What 183 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Ford F-350 Super Crew

July 10 2023, driving on highway in my 2012 Ford F-350 super duty going 50-55 mph front passenger tire hit small bump in road causing vehicle to “death wobble”. Vehicle violently pulled to the left. Luckily there was not a vehicle in that lane otherwise an accident would have ensued. Steering wheel was shaking uncontrollably and I had no control of vehicle until I slowed down to 25 mph. I delivered truck to the Ford dealer on July 11, 2023 explaining my experience. Technician was also able to reproduce the “death wobble” problem and repairs were made at my expense. A year prior to this episode I had noticed a slight wobble in steering but not to this extent. I voiced my concern to the Ford dealer and they had replaced a few ball joints. There has not been any indication of steering issues up to my incident in July 2023. I would like this report to serve as a record as I feel this problem may arise again in the future. My understanding Ford has had issues with “death wobble”in their super duty trucks dating from 2005-2019. A recall should be issued from the manufacture regarding the unsafe and poorly engineered front end and steering components.

NHTSA ODI 11538242

Bcm body control module is faulty so far my brights no longer work my fog lights no longer work and my left rear turn signal no longer works it is slowly getting worse taking out more and more components on the truck part is backorder with over 2070 of them requested threw ford with no update on when the part will be available

NHTSA ODI 11533755

Truck died and never started again. Metal shavings from fuel pump

NHTSA ODI 11530986

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel started vibrating violently, causing the entire vehicle to shake. Upon reducing the speed to 10 MPH, the vehicle returned to normal functionality; however, the failure recurred. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was able to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 260,000.

NHTSA ODI 11529400

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-350. The contact stated that there was an extreme amount of rust on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the hood and the front end were replaced, but the failure persisted. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

NHTSA ODI 11528549

While driving at speed higher than 60 miles, when hit a small road bump or imperfection, front wheels start to wobble uncontrollably, up to a point where steering becomes impossible to steer, making it very hard to control the vehicle. This is a life threatening event! As far as I know it is a problem that happens a lot on this particular model.

NHTSA ODI 11525604

The contact's mother owns a 2012 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle drove over a depression in the roadway and lost control of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was bouncing to the left and right and the steering column and steering wheel was vibrating. The contact stated that the vehicle became almost impossible to control. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was not diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 20N04 -Steering Linkage Damper (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ODI 11522273

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-350 SD. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and lost motive power. The message "Stop Vehicle Safely Now" was displayed. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart after several attempts and the message remained displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle started up after an hour and half. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to the exhaust gas temperature sensor. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that Ford Campaign Numbers: 15N01 and 15N02 had expired unless the vehicle was an ambulance. The failure mileage was approximately 196,475. The contact stated that they purchased one EGTS and installed the part themselves. The dealer recommended to replace all four sensors as well as the EGR valve. After the installation of the new EGTS, the vehicle seems to run okay.

NHTSA ODI 11509339

High speed wobble in front end Goes away of You slow down Getting worse Very scary, pulls steering wheel out of my grasp Wife refusing to ride in the truck

NHTSA ODI 11508072

Encountered violent shaking of whole truck traveling on I95. Transitioned from a bridge to road surface and the whole vehicle began to violently shake - Loosing all control of steering & braking. Released gas pedal and slowed to shoulder. Was informed later this is a known issue with all Ford Superduty trucks with solid front axle.

NHTSA ODI 11504802

While driving at highway speeds (over 55mph) if you hit a bump in the road, the truck shakes uncontrollably and will not stop until the vehicle is slowed down significantly. I have had the steering dampner replaced and replaced the tires and shocks and still hasn't fixed the problem. This has happened numerous times in the vehicle!!

NHTSA ODI 11503046

I purchased my F350 new in 2012. Since that time I have experienced a severe wobble in the front end while I am driving. It starts vibrating at about 45mph and sometimes escalates to where I have to almost slam on the brakes to stop it. It has done this probably 12-15 times and since 2022 it is definitely getting worse and worse. Ford says its my motor mounts, but it has done this since it was new! I read about the "death wobble" on the internet and I definitely have a defective front end. I am concerned that it may cause me to be in a bad accident after having to hit the brakes so hard to stop it. Can you assist?

NHTSA ODI 11502485

Death wobble. The steering wobbles back and forth. I have owner the vehicle for 4 years and had to have it fixed 3 times. This is extremely dangerous. Glad my wife was not driving when it has happened.

NHTSA ODI 11495004

STERRING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY BACK AND FORTH, AS WHEEL AS THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKING. AFTER CHECKING ON LINE FOEND THE TERM "DEATH WOBBLE" ASSOCIATED WITH THESE SYMPTOMS. i WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR ON A PAVED HIGHWAY. THE ONLY WAY I WAS ABLE TO STOP VIOLENT SHAKING / WOBBLE WAS TO SLOW ALMOST TO A STOP. VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 77,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT CHECKOUT AND REPAIRED. APPOINTMENT IS SCHEDULED FOR NOV. 22, 2022.

