What 287 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Ford F-250 Super Crew

Truck was driving 70 mph going to TN when it started shaking and grinding or awful noise. Lost control of steering d/t shaking. Slowed down and pulled over to side of road to check vehicle equipment. Made call to my son who said it's the death wobble, advised to slow below 60 mph. No death wobble again unless I hit a bump then it started again.

NHTSA ODI 11500521

My 2016 F-250 continues to experience the Ford Truck "death wobble." It sometimes happens after I have travelled on an interstate entrance and am increasing speed up to normal highway speed (or similar situation). The front end begins to terribly "shake" and I can only stop it by drastically braking to a much slower speed or even coming to a stop. Usually, there is no obvious reason for this wobble to occur although a rough interstate entrance rough surface may increase the probability of it occurring. I have been able to handle it thus far, but I do worry about being in a traffic lane and having limited options to resolve the issue quickly.

NHTSA ODI 11498120

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V337000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11497269

At highway speed on Interstate-95, I hit a rough patch of asphalt paving and front end of vehicle began to shake uncontrollably. Vehicle continued to shake violently until speed was significantly reduced below the flow of traffic thus creating an extremely dangerous situation. All 4 shocks and steering stabilizer were replace with upgraded Bilstein brand products bya Ford master mechanic within the last 6 months.

NHTSA ODI 11496146

Death wobble. Uncontrollable shaking in steering to the point of loss of control. Occurs after a bumpy road or at speeds in excess of 45mph. This occurred on a packed interstate and by the grace of God we didn't wreck or be rear-ended by a semi.

NHTSA ODI 11495210

Violently shaking can not control truck, I’ve looked this up and it is known as the death wobble. It looks like they have recalled /027 but not 2016 models what can be done about this. It has happened about 6 times in 3 days

NHTSA ODI 11495025

There was a violent shaking from the front end od my Ford F250 Super Duty trucks happening on the freeway while driving over 50 miles and hour. This has happended 3 times in the last 6 months. It is very dangerous and causes other vehicles around to try and get out of the way. It only stops after reducing to a dangerously low speed on the freeway. It is very scary and life threatening in my opinion. Please recall and correct!

NHTSA ODI 11494981

At speed on interstate after hitting bumps in the roadway front end started to wobble bad. Had to slow down below 45mph to get wobble to stop.

NHTSA ODI 11494312

Ford sent me a recall #22S35 regarding a clock spring contamination of the steering wheel date (5/2022) notice beginning in 6/2022 to have it repaired by making an appt with a local dealer however, the dealer service advisors at Tustin Ford in Ca told me in multiple calls to them that Ford does not have the parts built yet. Please advise John J. Rochefort (949) 285-7171 jrmw@cox.net

NHTSA ODI 11494234

The Driveshaft fractured and fell out of truck while driving and lost control and veered off onto the grass of highway.

NHTSA ODI 11492750

The airbag light is on as the spring in the steering column has become contaminated which caused audible cracking sounds in steering column, degrading steering and the horn not to function.

NHTSA ODI 11490710

I have had multiple repairs done and several components replaced and im still fighting a death wobble issue. It occurs at normal opersting speeds above 40mph when you travel across bumpy surfaces.

NHTSA ODI 11489165

While driving on Route 64 in Virginia in May 2022, the vehicle sustained severe steering wheel oscillations after hitting rough pavement, driving around 65 miles per hour. It was difficult to hold on to the steering wheel. The oscillations lasted roughly 60 seconds. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the occurrence. This occurrence happened again while driving on Route 50 eastbound to Annapolis on Saturday October 1, 2022 around 65 miles per hour. After hitting rough pavement, the vehicle sustained severe steering wheel oscillations. The oscillations last roughly 60 seconds. In both occurrence, it was difficult to hold onto the steering wheel. We were concerned that the ability for the truck to break would be impacted.

NHTSA ODI 11488310

FRONT WHEELS WOBBLE UNCONTROLABLY AFTER HITTING A BUMP AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30 MPH. PROBLEM CONFIRMED BY MECHANIC AND TEMPERARY FIX ACOMPLISHED BY ADDING 2 MORE DAMPENING SHOCK ABSORBERS IN ADDITION TO THE ONE PROVIDED BY THE FACTORY AND REPLACING FRONT STRUTS AND FRONTEND BALL JOINTS.

