FORD: SOME VEHICLES EXHIBIT A 4X4 NOT ENGAGING, NOT STAYING ENGAGED AND/OR UNLOCKING IN EXTREME COLD TEMPERATURES BELOW -18 DEGREES CELSIUS OR 0 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. INCLUDE FORD MODEL F250, F350,F450, AND F550 MODEL YEARS 2011-2012.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Ford F-350 suspension problems
moderate 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 20 suspension complaints filed for the 2012 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
No new NHTSA suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension 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 2012 F-350 front suspension exhibits what owners consistently call "death wobble"—a violent, uncontrolled shaking of the front end that begins above 40 mph when the truck encounters bumps, potholes, bridge joints, or similar road irregularities. The wobble escalates at highway speeds (55–70 mph) and forces owners to slow dramatically or stop completely to regain control; some report the wheel torques so hard they can barely grip it. The problem occurs regardless of road surface condition and strikes owners as unpredictable, though towing increases severity.
Owners have pursued expensive repairs totaling thousands of dollars, replacing tie rods, ball joints, track bars, steering stabilizers, shocks, and bushings across multiple dealerships. These repairs provide only temporary relief before the wobble recurs within months. One owner reports a track bar fracture at just 25 mph that damaged the fuel cooler. Tire work and alignment adjustments have not resolved the issue. Dealership responses range from blaming owner maintenance to dismissing the problem as road conditions or motor mounts. Ford denies warranty coverage on some models despite acknowledging the issue exists for newer trucks through a TSB. A class action lawsuit is reportedly pending.
Same Ford F-350 suspension reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Death Wobble - Front End Violent Shaking
Uncontrolled violent shaking and bouncing of the front end triggered by hitting bumps, bridge joints, potholes, or road surface irregularities at highway speeds. Owners describe loss of steering control, difficulty holding the wheel, and vehicle swerving or changing lanes uncontrollably. Event does not stop until vehicle speed drops significantly or comes to near-complete stop.
When: Occurs at speeds 40 mph and above; most commonly reported between 55–70 mph. Some instances triggered by towing (12,000 lb trailer). Progressively worse over vehicle lifetime, with owners reporting first incidents within months of ownership and escalating frequency and severity years later.
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking and bouncing of front end; Uncontrollable steering wheel movement; difficulty gripping wheel; Vehicle swerves or changes lanes uncontrollably; Violent vibration in steering column; Wobbling stops only when vehicle slowed to well below 35 mph or nearly stopped; Triggered by minor road imperfections: bumps, potholes, bridge joints, expansion strips, even cracks in road surface; Occurs on smooth roads and bumpy roads alike
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report unsuccessful repairs totaling thousands of dollars. Parts replaced across multiple service attempts include: tie rod ends, tie rod tube, ball joints, track bar, steering stabilizer (drag link), end bushings, shocks, and tires. Tire balancing and alignment performed without resolution. One owner replaced over $2,000 in parts at multiple dealerships with no permanent fix. Repairs provide only temporary relief (a few months) before wobble recurs. One owner reports track bar fractured at 25 mph, pushing rear axle into fuel cooler and puncturing it.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner #5 states Ford stated the issue is not covered under warranty or TSB for 2012 models, though a TSB exists for newer trucks. Owner #5 also notes a class action suit is pending. Dealer responses include blaming owner maintenance (tire pressure, tire wear, road conditions, motor mounts) rather than addressing suspension defect. Multiple dealers unable or unwilling to diagnose root cause.
Track Bar Structural Failure
Front track bar fractures, separating into two pieces. Fracture occurs at low speed and causes loss of suspension control. Fractured track bar allows rear axle to shift and strike adjacent components.
When: Occurred at approximately 25 mph. Vehicle had approximately 300,000 miles at time of failure.
Symptoms owners cite: Track bar fractured into two pieces; Vehicle swerved off road following fracture; Rear axle pushed into fuel cooler, puncturing cooler and causing fuel leak
Repairs/costs cited: Front track bar required replacement. Fuel cooler required replacement due to puncture from axle strike. Coolant flush required. Repair not completed at time of complaint.
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford f-350. While switching lanes at 65 MPH on the freeway, the vehicle shook violently and experienced the "death wobble". When the contact released the accelerator pedal, the vehicle stopped shaking and was driven to its destination. The contact called hoffman Ford (5200 jonestown rd, harrisburg, pa 17112, (717) 657-1600) and was informed to have an independent…
My f350 has developed a death wobble over the last twelve months. Significantly worse last friday after hitting a bridge expansion at around 65mph. Very close to losing control of the vehicle and shaking did not subside until I came to a complete stop on the shoulder of the road. I have a service appointment on 17dec2020 to have Ford assess problem. They said it is not covered under warranty…
While driving on a straight stretch of road and not changing speed, the truck will randomly start to vibrate uncontrollably. "death wobble". The only way to get it to stop wobbling is to dramatically slow down . It happens randomly and at varying speeds. When it happens I have very little control over the vehicle it's extremely dangerous
Yesterday, 11/30/18. I have had the "death rattle" a couple of time since I've had this truck, I've always been able to pull off to the side of the road safely. On 11/30 I was traveling on a road in wyoming. It was snowing, and I was going between 40-45mph in a 60mph zone due to adverse road conditions. I suddenly got the "death rattle" which immediately sent my truck into a uncontrolled slide.…
Had suspension trouble with your 2012 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 suspension problem on the 2012 Ford F-350?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 71,000 and 203,989 miles, with the median around 107,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 71,000; a quarter make it past 203,989. 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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-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.