What 116 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Ford F-250 (super Cab)

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

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

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

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

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

DEATH WOBBLE OCCURED WHILE PULLING FIFTH WHEEL CAMPER. NO WARNINGS. WILL NOT TURN WHEN IN DEATH WOBBLE. HAVE TO COME TO COMPLETE STOP IN INTERSECTION CAUSING IRATE DRIVERS. SAFETY ISSUES FOR MY PASSENGERS AND ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS EVERY TIME WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. AM TAKING IT TO FORD DEALER TO FIX.

NHTSA ODI 11472680

Death wobble. Highway speeds in traffic, it happened at highway speed on interstate which put our safety and others at risk. We have taken it to the Ford dealership service department and waiting for repairs, not sure of diagnosis, waiting on parts. No previous warning at all. One of the most scary experiences we have ever had. Don’t know how we got through this without wrecking. Had to run off pavement into the grass to prevent loosing control. It was completely unexpected and took us totally by surprise.

NHTSA ODI 11422433

My 2013 Ford F250 Superduty has the "DEATH WOBBLE" problems with the front steering/suspension. This problem should be fixed before it gets someone killed. My first occurrence happened while I was on US-64 West bound near Raleigh, NC while traveling at ~70mph (the posted speed limit). Narrowly avoid other vehicles while trying to maintain control and get stopped.

NHTSA ODI 11419997

I WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND HIT A BUMP AND IT SUDDENLY WENT INTO A DEATH WOBBLE TO THE POINT WHERE I COULD BARELY HOLD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA ODI 11413916

WHILE DRIVING DOWN I-75 I NOTICED MY HUSBANDS FRONT TIRES WOBBLING AND SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS IN LESS THAN 30 MILES. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. WE HAVE HAD THE TRUCK SERVICED MANY TIMES TRYING TO FIX THE ISSUE BUT IT STILL PERSISTS. THIS IS SOMETHING FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR. IT IS PUTTING OUR LIVES AND OTHERS IN DANGER.

NHTSA ODI 11406383

AT HWY DRIVING SPEEDS THE VEHICLE STARTS TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. I HAVE HAD IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIME AND SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND IT STILL IS NOT FIXED. AKA (DEATH WOBBLE)

NHTSA ODI 11403477

VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS VIBRATED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS LAST WEEKEND IT STARTED SHAKING SO VIOLENTLY THAT EVEN THE PHONE MOUNT ON THE WINDSHIELD CAME OFF, FORCING ME TO PULL OVER ON I75. AFTER CHECKING TIRES AND TIRE PRESSURE GOT BACK ON THE ROAD, VIBRATION CAME BACK BUT NOT AS SEVERE. HAVE HAD THE TIRES CHECKED FOR ALIGNMENT AND BALANCE, NO ISSUES THERE. SEEMS TO ONLY BE A PROBLEM AT 60 MPH+

NHTSA ODI 11399728

I WAS DRIVING 75 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY, RAN OVER A PATCH IF WAVY CONCRETE ROAD WHEN THE FRONT END OF MY F250 BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. OUT OF NOWHERE, I WAS NOT IN CONTROL OF MY TRUCK AND SIMPLY ALONG FOR THE RIDE. THANK GOD FOR ALERT TRUCK DRIVERS AROUND ME THAT GAVE ME SPACE WHEN THEY SAW I WAS STRUGGLING TO REGAIN CONTROL. I USED 15' OF LANE, SIDE TO SIDE, TO GET MY TRUCK BACK UNDER CONTROL BUT THE ONLY THING THAT WORKED WAS TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. ONCE I REACHED 35 MPH, THE SHAKING CEASED AND I WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUE. IMEDIATELY AFTER GETTING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I CHECKED THE TIRES AND REMOVED THE HUB CAPS TO CONFIRM EVERY WHEEL LUG WAS TIGHT AND SECURE. NO PLAY IN THE WHEELS SIDE TO SIDE NOR ANY VISIBLE IRREGULARITIES ANYWHERE. WITH RELUCTANCE, I DROVE ON THE SERVICE ROAD AND THE TRUCK RAN SMOOTH. I EASED BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND THE TRUCK RAN SMOOTH. WHEN I RESEARCHED MY EVENT ON THE WEB THIS EVENING, I FOUND THE ISSUE OF "DEATH WOBBLE". I WILL BE CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW, BUT BASED ON WHAT I'VE READ FROM NUMEROUS REVIEWS AND COMMENTS, I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THE PROBLEM, NOR SHOULD I EXPECT AN ADMISSION FROM FORD OR EXPECT THEM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISSUE. IT SURPRISES ME THAT AN ISSUE THIS GRAVE AFFECTS 2005-2017 YEAR MODELS AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO REMEDY THE DEFECT. IT APPEARS THAT FORD IS PLACING THE BLAME BACK ONTO THE CUSTOMER'S MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND TIRE ALIGNMENTS. HOW CAN THIS PROBLEM WHICH BEGAN IN THE 2005 MODEL STILL PLAGUE MY 2012 MODEL? WHAT CAN BE DONE TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE AND PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING TO OTHERS?

NHTSA ODI 11372325

2013 F-250 PLATINUM SUPER DUTY POWER STROKE TRUCK STARTED BUMPING AND VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END AND STEERING AT 65MPH AFTER SLIGHT BOUNCE ON A ROAD TRANSITION FROM ROAD TO BRIDGE. VIBRATION INCREASED UNTIL TRUCK WAS PUT INTO NEUTRAL AND ALLOWED TO SLOW DOWN. ONCE UNDER 50 MPH TRUCK REGAINED STABILITY.

NHTSA ODI 11365148

EXTREME 'DEATH WOBBLE' HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 55MPH AND THERE'S A BUMP OR DIP OF ANY SIZE IN THE ROAD. THE TRUCK BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL UNTIL YOU COME TO ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP THIS HAS BEEN FIXED 3 TIMES NOW IT INITIALLY STARTED IN 2017 WITH JUST ABOUT 140,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK (WHICH HAD A NEW FRONT END INSTALLED BY FORD)

NHTSA ODI 11364772