FaultScore

2017 Ford F-250 SD suspension problems

587 of the 1,837 complaints about the 2017 Ford F-250 SD are about the suspension — 32% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 28,412 miles.

D

587

Complaints

4

Crashes

0

Fires

3

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Suspension 579 98.6%
Front 6 1.0%
Control ARM 1 0.2%
Torsion BAR 1 0.2%

Suspension across every Ford F-250 SD year

1999 14 0.6%
2000 21 1.0%
2001 12 0.5%
2003 12 0.5%
2004 17 0.8%
2005 126 5.8%
2006 148 6.8%
2007 31 1.4%
2011 46 2.1%
2012 14 0.6%
2015 123 5.6%
2016 111 5.1%
2017 587 26.9%
2018 198 9.1%
2019 678 31.0%
2020 29 1.3%
2021 18 0.8%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Lake City, FL

SUSPENSION

No less than 6 occasions now I have experienced extreme shaking (death wobble) even after Ford replaced the steering damper. I'm done with the vehicle and will take it in again for this issue.

NHTSA complaint #11729288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,000 miles Lytle Creek, CA

SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70-75 MPH, the vehicle drove over a bump in the roadway, and the front end of the vehicle started bouncing. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and then continued driving 45 MPH with no further issues. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

NHTSA complaint #11724710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Henrico, VA

SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle experienced the death wobble. The steering wheel shook aggressively, making it difficult to maneuver the vehicle. The contact decelerated and was able to coast to the emergency lane on the side of the road to get off the interstate. The contact continued to drive the vehicle to the residence but did not exceed 15 MPH. The dealer was contacted by phone and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The contact had scheduled an appointment with a certified mechanic. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided the contact information to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA complaint #11694766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Salisbury, MD

SUSPENSION

I was travelling back home at about 65mph on the highway in my 2018 ford f250 crew cab and my left front wheel hit a small bump in the road. The whole truck started to shake violently and I couldn't hold the steering wheel as it was also shaking uncontrollably. I thought at first that I had had a puncture but the truck wasn't leaning as such. The wheels where simply shaking from side to side very fast. I hit the hazard lights and gently brakes down to about 30 mph, pulled over to the side of the ride gently to avoid the risk of flipping over and stopped. When I started up again, the wobbling had stopped. I later looked up the.probable cause and learned about the (infamous) death wobble which several people have experienced. It was truly scary as everything was shaking and I couldn't control the steering wheel. If it would have happened on a bend I would have gone straight over and flipped the truck as I wouldn't have been able to slow down in a straight line to stop the wobbling and shaking... This is a very serious issue that needs to be addressed as people will die...

NHTSA complaint #11688530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Omaha, NE

SUSPENSION

My vehicle has a death wobble when you hit seams in the roadway.

NHTSA complaint #11681822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,000 miles Uhrichsville, OH

SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the contact experienced the death wobble. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to control the vehicle and slowed down, and prevented the vehicle from driving off the road into a ditch. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with hesitation in the steering wheel linkage, suspension failure, and an oil leak. The death wobble was due to the failure of the suspension. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, and the contact was provided the same diagnostic results. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA complaint #11655835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Peru, IN

SUSPENSION

Death wobble in front end. Violent shaking when you hit a bump.

NHTSA complaint #11651244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200 miles Angola, IN

SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds over bumps in the roadway, the vehicle experienced a "death wobble". The failure caused the front of the vehicle to shake uncontrollably, causing the contact to temporarily lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions where the front steering damper and tie rods were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and automatically transferred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200.

NHTSA complaint #11639079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Plainveiw, NE

SUSPENSION

Uncontrollable shaking wobble in steering known as death wobble.

NHTSA complaint #11632393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Las Vegas, NV

SUSPENSION

I was on the freeway and doing about 70 and I hit some bumps in the road and my vehicle started to violently shake and I was unable to control my vehicle. I had to hit the breaks and slow down to regain control of my vehicle. This the second time this has happened. Vehicle was repaired about 2 years ago for the same thing. Ford repaired the damper steering linkage last time this incident happened. AKA DEATH WOBBLE.

NHTSA complaint #11627472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Estancia, NM

SUSPENSION

Death Wobble. Was driving speed limit of 65mph and vehicle started a violent, uncontrollable shuddering and bouncing movement to the left almost hitting the dividing wall on the interstate. I had little control over steering of vehicle and was barely able to avoid slamming into wall. Finally got vehicle stopped. Has happened before at lower speed. Has happened several times before with less violent shuddering after hitting bumps in roadway. Now understand how very dangerous and scary the less severe incidents have been after this latest incident!

NHTSA complaint #11616015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kennedale, TX

SUSPENSION

I hit a small bump at around 45mph and my truck began shaking violently. I was unable to control the truck and had to come to a complete stop. They call it the death wobble. It truely was frightening and I could have killed someone..

