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-350 SD owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving on a two lane back road around 45 to 50 MPH, and my truck started violently shaking and I lost all control of steering. I went into the oncoming lane, luckily no one was coming, and had to hit my brakes hard to get the shaking to stop. It has also happened while driving at speeds of 35-40 on a city street and 60 MPH on a highway. This is known as death wobble. The wobble was so bad that it loosened the track bar and the bolt holding the power steering hard line. I lost all power steering fluid within seconds. I have researched it, tried replacing several parts, like tie-rods, and it has lessened a little bit, but if I hit a bumpy road or even just a patch of new pavement, it starts shaking. I have read a lot of other Ford owners are experiencing this same issue with their trucks.
To bruce york and richard boyd I am so thankful someone is doing something about this problem. I know for a fact this situation with this steering problem far exceeds anything Ford is willing to admit. My case; I have owned my 2005 Ford f-350 king ranch 4x4, VIN #, sense February 11, 2005. This truck has earned its two nicknames, rhubarb express and #!*% piece of #@^%$. This truck has been nothing but a nightmare for our family. My wife and I can't begin to count how many times this truck has gone out of control and left us in the ditch. We have lost control of this truck nearly every time either one of us has driven it. Typical situation, we are driving along the freeway at a safe speed. We might feel a little bump on the road then the steering wheel starts to shimmy then begins to pull from your hands in a hard shimmy. …
1. If I drive over a bump in the road at 50mph or faster. 2. Front end shimmy. The front of my truck shakes violently and the brakes hardly work to get the truck slowed down. The shaking is so violent that I lose control of the truck. It has shaken my truck so violently that it has damaged my truck. I have had it happen about 12 - 15 times. I can't drive over 50mph or it still happens. I have almost caused 3 accidents as a result of this happening. It happened once with my wife driving with our kids and she went over the centerline and almost hit a semi head on. 3. I have taken the truck to the dealership to get repaired and they tell me nothing is wrong with my truck. I purchased the truck new in 2005 and it first started happening at 10,000 miles. Truck currently has 34,000 miles and the problem is still happening. …
I own a 2005 Ford f-350 4x4 6.0 diesel. It has 63,000 miles on it. On many occasions the steering wheel has shimmied or oscillated violently to the point I almost lost control of the truck. This is very dangerous. When the front wheels hit a bump or pothole, with a very small amount of turning the vehicle to the left or right such as going around a curve, the front wheels have started to violently shimmy or oscillate causing the steering wheel to violently shimmy back and forth. This usually occurs at speeds above 40 MPH. Four times I have almost lost control of the truck. Once the truck turned left into an oncoming lane but fortunately there where no oncoming vehicles at that moment. I had to slow down to about 25-30 MPH and move to the shoulder of the road to gain control of the vehicle. …
2005 Ford f350 4x4 p/up truck violently shakes. Starts out after hitting small bump or bumps and builds into violent shaking from one end of the truck to the other. Only way to stop it is to come to immediate complete stop. Very scary on the freeway. Shaking strong enough that anything on dashboard or console is thrown to floor, steering wheel is almost pulled from hands if you don't grab on tight. Happens irregularly and without notice. Ford had been unwilling to fix, says that I changed parts to after market and will not look at it. I told them problem started before parts change and that parts change was in attempt to fix. That was over a year ago.. Now I find out it has been happening with many similar vehicles, received a letter from Ford and now they are willing to take a look.. I changed shocks, radius arms, springs, had alignment, no change. …
This problem is not isolated to a particular day or a particular incident; it is a chronic problem that happens when my vehicle hits a hole in the pavement or a hard bump when traveling at 50 MPH or more. My vehicle is a 2005 Ford f350 4x4 and the front end begins to shake violently and in my opinion could cause a head on collision. I have spoken to the Ford dealership and they said there is no recall for this problem. They offered to install a heavier duty steering stabilizer, which would cost me 380.00, which they say usually helps this problem. This is obviously a design flaw by Ford, and they are dragging their feet because they don't want to admit the problem or pay for their mistake. Someone will surely be killed, due to this problem, and the government needs to take steps to make sure these trucks are fixed by Ford at Ford's expense. …
I have a 2005 Ford f350 super duty, with dangerous front end problems. When going at highway speeds (55-70mph), and hitting a bump in the road(even worse while going through a slight curve) the front end starts to shake violently. This oscillation is so strong, that it almost yanks the steering wheel out of my hands. The only thing that makes it stop is to slow down to about 20mph. Very dangerous to do on the interstate!!! After doing some research and reading some of the online forums for Ford truck owners, I find that this is a major problem and also a very common one to boot. The most worrisome part of this problem, is that is very unpredictable. Sometimes I can go a month or so with no problems. However, this past weekend, it did this three times during a 10 mile trip home from a restaurant. This is a major problem that Ford motor co. Should be responsible for correcting. …
2005 Ford f350 pick up truck shakes violently in the front end at speeds exceeding 55 MPH after crossing over uneven surface. Has happened over 25 times and is very dangerous. Will only stop "wobbling" when it gets below approx. 30-25 MPH. I've had many instances where I had to get the truck to the shoulder to prevent being hit from behind or side swiped and still get the truck down to 25 MPH to get it to quit. Started several months ago, found online that it is not too uncommon and never knew where to go until now. I am scared to drive this truck, however, it is my only means of transportation to work etc. The truck has been to the shop, $900 later and truck "shook" that evening on highway 101. The Ford store where I purchased it said it really isn't fixable.... Whatever that means!
Tl contact owns a 2005 Ford f-350 super duty. In January of 2006, while driving approximately 35 MPH or more, the vehicle began to shimmy and jump on the opposite side of the road when making left turns. The dealer stated that bolts were missing and the shock mounts failed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. He returned the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the tires needed to be replaced. After replacing the tires, a front stabilizer was installed on the front end of the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle has not been repaired since the last incident. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls and they were not liable for the repairs. The current mileage was 61,635 and failure mileage was 4,000. Updated 10/21/08.
Occasionally, at interstate speeds only (65 - 75 MPH), front end shakes violently when crossing over a small change in surface elevation. (for example: transition from road surface to bridge surface) it is not predictable. Vehicle steering is compromised and the only way to regain proper control is to allow the truck to slow to approximately 50 MPH when violent shaking will subside. Vehicle has been inspected by one independent shop and one Ford dealership (where vehicle was purchased). Neither could identify the source of the problem. Truck is stock with no modifications. Most recent events occurred two consecutive days traveling interstate 65 between nashville and southern kentucky. Two different locations, one northbound and one southbound.
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-350 SD years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2005 Ford F-350 SD?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the suspension of the 2005 Ford F-350 SD, 18% of the model year's 217 complaints. The component named most often is front (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford F-350 SD suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2005 Ford F-350 SD, though it has 3 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 2005 Ford F-350 SD suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 43% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to suspension 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.