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 2011 Ford F-250 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving over a bump at a high rate of speed, the contact experienced the death wobble and the contact temporarily lost control of the vehicle. The contact slowed down and the violent shaking ceased. The contact stated that the tie rods, ball joints, and other front-end parts were replaced to reduce the risk of the failure recurring. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH and towing a trailer, the contact experienced the death wobble. The vehicle drifted from the far-left lane over to the far-right lane and the contact lost control of the vehicle. The contact called a local dealer and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact was then referred to the manufacturer and was provided a case number. The manufacturer advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. …
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and switching lanes and depressing the brake, the vehicle started to shake abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after decelerating, the vehicle stopped shaking. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was contacted and informed about the failure. The manufacturer confirmed that the VIN was not under recall and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 160,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front of the vehicle was shaking abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering column had failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
This truck developed "death wobble" after a simple tire rotation. At approximately 53mph, any bump in the road surface would cause the front end to shake violently and cause the truck to be uncontrollable. While violent, it locks the truck into an unsteerable condition and only hard braking can stop the truck. the truck shuttered violently until stopped. From the repairs it appears a combination of weakening shocks and steering stabilizer cause the front end to shutter mildly and probably constantly until the bushings on the track bar are worn enough to cause problems. Then any alteration in front end components, like rotating the tires will unbalance the entire precarious set-up. Once "death wobble" has occurred, it becomes more violent and happens more often until the truck is fixed. Worst of all, there is no single fix or known fix for this problem. …
I own a properly maintained 2011 Ford F-250. Today, 14 instances of what is commonly know as "Ford Death Wobble" occurred to me on the interstate highway while I drove 250 miles. Violent front end shaking at speeds over 55mph after driving over rough bridges or bumps in the road. Several times I almost lost control of my truck it shook so badly. I had to sharply decrease speed below 35 mph before shaking would stop and I could regain control. I can easily reproduce this problem, but I learned to drive no faster than 50 mph the rest of the way home on the interstate in order to mostly avoid further cases of violent shaking. In addition to almost losing control of my truck, having to slam on my brakes to reduce speed put myself and other vehicles at risk on a highway with fast-moving vehicles. …
We have experienced the well-reported Death Wobble multiple times - beginning approx in 2020 - going approx 55 mph on a one-lane highway and hit a slight bump in the road. Could not control the vehicle, the steering wheel started shaking violently as we headed for a concrete bridge. Had to stop the vehicle completely. Then we experienced the same Incident on different roads. We had the vehicle front end fixed by a reputable mechanic, and we've ended up having the front end suspension rebuilt, so far 3 times. The latest incident was in 2024, we experienced it again driving about 60 mph. This truck is standard stock - has not been lifted or modified in any way. We do not drive it very often as it is used as a farm vehicle.
I was going 65 MPH in center lane, hit a pothole. The right front wheel began to vibrate wildly. I thought it was going to fall off. I slammed my brakes and veered sharply right to reach the breakdown lane. We were nearly in a violent collision. The car behind me slammed his breaks, leaving skid marks, the car in the lane to my right was forced into the breakdown lane, also leaving skid marks. We had 200 miles to home which we drove slowly without further incident. I had to replace: tie rod ends, steering damper, ball joint, stabilizer bar. Truck needed an alignment. $1008.37. 4 months later, I hit a pothole. The LEFT front tire vibrated wildly. Now I knew what do do.
The problem with this vehicle is Death Wobble from the front suspension of the truck. Over the years it has done this and is quite dangerous when at highway speed, because when it happens, you will have to slow to 30 MPH to regain control of the the truck. I have had this issue fixed two separate times, about every four years, by replacing the ball joint and track bar. These repairs are costing about $450 usd. There are no warning before this problem happens. You simply have to hit a bump in the road going 60-70 MPH for it happen.
Driving on highway at about 60 mph and truck wheel started wobbling violently ..... searing wheel violently oscillating right left right left uncontrollably!!! Finally stopped after slowing down to below speed on highway ... totally unsafe !!! My shoulders and neck hurt for several days from trying to keep the truck straight. Thank God it was not a busy freeway at the moment or I would have been hit or my horse trailer which I was pulling. No way to stop the violent oscillation except slow to almost stop
When driving over 55mph and hitting a bump, pothole, etc....the death wobble starts taking excessive force to keep the truck on the road with the steering wheel nowhere aligned to where the tires are aimed. Dealership stated they wouldn't take the vehicle on trade due to the steering box needing to be addressed first. no warning lamps illuminate. Happens every time while driving from mileage 170K - 189K.
Suspension complaints in other F-250 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2011 Ford F-250?
NHTSA has 111 complaints about the suspension of the 2011 Ford F-250, 45% of the model year's 248 complaints. The component named most often is front › stabilizer bar (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Ford F-250 suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2011 Ford F-250, though it has 2 recalls 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 2011 Ford F-250 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 12% 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.