2017 FORD F-350 SD Steering Problems

While traveling down the road a bump or dip in the road causes the front wheels begin to shake and jerk violently causing the vehicle to drift over the road and loose steering control. This situation is amplified when carrying or pulling a load and is extremely difficult to manage and stop once started. Braking exacerbates the situation resulting in almost loosing control. This has happed multiple times, multiple dates over the years, at different speeds usually over 45mph.

I experienced what is known as the “Death wobble” after contacting a bumpy road at approximately 70 mph. I was able to exit the freeway and determine that it wasn’t a blown tire or some other condition that caused this. After some research on my vehicle, I determined that this “death wobble” is fairly common with my model and year of truck.

I’ve been having repeated issue with a death wobble I’ve replaced my draglink and tie rod end and it hasn’t helped in the slightest

When towing a fifth wheel trailer and going down a hill the vehicle went into an oscillation that caused sever wobbling of the front end almost causing me to lose control of the vehicle that was towing the trailer. This was the most frightening thing I have ever experienced in my life. after doing some research Ford Motor Company knows about this issue and has yet to recall this problem it is also known as the Death wobble. Is it actually going to take someone's death to see something happen about this well know issue, I certainly hope not and I hope the NHTSA will do something to force Ford Motor Company to correct this issue before someone does die from the "Death Wobble"

At differing speeds the truck experienced the "death wobble" causing the front end of the vehicle to shake uncontrollably. This happened 2 times before I had the tie rod ends replaced and several times afterward. You have to almost stop the vehicle to get the shaking to go away. It is a tremendous safety risk and could cause an accident due to the shaking or due to needing to slow almost to a stop - which could cause a rear end collision. This is a common problem with Ford F250 and F350 trucks. I had my mechanic inspect all the front end parts and he recommended replacing the tie rods and track bar. No warning lamps or other symptoms. The issue happened out of the blue.

While driving at 60 mph pulling 5th wheel RV death wobble occurred. Steering was very difficult. Immediately started slowing speed until steering became possible.

EXPERIENCED A HARD DEATH WOBBLE GOING DOWNHILL TOWING AN RV. TOOK TRUCK TO DEALER (JONES FORD IN WICKENBURG AZ.) THEY SAID IT WAS BRAKES AND ROTORS. TRUCK HAD 40,000 MILES. DEATH WOBBLE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. NOT CONFIDENT THAT IT WAS ONLY THE BRAKES AFTER READING WHAT OTHERS HAVE BEEN TOLD.

Truck started doing the death wobble when hitting brakes and sometimes when hitting bumps in the road. Death wobble was very violent and last for a few seconds each time before we could get vehicle stopped. I made my local ford dealer aware of my problem and they inspected it and said it was related to the drive shaft recall. I made the earliesr appointment which was a couple weeks later. I dropped my vehicle off and they said that due to this recall malfunction it had caused damage to my tie rods and drag lengths and those parts needed to be replaced. They said their damage was directly correlated to the drive shaft recall however I would have to pay out of pocket for that to be fixed ($1400). They have had my vehicle for a week and fixed the tire rods and drag lengths but do not have the part for the drive shaft recall. They have no time line for when they will be able to get the part and told me I may come get my vehicle and use it while I wait for the part but I have to sign a waiver stating that it's dangerous to drive. They refuse to give me a loaner vehicle if I would opt to leave my vehicle there while we wait for the part. I'm currently trapped in Texas with 2 horses and can't get back home to Pennsylvania because my vehicle is unsafe to haul the horses back 26 hours.

AT 19000 MILES I EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT SHAKE IN MY STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING AT 75MPH ON A LOCAL EXPRESSWAY. THIS VIOLENT SHAKE MADE ME LOSE CONTROL OF ANY STEERING OF THE VEHICLE TIL I SLOWED DOWN TO I BELIEVE WAS 40MPH WERE I GAINED CONTROL OF VEHICLE AGAIN. THIS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER LANE AND VEHICLE AND IT ALMOST CAUSED THE DRIVER BEHIND ME TO REAR END ME DUE TO THE SUDDEN STOPPING ON A EXPRESSWAY. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER 5 TIMES FOR REPAIR. THE TRUCK CONTINUES TO HAVE STEERING CONTROL ISSUES. I WILL ATTACH THE LATEST RECEIPT SHOWING REPAIR THAT HAS NOT FIXED THE ISSUE. THIS ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY BUT LUCKILY IT WAS NOT AS BAD. PLEASE HELP FIX THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.

