FaultScore

FaultScore report

2006 Ford F-250 problems

Owners have filed 332 complaints about the 2006 Ford F-250 with NHTSA between 2006 and 2024. The largest single group is the suspension. Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 22 worst.

C

FaultScore 59/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Ford F-250.

How this is worked out

The numbers

332

Complaints

14

Crashes reported

8

Fires reported

9

Injuries reported

61,200 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

31%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 67 vs 50 Severity 48 vs 50 Early failure 53 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 67
Against the median year of the Ford F-250. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 48
9.3% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 53
31% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2006 compares with every other Ford F-250

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2006 Ford F-250

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Suspension 88 26.5%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 50,000 mi

Steering 78 23.5%

4 crashes, 0 fires · median 60,800 mi

Engine & Cooling 38 11.4%

1 crashes, 2 fires · median 107,000 mi

2 crashes, 3 fires · median 84,275 mi

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 116,000 mi

Wheels 15 4.5%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 116,000 mi

Median failure at 51,900 miles

Tires 9 2.7%

Median failure at 60,833 miles

Brakes 9 2.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 62,565 mi

Transmission & Drivetrain 9 2.7%

Median failure at 17,000 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 8 2.4%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 52,500 mi

Other & Unspecified 7 2.1%

Median failure at 61,200 miles

Airbags 5 1.5%

4 crashes, 0 fires · median 45,500 mi

Equipment & Accessories 4 1.2%

Median failure at 123,000 miles

Stability & Traction Control 4 1.2%

Median failure at 129,500 miles

Seat Belts 3 0.9%

Median failure at 91,500 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 3 0.9%

Median failure at 2,460 miles

Lights 3 0.9%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

Doors, Latches & Locks 2 0.6%

Median failure at 51,900 miles

Seats 1 0.3%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Front 31 62.0%
Body 6 12.0%
Engine 4 8.0%
Pressure Monitoring AND Regulating Systems 2 4.0%
Torque Converter 2 4.0%
Door 2 4.0%
Automatic Transmission 2 4.0%
Diesel 1 2.0%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 7 2.5%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 22 7.7%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 32 11.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 47 16.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 52 18.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 30 10.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 57 20.0%
150,000+ miles 38 13.3%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Jan 2006 peak 13 Jul 2024

NHTSA investigations into the 2006 Ford F-250

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA08007 Opened 14 Mar 2008 Closed 31 Mar 2009 SUSPENSION

VIOLENT FRONT END OSCILLATION

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, T...

PE07057 Opened 15 Nov 2007 Closed 14 Mar 2008 SUSPENSION

VIOLENT FRONT END OSCILLATION

ODI HAS RECEIVED 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND OSCILLATIONS COMMENCING AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.THIRTEEN OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGED DRIVING LANES UNCONTROLLABLY.FOUR OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS.IN ONE CASE THE CONSUMER ALLEGES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT...

Recalls on the 2006 Ford F-250

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

08V344000

TRAILER HITCHES

KNAPHEIDE IS RECALLING 108 MY 2006-2008 PRO SERIES TRUCK BEDS EQUIPPED WITH AN ICC BUMPER WHICH INCLUDED A PROVISION FOR A BALL HITCH. THERE MAY BE AN INSUFFICIENT WELD ATTACHING THE HITCH CHANNEL TO THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE.

Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN BENDING OF THE HITCH CHANNEL OR THE HITCH COULD BE PULLED OFF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

06E087000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

CERTAIN HARSCO WHEEL MODIFICATION GROUPS CONTAINING ACCURIDE STEEL RIMS, P/NOS. 203237 AND 203738; ACCURIDE ALUMINUM RIMS, P/N 203712; AND GKN STEEL RIMS, P/N 203688, SOLD AS MODIFICATION EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 2005-2007 FORD F-250/F-350 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS TO MODIFY TRACK WIDTH OF FRONT AND REAR AXLES. THE RIMS PROVIDED IN THESE WHEEL MODIFICATION GROUPS WEAR THROUGH THE OEM BRAKE LINES.

