2016 Ford F-250 Super Duty · symptom sheet
Steering wheel shakes or the "death wobble"
- 103owner reports
- 71,250median miles
- $3,000median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Jul 23, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026
117 of the 287 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 103 of those describe death wobble. Only suspension is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 103 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ball joint (10 reports), the steering damper (7 reports), the track bar (7 reports) and the tie rod (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the steering system covers the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Icon Vehicle Dynamics, LLC (Icon) is recalling all 05-UP FSD 2.5 Centerline Stabilizer Kits with part number 65050. The kits were sold as an accessory for certain 2005-2021 Ford F-250 4X4 and F-350 4X4 pickup trucks. The foam ring inside the stabilizer "through shaft" may block the piston ports, possibly causing the steering to lock up.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Icon will notify owners, and dealers will install a new shock assembly with a revised foam ring and steel support disc, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Icon customer service at 1-951-689-4266.
NHTSA investigations into the steering system on the F-250 Super Duty
Alleged loss of steering. Closed jan 31, 2014.
NHTSA summary
Steering shaft separation. Closed may 29, 2003, led to recall 03V-196.
NHTSA summary
Sector shaft fractures. Closed aug 19, 2003.
NHTSA summary
Steering shaft fracture. Closed dec 7, 1998.
NHTSA summary
None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.
What owners paid
9 of the 103 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,326 to $4,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 48,000 and 104,000 miles, from the 43 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Vehicle developed a death wabble at 98,000 miles and is getting worse. hit a bump and started to wobble violently and had to hit brakes and pull to side of road and stop to get to quit wobbling. happened two more times on the way home. thought i was going to loose control of vehicle.”
Filed Sep 5, 2023 · 98,000 miles
“I was experiencing what is known as the "death wobble" in my 2016 Ford F250 FX4 truck. The truck only has 56,000 miles but is out of warranty. I recently spent $1326.00 to have the problem repaired. Apparently this is a major problem with these trucks. I have the repair bill but didn't include it with this statement.”
Filed Jan 18, 2023 · 56,000 miles
“Driving 65mph on I40 hit a transition area of the pavement and the truck began the shake violently almost unable to control truck due to the shake. Had to come to a complete stop to make it stop. Happened again when I hit the next bump. I have read this is referred to as the death wobble. It is very scary and could cause an accident even loss of life due to an accident.”
Filed Jan 19, 2022
“The front suspension shakes violently after encountering an irregularity in the road commonly referred to by the f250 community as " the death wobble".”
Filed Jan 7, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 103 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 111 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 35 reports