix this problem; some of them multiple times but nothing works. Things we have done: new tires (multiple times), new front-end alignment (multiple times), new track bar bushing and ball joint (multiple times), new tie rod ends (multiple times), new center link (multiple times), new shock absorbers, new steering damper, new upper and lower ball joints, new u-joints. None of this has worked. The death wobble is so violent that it is wreaks havoc on the entire truck including the newly installed parts, the frame, drivetrain and suspension components, chassis, etc. Literally everything on the vehicle including windshields. Ford is obviously aware of this problem and the propensity for their solid front axle f-250 and f-350 trucks from the past two decades to experience the death wobble. Somebody will eventually die from this, if it hasn't happened already. It needs dealt with!
Death wobble in my truck violently shaking at highway speeds with no warning
The well known issue called "death wobble". This is documented issue with the ford f-series trucks where the truck violently wobbles out of control when driving approximately 55mph. Ford denies this is an issue, yet you can find evidence of this issue all over the ford truck forums. With my truck, this issue is becoming more frequent. When it occurs, I have to pull off to the shoulder and slow down to approximately 15mph before it stops. I have replaced the shocks, tie rod ends, track bar, track bar ball joint, rotated tires, alignment, and it is still occurring. The only thing left to replace are the ball joints then pretty much the entire front end suspension will have been rebuilt at a cost of a couple thousand dollars. This is a significant safety issue and can easily cause an accident, especially when in construction zones on the highway. From what I've read, this has already caused accidents in certain cases and is due to a poor design of these trucks. Ford needs to address this and the federal safety agency should force ford to issue a recall to correct the problem.
I was driviing on the highway 65mph an the truck started the death wobble it was out of control. Things on the back seat landed on the floor due to the uncontrolable shaking of the truck. I had to slow down which I almost caused an accident. This is a scary an unsafe issue.. It has happened quite a bit an is going to cause someone to get seriously hurt or even die. Something has got to be done. Ford has got to recognize they have a big issue here an do something about it. I have to keep the speed down an even then its still an issue. I am scared to drive the truck its that bad in one instance I thought I was gonna die I couldnt get it to stop finally was able to get over to the breakdown lane an stop I was shaking an scared to death. I have not been to the dealership due to dueing my research an findin out it was the death wobble an there is no fix for it. Please there has got to be something you can do to help I would appreciate it. Thank-you
Driving about 60 MPH on new highway, steering wheel started rocking violently just about lost control, steering wheel whipped so hard the spoke on the steering wheel hit and hurt my thumb. Took truck to dealer who found everything within ford acceptable specifications. Dealer said wear was found recommended replacing all moving parts in front suspension plus new shocks and tires. $4000.00
My wife and I were driving on I 70 west of denver heading towards silt colorado. We were coming down a hill that had a bridge and a turn at the bottom. As soon as we hit the approach to the bridge our truck start what I call a "death wobble" as this portion of the rockies is very steep with narrow corners I was faced with a struggle for life in my opinion. We had brand new tires on it and a fresh alignment. The truck shook violently and I was afraid for our lives. We promptly took the truck to our dealership (columbine ford) explained the situation and they gave us a loaner. When we got the truck back I took it for a test drive only to find out that the problem still existed. I still have the exact same problem!! I have been a ford man my whole lifeboat I cannot continue to be a loyal customer when they disregard the problem with fake fixes!!! My wife and grandchildren are far too important to me to allow this to go on without ford addressing the situation!!
At speeds of 55 to 60mph, mostly when hitting some kind of bump or dip in the road the truck steering wheel goes out of control shaking back and forth, along with the entire front of the truck. I have to slam on the brakes and it does not stop untill the truck is almost completely stopped. Is been in and out of automotive shops with the problem still remaining. When looking it up online (the world wide web) this is definitely a very common ford issue and not just individual trucks. The shaking is so violent you can barely keep it in control and waiting for something to break. I can't believe this is not a safety recall issue.
