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

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

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

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

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

While driving on the interstate near my current jobsite location, I went over a rough surface section of road on a curved exit ramp and my front end began to violently wobble. I have felt it shake a littke on this section of road, but now it has become more violent. This seems to only happen when i hit a bump at higher speeds, but not every time I hit a bump. Maybe 5% of the bumps will cause this wobble, which will not stop until i lower my speed signifigantly

NHTSA ODI 11456526

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the front end of the vehicle started shaking with no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with axle shafts needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated the failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who then replaced an unknown steering part however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 34,000.

NHTSA ODI 11422902

Experience the death wobble 3 times in the past month

NHTSA ODI 11422983

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HE HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT ALL STAR FORD - CANTON (17849 I-20, CANTON, TX 75103, (903) 567-4144) FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE, WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE DEATH WOBBLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE SAME DEALER STAR FORD - CANTON AND MADE THEM AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 129,000.

NHTSA ODI 11407744

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

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

CAB BUSHINGS NEED TO BE REPLACES AT 61K MILES. VEHICLE BODY MAKES A LOAD NOISE AND SHIFTS TO THE SIDE WHEN GOING OVER AN INCLINE. VEHICLE INSPECTED AT FORD SHOP AND NEEDS 16 CAB BUSHINGS REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI 11395897

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