What 98 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Ford F-350 Super Crew

My F350 has had multiple occurrences of the front wheels violently shaking back and forth to the point the steering wheel is uncontrollable, literally shaking from my hands-a phenomenon many refer to as "death wobble". Steering control of the vehicle was lost. The only resolution was to stop the vehicle in the midst of traffic following me. vibration in the truck was so violent that it actually hurt my back. it is more than frightening. Ford has "repaired" this at least four times over the last 8 years. the first two times, at approximately 20,000 and 35,000 miles, the steering damper was replaced. Then at 55,800 miles I had a tire dealer replace the track bar. At 83113 miles, Gabriel Jordan Ford replaced the track Barr, track bar ball joint, steering shock, drag link, outer tie rod, and both outer spindles. At 84,000 miles the problem recurred and Gabriel Jordan Ford again replace the same components, while I was told to replace tires that had only 25,000 miles. As of this date, 2/15/2023, with the new components there are times when multiple road bumps are experienced that a small "death wobble" occurs. I worry on every bump this truck hits. A better solution is needed, else, I will need to replace this truck with another brand.

NHTSA ODI 11507575

DEATH WOBBLE!! VIOLENT SHAKING OF FRONT SUSPENSION. WHEN TRAVELING HIGHWAY SPEEDS 50- 65 HIT VERY SLIGHT BUMP AND STARTS SLIGHT WOBBLE WHICH THEN INCREASES TO UNCONTROLLABLE VIOLENT SHAKING OF FRONT END. ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS IMMEDIATE HARD BRAKING TO SLOW TO 45 MPH OR LESS. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH HEAVY TRUCKS BEHIND AND BESIDE. I AM SHOCKED THAT NOBODY IS DEAD! MOST RECENT WAS YESTERDAY NORTHBOUND I-5 NORTH OF SEATTLE. HAPPENED SO MANY TIMES I LOST COUNT. EVENTUALLY GAVE UP AND SET CRUISE CONTROL TO 45 MPH IN 56-70 MPH TRAFFIC. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT PRESENTS A VERY REAL THREAT TO LIFE AND SAFETY. PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA ODI 11506297

The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a death wobble. The contact related the failure to the steering; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11498262

I have experienced an extremely violent vibration/wobbling of the vehicle at freeway speeds on several occasions. During these times, it is very difficult to control breaking, steering the vehicle, making it nearly impossible. I felt very unsafe not only for myself, but also other vehicles around me as I was driving a heavy-duty vehicle on the freeway at a high speed with essentially no control. Although I was shaken up, I was able to regain control of the vehicle and continue on my way. There have been no reports or inspections at this time. Prior to this happening, there were no warnings or messages. This happens twice in 2 days while driving on a long trip. Both times this occurred while driving at 65-70 mph and driving over a small bump in road.

NHTSA ODI 11495220

We have experienced 6 episodes of severe “death wobble” in our 2014 350 diesel between mid Sept. and Nov 21, 2022. The truck shakes violently, 4 times while driving by around 60 mph on highways and twice while going slower on other roads. We have taken it into Ford Paso Robles twice: first time they could not identify the problem. The second time they said it was a “death wobble-Ford hates it when we call it that”; they charged us over $1200 to replace front shock absorbers and insulators, rear shock absorbers and steering stabilizer. The next time we put it on the highway, we had another severe death wobble as strong if not stronger than before. We limped home on HW 101 and HW 1 (with cliffs over the ocean), took it to James Ford Half Moon Bay who reproduced and confirmed the death wobble and said the entire front end needs replacement (parts alone, excluding new parts just put in by [XXX]) is $2962. I know Ford is aware of the death wobble problem and aware of strict product liability even for unknown defects. Our friend who bought a 2019 350 Ford received a recall notice for this issue but we haven’t. Ford needs to stand behind its product. We cannot drive this truck safely particularly since the only way to get to our home is off HW1 by steep cliffs. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11494715

