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 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2005 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle started to shimmy. The contact stated that at the time of failure the steering wheel was very difficult to turn. The contact stated that after slowing down the vehicle operated normally. The contact stated that the brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that she received notification in the mail of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20E090000 (Steering, Suspension, Equipment) however, her vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact stated that neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Twice today, traveling at 75mph on highway [redacted] (northbound and then several hours later southbound) just north of Ardmore OK, I experienced a violent shaking of the steering wheel/front wheel shimmy. The vehicle was difficult to control due to the violent shaking that did not stop until the vehicle slowed to approximately 20mph. Once the shaking stopped the vehicle was okay to drive.
My 2005 F350 Diesel Pick up has suffered from the Ford death wobble on and off for the last 15 years. While navigating a left hand corner at speeds over 40 it begins to shake uncontrollably after hitting a small bump or pot hole until speed is reduced to 30mph or less. I have replaced bearings, uppper & lower ball joints, torque arms and other suspension parts without finding a cure.
Death wobble. 1st time it happened was entering the highway off the ramp and accelerating to merge into traffic and going over the overpass the bridges in mass. Are a mess, any way, when I drove those series of bumps at about 60-65 MPH in a truck it gets bumpy anyway but all of a sudden the steering wheel, and the truck started violently shaking out of control so bad I lost complete vision it was shaking so bad with no capability of steering the truck..instinctively I applied the brakes not even checking to see what was behind me as it was shaking so bad, you cant turn around, you can not see out the mirrors. As I stated you kind of lose vision and everything goes blurry because your shaking in the vehicle so bad. A quick google and you find this happens to many many owners of this very the same truck. …
[redacted] who performs automotive work out of his residence [redacted] and [redacted] of [redacted] have worked on this vehicle to spite the customer and to gouge the customer in unnecessary fraudulent repairs. They have deliberately set this vehicle up to fail with the braking system, the 6.0 engine being rebuilt to no avail, and constant driving problems such as pulling to the right and the left when brakes applied, constant overheating, constant oil temperature overheating, shuttering at highway speed, transmission failure, air conditioning failure, coolant system failure, electrical system failure, and every system that they have repaired, continues to fail. They specifically performed work on the electrical wiring and truck keeps blowing fuses. They performed work on the transmission and the transmission failed shortly after. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford f-350. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle wobbled. The steering veered to the left when the wheel was turned to the right and vice versa. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front tie rods, front stabilizer bars, gear box, and multiple parts on the front of the vehicle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the injectors, cam shaft sensor, and the wiring harness for the injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford f-350. While driving over a bump in the road, the vehicle experienced the death wobble. The front end of the vehicle shook uncontrollably and would not stop. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to mountain view Ford (301 e 20th st, chattanooga, tn 37408, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that a new track bar was needed. The vehicle was then taken to marshall mize Ford (5348 tn-153, hixson, tn 37343, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the vehicle needed a track bar. The vehicle was repaired; however, the repair failed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 36,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford f-350. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle violently shook. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to independent mechanic where it was diagnosed the vehicle had a front end oscillation and that track bar, stabilizer link, and upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
Multiple times driving the truck at speed limit and hit small bump or a little bumpy part of road triggers the death wobble. Have to almost come to complete stop on highway to stop wobble.
The f350sd has a shimmy when you hit a dip in the road or a bump. This is violent enough for concern that it'll cause an accident. It doesn't go away on it's own you have to come to a stop or get to about five miles an hour for it to reset. This has happened multiple times. I have had the local front end shop replace the front steering components, even though the components came with in spec that Ford says is safe and corrective action needs be taken. This helped for about 10 months but now I'm back to the same old problem. Ford says to take it to a Ford authorized dealer and have them check it out. I'll do it one more time, this is repetitive, they don't see a problem in their product so why am I wasting my time. Everybody says its your tire pressure, wrong, I run it at max and I've even tried running it five pounds higher than recommended. …
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 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2005 Ford F-350?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the suspension of the 2005 Ford F-350, 22% of the model year's 114 complaints. The component named most often is front (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford F-350 suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2005 Ford F-350, though it has 1 recall 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire 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.