general problems of the 2016 Ford F-350 - part 1

I was driving as normal and truck started shaking vigorously until I came to a stop. From I can tell, they call this a death wobble. I almost hit another car and have some video of it.

When reaching high speeds, my truck experiences the death wobble.

Death wobble happened 5 times driving on the interstate. Couldn’t control steering and everything was violently shaking.

We purchased this truck as a certified used vehicle in January of 2019. In September of 2023 we started experiencing a death wobble every time we try and take the truck over 55 mph. We have taken the truck to the Ford dealership six different times to try and fix the issue, and Ford can not figure out the cause of the wobble. Currently the truck has been in the shop at Ford for almost 2 months continuously with them trying to figure out what is causing the issue.

For years my truck starts vibrating excessively, shaking the entire vehicle when driving over certain sections of roadway or bumps. Sometimes, my steering is difficult to maintain when this happens. This occurs at speeds around 50 mph+. I always assumed it was just a bad road section and never pursued any repair as I didn't think it was a truck issue. Recently, I have come across some articles, that described my exact situation/condition when driving my truck. It makes me have to slow way down below the speed limit for the violent shaking to stop. Sometimes, I though it was just my stiff suspension on bad roads. It is being called the Ford death wobble and affects many Ford super duty trucks. Who knows what other components of my truck have been unduly affected due to this manufacturer's safety issue with my truck and that appears to be a situation that occurs often with other Ford super duty trucks. I'm concerned one day it will cause me to lose control and crash or crash into another vehicle. To my knowledge Ford has not issued any recall's regarding these safety problems. My truck has been to the Ford shops many times but nothing addressed regarding this condition. It has occurred so many times, I can not even count, well over hundreds of times over 8 years. The most recent time it occurred was about two weeks ago on [xxx] in colorado springs. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I have had a recurring problem with the so-called "death wobble" whereby the vehicle starts to shake violently when hitting certain bumps above about 50 mph and cannot be brought back under control without completely coming to a stop. I've had the front end components, including tie rods, stabilizers, drag link, etc completely replaced three times and within a year of normal driving it comes back. It has always been repaired at a Ford service center. It happens without warning, though I've learned now how the vehicle feels when the front end starts getting loose so I can have it repaired before it becomes dangerous.

When driving this vehicle, it will suddenly go into a violent shake. I have to slow the truck down and pull over to a stop to make it stop shaking - it will not drive through it. It will do it 8 times out of 10 driving it. The steering becomes difficult to handle. All I can do to stop it is pull over. It has done it several times between 1 August and 19 November. I will give you the most recent date below!.

Have been experiencing what has been termed as the death wobble that is a known problem in the Ford f250 and f350 from 2005 to 2019 trucks. Mine is a f350 2016. While driving on highways over 50 can experience a violent shaking in the front end after hitting a bump in road. Feels like the truck can not recover and like loosing control of vehicle. Very scary sensation that at any time could make you loose total control and put myself my passengers and all drivers near me in danger. I use this vehicle to tow things and it could be a disaster. I did some research and learned it was a thing other people were experiencing as well. I contacted dealership and explained my circumstance and it was something the absolutely knew about. I have had a repair done and hopefully it will fix the problem. I understand sometime it helps for a short time and will come back. They should be issuing a recall no doubt about it!!! I fear my truck is not safe and the value is effected. Has happened approx 4 different occasions over a 3 month period.

We have consistently had issues with severe wheel oscillation, which I’ve seen referred to as the death wobble, that causes the entire cab of the truck to shake violently and feels like the front tires are bouncing back and forth laterally on the road, when driving over 55mph and hitting any sort of uneven road or bump, especially after bridges. We have spent thousands on replacing different parts which sometimes alleviate the issue for a short period of time, but it always comes back when you least expect it. We have come incredibly close to being rear ended on the interstate several times because the only way to stop it is to slam on the breaks to decelerate quickly and get the truck below 30 miles per hour. It is more common when not hauling anything but still occurs wether hauling a light load or very heavy one as well. We have ptsd now when driving and can’t function in our business with out using a heavy duty truck. It is absolutely terrifying. This started approximately 6 months after purchasing the truck. We just had it into a Ford repair shop and put $2000 into repairs less than a month ago.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 55-60 mph with her in the front passenger's seat, the vehicle was shuddering significantly, and the steering wheel was shuddering back and forth. The driver lost control of the vehicle and the vehicle nearly drove into a ditch. The driver was able to maintain the vehicle on the shoulder of the road and came to a complete stop. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as needed. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving, and the contact became aware that the failure mostly occurred while exceeding 54 mph on a bumpy road surface. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the long and short steering drag link, the steering dampener, the track bar ball joint, and bushing needed to be replaced, and the vehicle needed to be realigned. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 87,120.

