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 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.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the front of the vehicle started to wobble. While driving over a pothole, the vehicle wobbled violently. The contact was unable to control the vehicle while driving over 35 MPH. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact detected smoke coming from the vehicle. The engine warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, who informed him there were no recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 99,856.
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. …
8 years ago was crossing RR tracks and vehicle started violently shaking had to slow to 10mph for it to stop. Checked found nothing wrong finished drive home. Took to Ford dealership and they said some tricks shake when tire pressure is wrong and didn't find anything wrong with vehicle. Truck did this once more and after that when I approach RR tracks I slow to 5- 10 mph to keep it from happening. Took it back to Ford 1 time and again they spoke about tire pressure but tire pressure was fine. In the last 2 weeks anytime I hit a bump the truck violently shakes I took to a mechanic shop and they said something was wrong with front end but not sure what. I called Ford and they said to bring it in. We will see what happens because this truck has done this off and on for the last 8 years, but now it does it all the time. …
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. …
On 2/28/21 and 3/6/21 while driving at highway speed, I experienced two separate violent shaking events of the front suspension and steering. Both events occured at approximately 70mph upon crossing pavement joints. The shaking is so violent you lose the ability to control the vehicle and just hope it doesn't cause a wreck. The shaking will not stop until speed is reduced to approximately 20mph, which in itself is dangerous on an interstate highway. A passenger in my truck during first incident said he thought I had hit a load of pipes in the road. During the second event, nearby motorists looked at me like my truck was falling apart. I am very upset that Ford and NHTSA have not issued a recall. This problem started when vehicle was brand new. First dealer told me there was nothing they could do. …
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. …
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.
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 2006 Ford F-350?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the suspension of the 2006 Ford F-350, 34% of the model year's 145 complaints. The component named most often is front (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Ford F-350 suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
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.