Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ford f-250. The contact was driving approximately 73 MPH over an uneven road surface when the front end of the vehicle began to vibrate excessively. The contact indicated that no damage was done to the vehicle. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 18,750. Updated 1/7/14*cn
2013 Ford F-250 suspension problems
moderate 22 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
When does it fail?
Of the 22 suspension complaints filed for the 2013 Ford F-250, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Suspension accounts for 19% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 8 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2013 F-250 suspension generates a single dominant complaint: violent front-end wobbling or oscillation—commonly called "death wobble"—triggered when driving at 35–73 mph and hitting bumps, potholes, or rough road surfaces. Owners report loss of steering control, difficulty keeping the truck in its lane, and front-end instability that stops only when speed drops to 30–50 mph. No warning lights precede the event. Failure appears across the mileage spectrum, from 18,750 to 153,000 miles.
Owners who repair report recurring problems. One owner spent nearly $1,000 replacing tie rod ends, pitman arm, track bar bushing and ball joint, and front shocks—still experiencing intermittent wobble. Dealers have replaced wheels, rotors, axle shafts, and attempted suspension rebuilds with suspension component resets and tire balancing; failure persists. One dealer stated flat out it could not determine the cause. One owner notes this is a known hot-button issue on F-250 forums and is surprised no recall has been issued.
A separate report cites 16 cab bushings needing replacement at 61,000 miles, causing body noise and lateral shift over inclines.
Same Ford F-250 suspension reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Death wobble / front-end oscillation at highway speeds
Violent shaking or wobbling of the front end when driving at highway speeds, especially after hitting bumps or rough road surfaces. Owners report loss of steering control, difficulty maintaining lane position, and the wobble ceasing only when speed drops significantly below 50 mph. This is the dominant complaint pattern across the cluster.
When: Typically 35–73 mph; some reports at lower speeds; failure mileage ranges from 18,750 to 153,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Violent or uncontrollable front-end wobbling at highway speeds; Shaking after hitting bumps or rough road patches; Difficulty controlling steering; vehicle drifts left or right; Front suspension feels light or disconnected; Wobbling persists until speed is reduced to 30–50 mph; No warning lights typically illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #3 spent close to $1000 replacing tie rod ends, pitman arm, track bar bushing, track bar ball joint, and front shocks with only intermittent resolution. Owner #1 had bent rim and bad tire; alignment never performed initially. Owner #2 had wheels and rotors replaced, then tightened lost components; failure recurred and dealer could not determine root cause. Owner #6 had axle shafts and an unknown steering part replaced; failure recurred. Owner #17 had suspension replaced and tires balanced; shake returned in April.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer recalls or TSBs cited in these narratives. Owner #4 notes the death wobble is a common forum issue and expresses surprise no recall has been issued. Dealer responses ranged from inability to diagnose (owner #2, #6) to suggesting tire-air pressure adjustment (owner #11) to attempted repeated repairs without resolution.
Cab bushings degradation
Cab bushings require replacement; vehicle body makes loud noise and shifts to the side when going over inclines or bumps. Single narrative (#16) but distinct from the death wobble cluster.
When: 61,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise from vehicle body; Body shifts to the side over inclines
Repairs/costs cited: Ford shop inspection identified need for 16 cab bushings to be replaced.
Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced the death wobble. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
Vehicle shakes violently when driving after hitting bumps in the road at low speeds and high speeds
Had suspension trouble with your 2013 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 suspension problem on the 2013 Ford F-250?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 22 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 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 29,000 and 116,000 miles, with the median around 61,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 29,000; a quarter make it past 116,000. 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 $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/2013/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.