When traveling above 50mph and hitting minor transitions, holes, imperfections in the roadway the front goes into a sever vibration causing a out of control experience. Must slow down below 40 MPH to get under control. I think this is referred to the "death wobble" continue to replace parts trying to find a solution
2011 Ford F-250 steering problems
critical 149 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
149
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
3injuries
1fatality
When does it fail?
Of the 149 steering complaints filed for the 2011 Ford F-250, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 40% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 149 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2011 F-250 steering system generates overwhelming complaints centered on the "death wobble"—sudden, violent shaking of the front end and steering wheel triggered when the truck hits bumps, pavement joints, or bridge transitions while traveling at highway speeds (typically 45–75 mph). The shaking is severe enough to render steering nearly uncontrollable; owners describe the steering wheel jerking so hard they must grip it with both hands, and the truck drifting across lanes. Slowing to 20–35 mph or below is the only way to stop the oscillation.
Owners report the wobble begins early (sometimes around 6,000–20,000 miles) and recurs or worsens throughout vehicle life. One owner with 125,000 miles reported it happening repeatedly after replacing the stabilizer, drag link, tie rod, track bar, ball joints, shocks, and alignment multiple times—without resolution. Dealers and independent shops attempt fixes including steering stabilizer replacement (multiple times), all four shock absorbers, tie rods, ball joints, track bar bushings, caster angle shims, tire replacement, and alignment—but rarely achieve permanent results. One owner reported eleven unsuccessful Ford-authorized repair attempts.
Ford corporate has stated the condition is "within tolerance" and denied responsibility for vehicles outside the 3-year warranty period. Some dealers acknowledge awareness of TSB 11-6-14, yet repairs remain ineffective. Owners express fear of highway driving and have documented the problem in online forums and YouTube videos as a widespread defect.
One unrelated complaint involved an EGT sensor failure that shut down the engine and disabled power steering and brakes at highway speed.
Same Ford F-250 steering reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Death Wobble - Front End Violent Shaking Induced by Road Imperfections
Sudden, severe vertical and lateral shaking of the front end, steering wheel, and entire truck frame triggered by hitting bumps, pavement joints, rough road sections, or bridge transitions at highway speeds (typically 45+ mph). The violent oscillation can render the steering wheel nearly uncontrollable and cause the truck to veer laterally across lanes. Shaking typically ceases only after slowing to 20-35 mph or below.
When: Commonly occurs between 45-75 mph when vehicle encounters road surface irregularities; some owners report it recurring intermittently throughout ownership; one owner noted onset at 6,000 miles, others at 20,000 miles or higher
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking of steering wheel from side to side (9 o'clock to 3 o'clock or similar range); Uncontrollable front end bounce and vibration; Loss of steering control; truck drifts or veers across lanes; Entire truck oscillates side-to-side and vertically; Objects inside cab shake loose (papers, food, TV, gym bags); Shaking persists or worsens when brakes applied; Shaking only subsides when vehicle speed reduced to 20-35 mph or below; Problem triggered by bumps, potholes, road expansion joints, bridge transitions, or pavement seams
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report dealers and independent mechanics attempting: steering stabilizer/damper replacement (sometimes multiple times), shock absorber replacement (all four corners or front only), tie rod/ball joint replacement, track bar/track bar bushing replacement, track bar ball joint replacement, drag link replacement, wheel alignment (multiple times), tire rotation/balance/replacement, caster angle adjustment with shims, TSB 11-6-14 applied. Despite multiple attempted repairs averaging $400-$2,100+ per visit, wobble recurs or persists. One owner reported eleven unsuccessful Ford-authorized fixes. Several owners state no single repair provides lasting resolution. One independent mechanic cited weak shocks and worn track bar bushings as precursors, and speculated tire rotation can trigger the event on a 'precarious setup.' No permanent cure identified across narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford dealers initially blame tire pressure, tire condition, alignment, or lack of shock wear. Ford corporate has stated the problem is 'within Ford's tolerance for the vehicle.' Some dealers acknowledge awareness of the issue; one engineer confirmed a new Ford Super Duty exhibited identical behavior. TSB 11-6-14 exists and addresses front-end shaking. Owners report Ford denies responsibility outside of warranty period (vehicles older than 3 years). Ford has refused buyback despite repeated failed repair attempts and safety concerns. When contacted, Ford sometimes refers owners to NHTSA Hotline rather than committing to repair.