NHTSA complaint #11608639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 107,235 miles Brazoria, TX

SUSPENSION

My truck has the Death Wobble . It has been worked on for the incident It happened again yesterday at least 4 times within 30 minutes We turned around and came are parked the truck. Am going to talk to the Dealer where I Purchase the vehicle and want some answers and to fix this major problem with my Ford Superduty 250 2017

NHTSA complaint #11584358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bellevue, ID Crash

SUSPENSION

The star shaking while driving in height speed or bump is called wobble.

NHTSA complaint #11560547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waco, TX

SUSPENSION

Starting to exhibit signs of the death wobble at 46000 miles

NHTSA complaint #11553615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wilsonville, AL

SUSPENSION

Truck steering wheel bounces, vibrates, shakes violently after going over rough pavement at highway speeds. Truck has 35000 mikes and it has happened several times since it was new. Dealer replaced the steering damper which didn’t help. This could cause loss of control and an accident.

NHTSA complaint #11539943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Port Saint Lucie, FL

SUSPENSION

took my truck for a safety recall concerning a potentially deadly defect in my 2017 F-250 Ford truck. I had purchased this vehicle from Brandon Ford new in 2017. The safety recall was to address "The Death Wobble" which causes the vehicle steering to shake violently causing the whole vehicle to lose control. I sent my truck to Brandon Ford 2 time prior stating the same problem. In 2021 they told me it was the tires, so I purchased 4 new ones. Still had the same problem occur. They told me this last time they fixed the problem. No true, my son and I whom is 11 had a day planned to goto the aquarium. On the highway the "Death Wobble" occurred again. This caused me to lose control of the vehicale stopping short of hitting the gaurd rail. My son was terrified and so was I. I drove right to Brandon Ford on a Saturday and.demanded they fix the not fixed recall "Death Wobble" item. After several days received a phone call stating I needed new tires and they where dry rotted and in horrible shape. I told them I just purchased through them 2 years prior. The proveded no answer and new I caught them in a lie. They then proceeded to look into the car problem more. I received a phone call 5 days later only to be told I was needed to pay for the complete rebuild of the steering and front end. The rods where bent from the voilent shaking due to the Death Wobble. They told me to fix the problem it was going to be over $4000. I was shocked and was told if I want the safety recall of the Death Wobble to be fixed thats what its going to cost. I felt held hostage, I filed a BBB complaint only for the dealership to take no responsibility. The problem Is not fixed since I have spent over $4000 for the repair. The steering still clicks every time I drive over bumps in the road. Took it to another repair shop and they laughed at the repairs and what I was charged. Only the tie rod was replaced by Brandon Ford, the cost of this part is only $300 dollars. The new repair shop told me it

NHTSA complaint #11537845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Phoenix, OR

SUSPENSION

Loss of steering control, violent sustained steering oscillation at 60 mile per hour. Twice on the same day on the freeway entrance ramp from Phoenix Oregon to Medford Oregon. June 9th. Mileage on vehicle 26,432 Once on June 16th between on the south bound entrance ramp from Medford Oregon.

NHTSA complaint #11533846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clinton, MO

SUSPENSION

Front end wobbles, shakes and shimmies at speeds over 50mph.

NHTSA complaint #11524609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brighton, MI

SUSPENSION

On April 26,2023 we were traveling home from Florida in our F250 towing our RV. Suddenly,( after we hit a rough patch of road) our truck started violently shaking. It was HORRIBLE. My husband was driving and I was the passenger. It lasted about 20 seconds during which it took all his strength to hold the steering wheel so we would not die in a horrible crash. THIS IS NO EXAGGERATION. When it stopped I burst into tears and told him"I thought we were gonna die !" He responded, " I dont know how we didnt!" We were both very shook up realizing, what we just experienced is what someone sees right before they die in a fatal car crash. We had this happen in a much, less slighter degree last spring. So we are aware of "The FORD truck death wobble " Our Ford Dealership did replace the steering damper last August. I hope no one has to experience what we did that day ever again ! The next day we continued home cautiously. Again it happened as we entered Michigan. A just a few seconds. But PTSD kicked in from the last event and had us white knuckling. This truck has under 50,000 miles on it. We had it diagnosed and were told it would be $1500 to repair it. ARE YOU KIDDING ? What we experienced should NEVER,EVER happen in a car. Especially with under 50,000 miles on it !!! Our safety and others was put at risk as it started to wobble us into the next lane. THANK GOD, no one was there. FORD should be responsible for this repair ! NOT US ! We almost came home in Body Bags .....

