Complaint 1926563

Complaint Summary

STEERING

Owner Narrative

WE own a 2012 Ford F350 and have had two bad incidents with the dreaded “death wobble” and are afraid to even drive it because the truck now seems unsafe as it feels unsturdy as if it is starting to wobble and I don't dare even taking it on the freeway. My daughter had told me that the truck began shaking violently on her while on the freeway and I didn't fully understand what she meant until it happened to me. I was traveling on the freeway in cruise control, going the speed limit of 80 mph. Suddenly the truck began to shake violently. The whole front end, the steering wheel, my arms, my body, etc. were all shaking violently. I hit the brakes. I screamed and was terrified. I thought a tire had blown out or something and was sure I was going to wreck. Upon stopping, I just sat there for a moment in disbelief, trying to catch my breath. I am fortunate that no one hit me as I was halfway in the right lane of traffic. I got out expecting to see some kind of damage but saw none. I slowly drove to the first off ramp and gingerly drove home. Holding onto the steering wheel had left my arms feeling bruised and my mental being shaken. I was telling someone about what happened and he said "Oh, that is called a "Death Wobble" and he told me that Ford Super Duty F250s and F350s were known to have this problem. I went home a went on Google to educate myself about this "Death Wobble" and was so angry that Ford has done nothing to correct this problem or have a recall. I feel very lucky to not have caused or been in a serious accident. I look at this truck and am afraid to even drive it. I read that numerous drivers have reported frightening incidents of losing control of their trucks and that there have been serious accidents with injuries, and even deaths due to this defect on these Ford trucks. They should pay to correct whatever the problem is.

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