What 462 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Ford F-350 Crew

I was accelerating to get on the freeway and there was a slight bump or crease in the pavement and my front end started to bounce and warble uncontrollably, fortunately I was able to pull off of the on-ramp and come to a stop with out incident. This was not the first time I noticed this, but it was definitely the worst.

NHTSA ODI 11508324

Death Wobble, the steering wheel shook violently. I could not control the vehicle and had to stop in the middle of the road to make it quit. This has happened before. It was serviced for this problem once.

NHTSA ODI 11508187

experiencing intermittent violent wobble of front suspension/steering. 2 significant events since October 2022. Traveling at highway speed and incurring rough road steering wheel wobbles severally. Only way to stop it is to slow down below approximately 50 mph, however latest event (02/14/23), had to go below 20 mph to get it to stop. very dangerous on the highway. Tractor trailer had to change lanes very quickly to avoid hitting me. Ford dealership is aware of the issue, however they only offer a new steering dampener that has not been available for almost 4 months. Had an independent service center look at the suspension. They found that the dampener is faulty and another suspension joint is showing premature wear.

NHTSA ODI 11507205

3 different occasions where my trucks front wheels and steering wheel shakes uncontrollably after hitting a pothole or bridge transition. Twice pulling a fifth wheel camper and once by itself. Very scary. Twice I had to come to a near stop before I could continue. Death wobble they call it. Took to Ford dealership who said the fix is a steering damper which is on national back order with no release date. It has happened once again since then for a total of 4 times. Never know when it will happen. Just depends on the bridge transition or pothole. Ford needs to correct this steering problem

NHTSA ODI 11506563

When I hit a bump with this truck the steering shakes violently. I brought to ford and they said it is a steering dampner and it is a recalled part and they would fix it as a recall however they said they dont have the part and they dont know when the part will be available. I am now left with an undriveable truck and no one can tell me when it can be fixed.

NHTSA ODI 11503545

My 2019 F-350 lariat power stroke 23,500 miles has experienced a shaking in the steering on the freeway multiple times previously, it seemed to happen when a bump or uneven part of the road was felt. The last time 1/11/23 it shook uncontrollably on the freeway until the truck was slowed to 20MPH. I had both hands tightly gripped on the steering wheel and could not control it- until the speed was reduced to 20 MPH. Other vehicles on the freeway had to avoid my truck as I had to lower the speed well below the minimum speed limit on the freeway which could have caused a crash. After consulting the dealer and another mechanic the term used for this condition is the death wobble. The truck is unsafe. It was brought in to the authorized Ford dealer in Wisconsin. They said there is a fix for this issue but it’s backordered and has been backordered for sometime. I asked the dealer for a date when I might see this part and was told it’s backordered with no expectation of a date for the part. The truck is not safe to drive. Now I have to pick it up from the dealer without a resolution- basically drive the unsafe truck home and park it until Ford can get me the part.

NHTSA ODI 11502040

Vehicle front end started to violently shake when hitting small bumps while driving over 55 mph. When this happens, I have to slam on the brakes to get the vehicle back below 40 mph to stop the shaking, then can accelerate back to speed.....only to happen again when hitting a bump. The dealer states that it is worn parts on a vehicle with less than 20,000 miles on it. The vehicle has been at the dealer waiting on backordered parts for over 3 months. Ford is not taking responsibility for the issue. The vehicle is unsafe to drive in it's current condition.

NHTSA ODI 11499492

Truck violently shakes when vehicle traverses over pothole while traveling over 55 mph. Commonly called the “ford death wobble”. Taken to Ford dealership twice, each time told they can’t replicate the issue.

