Ford F 250 Death Wobble Recall Overview
Legally reviewed by: Jessica Anvar Stotz, JD, MBA
Over the past 15 years, thousands of drivers have experienced chronic suspension and steering problems in their “Ford Tough” pickup trucks. This manufacturing defect is widely known as the “Ford Super Duty death wobble.”
Affected vehicles can shudder or shake aggressively at highway speeds or after hitting rough pavement. The Ford death wobble can impact thousands of popular heavy-duty pickup trucks manufactured by Ford between 2005-2019.
How do I know if My Ford is affected?
Your pickup may be one of thousands of popular Ford trucks affected by the Death Wobble. This defect can cause excessive shaking when the car hits a bump or other imperfection in the road while driving.
The steering wheel may rattle so excessively that the vehicle may be difficult to control or steer. Some drivers report that the shaking is so severe, it can feel like you have been hit by another car. This violent shaking usually occurs when driving at speeds over 50 miles per hour. To stop the shaking, drivers are often forced to slow down or stop their cars immediately.
The Ford death wobble defect may be caused by premature wear or loosening of various components such as the ball joints, control arms, track bar bashing, damper bracket, or shocks. Unfortunately, fixing the problem involves trial and error. Service providers often have trouble figuring out which steering part is the source of the death wobble, as the problem can affect any part of the steering.
What makes and models are affected?
Ford F-Series Super Duty models such as the Ford F-250 or Ford F-350 from model years 2005-2019, may have the death wobble problem. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received over 1,200 complaints mentioning the death wobble from Ford drivers with vehicles as old as 2005. Multiple lawsuits accuse Ford of knowing about the problem for at least 15 years.
How to Fix the Ford F250 Death Wobble
To address the “Death Wobble” in Ford F250 trucks, a newly redesigned steering linkage damper is now available for repairs. This addresses instances where vehicles exhibit sustained steering oscillation, which persists even after encountering rough pavement or expansion joints at speeds typically exceeding 45 mph (72 km/h).
This program is a one-time repair for the steering linkage damper, applicable for 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever comes first. For those whose vehicles have surpassed these limits, fret not; the program extends until December 31, 2024. This coverage also transfers to subsequent owners. You will need to provide your vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), which you can find near your name at the start of your notification letter, to schedule a service appointment under Customer Satisfaction Program 20N04.
Is There a Buyback Program?
There is no Ford death wobble buy back nor a Ford super duty death wobble recall. Despite numerous complaints for consumers, Ford has yet to issue any sort of official death wobble recall.
In December 2020, the auto manufacturer offered extended warranties and free repairs for the steering wheel oscillation issue. Ford lessees and owners have reported however, that Ford is only offering to fix the steering dampers on 2017-2019 pickup trucks.
Across online forums, several Ford customers have reported that the steering fixes that Ford does offer do not solve the problem permanently. Some drivers say that the shaking problem can often reappear mere months after repairs completed by Ford.
Others claim that the manufacturer has not honored their warranties. Ford dealers have told multiple drivers that their steering and suspension issues were the result of them not properly maintaining their vehicles.
Is There a Lawsuit?
Multiple class action lawsuits have been filed against Ford Motor Company over the death wobble problem. The latest Ford F250 death wobble lawsuit was filed in 2019. This suit includes F-250 and F-350 Ford model years 2005-2019. Plaintiffs accuse Ford of knowingly selling pickup trucks with suspension and steering defects.
Should I join the lawsuit?
You may still be able to join one of the ongoing Ford super duty death wobble lawsuits, however, filing an individual claim may be a better option. Keep in mind that if you wish to pursue an individual lemon law claim, you will have to opt-out of any lawsuits that your vehicle may be included in, before the deadline.
In a successful class action case, you may have to split the final settlement with potentially thousands of people. Your cut may be significantly less than the total amount of money you have spent on your car.
Through an individual claim, you could qualify for cash, a replacement truck, or a refund that would reimburse you for all the money you have spent on your defective car. This is a much better option if you have spent thousands of dollars paying out of pocket for repairs or if you have taken in your pickup to an authorized repair shop for multiple steering-related repairs.
What are my options?
The Ford F 250 death wobble is affecting many Ford truck owners and you may be able to file an individual lawsuit or claim. To file an individual claim, we highly recommend that you work with an experienced lemon law attorney who can help you build the strongest case possible against the manufacturer, as well as maximize your settlement.
Large automakers like Ford spend quite a bit of money to work with highly skilled lemon law attorneys who exclusively specialize in this field of law. Going at this on your own can be incredibly challenging, which is why we recommend that you discuss your case with a reputable lemon law attorney in your area.
If you live in California and are experiencing steering or other problems with your pickup, our team can help you. The Lemon Law Experts have assisted millions of consumers across the state in recovering millions of dollars for their individual claims, for cases just like yours.
Our team regularly wins cases for drivers going up against large auto manufacturers like Ford Motor Company. Not sure if your case qualifies? No problem, our team can review your situation to see what your recovery could look like. Our case analysis comes at no cost or obligation to you.
The Lemon Law Experts do not get paid unless you win your case against Ford or any other auto manufacturer, so you do not have to worry about retainer fees or other upfront costs when you hire us.
In fact, the manufacturer is required to cover your legal fees if you win. You can be confident that our lemon law attorneys will work diligently to give you an excellent outcome in your case. Get started today by giving us a call at 877-885-5366, or by filling out an online form on our website.