NHTSA complaint #11521896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cypress, TX

SUSPENSION

Driving at speeds over 60 mph I have experienced a wobble in the steering. It is at the point that I am unable to control the vehicle. I am forced to slow down considerably to regain control of the vehicle

NHTSA complaint #11520910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hagerstown, MD

SUSPENSION

Steering, front wheels and suspension violently shakes and becomes almost uncontrollable hitting a bump or pot hole at over fifty to seventy miles an hour. Commonly known as the ford death wobbl

NHTSA complaint #11520517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cody, WY

SUSPENSION

My 2017 Ford f250 has what my mechanic described as the death wobble. The front end shakes uncontrollably after I hit any kind of a small bump in the road and I'm afraid I'm going to lose control. This has happened several times.

NHTSA complaint #11512688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bow, WA

SUSPENSION

Uncontrolled shaking of the steering system. Required me to stop on a busy interstate highway. Shaking occurred after driving over a rough patch of highway. Symptoms exactly as described online as Super Duty death wobble

NHTSA complaint #11510896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boise, ID

SUSPENSION

We were merging into traffic on the freeway, going approx 50 when the front-end went into a death wobble. We were forced to slow way down and pull away from traffic. This was extremely stressful and dangerous. From what we have found online, this is a known safety issue with our year superduty truck that FORD is not properly addressing. We do not feel we should have to be paying to fix the parts of the front-end not covered by their small steering damper fix. Our truck has less than 22000 miles on it, should not need new front bearings etc. Feel we are spending money on a vehicle that should have been recalled, this could have killed us or others.

NHTSA complaint #11509343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Castalian Springs, TN

SUSPENSION

While driving on Interstate steering oscillated left and right very fast. Vehicle was hard to control. Came to a stop on the shoulder of the road to stop the shaking. This is what some call death wobble. Truck had steering dampener replaced for this problem a few years ago. It only has 26,500 miles total.

NHTSA complaint #11508663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Van Meter, IA

SUSPENSION

While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle may encounter a bump in the road that causes the front-end of the vehicle to jump one direction or another and/or shake violently. This causes the steering wheel to shake back and forth violently, requiring two hands and a fair amount of force to control the vehicle. The vehicle will not stop shaking until speed is reduced below 50 mph. The most recent issue was during a 100+ mile interstate trip with speed limit travel (70 mph). The truck experienced this issue on 4 seperate occasions during this trip; twice in moderate traffic where other vehicles around me were at risk of collision due to my vehicle swerving and my sudden braking to maintain control. There are no warning lamps and no other indication when the truck is going to experience the issue. It has repeated regularly at various speeds over 55 mph and under a variety of conditions Local Ford dealer is aware of the issue and offered to replace a steering damper and examined the front suspension for loose or worn parts. Dealer made me aware this was a common problem that Ford is aware of but the only resolution is replacement of the steering damper. Dealer indicated all font suspension components are still in good condition. The part is on backorder and estimated to be a month or more before they can get it. It is my understanding this is not warranty work and I should expect to pay for the labor to install it. My truck only has 25,000 miles and the suspension, wheels, tires, brakes, etc. are all original stock from the manufacturer, there are no after-market parts. The vehicle is available for inspection and no parts have been replaced to date. This vehicle is driven daily and remains a safety concern at highway speeds over 55 mph.

NHTSA complaint #11503649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waveland, MS

SUSPENSION

On 6 January 2023, while increasing speed to 55 mph my steering wheel began to vibrate to the point where it was almost uncontrollable and the front end was shaking badly. Vehicle has been in the shop for repair since 12 January 2023 at Henderson Ford dealership in Bay Saint Louis, MS. My safety and others near me on the road was at risk until I could slow the vehicle back down to 45 mph. No symptoms or warnings occurred beforehand. Vehicle was inspected and found to have issues with Drag Link, Stud Right Outer Tie Rod, Adjust Sleeve, and Track Bar. Parts were ordered and repair is ongoing and was supposed to be completed yesterday, 20 January 2023. Vehicle is still in the shop.

NHTSA complaint #11502910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rogersville, MO

SUSPENSION

I hit a small bump or go across rumble bars in the road my vehicle wobbles violently until I can slow down or stop

NHTSA complaint #11502893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

SUSPENSION

Known problem to later model Ford F250 Sper Duty pickup trucks (2015 to 2019??) experiencing a violent steering wheel oscillation after hitting a minor bump in pavement or a pot hole. aka "death wobble" at highway speeds. This has occurred three times thus far on this truck. This seems to occur at approximately 55 to 65 MPH. The shaking is so bad that the driver could easily loose control. The vehicle problem has been reported before to the Ford dealer and the suggested repair is to "replace the steering damper" if it occurs again. This situation occurs with no advanced warning other than a minor wheel shaking which becomes increasingly violent to the point, in the last instance, the truck had to be stopped in order to clear the problem. As indicated, this truck has been inspected for this problem once already and is scheduled for another inspection this coming Wednesday Jan. 4th, 2023.

NHTSA complaint #11499419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2017 Ford F-250 SD problems

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