What 95 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Ford F-250 (regular Cab)

TRUCK HAS JUST TURNED 20,000 MILES. AFTER HAVING THE DEF SYSTEM SERVICED AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP TRUCK HAS TO GO THU THE PARTICULATE FILTER REGEN SOONER AND SOONER. NOW EVERY 75 MILES. WHICH CAUSES TRUCK TOO LOSE POWER AND PRODUCE EXCESIVE EXHAUST TEMPERATURES WHICH CAN POTENTULLY CAUSE A FIRE. FORD IS TELLING ME THE EXHAUST EMISSSION SYSTEM IS OUT OF WARANTY YET TRUCK JUST HAS 20,000 MILES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND A DANGER TO MYSELF, MY FAMILY, AND ANYONE NEARBY

NHTSA ODI 11714095

Component/System: Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) – frontal airbags and crash sensors. Vehicle is in insurance/salvage custody and available for inspection upon request. On or about December 17, 2025, at approximately 0600, the reporting party was operating a 2013 Ford Super Duty F-250 Lariat Crew Cab 4WD (VIN [XXX] ) at an estimated speed of approximately 35 mph. Due to fog and wet roadway conditions, the vehicle left the roadway and struck a fixed object (tree). The collision resulted in severe front-end damage, and the vehicle was declared a total loss. Despite the severity of the impact, no airbags deployed. The vehicle has been inspected by law enforcement and insurance representatives. The condition has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or manufacturer. No SRS or airbag warning lamps or messages were observed prior to the collision. UNKNOWN whether event data recorder or airbag module data has been reviewed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11708295

Terrible exhaust fumes in the truck cab when using the heat or ac probably due to the extremely common exhaust manifold issues with these trucks. It could kill me and my child

NHTSA ODI 11699570

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI 11699381

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rearview camera displayed a blank, distorted screen, or a triangle with the message "Camera Unavailable - Please Contact Dealer" displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the mechanic attempted to replace the camera with Ford-made parts; however, the repair failed to fix the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact attempted to notify the manufacturer but was unable to reach a live agent. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11696827

The contact's son owns a 2013 Ford F-250. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked while working and after returning to the vehicle and attempting to restart the vehicle, the message "Reduced Power" was displayed, and the vehicle was not able to be started. The contact's son had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed, and the fuel system and fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 206,181.

NHTSA ODI 11633952

What is the “death wobble” on Ford trucks? It’s as scary as the name sounds. The death wobble is a violent shaking that happens to the front end of many Ford F250 and F350 Super Duty trucks. It typically occurs at speeds over 50 miles per hour. It can also happen after going over bumps or grooves in the road. To stop the shaking, drivers must quickly slow way down or even stop completely.

NHTSA ODI 11588625

Truck has uncontrollable death wobble and is totally unsafe to drive, its a danger to be on the highway

NHTSA ODI 11584253

While driving my truck it will suddenly start shaking in the front end. Steering wheel is hard to hold on to because it's shaking so hard. I was going around 60mph when it started. Felt like I was losing control of the truck. This has happened 3 times in the last 2 months. I have contacted Lance Cunningham Ford here in Knoxville, TN on 2/5/24 and made an appt with them on [XXX] to look at my truck. In a disabled veteran and this really caused some major anxiety with me and Ford needs to make it right. Death wobble as it's known as isn't safe. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11570088

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-250. The contact stated that the front driver's side window was distorted due to the manufacturer's solar-tinted window. The contact was unable to view the driver's side mirror while the window was rolled up. The sticker label on the front driver's side window listed Ford Window Tint Carlite Solar Tint Tempered AS2. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

NHTSA ODI 11557593

DRIVING MORE THAN 70 MPH THE TRUCK STARTED TO MOVE SUDDENLY AND I COULD NOT CONTROL IT UNTIL I GOT OFF THE ROAD, UNTIL I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE TRUCK BY REDUCING THE SPEED TO 20 MPH

NHTSA ODI 11552120

The steering wheel shakes violently at speeds of 50-55 mph. The vehicle drives without any issues then without any warning or warning lights the vehicle starts shaking to the point you lose steering control and must immediately slow down until the shaking stops. This vehicle is available for inspection if needed. The safety of myself as well as others is due to the loss of steering at higher speeds and the need to immediately slow down. When this occurs it is often in highway traffic. This vehicle has been inspected and new shocks and steering damper as well as new tires were installed. The problem still exist.

NHTSA ODI 11550707

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving approximately 70-75 MPH and driving over a bump in the roadway, the vehicle experienced the death wobble. The contact stated that the steering wheel and the entire vehicle were shuddering violently, almost causing loss in control of the vehicle. The contact decelerated to 45 MPH and was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics, where the front end of the vehicle, the wheel alignment, and other unknown parts were inspected; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving on bumpy road surfaces. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.