Risk: BRAKE FAILURE CAN OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

05T022000

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

CERTAIN CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC TR OWL, CONTITRAC TR BSW, GENERAL GRABBER TR BSW, AND CONTITRAC BSW TIRES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MAY 29 AND JUNE 11, 2005, AND SOLD AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON CERTAIN FORD TRUCKS AND SOLD AS REPLACEMENT TIRES. THESE TIRES CAN WEAR PREMATURELY WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 119, NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS.

Risk: AFFECTED TIRES MAY NOT MEET THE ENDURANCE TEST REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. CONTINUED USE OF THE AFFECTED TIRES CAN RESULT IN TIRE FAILURE WHICH COULD LEAD TO VEHICLE DAMAGE OR MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Houston, TX Fire

SEATS

CAR WAS PARK OVER NIGHT IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE .5 AM NEIGHBOR CAME OUT TO GET NEWSPAPERS AND SAW TRUCK WAS SMOKING FROM INSIDE CAB N SAW FLAME. NEIGHBOR CALL FIRE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT FIRE FROM INSIDE CAB AND VERIFY IT WAS THE HEATED SEAT MODULE THAT'S CAUSE THE SEAT TO GO UP IN FLAME. HAVE A REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND FIRE MARSHAL. WHERE DO I FILE A COMPLAINT FOR WHO IS LIABLE FOR MY REPAIR.? CAUSE THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURED DEFECT. WHAT IF I WAS IN MY CAR WITH MY KIDS. ? PLEASE HELP DIRECT ME IN THE PATH OR WHOM MAY HELP ME WITH MY SITUATION. THANKS

NHTSA complaint #11157059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 31,800 miles Columbia City, IN Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SMELLED SOMETHING AS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55 MPH. STOP THE VEHICLE ALONG SIDE THE ROAD. CHECKED THE TRAILER. CAME BACK TO THE TRUCK AND SMOKE WAS ROLLING OUT OF THE DASH VENTS, RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HOOD WAS BURNING THE PAINT, THEN FLAMES CAME OUT FROM UNER THE HOOD.

NHTSA complaint #10652762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 31,800 miles Columbia City, IN Fire

ENGINE

SMELLED SOMETHING AS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55 MPH. STOP THE VEHICLE ALONG SIDE THE ROAD. CHECKED THE TRAILER. CAME BACK TO THE TRUCK AND SMOKE WAS ROLLING OUT OF THE DASH VENTS, RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HOOD WAS BURNING THE PAINT, THEN FLAMES CAME OUT FROM UNER THE HOOD.

NHTSA complaint #10652762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 31,800 miles Columbia City, IN Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

SMELLED SOMETHING AS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55 MPH. STOP THE VEHICLE ALONG SIDE THE ROAD. CHECKED THE TRAILER. CAME BACK TO THE TRUCK AND SMOKE WAS ROLLING OUT OF THE DASH VENTS, RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HOOD WAS BURNING THE PAINT, THEN FLAMES CAME OUT FROM UNER THE HOOD.

NHTSA complaint #10652762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,000 miles Farmingville, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE OVER THE COURSE OF SEVEN YEARS AND WITH EACH FAILURE, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE LAST REPLACEMENT, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EMIT WHITE SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE EGR COOLER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THE GAUGES HAD BEEN WORKING PROPERLY, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN ALERTED TO THE EGR COOLER FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

NHTSA complaint #10546727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,000 miles Farmingville, NY Fire

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE OVER THE COURSE OF SEVEN YEARS AND WITH EACH FAILURE, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE LAST REPLACEMENT, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EMIT WHITE SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE EGR COOLER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THE GAUGES HAD BEEN WORKING PROPERLY, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN ALERTED TO THE EGR COOLER FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

NHTSA complaint #10546727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Orem, UT

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Our truck has been doing the "death wobble" several times over the last 2 years. The truck will suddenly shake violently at high speeds and go into limp mode. We have to pull over pumping the brakes slowly. It is EXTREMELY TERRIFYING to have happen and we have spent THOUSANDS trying to get it repaired but it continues.