EGT Temperature Sensor Failure - Engine Shutdown and Loss of Power Steering/Brakes
Engine shuts down at highway speed when vehicle encounters brief stressor, accompanied by 'Stop Safely Now' dashboard warning. Power steering and power brakes fade immediately. Vehicle immobilized and will not restart for extended period (cooled overnight), then may restart. One confirmed case diagnosed as faulty EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperature) sensor in exhaust system. Computer system prevents restart even at very low speeds until condition resets.
When: Occurred at approximately 60 mph highway driving; repeated within 1-2 miles after first incident at 5 mph parking lot speed
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard chiming and 'Stop Safely Now' warning message displayed; Engine shuts off abruptly; Power steering fades/becomes unavailable; Power brakes fade/become unavailable; Vehicle unable to restart; computer locks out restart attempts even at parking speed
Codes mentioned: EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperature) sensor fault
Repairs/costs cited: Repaired by replacement of EGT temperature sensor in exhaust system at dealership. Initial diagnosis attempt failed due to dealer diagnostic computer malfunction.
Lateral Pull on Road Surface Contact - Directional Instability on Imperfections
Vehicle pulls or moves laterally (left or right) when either front tire encounters a road surface imperfection or elevated transition at normal highway speeds. Violent motion nearly caused collision with center divider in initial report. Problem worsened over multiple encounters despite dealer visits. Appears related to suspension geometry or steering response sensitivity to uneven tire loading.
When: Multiple occurrences in December 2010; recurred on same road transitions consistently; worsened over time with repeated exposure
Symptoms owners cite: Violent lateral motion/pull to left or right when front tire hits road imperfection; Nearly caused vehicle to strike center divider; Recurring on same road transition locations (I-405 to I-710 transition area); Problem escalated from occasional to occurring with every road imperfection contact
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealer visits without remedy. Ford engineer test-drove vehicle, witnessed the problem firsthand, and confirmed identical behavior in a new Ford Super Duty 4x4. No repair completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford manager stated problem was 'within Ford's tolerance for the vehicle.' Suggested owner purchase aftermarket parts from four-wheel-drive shop. After escalation to Ford's fix-it hotline, owner was again told 'the problem was normal for the vehicle.' No recall or service bulletin issued for this owner's complaint.
Synthesized from 149 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
I was traveling south on highway 99 in the central valley of california north of visalia, ca. I was maintaining my speed in the fast (second lane) lane between 65 and 70 MPH on a portion of the highway that was recently laid with fresh asphalt. This of course, made the road surface very smooth although there was some transition portions of the road surface with a few rougher sections. Going…
I get a violent shake or wobble from front end when I hit small to large bumps in the road. I have checked tire pressure and front end parts. Nothing has been wrong or abnormal. I researched a bit and found this to be a common problem with these trucks. *tr
While driving down the highway at speeds in excess of 60 MPH, the car will start to shake violently! It is forceful enough that you loose complete control of steering and loose the ability to maintain your same lane. The shaking is so violent that I am afraid to put my daughter in the car. I can't imagine if this happened in a construction zone or traffic. I am thankful no one else was on the…
When hitting uneven payment at highway speeds the front tires and steering starts to shake. As speed decreases, the wobble increases to the point where the violent shaking will not stop until almost a complete stop. I followed the NHTSA recommendation of 65 PSI and other pressures and it has no affect on the wobble. Imo I believe that as the tires wear down, they have less traction on the…
On the 17th of october 2019 driving down the interstate from nebraska to colorado my truck it would hit a bump or seam in the road and it would start to shake the steering wheel would shake the truck was shake vigorously until I had slowed it down to less than 20 it would quit this happened to me about 7 times from then on I just kept speed down get off that I got off the interstate and my kept…
I drove over a bridge on an interstate at approximately 65 MPH. The vehicle and steering wheel began to shake violently and uncontrollably. It felt as though all four tires blew out and I had no control over steering whatsoever. I had to slow almost to a stop and pull over on the shoulder of the road. *tr
Ford f-250 crewcab with no aftermarket parts & Ford recommended rims/tires: a month ago I noticed wobbling/shaking similar to the described 'death wobble'. Placed truck in for service and a recommendation for a solution. While driving over 50 MPH and the vehicle runs over bump on the highway, the steering wheel and truck will shake violently. As this so called death wobble occurs I will coast…
Had steering trouble with your 2011 Ford F-250?
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 2011 Ford F-250?
It's a serious issue. 149 complaints have been filed, including 2 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 126 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 27,000 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 49,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,000; a quarter make it past 90,000. 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/2011/Ford/F-250.
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.