Mileage: 19,500

SEVERAL TIMES THE PICKUP HAS STARTED SHAKING. IT CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND ENTER THE DITCH. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN I'M AT A SPEED OF 50MPH OR ABOVE. USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN A POTHOLE OR BRIDGE CREASE IN ROAD IS CROSSED.

Mileage: 24,000

2017 FORD F-350 WITH 35000 MILES AT 20000 EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT SHAKING GAME N FRONT END THE STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATED BETWEEN 11 AND 1 O'CLOCK THIS HAPPENED AFTER HITTING BUMP IN THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HORIZONTAL SHOCK. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER I WENT OVER AN EXPANSION JOINT ON A BRIDGE AND THE VIOLENT SHAKING BEGAN AND I COULD STOP BY SLOWING TO 30 MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HORIZONTAL SHOCK AGAIN WAND THE TRACK BAR.BOTH PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER FOR MANY MONTHS. NOW I AM NOTICING A SLIGHT SHAKING WHEN I HIT A BUMP. THE INTERNET CALLS IT THE'DEATH WOBBLE' THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS FORD HAS A SERIOUS DESIGN PROBLEM THAT THEY CHOOSE TO IGNORE. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP.

Mileage: 25,000

WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, ON A HIGHWAY, GOING AROUND A LEFT HAND CORNER, HIT A BUMPY PATCH OF ROAD THAT CAUSED A VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND WHOLE TRUCK. SLOWED APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 25 MPH TO GET SHAKING TO STOP.

Mileage: 21,049

SIGNIFICANT STEERING WHEEL OSCULATION AND FRONT SUSPENSION VIBRATION AFTER DRIVING OVER EXPANSION JOINTS ON HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES. REQUIRE SLOWING THE VEHICLE TO 20-25 MPH BEFORE THE ISSUE STOPS.

Mileage: 29,000

EXPERIENCED 'DEATH WOBBLE' SEVERAL TIMES WHEN TRAVELING ON HIGHWAYS (BETWEEN 65-75 MPH). THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES - ONCE WHILE PULLING A FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER, WHICH NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENT. DEALER INSTALLED BAR TO ADDRESS ISSUE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. TODAY, I EXPERIENCED IT AGAIN - 5 TIMES IN A MATTER OF 60 MILES - AGAIN ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN GOING OVER EXPANSION JOINTS ON BRIDGES. THIS IS ONLY STOPPED WHEN SLOWED DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY ON HIGHWAY - EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. BASED ON THE VERY SIMILAR AND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE MAKES ME THINK A CLASS ACTION IS WARRANTED AND NEEDS TO BE PURSUED - SINCE IT SEEMS THERE AREN'T APPROPRIATE STEPS BEING TO CORRECT THIS VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT. THE CORRECTIVE STEPS FORD HAS DEALERS PERFORMING AREN'T WORKING AND THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. *TR

Mileage: 49,500

MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE STEERING COMPONENTS, TRUCK WILL GET DEATH WOBBLE FOR NO REASON AND HAVE HAD THE 'UPDATED STEERING' DONE AT THE DEALER AND IT STILL DOES IT !