This truck has exhibited the signs of ford's death wobble for the past 140,000 miles. The truck has been under fleet maintenance program since new from my employer and we have replaced all steer linkages, stabilizers, tires, and shocks multiple times over the past 140,000 miles and no improvements. Now when the truck hits a bump in the road, an expansion joint, or an overpass transition the front end will shake so violently that it has become uncontrollable. My girlfriend had this happen to her and it sprained her wrists trying to control the truck while coming to a stop. A few months back it happened to me the truck was bouncing so badly that it started to rotate around the vertical axis, and I feared that the truck would roll over as I had to bring it to a complete stop in the middle of the road. The truck had to be driven in the far-right lane so when you must make an emergency stop there is a shoulder to move on to and avoid being rear-ended. With the amount of Ford super-duty trucks o the road today and the number of them that are experiencing this issue, I am confused why Ford is not having to stand behind this product?

NHTSA ODI 11488053

The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the exhaust pipe had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the part to repair the vehicle was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,151.

NHTSA ODI 11485432

Vehicle has a sudden violent shimmy, vibration ("death wobble") at highway speeds, requiring the vehicle to be slowed or stopped immediately to stop the vibrations. So far no complete loss of control. The track bar ball joint was identified as the issue and has been replaced 3 times in the last 2 1/2 years. The most recent replacement include a new track bar and lasted 17 months.

NHTSA ODI 11485207

This isn't a safety concern, but many Ford 6.7 liter diesels have an issue where 2 of the bottom bolts that hold the vacuum pump were never tightened properly in the factory and it's causing oil leaks. I bought the truck used in 2018

NHTSA ODI 11483899

DEATH WOBBLE

NHTSA ODI 11478013

Air Bag Light Illuminated on 2014 Ford f350. Recall on other year models but not on my year model . With light illuminated the air bag circuit is open therefore the airbag system is usless which is a safety issue.

NHTSA ODI 11474193

Severe wobble at speeds over 35 mph. Uncontrollable after hitting a bump or bridge at hiway speed

NHTSA ODI 11473031

My Pickup has a very unsafe “Death wobble” that I have found has been a problem for many others. It is unknown what part or parts are failing as I can’t get a straight answer, I have been recommended to replace the shocks and tires as well as add an aftermarket steering stabilizer. My individual safety is put at risk every time I hit a minor bump or line in the pavement, it causes the front end to shake so bad that I could easily lose control and if there was someone in the lane next to me it could cause an accident!the problem has been reported to dealers from countless others I have spoken to and Ford tells them it’s normal! How is it normal for a vehicle to react in such a way? A minor line in the pavement or even a rumble strip can cause loss of control? Ford needs to fix this! The worst part of this is, I just bought this truck, found out about all this when I was driving out of state the day after I bought it 5/10/22! I would love for a NHTSA inspector to come for a ride-a-long so they can witness it first hand!

NHTSA ODI 11466880

When driving down the road, generally occurs during deceleration at speeds over 50mph the truck begins to have a death wobble. The death wobble it so violent that you feel like the truck is going to just fall apart. Dealership claims they can’t find anything wrong with truck. It happens everytime I drive the truck. I don’t have another vehicle and when paying $60,000 for a truck you would expect better quality than this from ford.

NHTSA ODI 11461582

Already spent 2600 to fix DEATH WOBBLE. Have much more to spend. This is ridiculous. 2017-2019 were recalled. My wife had motorcycle accident and was in car when this happened and is suffering PTSD from this horrific issue. Please recall.

NHTSA ODI 11459175

While driving at highway speeds and driving over bumps or uneven surfaces the vehicle begins to shake uncontrollably. It feels like the whole front end of the vehicle is coming apart. It makes controlling the vehicle extremely difficult. I almost hit several vehicles that were on the highway with me putting many people in danger of injury or death. This “Death Wobble” has occurred several times starting last year (2020 November). I had to wait until I could save the money to have the problem fixed. It was quite expensive and with Covid and my reduced income it took some time. When I took it to the dealership service center to have it fixed one of the technicians went on a ride along wanting to see it the Death Wobble happened. It happened very quickly once the vehicle reached 65 mph. The technicians response “Oh! That’s a bad one! There were no prior warnings or lamps to alert of the issue.

