2017 Ford F-350 Sd Suspension Problems

While traveling down the road a bump or dip in the road causes the front wheels begin to shake and jerk violently causing the vehicle to drift over the road and loose steering control. This situation is amplified when carrying or pulling a load and is extremely difficult to manage and stop once started. Braking exacerbates the situation resulting in almost loosing control. This has happed multiple times, multiple dates over the years, at different speeds usually over 45mph.

NHTSA ID

11638473

Incident

Dec 20, 2024

I experienced what is known as the “Death wobble” after contacting a bumpy road at approximately 70 mph. I was able to exit the freeway and determine that it wasn’t a blown tire or some other condition that caused this. After some research on my vehicle, I determined that this “death wobble” is fairly common with my model and year of truck.

NHTSA ID

11628695

Incident

Dec 2, 2024

I’ve been having repeated issue with a death wobble I’ve replaced my draglink and tie rod end and it hasn’t helped in the slightest

NHTSA ID

11618619

Incident

Oct 8, 2024

When towing a fifth wheel trailer and going down a hill the vehicle went into an oscillation that caused sever wobbling of the front end almost causing me to lose control of the vehicle that was towing the trailer. This was the most frightening thing I have ever experienced in my life. after doing some research Ford Motor Company knows about this issue and has yet to recall this problem it is also known as the Death wobble. Is it actually going to take someone's death to see something happen about this well know issue, I certainly hope not and I hope the NHTSA will do something to force Ford Motor Company to correct this issue before someone does die from the "Death Wobble"

NHTSA ID

11612299

Incident

Aug 14, 2024

At differing speeds the truck experienced the "death wobble" causing the front end of the vehicle to shake uncontrollably. This happened 2 times before I had the tie rod ends replaced and several times afterward. You have to almost stop the vehicle to get the shaking to go away. It is a tremendous safety risk and could cause an accident due to the shaking or due to needing to slow almost to a stop - which could cause a rear end collision. This is a common problem with Ford F250 and F350 trucks. I had my mechanic inspect all the front end parts and he recommended replacing the tie rods and track bar. No warning lamps or other symptoms. The issue happened out of the blue.

NHTSA ID

11590412

Incident

Mar 31, 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal thumping sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the front passenger's side wheel bearing was faulty. The mechanic replaced the front passenger's side wheel bearing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 45,912.

NHTSA ID

11559183

Incident

Nov 27, 2023

Mileage

45,912 mi

Death wobble over speeds of 55mph when hitting a bump. Parts not available to be fixed. Waited over 4 months with no word from dealer. Called every month still say on back order. Occurs every time hitting a bump or uneven surface o er 55mph.

NHTSA ID

11520774

Incident

Dec 26, 2022

While driving on I-25 south of Denver on 4/13/2023, I drove over a pothole in the interstate. Immediately the front end began to violently shake resulting in me applying the brakes and rapidly slowing from 65 mph to ~30mph before the shaking stopped. I was then able to continue on. Today (4/15/2023) while traveling to Boulder CO on US Highway 36, the vehicle again began to violently shake as I drove over a bridge expansion joint. Again I had to rapidly decelerate from ~65 mph to ~30 mph before the shaking stopped. Known as “the death wobble”, this issue is well known in these vehicles and must be addressed by the manufacturer

NHTSA ID

11517241

Incident

Apr 15, 2023

When you hit a bump at road speeds (45 mph+), the steering wheel shakes wildly and you have to slow down immediately to avoid losing control. First happened about 12 months ago. Was not a common issue until more recently. Now it seems to be nearly every time I drive it. Ongoing issue now.

NHTSA ID

11503953

Incident

Dec 19, 2021

Steering wobble - I was driving on I-5 at 70 mph and ran over a small pothole. The steering started violently and uncontrollably shaking. It caused the truck to drift into the left lane but fortunately no other vehicle was along side. I was able to regain control by cautiously slowing down to about 35 mph. At that point the shaking stopped and steering went back to normal. Checking the tpms, the tires were properly inflated at the time. I went on to drive another 200+ miles without further incident. The 2017 F350 truck had 28,328 miles at the time and has only been driven on paved roads. I have noticed in the past that hitting a bump in the road seems to resonate rather than just an initial “bump” like other vehicles I’ve owned. The truck is well taken care of and has never been in an accident.