NHTSA ODI 11550126

Ford 2013 F250 Death Wobble, it is real! It is scary! It is unpredictable and extremely dangerous. Something in the design of the front end needs to be fixed ASAP. My latest experience with this happened on 7/13/23. The worst death wobble that I have ever experienced happened today on the freeway at full speed (65mph). The first time today, my truck started to violently shake, prompting me to immediately slow down from 65mph to about 30-40mph during my morning commute to work/in traffic. Then, again a minute later, but this time it was seven worst! The death wobble started again at full speed and the front end started shaking uncontrollably and drifted my vehicle from the number 2 lane into the number 1 lane with other cars doing same speed. This violent shaking caught the attention of the other drivers and everyone slowed down, so I could make it into side of the road. 65mph to 30 in just seconds and crossing into another lane.This could have killed someone, including myself and my family. No, not inspected yet. No messages.

NHTSA ODI 11532144

My wife and I were traveling on interstate and hit a rough section of road outside Nashville when the truck started to shake uncontrollably, and we nearly hit the center concrete barrier. We had to completely stop before the violent shaking stopped. The next day the same thing happened on another rough section on the interstate. We had cars on both sides of us so could not immediately move to the road shoulder and had to slow down in middle of interstate to stop the violent shaking and nearly hit a car. I am surprise we did not get hit by someone rear ending us due to having to stop in middle of interstate with traffic traveling 70 MPH. I have been reading up on what happened, and people are calling this abnormal sustained wheel oscillation or death shake. I want to make sure this is incident is logged and reviewed as someone will end up getting killed due to this issue if happening on other F250 Trucks.

NHTSA ODI 11530660

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle entering LIMP Mode message was displayed. The contact was able to stop on the side of the road and have the vehicle towed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the EGR cooler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired because the dealer stated that the code was not a match for Customer Satisfaction Campaign Number: 21M04. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that code did not match the Customer Satisfaction Campaign Number: 21M04. The failure mileage was 99,000.

NHTSA ODI 11504727

As I was driving down the interstate at about 75 mph I encountered a worn out area in the road that I could not avoid due to traffic. The truck immediately began shaking violently and I was horrified. I thought I had perhaps had a tire blowout, and immediately pulled onto the shoulder to inspect. Realizing my tires looked OK, I got my wits about me and began driving again. To my surprise, the truck behaved as if nothing had happened. I drove the truck for another year with no issues until about 2 months ago when it happened again two different times, once going about 70 mph and the other at about 62mph. I was finally able to get the truck to a shop where repairs were made to the tune of > $1200.00. I thought I could breathe easier now driving it, but it happened again last week. It is a terrifying experience, and I can hardly wait to get rid of this death trap.

NHTSA ODI 11495370

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced the death wobble. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

NHTSA ODI 11494023

Repeating death wobble. Have replace all suspension and steering parts 3 times and the wobble returns.

NHTSA ODI 11491829

2013 Ford F-250 58,660 miles - Death Wobble. At 65mph, the front end of the truck experienced a violent shaking which caused the vehicle to be uncontrollable and start sliding sideways. It was not wheel bounce. The shaking steering wheel indicated it was wheel wobble which I had no idea existed. Warning of the danger that Ford was aware of would have been nice. I held tight to the steering wheel and stomped on the brakes to stop it. Down to 60mph, it hit again and again on the brakes. Down to 55mph in 65mph city rush hour traffic, it hit so hard I was afraid something was going to break! I stood on the brakes to stop it and thank goodness other drivers were paying attention because there could have been a multiple car pile up! Called Ford. Typical corporate runaround. 8,000 miles out of warranty? A dealer said there was no recall and I would have to pay for repairs. Really? The best truck manufacturer in the world just went to the worst. Hiding this problem is going to get someone killed.

NHTSA ODI 11484108

I recently purchased this vehicle with approximately 93000 miles on it. I have been experiencing wheel oscilation (AKA death wobble). I have replaced numerous suspension parts (tie rod ends, pitman arm, track bar bushing, track bar ball joint, front shocks). I have spent close to $1000 on trying to resolve the problem and am obviously not done yet. I am still experiencing this problem intermittently. The mechanic hasn't been able to find any loose or worn parts but there is obviously a problem, perhaps in the design of the system. I know I am not the only one experiencing this issue. When this "death wobble" occurs on the interstate the vehicle becomes almost impossible to control. The only way to make it stop is to slow down to below 50 MPH.

NHTSA ODI 11482679

Death Wobble, after replacing everything possible including the entire front end it still didn’t solve the issue

NHTSA ODI 11479179

At speeds over 60mph when driving across an uneven road surface or bump the cab of the truck begins to shake uncontrollable and will not stop until the speed is below 35. It has happened multiple times on major highways and changing lanes and reducing speed has nearly caused a traffic accident

NHTSA ODI 11476373

I was driving on the highway going 70mph, and hit a bump in the road that caused the whole truck to violently and aggressively shake. I let off the gas. The truck was hard to control and it was a scary 10 seconds. Eventually it regained stability and it was rolling normal.

NHTSA ODI 11474389

. Experiencing “death wobble” (vehicle shakes violently) at speeds over 50 mph. This vehicle is available for inspection upon request. . When experiencing this “death wobble” it feels like I am going to lose control of the vehicle. . This death wobble has been confirmed by an independent service center. . Steering components have been inspected by an independent service center and nothing was found that would indicate a problem. . There are no warning lamps or messages from the vehicle to indicate a problem prior to his death wobble situation occurring. First noticed this death wobble situation in approximately 2016.

NHTSA ODI 11473810