Ford F-250 SD Steering Problems
Owners have filed 2,485 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the Ford F-250 SD across 29 model years. The 2019 model year has the most (776). The words owners use most often: “death wobble” (45% of reports).
- 2,485steering complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 35mention a crash
- 24mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $1,150typical repair cost reported by owners
- 90%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Death wobble: mentioned in 1,113 of 2,485 complaints (45%)
- Front end: mentioned in 596 of 2,485 complaints (24%)
- Bump road: mentioned in 258 of 2,485 complaints (10%)
- Shake violently: mentioned in 218 of 2,485 complaints (9%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical steering repair on the Ford F-250 SD at $1,150, and half of them between $500 and $2,750.
Based on 17 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2004–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 1,744 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 2,485 complaints, 35 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 24 an injury.
Ford F-250 SD steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 F-250 SD | 4 | 24% | 13 |
| 2024 F-250 SD | 4 | 10% | 3,014 |
| 2023 F-250 SD | 4 | 9% | 40,000 |
| 2022 F-250 SD | 8 | 6% | — |
| 2021 F-250 SD | 15 | 9% | 78,800 |
| 2020 F-250 SD | 45 | 17% | 21,000 |
| 2019 F-250 SD | 776 | 67% | 20,000 |
| 2018 F-250 SD | 252 | 63% | 28,000 |
| 2017 F-250 SD | 717 | 62% | 28,000 |
| 2016 F-250 SD | 118 | 41% | 80,000 |
| 2015 F-250 SD | 126 | 43% | 68,084 |
| 2014 F-250 SD | 7 | 27% | 72,500 |
| 2013 F-250 SD | 3 | 14% | 32,000 |
| 2012 F-250 SD | 18 | 32% | 68,000 |
| 2011 F-250 SD | 47 | 39% | 33,000 |
| 2010 F-250 SD | 13 | 41% | 63,000 |
| 2009 F-250 SD | 7 | 30% | 87,009 |
| 2008 F-250 SD | 39 | 28% | 57,752 |
| 2007 F-250 SD | 23 | 43% | 40,000 |
| 2006 F-250 SD | 102 | 37% | 41,133 |
| 2005 F-250 SD | 67 | 23% | 41,500 |
| 2004 F-250 SD | 15 | 6% | 65,000 |
| 2003 F-250 SD | 15 | 8% | 45,000 |
| 2002 F-250 SD | 12 | 5% | 66,126 |
| 2001 F-250 SD | 21 | 7% | 70,493 |
| 2000 F-250 SD | 8 | 3% | 95,500 |
| 1999 F-250 SD | 14 | 6% | 100,000 |
| 1998 F-250 SD | 1 | 100% | — |
| 1997 F-250 SD | 4 | 10% | 150,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Steering:column
Model years: 2020, 2021
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-250, F-350, and F-450 vehicles. The steering column upper shaft may detach from the steering column and result in a loss of steering control.
Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the steering column, and repair or replace the upper shaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 20, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S94. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 23, 2025.
Air bags:frontal:driver clockspring/spiral cassette; steering:column
Model years: 2023
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150 and Ford SD F250, F350, F450, F550, and F600 vehicles. The steering wheel clock spring may have an insufficient weld, causing a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Risk: A deactivated air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the clock spring as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Steering:column
Model years: 2023
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Super Duty F-250, F-350, and F-450 vehicles. The steering column upper shaft bolts may be missing or improperly tightened, resulting in possible separation of the steering column from the adjoining components.
Risk: A disconnected steering column can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the steering column upper shaft coupler bolts, or install any missing bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 1, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S22.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
At interstate speeds, when the truck hits a bump or an expansion joint going onto or off a bridge, the steering wheel jerks hard and pulls the truck into the next lane. I've been reporting this front-end problem to Ford dealers for almost two years. About eight months ago, on XXX near [XXX], it…
I was driving my truck on a highway in [XXX]. I was going 70 MPH when we crossed over a bridge. The pavement was lower than the bridge cement. that cause the truck to have a slight bump when crossing over it. That cause the entire truck to begin a violent shaking (death wobble). it was very hard to…
I experienced a severe, violent, and uncontrollable front-end suspension and steering wheel oscillationâcommonly known as the "Ford Super Duty Death Wobble." While traveling at highway speeds approximately 70mph, I came across a bridge expansion joint (nothing unusual) and immediately upon…
Subject: Request for Review of Recall Remedy Effectiveness â Ford Recall 24S78 / NHTSA Recall 24V-957 Vehicle: 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty 6.7L Power Stroke VIN: [XXX] To Whom It May Concern: I am submitting this letter to document a significant safety event involving my 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty…
I am filing a complaint against Capital Auto Mall Premier regarding the sale of a 2019 Ford F\-250 Lariat \(VIN [XXX]\) that I purchased on XXX. The vehicle was represented as being in good working condition at the time of sale. However, almost immediately after taking possession of the vehicle, I…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford F-250 SDs have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 2,485 owner complaints about steering for the Ford F-250 SD. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford F-250 SD steering?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix steering problems on the Ford F-250 SD?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,150 (half paid between $500 and $2,750), from 17 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about steering problems on the Ford F-250 SD?
The most frequent phrase is “death wobble”, in 1,113 of 2,485 complaints, followed by “front end” (596).
Other Ford F-250 SD problems
- Suspension problems (2,211)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (692)
- Electrical System problems (500)
- Power Train problems (455)
- Engine problems (322)
- Wheels problems (284)
- Tires problems (244)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (225)
See all Ford F-250 SD problems.