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

Experiencing SEVERE Death Wobble since August 2024, problem continues today at speeds of 60-70mph on curve and/or hard bump in roadway. Mechanic has replace all front end suspension and steering "wear parts". Have replaced all 4 shock absorbers. Replaced all rubber body bushings, which were rotted or partially disintegrated. Problem still persists. Mechanics have no solutions and have given up. I am afraid to drive my truck over 50mph. Help.

NHTSA ODI 11638258

On [XXX] we were traveling westbound on [XXX] from Keenesburg, CO in our 2014 Ford F-350 Super Duty at roughly 75mph. We were in the right lane and went over a bump in the road and as soon as we did, the steering wheel and the entire front end of the truck started shaking violently. We pulled onto the shoulder of the highway to slow down/stop. Once the truck stopped shaking, we pulled back into the right lane from the shoulder and shortly before the [XXX] exit we hit another bump in the road and the steering wheel as well as the front end of the truck began violently shaking. We again moved over to the shoulder of the highway, slowing down until we were at a full stop. At that point we decided we weren't going to go to our destination and exited the highway at the [XXX] exit. *We're not entirely sure what component or system failed but believe it to be related to the steering or suspension and yes it is available for inspection. *Our safety was at risk due to the high rate of speed we were traveling when this happened and without any warning whatsoever. Had we not been able to move onto the shoulder to stop the vehicle, who knows what could've happened. Thankfully, there were not a lot of other vehicles on the road both times this occurred. *We are hesitant to operate the truck so it has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. *Again, we are hesitant to operate the truck so it has not been inspected by anyone yet. *No, there were no warnings at all. No warning lamps, no messages, nothing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11612888

My truck has developed the death wobble and I have down everything to remedy this situation and no one has been able to get this very scary problem fixed.

NHTSA ODI 11570595

Starts shaking violently when I reach speeds of around 50 mph. This has been happening since sometime in 2019 but I didn’t know how to report it until today.

NHTSA ODI 11566692

•Between my wife and I driving approximately 65-75 mph on 5-6 different occasions, with an initial complaint to Ford on [XXX], on I-17 in AZ and other AZ highways the steering wheel and the whole truck shook violently during a stretch of bumpy road or after hitting a pothole. Slowing down has been the only way to stop the wobbling and shaking which creates a precarious situation with semi-trucks behind as my wife has experienced. •Today [XXX], I experienced this wobble and noticed some of the vehicles behind me thankfully had slowed down. I felt I was going to lose control of the truck and possibly crash as a result. As I was about to exit the [XXX], I slowed down to approximately 50 mph and the shaking stopped so I continued to proceed north. There is a long strip of bumpy pavement south of [XXX] and the shaking occurred that lasted approximately 10 seconds as I was passing the [XXX] exit. •The problem has been addressed on multiple occasions: Sanderson Ford on 8/13/2020 (vibration felt in steering wheel when going over bumps). Sanderson Ford on 10/28/2020 (rattle noise from right front wheel when pulling trailer). Diesel Doctors on 11/11/2021 (for independent suspension check Sanderson Ford on 12/06/2021 (severe vibration felt when going over a bump at 65-75 mph from front of vehicle). *Sanderson Ford on 1/4/2021 (front sway bar came loose from brackets while driving). Sanderson Ford on 3/4/2021 (vehicle pulls right). *In 2021 my family and I were driving from Colorado back to Phoenix and as we were south on [XXX] from the [XXX] exit I heard a loud metal clanging sound. There were no mechanical issues experienced thank God but we took it in to Sanderson Ford very soon afterwards. Within the past 1-1/2 weeks, the Advance Trac (downhill) light illuminated and we made an appointment with a diesel mechanic. After today's episode, I called Sanderson for and am waiting on a call back from them. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11564276

Vehicle evidenced Death Wobble on October 5,2023. No reoccurrence since. No warning from vehicle before this happened. Vehicle received regular insoections by Ford Dealerships at oil changes. Discussed with Lithia Ford , Casper Wyoming-and vehicle to be inspected on October 12, 2023.and hopefully repaired. Vehicle has 100000 miles on it with extended warranty. No injuries or death

NHTSA ODI 11548881

I have a death wobble. Ball joints, sway arms replaced, wheels rotated and balanced and still has death wobble

NHTSA ODI 11543935

On 7/23/23 I experienced the death wobble in my 2014 F350 for at least the fifth time since purchasing the truck 4 years ago. This time was the most violent, scary and dangerous time of all. I was on an interstate, in heavy traffic, traveling at 65 miles per hour. Previous incidents have resulted in repairs to the suspension. Everything from tie rod ends, stabilizers and shocks. This most recent incident required that the steering damper to be replaced. All total, I have spent at least $3,000 in repairs in the last 4 years for this problem alone. Not to mention that I fear for me and my wife’s safety.

NHTSA ODI 11535212

I have experienced three occurrences now where the vehicle suddenly begins to violently shake while driving between 50-70 MPH. All three times I was able to pull off the highway and stopped to inspect. Tires, lug nuts, brakes, and steering all appeared fine, so I cautiously resumed my trips without further incident. I have done some research and it appears that this is a well known issue, and is known as “Ford death wobble”. While I was able to safely move to the shoulder, I would be concerned if this occurred in heavy traffic, or if it occurred to an inexperienced driver. I am submitting this report to document these occurrences. During the last incident, I did get a traction control and hill descent malfunction indicator, but both of those cleared by themselves soon after resuming my trip. I am currently in the process of upgrading the steering stabilizer system, and replacing drag link, tie rods, ball joints to prevent any reoccurrences. While I understand these items are considered “wear” items, they should not be causing this severe of a problem at only 60k miles. (And I have no guarantee these will resolve my issue - I am replacing them as preventative measures)

NHTSA ODI 11515442

This truck has a “death wobble” at 55 mph on the highway when we hit any road bumps.

