2017 Ford F-350 Super Duty · symptom sheet
Steering wheel shakes or the "death wobble"
- 275owner reports
- 27,000median miles
- $660median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Jan 25, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
292 of the 573 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 275 of those describe death wobble, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2017 F-350 Super Duty.
Tick what matches of 275 reports
Death wobble on other F-350 Super Duty years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2020, 2022.
What this problem usually is
This is the violent one. Owners describe the steering wheel shaking hard at highway speed, often right after the front end hits a bump or an expansion joint, and it keeps going until they slow way down. Six in ten complaints in this group use the word wobble, and plenty of owners call it the "death wobble."
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering damper (18 reports), the track bar (8 reports), the tie rod (6 reports) and the ball joint (6 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the steering system covers the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
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.
All 14 recalls on the 2017 Ford F-350 Super Duty, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the steering system on the F-350 Super Duty
Alleged loss of steering. Closed jan 31, 2014.
Sector shaft fractures. Closed aug 19, 2003.
None of these investigations covers the 2017 model year.
What owners paid
10 of the 275 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $450 to $1,200.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 18,950 and 38,000 miles, from the 228 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Traveling down the road at or around 62 -65 mph and you hit a bump truck goes into a violent shake that can only be stopped by slowing down below 40 mph. You have to immediately start slowing down, and it there is someone following that isnât paying attention it going to get us rear ended on the highway. The truck has 54,000 miles on it. Ford should own the problem.”
Filed Aug 14, 2022 · 54,000 miles
“I experienced a âDeath Wobbleâ several times .Ford freelanced my ball joint on right side. When the issue began again Ford replaced my stabilizer bar. It happened again so I replaced both steer tires. Occasionally I still get a wobbly when I hit a rough spot in the road way.”
Filed Feb 5, 2022
“Death Wobble: Traveling at 65 mph, I hit a bump and the front end of the vehicle started shaking violently. I had to hit the brakes and slow down to about 35 before it stopped. This happened 3 times. This is a relatively new vehicle with 50,000 miles. The dealership claims no knowledge or responsibility. This is reported on line chat rooms and u tube extensively.”
Filed Jan 26, 2022 · 50,000 miles
“Driving on highway at 65 slight bump in road & steering wheel went crazy violent vibrating in front end. Had to reduce speed to 20 to get it to stop shaking. Continued down road same thing happened. Shaking is uncontrollable almost crashed. Vehicle can be inspected it does it if I hit a bump or go over 65. No warning lights.”
Filed Nov 9, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 275 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 219 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 67 reports
- Tailgate or liftgate will not open or close 39 reports