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 2013 Ford F-250 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the front end of the vehicle started shaking with no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with axle shafts needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated the failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who then replaced an unknown steering part however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 34,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced the death wobble. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
Ford 2013 F250 Death Wobble, it is real! It is scary! It is unpredictable and extremely dangerous. Something in the design of the front end needs to be fixed ASAP. My latest experience with this happened on 7/13/23. The worst death wobble that I have ever experienced happened today on the freeway at full speed (65mph). The first time today, my truck started to violently shake, prompting me to immediately slow down from 65mph to about 30-40mph during my morning commute to work/in traffic. Then, again a minute later, but this time it was seven worst! The death wobble started again at full speed and the front end started shaking uncontrollably and drifted my vehicle from the number 2 lane into the number 1 lane with other cars doing same speed. This violent shaking caught the attention of the other drivers and everyone slowed down, so I could make it into side of the road. …
My wife and I were traveling on interstate and hit a rough section of road outside Nashville when the truck started to shake uncontrollably, and we nearly hit the center concrete barrier. We had to completely stop before the violent shaking stopped. The next day the same thing happened on another rough section on the interstate. We had cars on both sides of us so could not immediately move to the road shoulder and had to slow down in middle of interstate to stop the violent shaking and nearly hit a car. I am surprise we did not get hit by someone rear ending us due to having to stop in middle of interstate with traffic traveling 70 MPH. I have been reading up on what happened, and people are calling this abnormal sustained wheel oscillation or death shake. …
As I was driving down the interstate at about 75 mph I encountered a worn out area in the road that I could not avoid due to traffic. The truck immediately began shaking violently and I was horrified. I thought I had perhaps had a tire blowout, and immediately pulled onto the shoulder to inspect. Realizing my tires looked OK, I got my wits about me and began driving again. To my surprise, the truck behaved as if nothing had happened. I drove the truck for another year with no issues until about 2 months ago when it happened again two different times, once going about 70 mph and the other at about 62mph. I was finally able to get the truck to a shop where repairs were made to the tune of > $1200.00. I thought I could breathe easier now driving it, but it happened again last week. It is a terrifying experience, and I can hardly wait to get rid of this death trap.
I recently purchased this vehicle with approximately 93000 miles on it. I have been experiencing wheel oscilation (AKA death wobble). I have replaced numerous suspension parts (tie rod ends, pitman arm, track bar bushing, track bar ball joint, front shocks). I have spent close to $1000 on trying to resolve the problem and am obviously not done yet. I am still experiencing this problem intermittently. The mechanic hasn't been able to find any loose or worn parts but there is obviously a problem, perhaps in the design of the system. I know I am not the only one experiencing this issue. When this "death wobble" occurs on the interstate the vehicle becomes almost impossible to control. The only way to make it stop is to slow down to below 50 MPH.
. Experiencing "death wobble" (vehicle shakes violently) at speeds over 50 mph. This vehicle is available for inspection upon request. . When experiencing this "death wobble" it feels like I am going to lose control of the vehicle. . This death wobble has been confirmed by an independent service center. . Steering components have been inspected by an independent service center and nothing was found that would indicate a problem. . There are no warning lamps or messages from the vehicle to indicate a problem prior to his death wobble situation occurring. First noticed this death wobble situation in approximately 2016.
The steering wheel shakes violently at speeds of 50-55 mph. The vehicle drives without any issues then without any warning or warning lights the vehicle starts shaking to the point you lose steering control and must immediately slow down until the shaking stops. This vehicle is available for inspection if needed. The safety of myself as well as others is due to the loss of steering at higher speeds and the need to immediately slow down. When this occurs it is often in highway traffic. This vehicle has been inspected and new shocks and steering damper as well as new tires were installed. The problem still exist.
While driving on the interstate near my current jobsite location, I went over a rough surface section of road on a curved exit ramp and my front end began to violently wobble. I have felt it shake a littke on this section of road, but now it has become more violent. This seems to only happen when i hit a bump at higher speeds, but not every time I hit a bump. Maybe 5% of the bumps will cause this wobble, which will not stop until i lower my speed signifigantly
What is the "death wobble" on Ford trucks? It's as scary as the name sounds. The death wobble is a violent shaking that happens to the front end of many Ford F250 and F350 Super Duty trucks. It typically occurs at speeds over 50 miles per hour. It can also happen after going over bumps or grooves in the road. To stop the shaking, drivers must quickly slow way down or even stop completely.
Suspension complaints in other F-250 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2013 Ford F-250?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the suspension of the 2013 Ford F-250, 51% of the model year's 95 complaints. The component named most often is front (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Ford F-250 suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2013 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 2013 Ford F-250 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles, and 9% 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.