Wheel & Tire complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 13 | 14% | 130,000 miles |
| 2013 | 6 | 8% | 39,000 miles |
| 2012 | 10 | 7% | 94,000 miles |
| 2011 | 12 | 9% | 28,000 miles |
| 2009 | 7 | 25% | 92,000 miles |
| 2008 | 11 | 8% | 105,000 miles |
| 2007 | 6 | 17% | 30,000 miles |
| 2006 | 13 | 9% | 60,000 miles |
| 2005 | 4 | 4% | 52,000 miles |
| 2004 | 12 | 8% | 47,000 miles |
| 2003 | 7 | 8% | 64,000 miles |
| 2002 | 22 | 19% | 66,000 miles |
| 2001 | 36 | 23% | 41,000 miles |
| 2000 | 120 | 39% | 79,000 miles |
| 1999 | 108 | 26% | 113,000 miles |
| 1998 | 5 | 42% | 65,000 miles |
| 1997 | 32 | 21% | 79,000 miles |
| 1996 | 31 | 24% | 91,000 miles |
| 1995 | 20 | 15% | 130,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
This truck has exhibited the signs of ford's death wobble for the past 140,000 miles. The truck has been under fleet maintenance program since new from my employer and we have replaced all steer linkages, stabilizers, tires, and shocks multiple times over the past 140,000 miles and no improvements. Now when the truck hits a bump in the road, an expansion joint, or an overpass transition the front end will shake so violently that it has become uncontrollable. My girlfriend had this happen to her and it sprained her wrists trying to control the truck while coming to a stop. A few months back it happened to me the truck was bouncing so badly that it started to rotate around the vertical axis, and I feared that the truck would roll over as I had to bring it to a complete stop in the middle of the road. …
My Pickup has a very unsafe "Death wobble" that I have found has been a problem for many others. It is unknown what part or parts are failing as I can't get a straight answer, I have been recommended to replace the shocks and tires as well as add an aftermarket steering stabilizer. My individual safety is put at risk every time I hit a minor bump or line in the pavement, it causes the front end to shake so bad that I could easily lose control and if there was someone in the lane next to me it could cause an accident!the problem has been reported to dealers from countless others I have spoken to and Ford tells them it's normal! How is it normal for a vehicle to react in such a way? A minor line in the pavement or even a rumble strip can cause loss of control? Ford needs to fix this! …
Traveling at speeds between 60-70mph on highways, at slights curves with rough pavement, my truck begins shaking violently to the point of losing control. Once I slow down and pull over it stops. It occurs without any warning. It has now happened a half dozen times. Nearly lost control and just avoided an accident on the last event. I had recall work done at Ford dealer today. Described the event. They told me about "death wobble" occurrences common with F250 and F350s. Looked it up. Description matches perfectly with my experience. Mechanics checked my steering linkage, axel, wheels for play, u linkages. Nothing out of the ordinary. I am deeply concerned for my safety.
Was driving at 55mph and suddenly truck went into a terrible death wobble & almost caused a serious crash. On 11/25/2025 I had taken it in to the ford dealership to correct this problem since it had happened four times in August & September of this year. Which also almost caused four serious accidents. The ford dealer replaced L & R dragline ends & adjuster sleeve.Replaced right outer tie rod end & replaced track bar ball joint. Performed 3D wheel alignment & road tested on highway..This is the second time I'm writing you to get this recalled.
I'm currently experiencing the "Death Wobble" with my vehicle, making it unsafe to drive past 60 mph due to intense shaking. This is a serious safety concern for both me and my family. This issue happens frequently on the freeway, and we all fear that the wheels could fall off or the vehicle might flip over. When I took the vehicle to the service center, the advisor told me I needed to add a stabilizer to my front wheels and suggested that I buy the part online and install it myself, recommending YouTube for guidance. However, I have no idea what part to buy or where to get it. I'm not the designer of the truck, and I shouldn't have to add extra parts for it to drive properly. I also believe this is a manufacturer issue, especially since multiple people seem to be experiencing the same problem.
I purchased my F350 new in 2012. Since that time I have experienced a severe wobble in the front end while I am driving. It starts vibrating at about 45mph and sometimes escalates to where I have to almost slam on the brakes to stop it. It has done this probably 12-15 times and since 2022 it is definitely getting worse and worse. Ford says its my motor mounts, but it has done this since it was new! I read about the "death wobble" on the internet and I definitely have a defective front end. I am concerned that it may cause me to be in a bad accident after having to hit the brakes so hard to stop it. Can you assist?
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-350 equipped with Toyo Tires, Tire Line: Open Country AT II, Tire Size: LT295/65/R20, DOT Number: 73D9M7L2017. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH and towing a fifth-wheel trailer, he noticed the vehicle was unbalanced on the rear driver's side. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park at a nearby parking lot and noticed a 4-inch blister on the side of the rear driver's side tire. The contact replaced the tire with a spare tire and continued driving to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was determined that all four tires needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer of the tire had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,797.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-350 equipped with Cooper Tires, Tire Line: Discover AT/3 XLT, DOT Number: UT15/1/ne/201915l, Tire Size: 275/70/R18. The contact stated that he was in the process of placing winter tires on the vehicle and noticed that two of the tires had formed irregular bubbles on the side of tires. The contact took the tires to a local tires shop where they stated they would replace only one of the tires under warranty coverage. The contact was concerned after finding out the tire manufacturer had recalls on similar tires that were purchased, but not the exact tires he owned. The contact was also concerned that the tires could cause an accident if a failure was experienced while driving on the tires. The tires were not replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage on the tires was 1,934. The vehicle failure mileage was unavailable.
Related recalls (2)
Tires
Certain lariat and king ranch model pickup trucks fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars." some trucks were inadvertently equipped with an incorrect load range tire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace any incorrect load range tires. Additionally, if any tire required replacement, it is recommended that the wheel lug nut torque be checked within 500 miles after any tire…
Tires › Bead
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and chassis. The tires on these vehicles were damaged during mounting onto the wheels. Only trucks produced at the cuautitlan, Mexico plant between September 1, 1996, and July 17, 1997, were affected by the defect.
Remedy: Due to the age of the vehicles and this recall affecting original equipment tires only, Ford will no longer accept claims for this campaign.
NHTSA investigations
Rapid tire deflation
This investigation was opened on certain Ford pickup trucks and vans to evaluate the effects of a valve stem ejection (with rapid air loss) and a slow leaking valve stem on vehicle handing.during the investigation, odi evaluated over 1,100 complaints and warranty claims, conducted vehicle dynamic testing on a subject vehicle with the failure mode replicated, interviewed owners, and examined complaint vehicles in the…
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford F-350 years have wheel & tire problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (120), 1999 (108), 2001 (36), 1997 (32) and 1996 (31) model years. Wheel & Tire complaints make up 39% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Ford F-350 wheel & tire problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 04V-229 (tires, May 17, 2004); 97V-187 (bead, Oct 29, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford F-350 wheel & tire problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles; 36% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the tread/belt (138 mentions), followed by the sidewall (40).
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.