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 ↗2012 Ford F-250 steering problems
moderate 130 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
130
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 130 steering complaints filed for the 2012 Ford F-250, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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 10 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 130 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.
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 overwhelming majority of complaints describe a violent, sudden shaking of the front end and steering wheel—widely known as "death wobble"—triggered when the truck hits bumps, bridge expansion joints, or uneven pavement at highway speeds (typically 50–75 mph). The wobble makes steering nearly impossible and forces drivers to brake hard and slow to 10–35 mph to regain control. Most owners report no warning lights and multiple failed repair attempts.
Owners report the wobble starting anywhere from 10,000 miles to 185,000 miles, with many reporting it on low-mileage vehicles. Common repair attempts include track bar and ball joint replacement ($360+), steering damper/stabilizer swap, drag link and tie rod replacement, suspension bushing work, and full front-end rebuilds costing $1,200–$2,100. The problem recurs within days to months—one owner reported it happening 11,000 miles after repair; another just 70 miles after a bearing replacement.
Ford dealers openly acknowledge the issue and use the term "death wobble." One service writer stated Ford has known about it since 2005 and redesigned the front steering in 2014 models because of it. Despite this, Ford refuses recalls and offers no permanent solution. Service advisories reportedly reference caster angle adjustment, but warranty coverage is sparse. Owners express deep frustration that a premium truck costing $65,000–$70,000 becomes undrivable while Ford avoids accountability.
Same Ford F-250 steering reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Death Wobble / Front End Oscillation
Violent, uncontrollable shaking and oscillation of the front end and steering wheel, typically triggered by hitting bumps, bridge expansion joints, or uneven pavement at highway speeds (50–75 mph). The steering wheel becomes difficult or impossible to control, requiring the driver to brake hard and slow to 10–35 mph to regain stability. Owners report the phenomenon occurs suddenly with no warning lights or diagnostic codes.
When: Typically occurs between 28,000 and 185,000 miles; some owners report it from near-new condition; most common at 55–70 mph when crossing bridge transitions, expansion joints, or hitting road bumps
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking in front end and steering wheel; Loss of steering control; Oscillation of front suspension and steering; Uncontrollable wobble until vehicle slows to ~20 mph; Triggered by bridge expansion joints, road bumps, and uneven pavement; No warning lights or diagnostic codes present
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report numerous attempted fixes including: replacement of track bar and ball joints ($361.71–$2,100); steering damper/stabilizer replacement; drag link, tie rods, tie rod ends, and ball joint replacement; front-end alignment; caster angle adjustment; suspension bushing replacement; shock absorber replacement; and complete front-end rebuilds. Many repairs are temporary; wobble recurs within weeks to months (one owner reported recurrence within 11,000 miles; another within 70 miles after bearing replacement). One owner reports a Ford service writer stating the issue has existed since 2005 with no permanent resolution offered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford dealers acknowledge the problem as a known issue and commonly call it 'Death Wobble.' One dealership service writer stated Ford redesigned the front steering and suspension in 2014 models because of this problem. One owner reports Ford claimed to contact NHTSA (reference CAS04645143-Z4T8T9). Ford customer service has reportedly declined to acknowledge the problem or offer recalls. Owners cite unconfirmed reports of TSBs and service advisories related to caster angle adjustment, but Ford refuses to perform these as warranty repairs on out-of-warranty vehicles. One complaint mentions Ford's suggestion to 'carry weight in the rear' and 'not drive above 60 mph'—not a real fix.
Tire Defect / Tread Separation
Two consecutive tire failures on a nearly-new 2012 F-250 involving internal cord separation and bulging tread despite minimal wear and no visible external damage. Both tires were Continental ContiTrac LT275/65R18 123/120S, same brand and model (DOT# A3B9 479B 2511). Failures occurred without warning.
When: First tire failure ~1 month into ownership (November 2013); second failure June 30, 2014
Symptoms owners cite: Steering vibration at highway speeds (75% highway, 25% city); Vibration worsened over 1 day; Large bulge in inside tread grooves (tread separation); No visible external damage or cord separation visible from inside or outside of tire; internal damage only discovered upon tire inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Both tires replaced under warranty by Ford with same brand and model. Owner notes that locating replacement Continental tires was difficult and that every new F-250 on the dealer lot carried a different tire brand, suggesting Ford had an issue with Continental tires. Owner took photos of second failed tire.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford replaced both tires under warranty. Ford stated they would contact NHTSA (Case CAS04645143-Z4T8T9). Continental customer service offered no assistance. Owner found similar NHTSA complaint ID# 10568111 and numerous similar complaints about the tire model online.
Synthesized from 130 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I continue to experience violent shaking of vehicle when traveling around 70MPH. I almost lost control before I could safely pull over on the highway. I purchased truck with 55,000 miles on it and I replaced all the tires after it happened the first few times. New tires did not help.
Firs started vibrating beyond my control when I hit a small bump while travelling approximately 50mph, had worn bushing and other replacements and continues to occur periodically. The shaking is so severe that the truck cannot be steered and only stops when I get below 20mph. It has now occurred at speeds from 35 to 70mph and the truck is unsafe to drive.
I bought this truck used from a dealership in 2022-23 haven't really had any problems till about 2 months ago. Front end started a wobble. A friend of mine just sent me information NHTSA put out about the Death Wobble. I believe it expired in 2024. I never received any kind of recall on this. I was wondering if it would still be something I could get looked into. Thank you.
Had steering trouble with your 2012 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 2012 Ford F-250?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 130 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 100 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 49,000 and 130,150 miles, with the median around 84,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 49,000; a quarter make it past 130,150. 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/2012/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.