Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Ford F-250 SD owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was taken by extreme shock when this first happened, crossed a paving joint on the highway traveling about 70mph, it felt like the tires were shaking off, no control for a few moments. I pulled off the highway at a safe location to check the lug nuts...they were tight. Now these occurrences are happening at greater frequencies and at lower speeds (45mph) the shaking is severe and uncontrollable until you can slow down enough for it to stop. I almost had a head on collision this last winter. The shimmy started on dry pavement then went to an ice patch. I spent a lot of money on this first diesel I've owned and I'll tell you I never imagined the loss of confidence in driving a vehicle as I have experienced with this one. I am not a not a neophyte to owning and driving trucks, 4 wheel and 2 wheel drive, this one however, is a scary ride. …
2006 Ford f-250 experiences a severe vibration between 50 - 65 MPH. Specifically noticed after hitting a pothole or driving on uneven roads. Truck is completely stock and has had shocks/ steering stabilizer / brakes / tires / alignment / (replaced/completed) at a certified Ford dealer within the past 2 months. Additionally, I had every ball joint, tie rod end, steering component inspected at my cost to investigate the issue. The steering vibration still exists. Forums and other sites have started to call this the "death wobble". Although it can be escaped by slowing down or accelerating through the vibration, it can easily cause loss of control to the unexpected driver. I have driven Ford vehicles (trucks) for the past 20 years and this is the first time I have ventured to file an official complaint. Following the service bulletin to adjust tire pressure did not correct the problem. …
Shimmy- the shimmy problem that occurs in the 4x4 f250 should still be a significant issue for those of us that still own these trucks. The dealer tried the tire inflation story with me, but that did not correct the problem. Road racing sport cars for many years I know that one pound can make a difference in handling and I made sure that the tires were inflated correctly. Then they told me that Ford sent them a new set of alignment specs. Well as we all know now that did not fix it either. Then they told me that the tires being cupped was causing the shimmy, my response to that was that it was the shimmy causing the tires to cup not the tires being cupped causing the shimmy, although the worse the cupping, the worse the shimmy. After insisting on new tires and then the new line up specs, we tried it again. Then 960 miles later and only road driving the same cupping was happening again. …
I own a 2006 f250 diesel truck that shakes violently when you hit even the smallest of potholes. It shakes so violently that you have to come to a complete stop, regain control, and then resume driving. This is especially hazardous on the small county roads we live on, and when you have to come to a complete stop on the freeway. We have tried to get it fixed at the dealership, where they assure us that nothing is wrong with this dangerous death trap. I refuse to allow my husband and my son get into a vehicle that will shake violently out of control into oncoming traffic, into a ditch, or off a bridge. I am ashamed that Ford would be aware of this issue, and not recall this problem vehicle as there are many others out there with the same problem. …
I have been having this problem for almost a year now and have read thousands of other complaints that is the same issue. This truck all most killed me again today. It goes into a "death wobble" when you hit a bump if you are over 55mph. If you anrt expecting it to happen and it is the 1st time you experience it you will wreck! I have contacted several dealers and no one seems to know about or heard about it but there is thousands of complaints online and also have received a letter from Ford stating to check tire pressures! I have done what they said + had new shocks, had new tires, struts checked, ball joints checked, and rear suspension looked at. Nothing is wrong ...this is clearly a factory problem and it needs to be taken care of before people start dieing from it! …
Driving my 2006 Ford f250 super duty crew cab 4x4 at highway speed of 70 MPH the trucks front end began to vibrate and bounce uncontrollably after going over an uneven section of bridge. The vibration was so bad I thought the front end of the truck was going to tear itself apart. As I began to slow the truck down and get out of the normal traffic lanes the vibration and bouncing did not finally subside until about 35 MPH. While this occurred with my entire family in the truck I was fearful of what May happen and when it May happen again as we were still several hours from our home. A few miles later we crossed another bridge this time doing 65 MPH and the front end began to vibrate again but stopped much quicker than before once I decreased to 45mph. This issue is rampant on the vehicle reporting websites and will eventually get someone killed. …
The truck showed no signs of trouble leading up to the event. While driving approximately 50-55 miles an hour and heading around a right hand corner in the road the truck hit an indentation in the road surface which caused the truck to shake uncontrollably and drift into the oncoming lane causing the trucks mirror to hit a box truck and smash into the interior of my truck. When the truck slowed down to below 35, I regained control of the vehicle and pulled off to the right shoulder. The box truck, apparently not realizing what had happened, continued on without stopping. The mirror was destroyed, glass was covering the interior of my truck, and I suffered minor cuts on my face and arm. I returned home with my truck at speeds under 40 MPH, but still could feel a shudder when the truck hit either a raised bump or an indentation in the road. …
When driving highway speeds I never know when the front end is going to violently shake so bad that I can't see out the rear view mirrors to even know who is around me when my truck is completely out of control. I can't believe someone has not died yet! It's not if, but when. A joint in the road, pot hole, or just a pavement irregularity causes it, but I never know when. I've asked service and sales techs at both phil long Ford/littleton, co and lakewood Ford/lakewood, co and received the same line of crap, that I'm the first person who ever mentioned it. Check my tire pressure is what I'm told. All I had to do was google the problem and I found a seemingly endless list of complaints of the exact same problem. This site was already aware of the problem because when I went to select the "failed components", steering was already highlighted. …
The vehicle is a 2006 Ford superduty 4x4. Has had no modifications to suspension. Still factory tires and currently at 31,000 miles. I can no longer drive the truck on the interstate. Hitting even a small bump at 65mph causes the front end to shake so badly that controlling the truck is no longer possible. Today 04/13/11 the most recent incident it happened in the afternoon rush on i95 here in richmond where I live. Sending me across the lanes and almost off the road,. I am a virginia state safety inspector. I can assure you that all steering parts are still like new and tight. I even retorqued all bolts. I have talked to the local Ford dealer. They say there's a TSB for a new damper. This problem is far beyond a steering damper.. It has done this a total of 4 times,but im sure will do it every time you hit a bump at highway speed. …
Driving along at about 45 MPH, hit a rough patch of pavement and the front end of the truck began to bounce and the steering wheel began to oscillate back and forth, although the truck did not go left or right from the line of travel. After slowing down the truck came back under my control, bounce and oscillation stopped. This has happened numerous times (weekly), with the original tires and with replacement tires. I have had the front end aligned and tires balanced. I check the air pressure weekly. All of this had no affect on the oscillations. I would drive over the same areas daily andcould continue to repeat what had happened by driving the same speed over the same piece of bad pavement. It is no worse or better than when it first happened. But having my wife drive the truck and have the same issue concerned me. …
Steering complaints in other F-250 SD years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2006 Ford F-250 SD?
NHTSA has 102 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Ford F-250 SD, 37% of the model year's 274 complaints. The component named most often is linkages (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Ford F-250 SD steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2006 Ford F-250 SD, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Ford F-250 SD steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 41,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.