NHTSA ODI 11492805

when the truck is traveling at highway speeds and goes over an imperfection in the road surface like a bump, bridge expansion joint etc... The truck will vibrate violently and will not stop until the speed is reduced often times under 50 mph which can be dangerous on a highway. This has been happening for the past year and a half. I have tried brining it to multiple mechanics and have replaced a number of parts.

NHTSA ODI 11490920

On a Clear day, no rain while traveling on an interstate hwy at approx 70mph, I drove onto a bridge and my truck starting violently shaking , the complete front end was causing the truck to move from side to side and I could hardly hold onto the steering wheel! My wife was was so afraid we were going to roll over, as was I! Finally after taking my foot off of the gas, at about 30 or 40 mph it stopped! I'm taking it to my dealership first thing in the morning! Its not safe to drive, as I might not be so lucky next time it happens. I'm finished with ford trucks that's for sure!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11490466

While traveling on the highway at 70~75 mph the vehicle went over a small highway joint. This caused the truck to shake violently with little to no control. Only after dropping speeds less than 45mph did the violent shaking stop. The sudden slow down in the middle of the highway, the violent shaking and the lack of steering control was extremely dangerous and caused an immediate life safety issue to myself , my family and other vehicles and motorists near mine. The vehicle was inspected by a mechanic. The tires have been balanced and rotated are not worn. The shocks on all four tires were replaced. The steering stabilizer shock was replaced and joints inspected. The problem persists and only is replicable during highway speeds. The event comes without any warning and the vehicle is uncontrollable.

NHTSA ODI 11472154

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH on the expressway, the vehicle drove over a bump on the roadway and the vehicle and the steering wheel started shaking violently. The contact depressed the brake pedal and veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred three times while driving over bumps on the roadway the same day. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and test driven. The dealer inspected the suspension and diagnosed that no issues were found. However, the dealer advised the contact that the tires needed to be replaced as they were worn on the inside. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

NHTSA ODI 11471207

I was driving on the pa turnpike going 65 miles a hour and with a second the pull over safely light came on I was able to slow down and the truck died. We were able to get ourselves to safety by pushing the truck. Hours later the truck started up and we were able to get it home, The tow truck never showed up. Put truck in shop they didn't see that problem at first, we are again driving truck this time on a major highway not a toll road and same thing happened again it cooled down we were able to get it home, and back on our way to drop off to mechanic it happens again let it cool off for a hour and we were able to drop it off, They ran diagonstic test and it says two of the four are bad so right away I start looking for recalls and I see one for the issue So I looked up to see if there was anybody else with this issue and it seems to be the 2 of the exhaust sensors but unfortunatly the recall for the problem expired before we bought the truck and extended coverage is only within 120,000 miles or 11 years. Now ford doesn't see how this is a safety issue so they will not pay for it but if you look at the recalls for this year of truck it says that ambulances with this motor are covered under recall because why if they they have a patient and this happens they can be sued. Now my question is what about if this happen and my child was in the car thats ok because they are my children. This is a safety hazard for my husband and anyone else on the road with him as well as other veichles being if he had no place to stop safely the truck would die in the middle of the road causing accident. Now we didn't own the truck when the recall expired and had we had owned we would have got the recall fixed. Something needs to be done a recall extended or reimpurment for the cost. This is a safety problem luckily no body was hurt this time. Now i have to have this issue fixed costing alot of money out of pocket because it is dangerous and I need my truck.

NHTSA ODI 11470101

CP4 high pressure fuel pump catastrophic failure. My fuel pump grenades and I lost all power on a busy road. I was able to use momentum after the loss of power to safely exit the roadway. I had no warning lamps prior to failure my vehicle will not start now and is currently at a shop being investigated.

NHTSA ODI 11466277

“Death Wobble” vehicle shakes uncontrollably when hitting bumps/grooves in pavement or going at speeds above 50 mph putting driver at extreme risks. Repaired steering dampener, shocks, and tires, but nothing has offered a solution to the issue.

NHTSA ODI 11466157

My truck shakes violently at 40-45 mph. It has difficult to diagnose the exact component to replace. I took the truck to a independent repair service and they told me it was the death wobble. They did drive the vehicle and confirmed the shaking. It will cause me to pay over 1000.00 dollars to fix. Not to mention the tires that have been ruined because of it. No police or anyone else has inspeced it. No warniing lamps or messages present.

NHTSA ODI 11463508

Death wobble, Fixed in 2021, and 2019 now I have to get it fixed again

NHTSA ODI 11448861

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at 55-60 MPH on cruise control, the vehicle hit a bump and started shuddering uncontrollably, causing the steering wheel to shudder as well. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that as he was losing control of the vehicle, he depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle stopped shuddering. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The contact stated that the vehicle was not yet diagnosed; however, the dealer replaced the steering bar. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving at 50-65 MPH, and sometimes at slower speeds. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11440029

On 10/29/2021 when driving I had the death wobble happen at 65 mph. Steer was shaking violently causing me to hit the ditch with no damage to my truck but really scared my wife and I. I am going to have most if not all the front end parts replaced at approximate cost of $2500.00. This is a Ford problem that they should pay for.

NHTSA ODI 11438734