NHTSA ODI 11488303

I was driving on the highway going 65mph when my truck started violently shaking and I almost lost control, I had to pull to the shoulder and stop. This is the second time It has happened. It is very dangerous, thank god I drive with two hands. It is very scary and I could of hit another car.

NHTSA ODI 11487832

Death wobble occurred this morning for the first time ever. It was terrifying for me and my children. I had to slam on the brakes so hard that I nearly slid off the road! The fact that Ford doesn’t acknowledge this is ridiculous. I hope and pray that this does not occur with my children in the vehicle, or while I’m hauling my horses.

NHTSA ODI 11486890

Air bag clock spring in steering wheel has broken, air bag light is on and no functions on the steering work ...heated, volume control buttons, horn etc will not work.

NHTSA ODI 11485093

violent shaking from front end at moderate highway speed experienced when bumps road or when driving on groved surfaces. problem confirmed by ford mechanic and repaired at my expense. Approximately one year later same violent shake. same ford dealer replaced parts originally repaired by them. from time to time a less severe shake has been noted. Have repair invoices. concerned this problem will result one day in loss of vehicle control.

NHTSA ODI 11485129

While driving on a highway I went over a bump in the road and the vehicle started shaking violently and I could not control it. I applied the brakes and slowed to about 30 mph and the shaking stopped. No other motorists were involved.

NHTSA ODI 11483883

Traveling on uneven road leads to uncontrollable driving when u hit a bump the front end shakes to the point you have to stop even when passing a vehicle on interstates ( my incident) my mechanic has changed numerous parts , rotated tires ( installed 06 21) i cannot let my wife drive this truck for fear of her not being able to control the shaking if she hits a bump especially while on the interstate I just think she would freak out I did the first time now I am very cautious when driving but in Louisiana it is impossible to miss a bump

NHTSA ODI 11483909

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving out of a parking lot at approximately 3 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated and the steering wheel was difficult to operate. The contact then parked the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer and it was diagnosed with an air bag sensor failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11482601

the front end started the death wobble and i lost control and ended up in the dirt in the center divider of the freeway.

NHTSA ODI 11482158

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-250. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel with error code P2002. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 106,000.

NHTSA ODI 11482023

On 08/01/2022 at approximately 1400 hours, I was driving my 2016 Ford F250 4x4 and towing a 5th wheel trailer weighing approximately 14000 lbs. I was traveling at approximately 60 MPH when I hit a small bump on I-215 which caused a violent shaking from the front end of the vehicle (condition commonly referred to as "death wobble"). I immediately released the accelerator to try and correct the violent shake, but the condition continued. I attempted to brake, which caused the condition to worsen and brake efficiency was greatly reduced. Allowing the vehicle to coast and slow down without brake input was the only way to correct the condition. Once we slowed to below 45 MPH, the condition was no longer present. I inspected the front end suspension and steering components of the vehicle. I discovered the ball joint (Ford Part# MCF-2225) securing the track bar to the front axle was warn and had excessive play in it. This play allowed the front axle to have lateral movement perpendicular to the vehicles travel. All other suspension and steering components checked okay. After replacement of the track bar ball joint, the condition has not reoccured. The defective ball joint is available for inspection, however it fell apart when pressed out of the front axle. This issue caused a severe reduction in steering and braking, putting myself and those around me at risk. As the truck is no longer in warranty, it has not been seen by the dealer or a third party. There was no warning prior to the condition occurring.

NHTSA ODI 11479074

10 times over about a 12 month period,(with 5 of the 10 happening in one 6 hour period, after we have spent thousands of dollars trying to fix this issue) if we run over a bump in the road at over 60 mph, the front end of the truck goes into violent, uncontrollable shaking. The only way to stop it is to smash the brakes as hard as you can to get the trucks speed below 30 mph so you can regain control of the steering wheel and front end. It’s one of the scariest things we have ever experienced. Please make FORD fix this problem before someone gets killed!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11476665