In monitoring our technical service inquiries and technical service bulletins from Ford, there is the potential for moderate to severe steering wheel oscillation (wobble) to occur. After extensive testing and outside feedback, the following details have been established to correct or prevent steering wheel oscillation occurrences in lifted 05-16 Ford Super Duty 4wd pickups.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Ford F-350 steering problems
moderate 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 17 steering complaints filed for the 2009 Ford F-350, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Steering accounts for 36% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 5 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 Ford F-350 exhibits a persistent front-end vibration owners call "death wobble," triggered reliably by hitting bumps, potholes, expansion joints, or elevation changes at speeds above 55 mph. The shaking becomes violent enough that drivers must grip the steering wheel tightly and often brake hard to regain control—some have ended up in roadside ditches. One owner towing a fifth wheel experienced steering failure serious enough to cross a separator strip. The wobble stops only when slowed to 40 mph or below.
Dealers have replaced nearly everything in the front suspension—ball joints, tie rods, steering dampers, track bars, shocks, body mounts—and performed alignments, yet the wobble reliably returns within weeks or months. Independent mechanics have had some success with track bar components, though at $700 versus dealership quotes exceeding $7,000. Ford issued two technical service bulletins (TSBs #18-2268 and #06-2214) but refuses to recall the truck, instead sending letters advising tire-pressure checks. Three different Ford mechanics have told owners the vehicle is unsafe to drive. Ford personnel claim the trucks are designed to drive this way unloaded, though the wobble persists even with 3,500-pound loads.
Same Ford F-350 steering reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Death Wobble - Front-End Violent Shaking
Uncontrollable violent shaking and vibration of the front end triggered by road imperfections (potholes, bumps, expansion joints, bridge transitions, rough pavement). Occurs at highway speeds (55+ mph) and can force the driver to brake hard or pull off the road. Shaking persists until vehicle slows to 40 mph or lower. Owners report feeling like the front end will come apart and describe losing steering control momentarily.
When: Typically begins at 55+ mph; one owner reported onset at 70,000 miles; recurs intermittently after repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking/vibration of front end at highway speeds; Steering wheel requires tight grip to maintain control; Vehicle swerves or pulls away from intended path; Shaking triggered by road deformities (potholes, bumps, expansion joints, elevation changes); Shaking continues until speed reduced to 40 mph; Recurs randomly even after suspension repairs
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers and independent mechanics have replaced: ball joints, tie rods, steering damper/stabilizer, track bar, track bar ball joint, track bar bushing, body mounts, shocks, and performed wheel balancing and alignments. Costs range from ~$700 (track bar components at independent shop) to $7,000+ (full suspension work quoted by dealer). Repairs provide only temporary relief; wobble returns within weeks or months.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford issued TSBs #18-2268 and #06-2214 addressing steering and front-wheel vibrations. Ford has sent letters suggesting tire-pressure checks and other maintenance but denies this is a recall issue. Multiple owners report Ford Motor Company declined to assist and advised removing vehicles from service. One owner states Ford personnel claim all F350s drive this way without load.
Steering Control Loss During Death Wobble Event
During death wobble episodes, steering control is significantly compromised. One owner towing a 37-foot fifth wheel at 65 mph crossed a separator strip and could only regain control through aggressive braking and defensive steering, ending in a roadside ditch. Another owner on a busy highway feared rear-end collision. Owners consistently report the vehicle will swerve violently and become hard to steer during episodes.
When: Occurs at highway speeds (55-65 mph) when hitting road imperfections
Symptoms owners cite: Complete or near-complete loss of steering control during wobble events; Vehicle swerves violently left and right; Inability to maintain lane position; Requires aggressive braking to regain control; Risk of collision with other vehicles or roadway departure
Repairs/costs cited: One owner in an accident while towing reported extreme wear to braking components and minor alignment damage from leaving the roadway. That owner spent their own money on parts, services, and inspection with no resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer recalls or service bulletins specifically address loss of control. Three different Ford mechanics advised one owner to remove the vehicle from service to avoid further accident or injury.
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
My truck has the death wobble for the second time. I took it to Red McCombs Ford in San Antonio, Texas and they charged me to fix what is an inherently bad design flaw in the F350 that I own. The wobble stopped and has now reappeared. The death wobble is real. I want it fixed for free or I want Ford to buy my truck for top dollar.
Hit a bump on the highway while driving. Vehicle started vibrating and shaking uncontrollably. Heavy traffic with Tractor Trailer behind on me was barely able to get vehicle stopped and to the shoulder of the highway. Was in fear for my life and haven’t had the vehicle a month yet after purchasing it from a cord dealership.
When I hit a rough patch in the road with the front left side, I get a violent shaking in the front end and almost loose control. Control is regained when you slow to 5-10mph. I have had this issue for awhile and have had the front end inspected with no defects. After doing some research, this condition has a name "the death wobble." Ford has issued 2 tsbs # 18-2268 and #06-2214. No one has…
On September 4th & 5th two separate occasions I was driving on US 85 in WY when I hit a bump in the road and my truck started shaking violently and was hard to control. I immediately pulled over and slowed down until the shaking stopped but was almost rear ended by the truck behind me on one occasion.
While traveling at 65 mph, the truck crossed a separator strip resulting in loss of steering control. Vehicle steering wheel began violently "shaking" left to right and began to swerve violently in an area of heavy traffic. The vehicle was towing a 37 ft. 5th wheel at the time of the incident and I had to use a combination of braking and defensive steering to slow/stop the vehicle in the right…
When I hit a bump at between 55 and up, the Truck develops a death wobble even after having all the steering components, including ball joints, tie, rod ends, stabilizer, bar, shocks, replaced
Death wobble when hitting any bump whilr going over 55
The first item I have had issue with and continue to have issue with is the phenomenon referred to as death wobble that is traceable to steering components and potentially suspension. There is no clear solution and a known problem that Ford does nothing about the second problem is another known problem at Ford the body mount bushings which deteriorate over time. Both issues Ford is aware of but…
I own a 2009 Ford f350 king ranch that I purchased used 2 years ago from a Nissan dealership. On multiple occasions, the front end violently shakes when it encounters any deformity on the road. The shakes are so intense and uncontrollable the I have to try and pull off the road to not cause an accident. The shaking does not stop until the vehicle is completely stopped. I have had the body mounts…
Had steering trouble with your 2009 Ford F-350?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2009 Ford F-350?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 17 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 135,000 and 170,000 miles, with the median around 145,228. A quarter of owners report trouble before 135,000; a quarter make it past 170,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Ford/F-350.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.