NHTSA ODI 11497373

While operating my 2019 F350 on 12/3/2022 at approximately 65 MPH on an interstate the steering wheel began to shake/pulse violently from left to right for approximately 40 seconds. I was unable to control the vehicle during this time. About 2 minutes later the exact same symptoms appeared again, even more violently. I had a passenger in the vehicle record the second incident. During these incidents it is next to impossible to control the vehicle. This is an ongoing issue which Ford is aware of...a quick search online and you'll see this is referred to as the "Super Duty Death Wobble". My vehicle was repaired 3 times for this same issue prior to the incident which is mentioned above. The dealer installed an aftermarket part, which was authorized by Ford at the time. However, Ford now no longer authorizes the use of this part. The correct part has been on backorder forever and many doubt that it will ever be shipped for installation into vehicles. Both Ford and the NHTSA have failed consumers by never mandating recall for this steering issue in Ford Super Duty trucks. I am now forced to try and drive a truck with serous safety issue because both the OEM and federal government have failed to ensure that safety standards were met. The dealer has informed me that they can make no further repairs for this issue and that Ford has directed them to await the replacement parts.

NHTSA ODI 11496426

The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH and driving over a rough patch of roadway, the steering wheel started jerking to the left and the right. The vehicle had experienced the death wobble. The contact slowed down to 30 MPH and the vehicle started driving properly. The contact resumed driving 55 MPH and the vehicle drove normally. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the sway bar needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,000.

NHTSA ODI 11493770

Upon crossing a bridge expansion joint at around 65 -70 mph, the vehicle steering began to shake violently side to side. I was able to quickly reduce my speed and the shaking subsided once I was able to slow to around 40 mph. I have not contacted the ford dealer yet, but do recall seeing mention of this specific problem before. I started searching the internet for answers where I came upon the recommendation to report this dangerous incident to your agency.

NHTSA ODI 11491964

While driving on the two lane freeway at approximately 65mph in the right lane, a lane change to the left lane was initiated as a slower moving truck was in the right lane. Following the lane change to the left lane, the front left tire hit the pavement recess accommodating the yellow reflector embedded in the pavement, which was on the inside of the fog line. Upon impact with the reflector recess the vehicle front end and steering wheel began to shake violently. The steering wheel shook side-to-side so violently that it shook the drivers hands, arms, shoulders and head back and forth so quickly and violently that the drivers vision was impaired; the driver could see but all objects were blurred due to the shaking. Fortunately the left shoulder was paved and an area to the left of the shoulder was also paved (but not maintained perhaps a construction related turn around or cross over). Steering was severely impaired. With great difficulty the vehicle was steered off of the left lane onto the shoulder and then stopped on the additional paved area to the left of the paved shoulder. The violent vehicle and steering shaking subsided ONLY following stopping the vehicle. Had this incident occurred in heavy traffic, on a two lane road or a road without shoulders the outcome may well have ended in loss of control of the vehicle. Ford acknowledges that its Super Duty 4x4 vehicle experience "Death Wobble"; a violent shaking of the front end and steering. This incident was a "Death Wobble" incident: initiated by a bump encountered by one front wheel, violent shaking of the steering and front end, loss of steering control, continued shaking until stopped. Ford has offered to repair, but there are no parts available. This vehicle defect must be considered for recall and immediate long term repair. The vehicle in this incident was a 2019 Ford F350 Super Duty with approximately 38,000 miles. Part wear is unlikely with such a low-mileage vehicle, as acknowledged by Ford.

NHTSA ODI 11491794

I was crossing a railroad at 50-55 miles per hour and the front end started shaking violently and was barely able to control it . almost had to stop to get the shaking to stop.

NHTSA ODI 11491625

Ford has issued a recall on the steering dampener. The ford brand part is on back order. There are several aftermarket options available however ford refuses to cover the costs of these parts. They are also refusing to cover the cost of a rental vehicle similar to what I a currently driving. Basically forcing me to drive a vehicle with a serious steering defect.

NHTSA ODI 11490931

Several small issues with F-350 but nothing to stop using until yesterday. I was running along about 45 mph and front began to shake and in fact so bad started bouncing about 1’ to 2’ high. I did not brake or speed up but took foot off gas and slowed down to approx 15mph and stopped. I was in traffic so went back to 45 mph and has not acted up since. But this could have been disaster.