NHTSA ID

11499133

Incident

Dec 27, 2022

Traveling on the highway at approximately 65mph. Encountered a bridge expansion joint and the front tires and steering wheel began shaking violently which resulted in loss of steering and brake control. Apparently, this is a known issue with these trucks.

NHTSA ID

11496199

Incident

Dec 4, 2022

While driving on the freeway at approximately 60 mph the left front wheel hit a small pothole. The truck immediately begin shaking violently. The extreme shaking involved the entire front end of the truck and the steering wheel. The shaking lasted for approximately 30 seconds and stopped once the speed was reduced to about 40 mph. No warning lights or warning indicators came on before, during or after the incident. I am very fortunate that I was able to maintain enough control of the vehicle to not hit the center median on the freeway or other cars to my right. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION!

NHTSA ID

11495522

Incident

Nov 30, 2022

The front end of my Ford F350 can cause a forceful wobble when going over small bumps. The last time this occurred was on 11/26/22 while driving on the highway at 65 mph and I drove over one of the seams in the pavement. The front end began to wobble so forcefully, I had to slow down to around 30 mph, putting me and anyone behind me at risk of a rear end collision. I haul a travel trailer and if this were to happen while hauling, it could have more catastrophic effects. I've not been able to get it in to Ford to troubleshoot due to their long delays (7 to 9 weeks) in servicing vehicles. I'm trying again this week to take it in. It's not been inspected by anyone yet. There's no warning when this occurs. The first time this happened was either in the Fall of 2021 or early Spring of 2022.

NHTSA ID

11495094

Incident

Nov 26, 2022

Okay, been hearing a lot of noises up underneath it, got under there and looked at my heat shields, that are just flaking off everywhere. I'm scared that my truck is going to catch on fire at this point. All of the heat shields around pretty much everything are disintegrating and falling apart. I've already filled out several of these and I went and tried to turn the truck in and to no avail. They have done everything in their power to not fix nothing on my truck. Nothing. I need some help. Please give me a call [XXX] The linkage, the power door locks and the door handles leaking, are all problems that I have and every one of them they know about and I'm scared that the front end is going to fall apart because of that linkage problem.. I can't get them to do nothing for me. I'm so tired of dealing with them and I was going to buy another truck from them and now I'm on the verge of not buying another one from them cuz they won't even fix the problems on this one. I would really appreciate if somebody would reach out to me and help me. Someone please give me a call and let me know what steps I need to do to get this taken care of. Thank you very much. I firmly believe that with your help they will do the right thing. Thank you have a blessed day INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11490914

Incident

Aug 4, 2022

Third time returning my Ford F350 to the Friendly Ford dealership where it was purchased because of death wobble. Vehicle is driving at high speeds all three times has been on the freeway and all of a sudden it shakes violently and almost loses control of vehicle. The first time happened in January 18 of 2020 the second time happened June 25 of 2022 and then just three days ago October 12, 2022. The vehicle was almost crashed the last two times it happened. The shaking was so violent on the last time did it caused my fuel line to come loose and spell diesel fuel all the way back into town. again it has been to the dealership three times now to fix the problem and was told this last time that everything looked OK and that I had to test drive it and re-create the situation in order for them to diagnose it. Extremely dangerous to re-create the death wobble. during the second incident when my wife was driving with my three children in the back she narrowly avoided colliding with a concrete barrier. The most recent incident with my self driving and my three children in the back and my wife in the front seat almost caused an accident with a semi driver And the person behind me as it shook violently and I tried to get off the road to stop shaking. There were no warning lights messages or other symptoms of problem prior to the failure. Vehicle has been inspected three separate times by Friendly Ford of Las Vegas at 660 N. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107. Do not feel safe driving the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11490001

Incident

Oct 16, 2022

Truck has was is called a DEATH WOBBLE. At highway speeds the steering will vibrate violently after crossing an expansion joint or bump in the road. Braking or rapid slow down will resolve the shaking. The issue seems to be getting worse. The truck was taken to the dealership for repair. The repair will cost several hundred dollars and not covered by the warranty. the mileage of the truck is 80,112 and is 90% highway miles.