NHTSA complaint #11599578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orem, UT

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

While driving on the freeway the vehicle started to shake violently. I had to pump the breaks slowly and pull to the side of the road. After checking everything we took it to the shop and they did 2k in repairs and said it was fixed. It did it again. They said they don't know what it is.

NHTSA complaint #11599579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orem, UT

STEERING

Our truck has been doing the "death wobble" several times over the last 2 years. The truck will suddenly shake violently at high speeds and go into limp mode. We have to pull over pumping the brakes slowly. It is EXTREMELY TERRIFYING to have happen and we have spent THOUSANDS trying to get it repaired but it continues.

NHTSA complaint #11599578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orem, UT

STEERING

While driving on the freeway the vehicle started to shake violently. I had to pump the breaks slowly and pull to the side of the road. After checking everything we took it to the shop and they did 2k in repairs and said it was fixed. It did it again. They said they don't know what it is.

NHTSA complaint #11599579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orem, UT

ENGINE

Our truck has been doing the "death wobble" several times over the last 2 years. The truck will suddenly shake violently at high speeds and go into limp mode. We have to pull over pumping the brakes slowly. It is EXTREMELY TERRIFYING to have happen and we have spent THOUSANDS trying to get it repaired but it continues.

NHTSA complaint #11599578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orem, UT

ENGINE

While driving on the freeway the vehicle started to shake violently. I had to pump the breaks slowly and pull to the side of the road. After checking everything we took it to the shop and they did 2k in repairs and said it was fixed. It did it again. They said they don't know what it is.

NHTSA complaint #11599579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Scarbro, WV

WHEELS

Purchased my truck last year and was unaware of problems with this truck.whikr traveling couple miles from my home on a paved two lane road I ran over a small gravel or walnut which immediately sent my truck into uncontrollably shaking in the front end my speed was between 30 and 35 mph it was all I could do to get it to the side of the road and stopped.Shaking I got out and looked underneath the front thinking I had a wheel or something about to come off.I couldn't see anything noticeable loose.So I got back in and very slowly continued to my destination.Since then it has happened more times than I can count small hump or raised pavement or even a hole in the road will send it into a shaking fit all I can do is try and get to the side of the road and come to a stop.Im in a fix as this is the only vehicle I own and I can't afford to buy another and no one knows what to do to fix it.I feel like I'm riding in a death trap Everytime I have to run out I try and stay on the back roads where I don't have as much traffic and don't have to go as fast having this happen on the interstate is extremely scary not to mention trying to get to the side of the road and not get ran over by tractor trailers.When I purchased this truck it only had around 53,000 miles on it and is still under 60,000.Ive seen read about the problem Ford is having and that they are doing nothing about it.I think this is a disgrace for a company my own father worked for them for 15 years and it's ashame they don't care about their reputation or their company or the safety of their customers and families.I want my truck added to the list of the ticking time bombs they have out on the road.

NHTSA complaint #11557554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Scarbro, WV

STEERING

Purchased my truck last year and was unaware of problems with this truck.whikr traveling couple miles from my home on a paved two lane road I ran over a small gravel or walnut which immediately sent my truck into uncontrollably shaking in the front end my speed was between 30 and 35 mph it was all I could do to get it to the side of the road and stopped.Shaking I got out and looked underneath the front thinking I had a wheel or something about to come off.I couldn't see anything noticeable loose.So I got back in and very slowly continued to my destination.Since then it has happened more times than I can count small hump or raised pavement or even a hole in the road will send it into a shaking fit all I can do is try and get to the side of the road and come to a stop.Im in a fix as this is the only vehicle I own and I can't afford to buy another and no one knows what to do to fix it.I feel like I'm riding in a death trap Everytime I have to run out I try and stay on the back roads where I don't have as much traffic and don't have to go as fast having this happen on the interstate is extremely scary not to mention trying to get to the side of the road and not get ran over by tractor trailers.When I purchased this truck it only had around 53,000 miles on it and is still under 60,000.Ive seen read about the problem Ford is having and that they are doing nothing about it.I think this is a disgrace for a company my own father worked for them for 15 years and it's ashame they don't care about their reputation or their company or the safety of their customers and families.I want my truck added to the list of the ticking time bombs they have out on the road.

