2018 Ford F-350 SD Steering Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  3649%
• 25k–50k
  2838%
• 50k–75k
  57%
• 75k–100k
  23%
• 100k–150k
  23%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Ford F-350 SD owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and driving over a bump on the road, the steering wheel started vibrating and shaking abnormally. The contact stated that the failure had occurred approximately twelve times. The contact stated that an independent mechanic and a dealer were contacted. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering dampener needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering dampener, the pitman arm, and the inner and outer drag links needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the death wobble. …

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver as well as it was no longer centered. The adaptive steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was diagnosed as the steering effort control module (SECM) was not communicating and the steering wheel needed to be replaced. The steering wheel was not replaced however, the dealer attempted to reprogram the SECM and the failure continued. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10222258 (Steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the Manufacturer's Communication Number due to the plant assembly location. A case was not opened with the manufacturer. The approximate failure mileage was 148,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shaking excessively. The contact had to reduce the speed to stop the vehicle from shaking. In addition, the steering wheel was shaking, and the contact stated it felt like the wheels were also shaking. The contact stated that the failure recurred while exceeding 40 MPH. The vehicle was safely driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was unofficially diagnosed as steering isolation. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-350. The contact stated that the steering damper assembly failed. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle hit a bump in the roadway and the vehicle violently started to shake and wobble. The contact also stated that when the vehicle was driven on uneven pavement, the vehicle would also wobble and shake violently out of control. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering link tie rod damper assembly was faulty. The dealer repaired the vehicle however, the repair failed to fix the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 34,300.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced a "death wobble". The contact then received notification for Customer Satisfaction Program: 20N04 (Steering Linkage Damper Extended Coverage). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the repair was performed; however, the failure recurred approximately 5,000 miles after the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was also referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 38,320.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced the death wobble. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where Customer Satisfaction Program: 20N04 (Steering Linkage Damper Extended Coverage) was performed; however, the failure recurred while the contact was driving 35 MPH. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,175.

I have a 2018 F350 with about 60k miles, otherwise excellent condition. Problem started about 2 months ago (around Nov 2022) or about 1 month after the last shop maintenance visit. Description: Coming home from work with driving speed around 50-60 mph the front end started shaking strongly. Had to slow down quite a bit to get it under control or stop shaking. The incident has been repeated on other roads. The stimulus that starts it all is when some roughness of the road is encountered. This shaking has become violent at times and have had to take evasive maneuvering to avoid an accident or damage to the truck. No warning lamps have come on nor have any other indicators. The problem has progressed to where it may be unsafe to take it on the freeway for any trips. I do fear for my safety and have to be vigilant at all times. …

While driving on the interstate at approximately 65 miles an hour the steering wheel began to violently shake back-and-forth and causing me to lose control of the vehicle. The first time this occurred it was relatively short-lived and lasted maybe 15 seconds as a slowed. At that time I was unsure what I had just experienced and then noted it a second time up at which I had to pull the car to this over to the side of the road and stop. The last event occurred and was prolonged with really an inability to steer the vehicle I was able to stop it. I went home and started to find someone who would repair this. When describing it to the service center I was told that this is become known as the death wobble and he recommended I get it in for repair. I looked online at videos describing the death wobble this was exactly what happened to my vehicle. …

I was changing lanes at 75 MPH on the interstate in Chicago and hit a bump in the road. The steering wheel and the truck started shaking violently (Death Wobble). The only way that I could get it to stop was to come to a complete stop. Luckily there wasn't a ton of traffic and I was able to change lanes easily. I was on my way home with 300 miles of travel left. This happened again 2 more times on the way home. I had to travel at a reduced rate of speed to try and keep the issue from happening again. Luckily I had just dropped of my 42ft 5th wheel camper. If this had happened while pulling my camper I don't think I would of been able to control the vehicle. I have ordered $1,000 of aftermarket and replacement parts to fix the issue . I will not drive the vehicle again until I have this repaired.

I have had numerous times where I am driving between 25-70 mph and run over a small bump in the road and the truck front end begins to shake violently until I am able to slow down to around 10-20mph. Steering is difficult and it has caused near accidents with people almost hitting me from behind because I have to slow down quickly for no apparent reason to gain control of the car, and they are not expecting the quick slow down. This is a well documented condition Ford is aware of called "death wobble". I did have a recall to replace some "dampening part" but it has not helped and now the vehicle seems much worse and will start to shake with the slightest of bump or even when applying the brakes quickly. This began within 6 months of ownership and has continued frequently to current date of this report.

Steering complaints in other F-350 SD years