Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 3 | 2% | 95,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 3% | 95,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% | 70,000 miles |
| 2011 | 6 | 2% | 28,000 miles |
| 2010 | 3 | 4% | 60,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2008 | 8 | 4% | 55,000 miles |
| 2007 | 4 | 7% | 1,000 miles |
| 2006 | 8 | 4% | 53,000 miles |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% | 67,000 miles |
| 2004 | 19 | 12% | 6,000 miles |
| 2003 | 8 | 7% | 189,000 miles |
| 2002 | 12 | 8% | 90,000 miles |
| 2001 | 23 | 10% | 96,000 miles |
| 2000 | 8 | 2% | 207,000 miles |
| 1999 | 32 | 6% | 93,000 miles |
| 1998 | 2 | 4% | — |
| 1997 | 15 | 5% | 120,000 miles |
| 1996 | 16 | 9% | 170,000 miles |
| 1995 | 7 | 4% | 115,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
December 24th at approximately 1100 hr. Driving normally on the Garden State Parkway Southbound approaching exit 98. The vehicle instantaneously began to shake out of control. I was able to keep the Vehicle in the travel lane and was able to pull over to the shoulder. I Vehicle pulled over to see if I was ok and explained the truck was front tires shaking violently. I did a pulmonary check under the vehicle any everything looked in order. I followed up with a local Mechanic who informed me that this was a common issue with these vehicles that was called the "Ford Death Wobble" and suggested that i take it to a specialist who deals with the suspension. I followed up with R&H Spring and Truck repair, 4806 W Hurley Pond Rd, Wall Township, NJ 07719. R&H is familiar with the issue and the Vehicle is currently scheduled to be diagnosed. …
Everyone calls it's the ford death shake. It is very dangerous and after reading online there is several having the same issue you lose complete control of your vehicle when it happens hit a pot hole bump in the road or going over 50 mph I have wrecked my truck due to this issue and it seems thousands of people are having the same issue it is going to end up injuring someone very badly or taking someone life or others this is a big safety issue! And needs to be addressed and ford take responsibility
Death wobble. While on the interstate driving approx. 65 MPH, I went over a bump (bridge expansion gap) and my truck began shaking violently. I had no control over steering and was in the middle lane of the 3 lane interstate. I began drifting to the passing lane as I was on a curve and could not steer my truck. I had to abruptly slow down to 35mph before the shaking subsided and I was able to regain control over my truck. This is a well-known and well documented issue with Ford and their superduty line of trucks. Its a shame people will have to die before action takes place as Ford will not openly admit to a fault. Their fix is half hazard and does not take care of the problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ford f-250. While driving at 65 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle would surge forward uncontrollably causing the seat to recline. The contact stated the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 19,000.
While driving with cruise control on, when adjusting speed, engine will stall out and power steering, brakes stop working, all interior and exterior lights remain on, incident has happened twice within a week
On 28 September 2012 I purchased a new 2012 Ford f250 diesel pickup from a Ford dealer. On/about 1 November 2012 while accelerating (from approximately 10 miles per hour speed) into an interstate traffic lane this vehicle suddenly went into an engine near stall/loss of power condition which lasted approximately three to five seconds and then regained normal engine power. This was a very alarming condition as I was entering into high speed traffic and needed capable acceleration while entering into traffic. The truck had approximately 450 miles on it when this first occurred. I took this truck back to the dealer when the truck had 551 miles on it and they could not find anything wrong. While driving the truck on 27 November 2013, this same engine near-stall event occurred under a similar highway ingress condition when the truck had approximately 5,100 miles on it. …
Was traveling at 70mph on the highway when my 2011 f250 xlt super cab suddenly shifted from 6th gear into 1st gear causing a loss of control and the truck to spin out. The truck is a 6.2l with a 6 speed automatic transmission.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Ford f-250. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle accelerated out of control without warning. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal traveled to the floorboard and the engine revved. The contact placed the gear in neutral, slammed on the brakes, and turned off the ignition. The vehicle lost power and was coasted to the contact's residence. The dealer was contacted (simmons rockwell, 7327 ny-54, bath, ny, [phone]) and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty and not included in a recall. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
Related recalls (4)
Vehicle speed control
On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch May overheat.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on August 7, 2006. Owners May contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. (note: also see recalls 05V017 and 05V388)
Vehicle speed control
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch May overheat, smoke, or burn.
Remedy: By letter dated September 12, 2005, owners were instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected.
Vehicle speed control
Vehicle description: certain 1997-1999 rhd explorer equipped with 4.0l ohv/sohc engines and cruise control built from May 29, 1996 through March 4, 1999; 1998-1999 explorer/mountaineers equipped with 4.0l ohv/sohc or 5.0l engines or 1998-1999 rangers equipped with 2.5l, 3.0l ffv/efi or 4.0l engines and cruise control built from…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the cruise control cables. At the present time, the replacement cables are not available. Customers are being advised not to use the cruise control system until a replacement can be made.
Vehicle speed control › Cables
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. A speed control cable May not have fully seated into the accelerator bracket at time of installation. If the cable is not fully seated into this bracket, the cable could separate from the bracket.
Remedy: Dealers will add a retaining clip to the speed control cable fitting at the accelerator bracket.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford F-250 years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (32), 2001 (23), 2004 (19), 1996 (16) and 1997 (15) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Ford F-250 acceleration problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 06V-286 (vehicle speed control, Aug 1, 2006); 05V-388 (vehicle speed control, Sep 7, 2005); 99V062001 (vehicle speed control, Mar 30, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford F-250 acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles; 34% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the cruise control (37 mentions), followed by the accelerator pedal (16).
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.