NHTSA complaint #11557554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Scarbro, WV

SUSPENSION

Purchased my truck last year and was unaware of problems with this truck.whikr traveling couple miles from my home on a paved two lane road I ran over a small gravel or walnut which immediately sent my truck into uncontrollably shaking in the front end my speed was between 30 and 35 mph it was all I could do to get it to the side of the road and stopped.Shaking I got out and looked underneath the front thinking I had a wheel or something about to come off.I couldn't see anything noticeable loose.So I got back in and very slowly continued to my destination.Since then it has happened more times than I can count small hump or raised pavement or even a hole in the road will send it into a shaking fit all I can do is try and get to the side of the road and come to a stop.Im in a fix as this is the only vehicle I own and I can't afford to buy another and no one knows what to do to fix it.I feel like I'm riding in a death trap Everytime I have to run out I try and stay on the back roads where I don't have as much traffic and don't have to go as fast having this happen on the interstate is extremely scary not to mention trying to get to the side of the road and not get ran over by tractor trailers.When I purchased this truck it only had around 53,000 miles on it and is still under 60,000.Ive seen read about the problem Ford is having and that they are doing nothing about it.I think this is a disgrace for a company my own father worked for them for 15 years and it's ashame they don't care about their reputation or their company or the safety of their customers and families.I want my truck added to the list of the ticking time bombs they have out on the road.

NHTSA complaint #11557554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Truckee, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The check engine light continues to stay on no matter what Ford tries to do. We can not get the truck smogged for registration due to this problem.

NHTSA complaint #11525797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Truckee, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The check engine light continues to stay on no matter what Ford tries to do. We can not get the truck smogged for registration due to this problem.

NHTSA complaint #11525797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yuma, AZ

STEERING

My son was driving on the freeway, traveling approximately 83 mph, when the vehicle lost power, the engine stalled and he lost the ability to steer the vehicle properly. The vehicle was parked at nearest gas station until i could get to it. After inspecting engine, I noticed some wires that had the insulation coming off. I replaced wiring harness, and when doing so, found the main harness to be severely chafed from rubbing the under side of air filter ducts. When looking around engine bay I noticed other wires with insulation coming off too.

NHTSA complaint #11522562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yuma, AZ

ENGINE

My son was driving on the freeway, traveling approximately 83 mph, when the vehicle lost power, the engine stalled and he lost the ability to steer the vehicle properly. The vehicle was parked at nearest gas station until i could get to it. After inspecting engine, I noticed some wires that had the insulation coming off. I replaced wiring harness, and when doing so, found the main harness to be severely chafed from rubbing the under side of air filter ducts. When looking around engine bay I noticed other wires with insulation coming off too.

NHTSA complaint #11522562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yuma, AZ

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My son was driving on the freeway, traveling approximately 83 mph, when the vehicle lost power, the engine stalled and he lost the ability to steer the vehicle properly. The vehicle was parked at nearest gas station until i could get to it. After inspecting engine, I noticed some wires that had the insulation coming off. I replaced wiring harness, and when doing so, found the main harness to be severely chafed from rubbing the under side of air filter ducts. When looking around engine bay I noticed other wires with insulation coming off too.

NHTSA complaint #11522562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Calimesa, CA

STEERING

The front end wanders and grabs any road deformities severely enough to put you in another lane

NHTSA complaint #11493286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Calimesa, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The front end wanders and grabs any road deformities severely enough to put you in another lane

NHTSA complaint #11493286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Calimesa, CA

SUSPENSION

The front end wanders and grabs any road deformities severely enough to put you in another lane

NHTSA complaint #11493286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Costa Mesa, CA

STEERING

On 6/25/2022 I experienced violent shaking at freeway speed in southern California. The vehicle was difficult to control - the steering wheel shook violently, and it could be felt throughout the vehicle. The ride was completely smooth when I began the freeway drive; the problem came on all of a sudden, then continued at all speeds, but was particularly violent over 50 MPH. I have not had it inspected yet, but research revealed this is most likely the Ford "Death Wobble" affecting F250 and F350 trucks years 2005 to 2021. I haven't discerned all the information yet as to how to make repairs. My understanding is the cause is inadequate front end suspension parts, a Ford manufacturing safety issue. Mine is a 2006 model, and some articles report that year was notably the worse. There was no traffic accident, no police report was filed, and we made it home safely. There were no warning lights or messages. The truck is not under warranty.

