Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Ford F-350 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the front passenger wheel drove over a small dip in the roadway and the vehicle started to shimmy. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to steer. The contact continued driving at a slower speed to allow the shimmy to self-correct. There was no warning illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed; however, no cause for the failure was found and the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The mechanic checked for recalls related to the failure and advised the contact that the manufacturer had issued a recall for the failure (09L02) for severe steering wheel and front wheel vibrations. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 265,000.
My truck experiences what I have learned is called the death wobble. The condition occurs intermittently but usually at speeds above 50mph and seems to be initiated by hitting any small bump. The whole front end shakes violently like the tires have been half filled with lead causing them to rotate wildly out of round. The truck actually bounces up and down rapidly and the steering wheel shakes violently creating a very unsafe driving circumstance. My research into this issue uncovered that this is a well-known condition that has been reported multiple times by many different Ford truck owners and that it occurs on Ford trucks of various year make and model. I also am aware of Fords service letter 09L02 advising owners to maintain proper air pressure to combat the issue. …
Vehicle has experienced "death wobble," a common and well documented occurrence in Ford F250 and F350 model trucks. This has occurred on multiple occasions since 2006, and most recently on 4/26/2022. The incident occurred while traveling approximately 45 MPH, and hitting a small bump in the road. When the "death wobble" occurs, the vehicle shakes violently and is difficult to control. This creates a hazardous situation for the occupants of the vehicle and other vehicles/pedestrians in the vicinity of the vehicle. Prior and current attempts to contact Ford service departments, typically involves Ford stating there is not a recall and any repair outside of warranty are the responsibility of owner. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. There is no warning prior to the "death wobble," and occurs when the vehicle is travelling at speed more than 45 MPH.
Ford f-350 2006 complaint. We have experienced violent shaking (shimmying) when the truck hits a bump on the highway and as a result, extreme difficulty maintaining the vehicle on the road. Our first experience was in August 2015, on the interstate highway while travelling at 75mp. We hit a bump and the truck / steering wheel shook violently for about 10 seconds causing us to swerve across lanes and struggle to keep the truck in the lane and out of traffic's way. We have since experienced this problem four more times hitting bumpy highways at speeds as low as 50mmp and as recent as 2 weeks ago. We have checked it out and our mechanic advised that he could not find anything wrong. It has been a great concern of ours as it puts our lives (and those on the road with us) at danger when this issue occurs. …
I was riding down hwy55 at about 65 to 70 MPH and truck starts to wobble and bounce uncontrollably. The truck bounced to the other side of the road. I thought I had a flat. After gathering myself I got out to check truck and there was no flats and all lugs was there. I thought maybe I ran over something but about 12 miles down the trucks does it again. But there are many cars behind and on the side of me. Cars and trucks are going down the of road to get out of way. This is so a very frighten and horrible experience when you are not prepared or aware of about this truck. Ford to be on of the top truck manufacture it greatly sadden me to know that you are visually aware of the trucks deathly defect for over 15 years. You have not made an effort to provide a safe durable product to protect your royal customers or yourselves. Technology has afforded many seen application to do so. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford f350 purchased October 2005. While driving at speeds less than 45 MPH and towing a 30 foot trailer in light snow, the steering wheel suddenly turned to the right. He attempted to turn the steering wheel back to the straight position, but it turned in a full 365 degree turn without interference of the driver. He attempted to adjust the wheel however the tires would not respond. The driver then crashed into the median and was turned approximately 180 degrees. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they stated they have seen this type of failure on his year, make and model numerous times. They also found that the steering box in the vehicle was manufactured with the steering box designed for the f450 model as opposed to the f350 model. The highway patrol arrived to the scene shortly after and a report was filed. The failure mileage was 30,000. …
Truck has a steering problem.most of the time truck travels strait.some times after making a turn right or left the truck continues travel in that direction! I have to yang hard on the steering wheel back in opposite dirrection to get truck back in its lane!also sometimes the truck out of the clear blue truck take off to the right or left an I have t pull the wheel in opposite direction to get truck back in it's lane!other times going than the road the truck hits a bump in the road an truck will either go right or left an steering wheel has to be pull the opposite direction to get it back in it's lane! I notice this same problem has been reported before an no one has been able to fix it! Mechanics say it's the steering pump or steering box which has not corrected any body's truck that that has both these parts replace! This can cause a major accident Ford should fix this problem
Tl contact owns a 2006 Ford f350. The contact stated that the brakes will lock and cause the calipers to burn. A small fire occurred during one of the failures. The brakes and calipers have been replaced four times, most recently on April 22, 2007. The dealer stated that the cause of the frequent failures could be due to several reasons; however, they were unable to diagnose the exact cause of the failures. The manufacturer assisted with the first four failures, but would not assist with the current one. The vehicle is currently at the dealer being repaired. The current mileage was 66,672 and failure mileage was 800. Updated 10/14/08 the consumer also stated he has had a problem with the steering wheel. Updated 10/16/08.
While towing my large camper, on the freeway, I hit a bump. The front end of the truck started shaking violently. It was all I could do to stop the truck without wrecking. I had to stop in the traffic lane. This was an extremely dangerous situation. After resuming travel, the front end would shimmy at about 45 MPH. I had to drive home at 40 MPH...roughly another 75 miles. I think I have seen an advisory letter from Ford, to owners, concerning this. There are many, many instances of this happening. One can find dozens of examples of this happening if one looks on line. Neither Ford nor the local Ford dealer seems to be aware of the problem. We were traveling at about 60 MPH at the time of the incident.
Driving east on interstate i10 east of benson, az at around 75mph, hit a rough patch of road and the vehicle went wild, shaking, vibrating, loss of control. I hit the brakes and went across 3 lanes of traffic into the medium, where I skidded to a stop. I see from the internet this is called the f350 death wobble! The Ford f350 and all related vehicles need to be taken off the roads, they are a potential death trap. I could have been killed or seriously injured in this accident or even worse some innocent family could have been killed in a head on accident! My Ford f350 vehicle has around 60,000 miles, superduty, 4x4. It is in excellent condition with a cab over camper.
Steering complaints in other F-350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2006 Ford F-350?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Ford F-350, 35% of the model year's 145 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › arm › idler and attachment (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Ford F-350 steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2006 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 2006 Ford F-350 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to steering 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.