Death wobble,has been to dealer several times. Said it was the tires cupping less than 20,000 miles new tires did not help, they aligned it and said they rotated tires. Now it is back, 40,600 miles, just as bad a ever. They know the problem and refuse to repair as there is no safety recall. Guess it will take a few deaths to get some help or a high named political/sport/rich figure, for any help. Yes for us to spend $1500 bucks there may be some relief. Why should we need to pay for something they know how to repair. It is the same problem associated to the 1967/68 ford bronco. We had one at the albertville dealer when as a young man almost lost my life driving it as I went across the median and 2 lanes of traffic when I worked there in service. Speed 45 to 70 MPH on any road surface at any time it wants to act up, only way to stop is slow down several times till is stops hope it will not come back. This is verrrrry in-nerving when pulling our 2014 redwood 42' rv with a combined weight of 24,600 pounds. How many kids< children<adults can I kill should this cause the steering gear box to bust, as it did on the bronco??
When traveling at highway speeds while turning slightly left and hitting any moderate bump in the road the truck shimmys violently and does not stop until speed is reduced to under 20 MPH. While the shimmy is occurring steering control becomes nearly impossible. There seems to be an un-dampened oscillation or severe vibration of the front wheels. Not sure what the cause is. I've had the front end looked at and been told everything looks tight and the tire pressure is even and correct. I have also personally lifted the truck and inspected all the steering components and do not see obvious play in any of the ball joints, tie-rod ends, sway bar etc. The truck also has had new shocks within the past 200 miles and that did not help. This problem has occurred more than once and is repeatable given the right conditions. I had purchased this truck april 2016 and during the test drive I complained of a vibration. The service people took nearly a month to figure out a cause. What the did helped, but the vibration never truly went away. This slight steady vibration seems to be related to the sever vibration because it is of exactly the same frequency and speeds, just under normal circumstances the truck is very controllable.
At any freeway speed if you hit a pot hole or a seam in the road on a turn, the truck will shake violently until you come to a stop. We have had ford look at this a number of times with not success in getting a solution. The truck is not safe and it has happened to multiple drivers of this truck.
When traveling usually at highway speeds and I come to a difference in surfaces a slight difference in the road say going over an overpass, the stearing wheel shakes violently. On you tube there are hundreds of videos about this problem. Its very dangerous, I left the dealership today and after spending $1,300 to repair the problem I can only assume that this will be a year or two fix as the same parts will fail again. Ford should solve this problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford f-350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the steering wheel required excessive force. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000. The VIN was not available.
2011 f350 4x4 dual rear wheel lariat. Everyone calls it the "super duty death wobble" ford has no plans to fix. Started at 30k miles, replaced all known worn parts and suggested parts like everyone else - still doing it. Youtube videos show violent shake to the point your head can smack the side windows. Front end on highway hits slight bump like on over pass shakes so violently it can break the front end wheel tires and everything else.. Changed tires, stabilizer shock, alignments. Recently this past week on i75 in ohio it happened 1/2 dozen times @ 65 to 70 MPH shook so hard you cannot control lock the brakes down hard to 30 MPH just like everyone else on the net says. Nearly causing wrecks on the freeway. Happens without warning. Totally stock $55k truck. Dealer says no tsb or recall. But ford does know about it and says it "may help" to check stabilizer shock. Everyone has done that. Google super duty death wobble it and see videos. My first ever online complaint. This ford truck is insanely dangerous. At dealer now with no solution. I discovered by switching into 4whd it will stop which tells me it is internal control arm bushings because 4wd will bind the front end up enough to preload suspension. It got me home but the wife will never ride in it again!
Hit a slight bump in the road and the truck started to shake violently and the steering wheel had severe shaking. Had to slow down to 30mph before the truck quite shaking and allowed me to return to normal speed.
Driving at 65 MPH on ih-10 houston tx, hit a bump in the road and truck entered into a death wobble, had to veer across 3 lanes and a on ramp to the shoulder and slow to about 5 MPH before the shimmy stopped. Very scary actually a little scared of my truck now. Went to a front end shop today and was told I have no loose parts and the steering stabilizer was fine. He told me the ball joint on the track bar is usually what it is and only ford can fix it. They did not charge me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford f-350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle would shake violently and without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering stabilizer needed to be replaced. The contact mentioned the vehicle was taken to the dealer twice for the same failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 12,000 and the current mileage was 30,000.
After hitting very small bumps in the road at 50mph, the left front wheel started shaking violently, making it difficult to control the vehicle. The only way to regain control was to slow to about 30mph, very dangerous on the interstate highway. This has happened several times since, always starting with small bumps in the road, left front wheel, causing the violent shaking. Vehicle control could only be regained by slowing to about 30mph.
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