NHTSA complaint #11471295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Costa Mesa, CA

SUSPENSION

On 6/25/2022 I experienced violent shaking at freeway speed in southern California. The vehicle was difficult to control - the steering wheel shook violently, and it could be felt throughout the vehicle. The ride was completely smooth when I began the freeway drive; the problem came on all of a sudden, then continued at all speeds, but was particularly violent over 50 MPH. I have not had it inspected yet, but research revealed this is most likely the Ford "Death Wobble" affecting F250 and F350 trucks years 2005 to 2021. I haven't discerned all the information yet as to how to make repairs. My understanding is the cause is inadequate front end suspension parts, a Ford manufacturing safety issue. Mine is a 2006 model, and some articles report that year was notably the worse. There was no traffic accident, no police report was filed, and we made it home safely. There were no warning lights or messages. The truck is not under warranty.

NHTSA complaint #11471295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Reidsville, NC

STEERING

In two separate instances, traveling on the highway, after going over a bridge transition, the steering wheel and front end began to shake violently. This shaking reverberated throughout the truck causing me to have to slow down immediately and exit the freeway. This was the only thing that stopped the shaking. This is commonly referred to as the “Death Wobble”.

NHTSA complaint #11463770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tulsa, OK

STEERING

Not quite sure what component or system is failing/malfunctioning. Best way to describe what is happening, "Death Wobble". No other simpler way to put it. No auto store/dealer has any solid answer. Simply put, almost killed my entire family on the highway and not to mention other drivers on the highway. Driving fine then any bumps/grooves in the road instantly sends the entire vehicle into this VIOLENT shaking mess. To stop the shaking, we have to TRY (because once it starts shaking, it's almost like the steering is freezing up) to stop the vehicle completely. Once stopped, we take off like nothing ever happened until the next set of bumps/grooves. We have taken the truck to auto mechanics, we explain what is going on and INSTANTLY they inform us that we are not alone in this and there's really nothing you can do without constantly changing parts, etc. but there is "no" fix. No warnings, messages, nothing. Basically have to hold on for dear life and ride in the far right lanes so you have a better chance of pulling off on the side of the road without being smashed to death. We literally fear for our families lives in this truck but what can you do when it's pretty much all you got.

NHTSA complaint #11417656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Bartlett, TN

WHEELS

I WAS TRAVELING STRAIGHT ON THE INTERSTATE JUST BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT. I HEARD AN ODD NOISE FELT THE TRUCK FEEL UNSTABLE. I SLOWLY COASTED TO A HALT TO FIND THAT MY REAR PASSENGER TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. THE ENTIRE SIDEWALL WAS DISINTEGRATED AND THE TIRE WAS DETACHED FROM THE RIM. IT BENT IN MY THE REAR QUARTER PANEL OF MY BED CAUSING AN ESTIMATED $1200 IN DAMAGE.

NHTSA complaint #11398709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Bartlett, TN

STRUCTURE:BODY

I WAS TRAVELING STRAIGHT ON THE INTERSTATE JUST BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT. I HEARD AN ODD NOISE FELT THE TRUCK FEEL UNSTABLE. I SLOWLY COASTED TO A HALT TO FIND THAT MY REAR PASSENGER TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. THE ENTIRE SIDEWALL WAS DISINTEGRATED AND THE TIRE WAS DETACHED FROM THE RIM. IT BENT IN MY THE REAR QUARTER PANEL OF MY BED CAUSING AN ESTIMATED $1200 IN DAMAGE.

NHTSA complaint #11398709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 190,000 miles Good Hope, AL

WHEELS

DEATH WOBBLE WHILE ON FREEWAY GOING 45 + MPH

NHTSA complaint #11359926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 190,000 miles Good Hope, AL

STEERING

DEATH WOBBLE WHILE ON FREEWAY GOING 45 + MPH

NHTSA complaint #11359926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.