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 2020 Ford F-250 SD owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving 63 MPH, several warning chimes and alarms began to sound off and the warning message stating, "Traction Control Failure," had illuminated. At the same time, the steering wheel had suddenly seized which caused the vehicle to veer off the side of the road and further into the woods. The contact was unsure of how the vehicle came to a stop due to being knocked unconscious during the incident. Due to injuries, the contact was unable to recall details. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact received head, back, and leg injuries The vehicle was towed and totaled. There was a police report filed. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer, diagnosed, or repaired. The manufacturer had been made aware of the failure and opened a case regarding the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle drove over a bump on the highway and the front end started wobbling to the left and the right and the vehicle started shaking violently. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact took his foot off the accelerator pedal to slow the vehicle. The contact was not depressing the brake pedal during the failure. The contact was able to slow and stop the vehicle. The contact turned off and started the vehicle and was able to resume normal operation. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH over a bump in the roadway, the vehicle started shaking and swaying to the left and the right. The contact stopped the vehicle and turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle drove normally. …
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel) and 25V626000 (Steering); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. While the contact's husband was driving approximately 45-50MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and power steering functionality. The driver coasted to the side of the road, and the vehicle became inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the high-pressure fuel pump (CP4 pump) had failed and there were metal fragments inside the fuel line. The CP4 pump was replaced. The dealer confirmed that the recall repairs were not completed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at speeds over 50 MPH, the vehicle began shaking violently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the pitman arm, steering damper, track bar, and drag link needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,600.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle began shaking violently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.
Purchased this truck used on 2/18/23. Test drove with no problems. Drove home 80 miles with no problems. Drove around home 30 miles with no problems. This morning 2/20/23 I drove the truck to work and just a few miles from home while traveling approximately 55 m.p.h. the front end of the vehicle started shaking violently, and I had to apply braking and almost come to a stop before it stopped. Once it stopped I continued to work, 30 miles away with no further issues. On the way home from work, I made it to near the same area where the shaking happened this morning and it occurred again, at around the same speed. A couple of hours later, I drove back over the same section of road and going away from home no issues, but coming back it happened again in approximately the same location that it had returning from work. …
On October 29, 2025, while traveling around a sweeping freeway transition ramp at 65 MPH in my 2020 Ford F-250 (46k miles on it), I hit a bump in the road. Suddenly the truck began violent, uncontrollable shaking of the front end of the truck and the steering wheel, feeling like the truck was about to fall apart. This terrifying, chaotic event caused me to struggle to steer and maintain control of the vehicle, sending me into the center divide. My son in law and 2 year old grandson were in the vehicle with me, visibly shaken by the event. Thankfully I was not pulling my travel trailer at the time, this could have ended in a critical situation. No warning lamps illuminated. Ford is aware of this issue and previously ordered a "customer satisfaction" repair, but that only covers 2017-2019 trucks. …
Same as my previous Complaint dated yesterday, 10/3/2024, Ray Varner Ford, a Ford Dealer, tried to sell me the wrong Power Steering Fluid for this truck. I gave the Vehicle year, make, model and VIN # and they still tried to sell me passenger car steering fluid. Varner Ford LLC 2026 N Charles G Seviers Blvd, Clinton TN 37716 on Invoice [redacted], on which I purchased brake fluid but rejected the wrong PS fluid. This 250 3/4 ton truck uses Ford Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF), not power steering fluid, and adding the wrong fluid will result in system damage, failure and possibly accident if steering control is lost. A mechanic at a local Tire and Lube business told me that adding this incorrect fluid will result in damage to the seals in the PS system, so apparently this is a known problem.
I have been experiencing what is known as the "death wobble". While driving at normal highway speeds, bumps or rough patches in the road will cause my vehicle to violently shudder. It is extremely difficult to maintain control and the vehicle has to coast to reduce speed to 20 mph before the shudder will stop. This is a known issue in previous year model F-series trucks. I have taken my vehicle to a dealership and had the issue confirmed as the steering stabilizer, however, Ford refuses to remedy the issue stating my year model is not affected. Ford claims the affected years models end at 2019. My vehicle is a 2020, however, my manufacturer date is 10/19. I believe my vehicle is actually what is considered a "half year", meaning it received certain 2019 parts and certain 2020 parts. This issue is extremely dangerous for me as well as other motorists.
My 2020 Ford F-250 4x4, has 40,000. Has developed the "Death Wobble". I went over a expansion joint on a bridge at 55mph and the front wheels started violently shaking, it would not stop until I slowed to 5 mph. My mechanic replaced both the inner and outer drag links, although they were not very worn. After they were replaced the "Death Wobble" returned when I drove over another expansion joint. The mechanic again replaced both inner and outer drag links. I went to a Ford dealer and talked to the service writer and was told that Ford knows about this "Death Wobble" but their not going to fix-it. There are lots of complaints about this, and this needs to be fixed. When a truck gets into this "Death Wobble" it could very easily cause a accident. So far I have spent over $1000.00 in repairs with no guarantee that this problem is fixed!
Related recalls
Steering › Column
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.
Remedy: 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.
Steering complaints in other F-250 SD years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2020 Ford F-250 SD?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the steering of the 2020 Ford F-250 SD, 17% of the model year's 267 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › drag › link › connection (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2020 Ford F-250 SD steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 25V-626 (column, Sep 19, 2025). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2020 Ford F-250 SD steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 21,000 miles, and 55% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.