Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Ford F-250 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2005 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, the front suspension started to bounce and vibrate, causing the vehicle to shift independently to the right lane. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact slowed the vehicle and the failure stopped. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
While driving at 65 Mph, towing a fifth wheel camper, encountered a mildly rough section of highway when entire front end began to wobble and shake violently. Slowed the vehicle, maintaining control. When going back up to speed, the same shaking occured again. Also noted a less violent shaking at 45 mph. Took vehicle to have new tires rebalanced but did not change condition much. Inspected front end components. Currently replacing steering damper and shocks in hopes of correcting issue. All other components new or nearly new (3 years) with no issues. Vehicle and components can be inspected, and all replaced parts will be kept for inspection if required. Safety of my vehicle and others on busy highway could have been compromised had I not slowed and maintained control. The problem is being dealt with by me, as I do most maintenance on vehicle. …
In 2014, I got the "Ford death wobble" in the right front. VERY scary and dangerous. Trying to quickly slow down to stop it in traffic is almost as dangerous as the wobble itself. You have very little to no control with the steering when it happens. I had to repair the problem out of pocket because Ford won't do anything about it. Now, two weeks ago, I had the same death wobble happen at 70 mph on the left front. So frightening. My passengers thought we had a blowout and we're about to crash. I successfully slowed it down but this problem is a road hazard to me and everyone else on the road. So now, once again, it's on me to shell out to fix a problem that should have been a recall a long time ago but Ford won't step up and do the right thing. Please give us some relief here.
Driving on the freeway at apps 65 miles per hour, the truck hit a numb in the road and started to shaking causing the truck to shake violently. I was able to get to the side of the road and slow down which eased the shaking. I started driving again and after reaching speeds this happened two more times, then I got off the freeway and drove backroads home under 40 miles per hour.
towing a trailer, traveling at 70 mph, I hit a pothole and vehicle violently shook. The episode lasted for approx 30 seconds. It was very Difficult to maintain control and I almost ran off the road. It happened several times before I took it for repairs. The stabilizer bar was replaced, however the violent shaking has still continued.
Front end suspension shimmy> My granddaughter and I were driving at 60mpa and hit a bump and could not control shaking of truck until pulling over to stop. This happened without warning. Had to drive back roads to get home.
2005 Ford f250 with approximately 19,100 miles. Original factory tires, suspension- no modifications. Tire pressure set to factory door label specs. On Monday, 8-19-2019 while on I-95, travel speed at about 60 m.p.h., I drove over a bridge expansion joint & the entire truck started shaking violently. Steering wheel was vibrating/shaking making it difficult for me to maintain control of the truck in my established lane and nearly took out several cars in the adjacent lanes nearly causing multi-vehicle collision. Went on the internet & found thousands of similar complaints regarding this same issue I just experienced. Later found out it is called harmonic resonance a.k.a. The death wobble. This dangerous situation affects not only the driver and the passengers in the defective vehicle, but to other unsuspecting motorist's and their passengers whom share the same roadways.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford f-250. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly vibrated and pulled to the left. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the brake calipers were hot to the touch. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 109,000.
The steering is extremely lose and has a shimmy or "death wobble" when going over any type of bumps or other issues and at speed on the highway. Similar to recall 09L02
I just received from Ford another notice about the out of control shimming that takes place concerning the 2005 f- 250 . Ford has does nothing to correct this problem other than to blow smoke at everyone about the tire pressure. Since I bought this unit new, the tire have always been corrected to the proper amount or the correct tires been replaced. Still this issue takes place . Its an unbelievable terrifying shaking that takes place , and only stops when the truck gets to about 20-25 miles an hour. This occurred most recently, last that a car following me , pulled me over to tell me how it looked from the rear, to the point the person behind me was fearful for their safety as well. I refuse to let any member of the family drive this truck ,other than myself. …
NHTSA investigations
Violent front end oscillation
Odi has received 78 consumer complaints of severe suspension and steering wheel shimmy and oscillations commencing after the subject vehicles traveled over an uneven road surface. The majority of these incidents occurred at speeds of 50 MPH or greater.thirteen of the complaints received by odi allege loss of steering control and that the vehicle changed driving lanes uncontrollably.four of the complaints received by…
Violent front end oscillation
This investigation was opened based on 78 consumer complaints of severe suspension and steering wheel oscillations after the subject vehicles traveled over an uneven surface.odi was concerned about these complaints because many of them alleged loss of control and the loss of control occurredat speeds above 50 miles per hour.at the time these complaints were received, odi was also aware of the TSB 07-10-10 and early…
Suspension complaints in other F-250 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2005 Ford F-250?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the suspension of the 2005 Ford F-250, 26% of the model year's 144 complaints. The component named most often is front (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford F-250 suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2005 Ford F-250. 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 2005 Ford F-250 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
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.