This has occurred four (4) times already, when driving around 70mph, the truck starts to shake violently making it very difficult to control the steering and avoid other vehicles driving alongside the road. There are no warning lights or any other symptoms of the problem.

While driving on the freeway (65-70mph) headed home from work my front end began to shake so hard along with my steering wheel. I had no idea what was going on their was no warning of something wrong. It lasted a min or two but very unsettling. My mother-in-law called this a death roll, her roommate has a 2011 f-250 and just experienced this same feeling. Thank you in advance for your time, danielle.

While driving severe shaking (wobbling) of steering wheel. Had to break and pull off road. Had heard of Ford death wobble before , first time for me. . Really frighting, luckily no traffic.

While driving at approximately 62mph, my truck hit a small bump in the road and began shaking so violently that I could barely hold onto the wheel. I immediately braked which caused the truck to shake even more until I finally slowed to about 20th and pulled off the 2 lane highway. Luckily there was very minimal traffic and I was able to keep from losing control. I have only had this truck that I bought from a Ford dealership approximately 5 weeks. This is extremely alarming that a truck like this has no safety recall for something that after some research is named the death wobble across the web. There is no warning, and I do not believe the dealership will do anything to fix this issue without compensation.

My vehicle started to shake uncontrollably at 50mph when driving. Research online indicated what people call a "death wobble". I contacted my local Ford dealership multiple times to see if my repair would be covered by Ford. On November 8th, 2022 I turned my truck in and on the 11th I was told what repairs needed to be done. On November 21st, I picked up my truck and parked it at my house. I drove less than 40 miles locally with speeds never exceeding 50mph. On December 6 I began a work trip to nashville from killeen texas. 20 miles into my trip my truck did the "death wobble" with me going 70mph. Two hours later it happened again. I drove all the way to nashville going 50mph and experienced the death wobble about 8-9 times. Now my engine has a ticking noise that I am certain came from the unsafe, violent, and terrifying shaking of this massive truck.

Any time I hit a bump going over 50 mph the front end of my truck starts shaking violently. So much that it feels like the front end is about to break apart. The only way to stop is to slam on the brakes and slow down as fast as possible. It’s ways on the highway so it’s a danger to myself and the people behind me. I have to hold the steering wheel as tight I can to keep from losing control. Dealer told me it happens but they don’t know why. This has been happening on a daily basis since I drive on highways to get to work. And only a matter of time before I get into an accident.

While traveling at interstate speed (55-75 mph), when you hit a certain bump or pothole or road irregularity, the front passenger wheel will begin vibrating which quickly grows in magnitude until the entire engine compartment and cab starts to violently shudder, to the point where all 4 tires begin losing contact with the road surface. The only way to regain control and reduce the harmonics is to apply maximum braking. However, as the truck starts to slow, the shudders will become more violent until finally dampening out appx. 100 yards later at around 40 mph. Once damped out, the truck will drive smoothly and predictably again at speed until the next bump. As it stands now, I am afraid to drive the truck and my wife refuses to drive it. The big fear is having this happen while in a turn or in heavy traffic where the sudden maximum braking can cause an accident.

I was driving down the interstate at about 65-70mph and my truck started violently shaking out of no where causing me to nearly lose control. After pulling off the road the shaking went away. I brought my truck into my mechanic to have it looked at and they told me this is a known problem with these trucks. After spending a considerable amount of money to have the steering stabilizer and drag link replaced it happened again four days later. My truck is now currently back in the shop. I maintain this truck extremely well and do not abuse it in any way, I should not be having an issue like this. I do not feel safe driving in this truck knowing I can lose control without any warning at highway speeds.

Experience the famous death wobble from 50mph to 70mph hitting a bump or uneven surface you have to stop the vehicle to regain control.

This truck has the death wobble. Started when I purchased the truck at 19000 miles. When at highway speeds, bridge joints and bumps will make the truck nearly uncontrollable. This has happened many times in the 80k miles that I've put on the vehicle. It has new tie rod ends, new shocks and has had several sets of tires in the 70k miles that I've owned it. Nothing that I've had mechanics do has fixed the death wobble. The most recent incident is listed below.