NHTSA ID

11480698

Incident

Aug 17, 2022

Death Wobble started to occur around August 2021. No prior incidents. After the first time it would continue to happen anytime driving between 45-60 MPH and hitting a bump in the road. Once you found a bump that would trigger the death wobble, you could EASILY recreate the problem. Once the death wobble starts you have to slow down to 5-10 MPH before it’ll quit. During the wobble it is IMPOSSIBLE to control the vehicle as the steering wheel shakes violently and it feels like all wheels are bouncing opposite of one another creating a very scary and violent situation. I had a repair shop go in and replace anything that could be related and had 2 different alignment shops look into the problem. Ultimately nothing solves the issue.

NHTSA ID

11477459

Incident

Aug 1, 2021

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle experienced a death wobble. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for wheel balancing and alignment; however, the failure persisted. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the front stabilizer and the drag links needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.

NHTSA ID

11476869

Incident

Aug 1, 2020

Mileage

36,000 mi

When hitting bumps around 50 mph the vehicle front end begins to shake violently and a sudden slow down or stop is required.

NHTSA ID

11471075

Incident

Jun 26, 2022

That the intersection of 1010 and Rhodes Road 6204 Ten-Ten Rd, Apex, NC 27539.. I have been driving it and steady crossing my fingers hoping to God my tires don’t fly off and hurt somebody or kill somebody or me… I just can’t do it anymore, I have got to get the thing in the shop it’s got the death wobble and is just starting to scare me.. I love my truck I was trying to give them the benefit of the doubt but it’s definitely got a problem I honestly think it may be several different things but at any rate it needs to be fixed

NHTSA ID

11463707

Incident

May 7, 2022

Sunday, April 3, 2021, I was driving from Rte 95 to Rte 128 and the 2 lanes began to merge, but as I was driving the truck hit a bump and I got the death wobble. I had to come to, almost, a complete stop on the highway, with another car coming in behind me. I got through this one, but as I was beginning to accelerate onto Rte 128, the truck began once again to shake violently. It did happen again during this one trip. This also happened 2 other times, in March. Our mechanic replaced tie rod end-right lower outer and steering stabilizer on, Thursday, March 31, 2021.

NHTSA ID

11459543

Incident

Apr 3, 2022

March 1st 2022 driving at highway speed on Rt 495 S in Massachusetts truck suddenly began to violently shake front end side to side. I was forced to brake, slow down till shaking stopped. Luckily cars behind me and to my right side were able to avoid hitting me. I pulled off highway and checked for something broken or loose. In forward and reverse I couldn’t find anything obvious. Will take my truck to shop today to have front end checked. During violent shaking it was all I could do to hang onto the steering wheel. If I’d only been using one hand who knows what would have happened.

NHTSA ID

11455062

Incident

Mar 1, 2022

I have experienced the very common problem of Death Wobble several times. Uncontrollable shaking of the steering wheel.

NHTSA ID

11455003

Incident

Mar 2, 2022

Traveling on Interstate at 65mph and truck shook violently out of control after hitting small pothole. Felt like front wheels were wobbling with no ability to steer safely. After braking hard , problem went away around 35 or 40 mph. Super scary and extremely dangerous. Also charged $660 dollars for wheel alignment and placement of shims with a camber adjustment that “wheel wobble will never happen again “. Not happy I had to pay for their manufacturing design problem.

NHTSA ID

11449376

Incident

Jan 28, 2022

I am experiencing extremely horrible death wobble to the point that I cannot drive my vehicle. I have taken it to two different Ford dealers in the last five years as well as a repair on my own and it is still not fixed. Ford has not issued a recall as of this date. The death wobble started on my truck at 11,000 miles.

NHTSA ID

11448143

Incident

Sep 1, 2019