NHTSA ODI 11441487

Something within the Steering component(s) are causing the truck to violently shake during highway speeds other wise known as a “DEATH WOBBLE” and I have to pullover and come to a complete stop for the shaking to quit. I have been to the dealer after my first experience ( June 2020) and they replaced a steering stabilizer. Now 1-1/2 years later (November 2021) the shaking reoccurred. There is only 42,000 miles on the truck and all tie rod, ball joint connections etc. appear to be tight. I might also note that I was pulling a 15,000lb 5th wheel trailer which seemed to compound the problem. It crossed my mind that the trailer was going to flip prior to getting to a stop

NHTSA ODI 11440845

When driving down the highway at normal speed 65 mph when encountering a bump the vehicle started shaking uncontrollably, including the steering wheel. Issue would not resolve until reducing speed. This was all after vehicle had been to dealer and had all new tie bars, steering damper, shocks, wheel alignment and balancing done.

NHTSA ODI 11433411

Death wobble- horrible shake to vehicle

NHTSA ODI 11430260

3 times, while driving at highway speeds (55 -70 mph) the truck front end has entered into a violent oscillation, with steering wheel juddering. Rapidly slowing to a stop or <25 mph has allowed control of vehicle to be regained. Fortunately this has only happened in light traffic and while following a straight road allowing vehicle to be pulled to shoulder. I am not sure what would happen if vehicle was in a turn or in heavy traffic unable to reach the emergency lane. First time this happened I assumed front shocks were bad and had them replace. However this has not fixed the problem as it has happened twice since, after running over expansion joints on a bridge/interstate interface and expansion joint on the road. Have since learned this is not an isolated issue unique to my vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11427808

At highway speeds the front end may start a severe wobble of the steering and tires upon hitting a bump or rough section of the road that initiates the wobble. No warning lamps. The only way to stop the wobble is to slow to 20 or 25 mph. This has happened 4 times so far with my 2014 F350 and once with a heavy 5th wheel in tow. Safety is severely at risk due to potential loss of control and/or slowing on the freeway which will put nearby drivers at risk of collision. This problem is documented by many Ford Superduty truck owners. I have not had my vehicle inspected as I understand most that have had expensive repairs done have not had the problem fixed. The first wobble incident occurred with truck mileage at only 18,000 miles - would not expect significant component wear at that low mileage. Truck is not used for heavy or rough work - just pleasure and occasional tow of small 5th wheel trailer.

NHTSA ODI 11420054

Emissions warning for my DEF system's Reductant heater code and possible connected wiring.

NHTSA ODI 11418952

Transmission jumps out of gear while driving. It happens both in tow/Haul mode hauling my camper and in regular mode driving

NHTSA ODI 11417715

HAD THE TRUCK AT THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR 'DEATH WOBBLE' WHEN TRAVELING AT OR ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR. WOBBLE ALSO STARTS WITH BUMPS AND GROVES IN THE ROAD. FORD DEALERSHIP STATED THEY COULD NOT FIX THE ISSUE AND DID NOT KNOW HOW. SINCE THEN THE ISSUE HAS YET TO BE RESOLVED COSTING ME A LOT OF MONEY OUT OF POCKET AND DRIVING DAILY TO WORK IN A VEHICLE I FEEL IS UNSAFE.

NHTSA ODI 11408682

AROUND 25,000 MILES THE FRONT AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON.IT WENT OFF AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES.THEN ON A LONG TRIP IS CAME ON AGAIN AND HASN'T GONE OFF---MILEAGE IS 33280.THIS TRUCK HAS NOT BEEN IN A COLISION,WRECK OR ANYTHING.ITS BEEN BABIED SINCE NEW.LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING.ON THE HIWAY. SEATS MIGHT HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED AND MOVED SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE TRIED WIGGILING WIRES UNDER SEAT---NO HELP.I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN AIRBAG RECALL--MY TRUCK IS A 2014,MIGHT HAVE BEEN MADE IN 2013??? PLEASE HELP WITH THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI 11404282