Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 03/05/2011 | 57000 | ||
| 2006 f-350 lariat super duty- in march while driving on i-70 i hit a bump in the road at 65mph and the front end and steering wheel shook violently and i was immediately thrown into the passing lane. i took the truck to summit ford in silverthorne, co where they called my description the death wobble and they replaced the track bar, ball joint and steering dampener. i felt fortunate that no traffic was near me and i survived the uncontrollable event! now with the $600.00 repair expense i left the service center satisfied that i would be safe on the road. two weeks ago while on a trip, the same death wobble happened again and i was out of control and in the other lane again, thankfully no traffic was beside me or oncoming which would have caused an accident. so now i have lost all confidence in the safety of my truck and drove conservatively to get home avoiding all bumps and slowing dramatically when approaching any imperfect road surfaces. even with my new cautious approach to driving the death wobble happened again at only 50mph. i have since discovered numerous complaints and you-tube videos of others with the same problem as well as complaints on the national highway traffic safety administration's website. i have found 2 documents issued by ford motor company regarding this problem, a technical service bulletin 04-26-1, and a letter dated april 2009 (literature program 09l02) addressed to mr. john sample regarding shimmy, a severe vibration and oscillation in the steering wheel............ i am running the truck at the label specified tire pressure and there are no suspension modifications . i am considering replacing the f-350 with another vehicle that i can be assured of not having this problem. my question to ford is, what am i supposed to do now? sincerely, matthew clark | |||
| 07/14/2011 | 126000 | ||
| 2006 ford f350 experience extremely violent shaking when driving 45 plus mph and hit any type bump. shaking is so violent steering is not capable and braking only makes shaking worse. i've contacted dealer and they said they replaced a bushing but problem persisted. they have not corrected the problem. vehicle is basically out of control when this happens. last date of occurrence is july 14,2011 and this problem has persisted since truck was purchased new from dealer. truck has no lift and is stock model. please help | |||
| 04/02/2011 | 75000 | ||
| Ford f350 death shake has happened multiple times truck hits bump or pot hole regardless of speed (but shake is worse over 40 mph)and starts a very dangerous shake that gets worse until the whole truck is out of control.braking hard to stop will stop it but accident seems to be around the corner.i have taken to dealer and tire shop they say nothing wrong. | |||
| 10/20/2010 | 35000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2006 ford f-350 heavy duty. the contact stated that there were four bolts attached to the engine that controlled brakes and steering. while driving at approximately 5 mph, he attempted to brake and was unable to slow down; he was also unable to steer. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that the four bolts broke and caused the failure. the four bolts were replaced at the dealership. the contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. the vin was unavailable when the complaint was filed. the current mileage was approximately 36,000. the failure mileage was approximately 35,000-bk | |||
| 09/28/2010 | 52000 | ||
| I have an '06 f-350. at 55mph+, hitting a bump will almost cause the truck to self destruct. the steering wheel shakes violently. ford seems to not be able to fix the issue. please force a recall before people are killed. | |||
| 02/25/2009 | 76000 | ||
| At 200am today my horn on my 2006 f 350 started blowing. by the time i realized what was going on the wires had started to smoke under the hood. i had to disconnect both batteries in order for the horn to stop. this is the first time this is has happened to this truck. no other problems to report at this time. i will be having it towed to a dealer today | |||
| 11/01/2009 | 30000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford f350 purchased october 2005. while driving at speeds less than 45 mph and towing a 30 foot trailer in light snow, the steering wheel suddenly turned to the right. he attempted to turn the steering wheel back to the straight position, but it turned in a full 365 degree turn without interference of the driver. he attempted to adjust the wheel however the tires would not respond. the driver then crashed into the median and was turned approximately 180 degrees. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where they stated they have seen this type of failure on his year, make and model numerous times. they also found that the steering box in the vehicle was manufactured with the steering box designed for the f450 model as opposed to the f350 model. the highway patrol arrived to the scene shortly after and a report was filed. the failure mileage was 30,000. the current was 31,000. | |||
| 11/30/2009 | 30000 | 1 | |
| 2006 ford f350 superduty diesel driving on the fwy making a curve about 55mph the front end starts to hop violently and bouncing. almost lost control due to other cars on the road. i had to apply my brakes on the fwy in a very unsafe manner and location causing car behind me to veer off in many directions as i came to a halt. this loss of control happened about a dozen times now in the last 2years with always the same situation fwy speeds and any type of bump in the road surface. happened on uphill curves as well as flat or down hill curves. a lesser of driver may fail to make proper adjustments which i sure will lead to a crash or worse a death. *tr | |||
| 06/01/2008 | 10000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2006 ford f350 crew cab 4x4 which was purchased in 2005. while driving approximately 25 mph, the contact lost steering control when the steering wheel began shaking excessively. the manufacturer stated that they were aware of the failure. the manufacturer also confirmed that there were no related recalls; however, there were technical service bulletins. the front end of the vehicle was replaced as well as previous repairs were performed to correct the failure. the failure mileage was approximately 10,000 and the current mileage was 29,000. | |||
| 05/14/2009 | 54200 | 1 | |