Mileage: 25,000

EXPERIENCE 'DEATH WOBBLE' OF FRONT STEERING AT ABOUT 17,000 MILES. TRUCK HAS ABOUT 21,000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE OWNED IT SINCE NEW. TRUCK IS COMPLETELY STOCK WITH ORIGINAL TIRES, WHEELS AND SUSPENSION. LAST WEEKEND I HAD THE DEATH WOBBLE HAPPEN TWICE. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 10 MILES APART WHILE IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE ON THE FREEWAY WITH NO PLACE TO PULL OFF OR ROOM AS LANES WERE NARROWED. A SMALL BUMP STARTS IT, BUT IT TAKES ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS TO 'RAMP UP' TO WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL IS VIOLENTLY SHAKING BACK AND FORTH. HAPPEN AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 58 MPH AND HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO UNDER 40 TO REGAIN CONTROL. TIRE PRESSURE OF BOTH FRONT TIRES HAS A READING OF 63PSI WHICH COLD INFLATION IS 60. TIRES ARE ROTATED AT OIL CHANGES. TRUCK IS AN XLT CREW CAB WITH LONG BOX, POWERSTROKE DIESEL, 4X4 WITH FX4 PACKAGE AND MAX GVWR 11,500. DOES HAVE CHROME PACKAGE THAT INCLUDED CHROME 18' WHEELS AND GOODYEAR ALL TERRAIN TIRES. COMPLETELY STOCK AS TAKEN FROM DEALER. MY OPION IS THAT THE SOLID FRONT AXLE HAS A FLAW WITH REGARD TO TRACK BAR LOCATING THE AXLE POSITION AND THE DRAG LINK OF THE STEERING. BOTH OF THESE LINKS ARE NOT EXACTLY PARALLEL OR OF EQUAL LENGTH. SINCE ONE IS ATTACH DIRECTLY TO THE AXLE AND THE OTHER IS ATTACHED TO THE STEERING ARM, WHEN THE FRONT AXLE OSCILLATES GOING OVER A BUMP, THE NON-PARALLEL, NOT EQUAL LENGTH LINKS INTRODUCE A CONDITION SOMETIME REFERRED TO BUMP STEER. THIS THEN STARTS AN OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING ARM AS THE TRUCK WISH TO CONTINUE TRAVELING THE STRAIGHT LINE, IT COMPRESSES ALL OF THE RUBBER BUSHINGS WHICH THEN CAUSE THE WHEEL TO BE JERKED/SPRUNG BACK VIOLENTLY AND THUS WE HAVE THE WOBBLE OF THE FRONT STEERING OSCILLATING AT FREQUENCY THAT CAN NOT DAMPEN OUT UNTIL VEHICLE IS SLOWED DOWN TO A POINT TO THAT NO LONGER SUPPORTS THE NATURAL FREQUENCY. COLLEGE LEVEL KINEMATIC AND VEHICLE DYNAMICS APPROACH COULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 21,000

TRUCK CURRENTLY AT 18,250 MILES. AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS (70 MPH) WHEN HITTING AN EXPANSION JOINT IN THE EXPRESS WAY OR OTHER DEPRESSION IN THE ROAD SURFACE, WILL OCCASIONALLY CAUSE AN UNCONTROLLED AND VIOLENT OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING COMPONENTS. DURING ONE OF THESE "DEATH WOBBLE" EVENTS LOSS OF CONTROL IS POSSIBLE. TO REGAIN CONTROL, THE VEHICLE MUST BE SLOWED DOWN TO AROUND 30 MPH WHICH CAN CAUSE AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR OTHER MOTORISTS ON THE ROAD.

Mileage: 18,250

WHILE DRIVING MY 2017 FORD F350 LARIAT CREW CAB 4X4 LONG BED, I DROVE OVER AN EXPANSION JOINT ON THE HIGHWAY GOING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. UPON HITTING THE JOINT, THE FRONT END WENT INTO A VIOLENT OSCILLATION BOUNCING LEFT AND RIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OSCILLATING SO VIOLENTLY THAT IT TOOK ALL THAT I HAD TO HOLD IT ON THE ROAD. I HAD TO REDUCE THE SPEED RAPIDLY FROM 65MPH TO 35MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS IN MY RIGHT LANE, OR I WOULD HAVE IMPACTED THE SIDE OF THEIR VEHICLE. THIS FELT LIKE "DEATH WOBBLE" AS THE WHEELS WERE BOUNCING TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT WHEN IT HAPPENED. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN. IT WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM A DEALER LOT IN KANSAS. APPROXIMATE MILEAGE IS 13,000. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER HOW CLAIMED IT WAS A FAILED STEERING DAMPENER. THE DEALER REPLACE THE DAMPENER, BUT THE FRONT END STILL FEELS LOOSE AND UNWEIGHTED OVER BUMPS ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH. THE WEATHER WHEN IT HAPPENED WAS SUNNY AND CLEAR. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY BUT MOVING. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED MARYLAND HIGHWAY 100. THIS IS A SERIOUS MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT NHTSA NEEDS TO LOOK INTO AND RECALL THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.

Mileage: 13,000

2017 F350 18000 MILES. AT HWY SPEED, WHEN A BUMP IS HIT WITH BOTH FRONT TIRES, THE SUSPENSION SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND THE VEHICLE IS NEARLY UNCONTROLLABLE. SHAKING CONTINUES UNTIL SPEED IS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED AND THE STEERING CAN BE TURNED AGGRESSIVELY.