NHTSA ODI 11490346

Death Wobble was a consistent problem. Driving at approximately 40-60 mph and the front end and steering wheel shook violently after hitting a bump in the road. I have an extended warranty and Ford repaired it yesterday (I hope). They said it was caused by loose parts. Here is a list of their repairs: Installed BC3Z 3050 C : Joint ASY - Ball Installed AC3Z 3A116 A : Bush - Front Suspension AR Installed HC3Z 3304 A : Rod ASY - Drag link Installed 3A131 B : Ind ASY - Drag link rod Replaced loose parts Track bar ball joint Track bar bushing Upper drag link, lower drag link, right hand tire rod end. Steering dampener shock Installed RS5415 : Rancho Steering dampener Installed HC3Z 3A131 H : End - Spindle Rod Connection Alignment #629

NHTSA ODI 11490094

The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and driving over a pothole, the vehicle was vibrating and shaking abnormally. The contact stated that he felt the vibration coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that several minutes later the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 11,000.

NHTSA ODI 11489541

On 4 separate occasions while driving my truck under 60 mph, the truck started shaking violently. The steering froze and the complete chassis, frame and body shook and felt like it was falling apart. It only subsided when I decelerated below 30 mph.

NHTSA ODI 11489092

After traversing across a bridge the truck started shaking violently. I could not keep the truck under control and it started to ver off the interstate to the shoulder. Once the truck slowed down to about 30 mph the truck stopped shaking. I was towing a 39’ camper. Once the shaking started I had absolutely no control of the truck. This truck only has 35,000 miles on it and should not be experiencing steering and suspension failure. After researching this is a very common issue with these trucks.

NHTSA ODI 11488857

Traveling with fifth wheel out of home state and the steering wheel and front end starts shaking violently. Was on the interstate when this happened. This has happened now three times and I’m concerned I may loose control and crash.

NHTSA ODI 11488583

Traveling at 60 miles per hour I hit a bump in the freeway and the truck went into uncontrollable shake and jumped around like a pogo stick until I came to a stop. Pulled to the side of the road and checked wheels and looked at the suspension but didn't see anything unusual. Traveled normally after that. I only have 22,000 miles on this truck and have had bouncing and jumping before when traveling over bumps but it had been quite mild compared the what just happened. Luck we didn't hit or get hit!

NHTSA ODI 11487601

The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle experienced a death wobble. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact parked the vehicle on the side of the road. The contact was able to drive the vehicle under 40 MPH to a local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 248,000.

NHTSA ODI 11486470

Death wobble horrific experience (2)x on 9/15/22 after work on the interstate coming home. Almost rear ended by 18 wheeler. Travel speed 74. 6-lane highway, I had to control the vehicle best as possible in order to move over (3) lanes safely. Cars raced past blaring their horns b:c accident almost happened. Again on 9/18/22, merging on the interstate travel speed 60 with trailer attached. It was a VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE! I almost got killed not to mention another person could’ve lost their life too! This defect IS NO JOKE!! Ford should take responsibility & RECALL THESE VEHICLES!!! Do we have to die before they decide to fix a defective part(s)? I love my F350, & only source of transportation. I can’t afford to repair it at the moment. But Ford can at No charge to me. $65k vehicle, $3k parts/labor on a defect known by Ford & they’re not gonna take care of their customers?? WTF!!! I’ll sue Ford - safety is priority but not to Ford!

NHTSA ODI 11485501

Extreme shaking / loss of control when hitting bump (Ford “Death Wobble”) No accident, was able to slow to a stop and regain control. Happened a few times, had to keep extremely slow to get home.

NHTSA ODI 11482887

The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH and driving over a bump on the roadway, the vehicle started shaking uncontrollably. The contact pulled over but was unaware of the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the tires and suspension was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 168,000.

NHTSA ODI 11482077