| Excessive front end shimmy on occasion with my ford f350 4x4. i have received a letter from ford discussing this issue. the first time the problem occurred, my tire pressure was low and subsequently maintaining proper tire pressure seemed to prevent the problem for a while. however, recently i hit some bumps while traveling on the highway at a speed of approximately 65 mph and the front end began to shimmy very violently. i knew to hit the brakes to regain control of the steering, but i had to stay on my brakes until i slowed to approximately 40 mph before i could regain control of the steering wheel. i called a local ford service center, but they said they would only be guessing at the proper way to fix the problem. i then called ford customer service to discuss the issue, as i am nervous about riding on the highway with the vehicle. they suggested that i call several service centers until i find one that has experience with trying to fix this particular problem. i have done that and i have made an appointment for service tomorrow. the reason for my writing this complaint is that the last occurring was so severe, that i was afraid of causing an accident due to the quick deceleration i was forced into in order to regain steering control of the vehicle. *tr | |||
| 05/15/2009 | 16000 | 1 | |
| The ford f-350 truck i bought is defective, as evidenced by the 7 power steering and brake repairs required in the past 3 years, along with the electrical system and ring and pinion repair. i have contacted ford 24 times, i have filed a complaint with the mn better business bureau and the mn attorney general's office. i believe the truck was manufactured in a faulty manner, and i am afraid the truck may be dangerous to drive. i need your help in obtaining credit towards a new truck or a new truck due to the unacceptable number and type of repairs required. *tr | |||
| 04/15/2009 | 1 | ||
| I own a ford f350 dually super duty truck. ford sent a letter stating that some drivers have experienced a severe steering wheel vibration. they said it isn't a recall, just a notice. we have had trouble w/this truck doing this prior to the letter. it's documented at brad howell ford in greentown in. after receiving the letter we again went to bhf. we called ford motor and told them, they said put stabilizers on it at our cost. we did. plus new front shocks. the problem is still there. it is extremely dangerous when the vibration happens. we have to come to a complete stop sometimes. and we pull trailers behind the truck frequently. needless to say, we have not been given any cause or solution to the problem. ford motor took our information, passed it on to bhf, and they inturn said we were responsible for putting the steering stabilizers on. and that's pretty much it. we have to drive the truck to tn in 3 weeks, pulling a trailer. if this vibration occurs while on the interstate we pray an accident does not occur. i don't have another choice for vehicles. i feel that ford knows there is a serious problem w/the steering, i've taken it to bhf for this particular issue prior to the letter, and still driving a truck that i consider unsafe, but my only option. ford knows there is a problem, they should protect their consumers and find out the correct way to fix the problem. *tr | |||
| 08/20/2006 | 5000 | 1 | |
| 2006 f-350 dually has a shimmer or severe vibration of the steering wheel that begins when a bump or dip in the road occurs and does not correct itself. even though the tires are in good order. ford motor co says there is nothing that can be done to correct this situation. their letter of notification is dated april 2009. *tr | |||
| 03/01/2009 | 70000 | 1 | |
| High pressure power steering hose defective. 425 hoses are on back order with ford. no estimate of when a hose will be available. customers have already been waiting 2 months. meanwhile i am filling my power steering reservoir every couple of days. *tr | |||
| 05/10/2008 | 12000 | 1 | |
| 06 f350 dually diesel crew cab. when driving anywhere between 50-70 mph and hit a pothole the front end goes into a death wobble and is not controlled until vehicle is slowed to 30 mph. almost lost control of vehicle on los angeles freeways. has happened multiple times and have been to ford dealer with no assistance. last episode was last week, then my insurance co told me to file complaint in case of accident that is not my fault but a vehicle defect. aaa also sent me to this forum of other ford owners that have had the same complaint. *tr | |||
| 04/26/2008 | 35000 | 1 | |
| 2006 f-350 front end shakes violently on occasion. usually occurs with a change in level of interstate as in driving over an overpass back onto the normal road surface. speed is usually around 65-70 mph when it happens. immediate reduction to approximately 30 mph is required to make it stop. has happened 6 times so far and almost caused an accident on 3 of those occasions. *tr | |||
| 04/22/2007 | 800 | 5 | 10/05/2006 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2006 ford f350. the contact stated that the brakes will lock and cause the calipers to burn. a small fire occurred during one of the failures. the brakes and calipers have been replaced four times, most recently on april 22, 2007. the dealer stated that the cause of the frequent failures could be due to several reasons; however, they were unable to diagnose the exact cause of the failures. the manufacturer assisted with the first four failures, but would not assist with the current one. the vehicle is currently at the dealer being repaired. the current mileage was 66,672 and failure mileage was 800. updated 10/14/08 *bf the consumer also stated he has had a problem with the steering wheel. updated 10/16/08. *jb | |||
| STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR | |||
| 01/01/2007 | 5000 | ||
| This is a company vehicle driven by several different employees. many of these drivers have complained of a sudden violent shaking of the vehicle while at highway speeds, usually after hitting a bump in the road, expansion joint, etc. this shaking will only stop by lowering speed sometimes to as low as 10 mph. we have taken the vehicle to a local ford dealership multiple times with no success in solving the problem. they even advised us to install airbags to the rear suspension to distribute weight to the front of the vehicle when loaded. we are currently on our fourth set of quality e-rated tires (recommended tire pressure is maintained) but are still experiencing the problem. | |||