NHTSA ODI 11514875

2014 Ford F350 Super Duty Platinum 4x4 Diesel: Steering wheel started with small vibrations (90,000 miles), had Ford tell us that we needed a new track bar and bushing, so replaced it. Still having small vibrations in the 45-60 mph range. Then Ford said tie rod ends could be causing the problem did have some movement in the drag link, so replaced those, still having vibration. Had sound and clunking coming from steering box, so installed new steering box and pitman arm, and the small vibration has morphed into serious death wobble, and the pickup becomes almost uncontrollable until slowing down to under 45mph. Replaced all 4 shocks and the steering stabilizer. Sadly, the Ford dealership doesn't really seem to want to acknowledge there is a problem and work to fix it, and yet a quick internet search becomes extremely distressing quickly. To think, that you (NTSB) and Ford is likely going to wait until there is an accident before owning up to the fact that this is problematic and should be dealt with appropriately. They have offered to replace the steering stabilizer for 2017 or newer, even though they know it affects models as early as 2005. Clearly, neither you (NTSB) or Ford care about the people, it's just all about the dollar and CYA (Cover your [XXX]). INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11510895

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

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

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

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

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

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

"DEATH WOBBLE"...SEVERE...SO FAR 9 TIMES!!! 8 TIMES WHILE TRAVELING AT 70+ MPH AND ONCE AT 45. USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN ON A SLIGHT TURN TO THE LEFT AND MEETS A SMALL TO MEDIUM BUMP AS YOU PASS OVER A BRIDGE TO ROAD CONNECTION FOR EXAMPLE! A SMALL CHUG HOLE WILL SET IT OFF TOO! WELCOME TO HOUSTON! SO FAR IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED ON A STRAIGHT AWAY...FINGERS CROSSED. IN MY WORK I TOW A 36' TRAVEL TRAILER RACKING UP ABOUT 40-60 THOUSAND MILES A YEAR! AGAIN...SO FAR IT HAS NOT HAPPENED WHILE TOWING! MY EXPENSES ARE ADDING UP TRYING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM...REPLACED THE TRACK BAR, SHOCKS, STABILIZER DAMPER AND HAD THE WHEELS BALANCED AND ROTATED...NOTHING SO FAR HAS WORKED! EVERY MECHANIC I HAVE BEEN TO ALL ARE GUESSING AT A SOLUTION...YOUTUBE IS FULL OF VIDEOS ON SOLUTIONS BUT YOU NEED TO HAVE PRETTY DEEP POCKETS TO TRY THEM ALL...NONE ARE DEFINITIVE! AS A GM GUY ALL MY LIFE I DECIDED TO BUY A 2014 FORD F350 HEAVY DUTY 4 WHEEL DRIVE. THE TRUCK IS BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND OUT! I LOVE THE STYLING MUCH BETTER THAN CHEVY OR DODGE! BIG MISTAKE! AFTER HEARING COUNTLESS ADVERTISING COMMERCIALS DRILLING INTO EVERYONE'S "BUILT FORD TOUGH" I CAN TELL YOU "FORDS" ADVERTISING IS EXTREMELY MISLEADING! AS AN ADVERTISING PROFESSIONAL I CAN TELL YOU THAT "OVER PROMISING AND UNDER DELIVERING" IS THE KISS OF DEATH! NOT BACKING UP YOUR PRODUCT IS EVEN WORSE!!! EVERYONE KNOWS BAD NEWS TRAVEL TEN TIMES FASTER THAN GOOD! I WOULD BE WILLING TO DONATE A $1000.00 TOWARDS A NATIONWIDE BILLBOARD CAMPAIGN WITH ONE MESSAGE 'DON'T BUY FORDS!"! BACK TO GM I GO AS SOON AS I CAN FIND ANOTHER SUCKER TO BUY THIS BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF GARBAGE! HOWEVER, UNLIKE FORD I HAVE A CONSCIENCE AND WOULD NOT DO THAT. INSTEAD I WILL WAIT SEE IF YOUR CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT GAINS TRACTION AND A REASONABLE SOLUTION IS REACHED! GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND COUNT ME IN! KINDEST REGARDS, DON

NHTSA ODI 11404354

2014 F-350 FRONT END / STEERING SHAKING KNOWN AS THE DEATH WOBBLE. ONLY WAY TO STOP THE SHAKING WAS TO REDUCE SPEED UNDER 50 MPH. THIS HAS PREVIOUSLY OCCURRED IN 8/2018 WITH APPROX 116K MILES ON THE TRUCK. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED MORE THAN ONCE AT SERVICE LOCATION, INCLUDING BRAKES, TIRES, ALIGNMENT,...BUT COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. DIFFERENT "FIXES" WERE TRIED, WHICH INCLUDED TRACK BAR AND TIE ROD REPLACEMENT. AFTER 2ND TRACK BAR AND BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT, ISSUE SEEMED TO BE RESOLVED. HOWEVER, THE DEATH WOBBLE HAS RETURNED. CURRENT MILEAGE IS NO APPROX 175K MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY FORD, YET THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS TO FIX THE ISSUE. TRUCK WILL BE RETURNING TO REPAIR FACILITY THIS WEEK, COSTING MORE MONEY OUT OF MY POCKET, TO HOPEFULLY PUT ANOTHER BAND-AID ON THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11388910