Complaint 1751872

Complaint Summary

STEERING

Owner Narrative

ON 5/8/21, WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATLY55-60 MPH, I HIT A POTHOLE ON HWY231 SOUTH (4 LANE) AND THE FRONT END OF MY 2011 F350 TRUCK STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND BECAME HARD TO STEER. I HAD TO ALMOST STOP BEFORE IT QUIT SHAKING. I WAS AFRAID WE (WIFE & I) WERE GOING TO LOOSE CONTROL AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND AFTER INSPECTION, THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A PROBLEM ONLY A FORD DEALER COULD FIX. THE SHOP HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE AND FORD REFUSED TO TELL THEM WHAT PARTS WERE NEEDED TO DO THAT FIX. ON 5/12/21, I TOOK THE TRUCK TO TALLASSEE AUTOMOTIVE FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR. AFTER INSPECTION, THEY SAID THEY KNEW THE PROBLEM AND COULD FIX IT FOR $1100 (OR $11?? SOMETHING. I WAS FLABBERGASTED AT THE AMOUNT, BUT HAD TO HAVE IT FIXED AND AGREED. THEY OREDERED PARTS AND CALLED TWO DAYS LATER TO COME PICK IT UP. UPON ARRIVAL, THEY SAID MY BILL WAS $1450. I COMPLAINED LOUDLY THAT THEY TOLD ME $1100 SOMETHING. AFTER CONSULTATION BETWEEN SOMEONE I DID NOT SEE, THEY AGREED TO DISCOUNT IT BY $300. LATER SOMEONE TOLD ME THEY HAD HEARD OF THIS FORD PROBLEM AND I SHOULD LOOK IT UP ONLINE. I DID AND FOUND STORIES ABOUT SOMETHING CALLED THE "DEATH WABBLE." MY PURPOSE FOR THIS COMPLAINT IS TO ADD MY VOICE TO THE GROUP OF PEPOPLE WHO HAVE HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE AND MAY REQUIRE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW THAT COULD CAUSE INJURIES OR DEATH TO UNKNOWING PEOPLE. AS FOR THE REPAIRS, IT SEEMS THEY REPLACED EVERYTHING BETWEEN THE TWO FRONT WHEELS AND THE STEERING COLUMN. NOT BEING A MECHANIC, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THIS OR WHAT WAS REALLY NECESSARY TO FIX IT. NO SYMPTOMS BEFORE THIS INCIDENT INDICATED THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY TRUCK. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS OR EVENTS THAT COULD HAVE MADE ME CHECK OUT ANY PROBLEM LIKE THIS SITUATION. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO., THE POLICE, OR INSURANCE COMPANY. LOOKING ON THE INTERNET, IT IS APPARENT FORD IS AWARE OF THIIS PROBLEM AND CLAIMS NO RESPONSIBILITY.

Owner-submitted narrative on file with NHTSA. Complaint narratives are self-reported and have not been verified.