Mileage: 18,000

TRUCK STEERING OSCILLATES ALL THE TIME. TURNS INTO A DEATH WOBBLE WHEN DRIVING ON ROADS ABOVE 55 MPH THAT ARE ROUGH.

Mileage: 4,100

SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERE SHAKING WITH THE STEERING. IT FEELS AS IF THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK IS GOING TO FALL OUT. IT HAS HAPPENED AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50 AND 70MPH. I HAVE TO STEP ON THE BRAKES TO THE POINT I AM AFRAID SOMEONE WILL HIT ME FROM THE BACK. SO FAR I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL BUT IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. I HAVE ABOUT 25,000 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I HAD LESS THAN 15,000. THESE OCCURRENCES ARE FREQUENT NOW AND AS A RESULT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT

Mileage: 14,000

STEERING WOBBLE (DEATH WOBBLE) AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN MY CASE 55 MPH AND ABOVE WHEN ROADWAY HAS BUMPS SIMILAR TO EXPANSION JOINT HEAVING. THE STEERING WILL WILL GO INTO A RAPID SHAKING ACTION MAKING IT NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. WILL STOP ONLY AFTER VEHICLE SLOWS BELOW SPEED OF 55 MPH. I AM FEARFUL BRAKING MAY INCREASE PROBLEM BUT HAVE NOT PROVEN THIS YET. I HAVE BEEN TRAVELING STRAIGHT THE 3 TIMES IT HAS GONE INTO THIS STEERING WOBBLE. AFRAID WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF IN A CURVE, BUT EXPECT IT WOULD GO OFFROAD. PROBLEM REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP AND HAS BEEN IN FOR INSPECTION 3 SEPARATE TIMES. (1) INSPECTED AND REPLACES STEERING DAMPENER (2) ADJUSTED ALIGNMENT (3) DEALER WANTS TO ADJUST CAMBER AGAIN BUT PARTS NEED ARE BACK-ORDERED. WILL MAKE ADJUSTMENTS WHEN PARTS AVAILABLE. TRUCK CURRENTLY BEING USED MINIMALLY SINCE I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

Mileage: 30,000

DEATH WOBBLE/UNCONTROLLABLE STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATION OCCURS AT SPEEDS OVER 55 MPH SHAKES SO BAD IT MAKES CONTROLLING THE TRUCK ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. MUST REDUCE SPEEDS BELOW 20MPH OR TO A STOP TO GET IT TO STOP. DEATH WOBBLE HAPPENS WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD LIKE A POT HOLE, BRIDGE, MANHOLE, ETC. VEHICLE HAS VISITED A FORD CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THERE IS NO FIX AND THEY HAVE 9, I REPEAT 9 TRUCKS IN FOR THE SAME ISSUE.

Mileage: 18,000

DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45MPH OR GREATER, THE VEHICLES FRONT TWO WHEELS AND STEERING WHEEL WILL WOBBLE OR OSCILLATE RAPIDLY AFTER HITTING A POT HOLE OR EXPANSION JOINT. THE WOBBLING JARS THE STEERING WHEEL AND MAKES THE VEHICLE HARD TO CONTROL. BREAKS MUST BE APPLIED AND SPEED REDUCED BY 5 TO 20 MPH TO STOP THE WOBBLE.

Mileage: 37,000

2017 FORD F-350 SUPER DUTY WITH 28,000 MILES. THE TRUCK IS EXPERIENCING A SEVERE WOBBLE/SHAKING IN THE STEERING AROUND 70MPH. IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS A BLOWN FRONT TIRE. THE TRUCK MUST BE IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE STEERING APPEARS FINE ONCE DRIVING IS RESUMED. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR IN HIGHER SPEED TRAFFIC, AN ACCIDENT COULD EASILY HAPPEN. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND ON THIS SITE, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS OCCURRING WITH MANY FORD SUPER DUTY'S. AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE INITIATED PROMPTLY AS THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS STEERING PROBLEM.

Mileage: 28,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN EXTENSIVE "DEATH WOBBLE", WHICH CAUSED IT TO BE UNSTABLE WHEN DRIVING OVER 70 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (SIOUX FALLS FORD, 4901 W 26TH ST, SIOUX FALLS, SD 57106, (605) 361-0361) STATED THAT THE BUSHINGS WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

Mileage: 28,000