My 2016 f350 tried to kill me! I was driving 58 mph on local hwy 146 (where the speed limit is 60mph) with rainy conditions and put my blinker on to switch lanes and when doing so I ran over the reflective lane divider, located all down the roads for safety purposes that are designed to be drove on, my truck's steering wheel and front suspension began to violently and dangerously shaking uncontrollably! the issue was so aggressive I felt like my vehicle was going to flip! the other vehicles around me immediately recognized there was a problem and moved from around me and allowed me to pull my vehicle off to the side of the road finally slowing down and stopping. Once I got down to around 20 mph I was able to regain control of my truck and bring it to a complete stop. I was completely traumatized and fearful of continuing to drive the vehicle. I took the truck to a respectable mechanic shop right up the road from where the incident occurred and upon reviewing my truck the mechanic said he thinks it is what is referred to as the "death wobble," which I feel is appropriate because I truly thought I was going to die! the man said I should be okay to drive but to avoid going over 50 mph and to take it to a Ford dealer because they know of the issue/problem and are fixing it at no charge to customers, even though there has not been an official recall as of yet. While waiting to speak with a Ford representative I pulled videos of people experiencing the "death wobble" in their Ford and that was indeed what happened. I have filed a complaint with Ford and my case number is cas-38233912-k2p7y9, but I was also informed to notify NHTSA so they are aware of the situation as well so here I am.

My truck has the death wobble for the second time now. I have had many Ford trucks and this problem has been on all of the later models. It is extremely dangerous. Every Ford dealership knows about the problem but Ford motor company does nothing about it. My truck shakes violently when I hit a bump in the road. I have to slow to almost a complete stop to get the truck to stop shaking. It will almost shake the steering wheel out of your hand and you can’t hardly steer it off the road to safety. Ford needs to do something about this before someone is severely injured or god forbid, killed.

I have now experienced what has been called the "death wobble" numerous times in the past month. Driving on the highway at speeds greater than 55, usually while driving around a very slight curve (although it has happened going straight), I hit a small bump in the road, and my steering wheel goes into a horrific shake. The vehicle becomes very hard to control, and the only correction is to slow it down to about 20 before it goes away. So far, there has always been a shoulder to do this in and I haven't been run over by a 18 wheeler yet. No warning lights or previous indication occurred before each incident. No one has looked at it yet. I am just starting to research the repair. A discussion with my local Ford dealer says it is not a warranteed repair.

Assuming something in suspension. Uncontrollable vibration in front suspension/steering of vehicle. Not as of yet for my vehicle. Did find many reports online referencing what I/we experienced. Scheduled to take into dealer and local service facility for further inspection. No warnings of any kind. Around 65 -70 mph there's violent vibration/shaking on the wheels making steering uncontrollable. Vibration continues till vehicle's speed is reduced to around 40 mph. Seams to occur when tires experience bumps/imperfections in road. These bumps/imperfections are minor at that. I have now experienced this situation now 6 times. As previously mentioned, during research I found multiple youtube videos other online references this situation as "death wobble". Multiple news affiliation have done reports on this experance/situation.

Ford deaf wobble is fierce.

My truck started severely shaking after reaching speeds of 50mph when driving over bumps in the road. Our mechanic replaced many front end suspension parts and it is still doing it. I have almost crashed numerous times. I have videos of this happening and almost crashing. This is not ok!.

When I hit a bump at speeds over 45 miles per hour the front end starts to shake so bad that I'm losing control of my vehicle, hitting the guard rail and have to hit the brakes immediately. Called the death wobble. I have replaced the shocks, the steering stabilizer and balanced the wheels and it still shakes very bad.

Purchased truck new/no wrecks/no modifications from factory stock/ approx 113k miles/proper tire inflation sat Feb 5th driving approximately 70 miles per hour in heavy traffic /good weather on interstate near indianapolis the truck began violently shaking on the front end transferred up through steering wheel. The interstate was 3 lanes wide with heavy traffic in all lanes. Miraculously I was able to get pulled into left median without causing an accident. Vehicle was out of control. Waited several minutes for a break in traffic pulled back out and slowly went to next exit to examine for damage causing this. Cursory visual inspection showed no broken parts Ford evidently knows of this “death wobble” and has done nothing to notify or repair 2016 super duty models. My unsafe truck is home parked in my garage.

I was driving through a construction area on interstate 95 and hit uneven pavement and the front of the vehicle starting shaking violently. It took everything I had to hold the steering wheel the shaking was so violent it rendered the brakes almost useless. Fortunately no one was next to me in the next lane because I could not control the vehicle and I had to ride the shaking out in both lanes until my speed came down do approximately 40 mph, everything smoothed out and the vehicle began to operate normally. I knew I experienced the Ford death wobble because it has happened to many of my friends vehicles already and has been a topic of discussion amongst many of us which is why I brought it to the dealership immediately. If you google "Ford death wobble" thousands of people are experiencing the same problem and they have a facebook page dedicated to it. I brought it to the dealership and they verified the play in the front end and replaced the steering track ball joint. My friends who had this done have had the problem return so it is a temporary fix for a potentially very dangerous situation. I spoke with the mechanic and he said he does 5 of these a week. The repair cost me about $700 for a defective part or design by Ford.

I have a 2013 f350 king ranch. It only has 31. 755 miles on it. I’ve had it for 2 years. On November 28, 2021while merging onto the freeway my trucks front end stated shaking, bouncing and vibrating so bad that I had to immediately stop to about 5mph. This just happened out of absolutely nowhere. It didn’t do it again until I returned home. This time it again came out of know where at around 60mph. I had to come to a dead stop on the freeway. The truck was uncontrollable. I again accelerated to 65mph. It started again and I stopped. This happened another 7 times on the way home. I could control it between 53-60mph. When I got home, both of my front tires were worn down on the outside 3in of tread. There were chucks of rubber the size of dimes that broke off during the violent shake and wobble. I had to get new tires the next day and today my truck to the dealership this morning. It is December 1, 2021. The best way I can explain the feeling is the following. It’s was like driving over speed bumps that where evenly spaces 3ft apart, all in a row. When hit them I immediately hit the brakes and it was like coming to a stop on the same row of speed bumps. The wobble was more violent and could just barely be controlled. I really thought the truck was coming apart. Then at 5-10mph it turned into smooth road. But my tires where getting more tore up during each wobble. Total of 11 wobble on a 10 mile stretch.

When driving down the road, the entire truck starts violently shaking and making it difficult to control the truck. Slowing down to 5-10mph stops the shaking.

I have started experiencing the known “death wobble”. I have 68585 miles on truck.

Hitting even a small bump at 55 to 60 mph causes the truck to violently shake until you slow to 20 mph or stop.

Front end shimmy few times installed new tires it seemed to help. Shimmy came back rebalanced wheels didnt happen for a while. Rotated tires and added new ones in rear. Drove for awhile seemed ok. 2 weeks ago we were driving about 50 mph had a shimmy but turned into violent shaking and truck was headingbinto oncoming traffic. My wife was screaming and ducking down. When it stopped and I steered it back to our lane. I had front end checked last year and before this incendent everything checked out good except stabilizer was dried out. It was replaced. The mechanic there informed us abpit Fords problem with death wobble. Took to dealer for fix after finding letter they said steering damper replacement would fix it. It did not. Ford wanted to replace, track bar,some ball joints and bushings and another allignment. But could not state if it would fix the problem.

I'm told by the men. . . "death wobble"!! 2016 Ford 350 platinum at a certain speed and with a bump in the road, feels like the tires are going to go flying off!! I had to get myself together fast, slow down, and get a better control of the steering! OH man, the accident it could have caused being next to semis and the every day people driving their vehicles!! this could of caused a bad accident on the interstate and with the road work going on in amarillo, texas! this scared the heck out of my daughter!! this puts everyone at risk!! OH, and we pull a fifth wheel RV!! the dealer I went to first wasn't very helpful, matter fact. . . I have not been told or not noted on my oil change/vehicle sheet that anything was wrong. This past week, I took it to another Ford dealership. . . . . Well, everything associated with the "death wobble" needs to be replaced!! I've maintained and took the advice of Ford dealerships, when I was told needed a new radiator, I paid for Ford to put one in. It's not fair that the Ford 2016 and prior doesn't get fixed free of charge or recalled and the 2017 and the above does for the death wobble. It's already bad enough that Ford's death wobble information was withheld from me as well as having a bad radiator when purchasing the truck! it's horrible that Ford knows about the issue and lets it happen. . . . . Puts everyone at risk around the Ford death wobble!!.