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 ↗2016 Ford F-250 steering problems
moderate 114 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
114
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 114 steering complaints filed for the 2016 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 114 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 dominant complaint across these 114 narratives is the "death wobble"—violent oscillation of the front end and steering wheel when hitting bumps, potholes, bridge transitions, or uneven pavement at highway speeds (55–75 mph). Owners report losing steering control, difficulty or inability to brake effectively, and involuntary lane drift. The shaking stops only when the truck slows to 35–45 mph. No warning lights precede it.
Owners describe multiple attempted repairs: ball joint replacement, track bar and track bar ball joint replacement, steering damper or stabilizer swaps, tie rod work, shock replacement, alignment corrections, and tire replacement. Many report the wobble returns within months or 1,000–2,000 miles of repair. One owner documented ball joints failing twice within three months. Ford issued TSB 16-0087 (April 2016) directing suspension parts installation to the rear; owners report trying this without permanent fix. Dealerships often claim no recall or TSB applies, charge diagnostic fees, or defer to the owner's cost.
Secondary issues include rapid tire cupping and uneven wear despite regular balancing, track bar bushing movement, premature control arm and bushing wear, and alignment that won't hold. One case documented a worn track bar ball joint with visible excessive play. A separate recall (22V337000) addresses power steering and clockspring issues on some units, with parts availability delays cited as late as mid-2023.
Owners express fear for safety, frustration over repeated paid repairs, and disbelief that a $50,000+ truck has a known design defect with no factory remedy.
Same Ford F-250 steering reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Death Wobble / Front-End Oscillation
Violent, uncontrolled shaking of the front end and steering wheel triggered by hitting bumps, potholes, bridge transitions, or uneven road surfaces at highway speeds. Owners report loss of steering control, difficulty braking (sometimes brake efficiency reduced), and inability to stop the shaking until vehicle speed drops below 35–45 mph. The wobble is severe enough to cross lanes involuntarily, risk accidents with other vehicles, and cause extreme fear. No warning lights precede the failure.
When: Highway speeds (55–75 mph typical); triggered by hitting bumps, potholes, road seams, bridge joints, or uneven pavement. Earliest reports at 21,000 miles; occurs across wide mileage ranges (24K–249K miles documented). Occurs with and without trailer loading.
Symptoms owners cite: Violent front-end and steering-wheel shaking at highway speed; Loss of steering control until vehicle slows below 40 mph; Steering wheel difficult or impossible to control; Shaking triggered by minor road irregularities (bump, pothole, bridge expansion joint, seam); Vehicle drifts or skitters into adjacent lanes involuntarily; Brake application may worsen shaking; coasting required to regain control; Shaking stops when speed drops to 30–45 mph; No warning lights or diagnostic codes present
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple repairs attempted with mixed or temporary results: ball joint replacement (failed in under 100K miles in some cases); steering damper/stabilizer replacement (temporary relief, failure recurrence within months or thousands of miles); track bar/track bar ball joint replacement; tie rod replacement; shock/strut replacement; alignment corrections; tire replacement and balancing; suspension bracket installation per TSB 16-0087. Some owners report dealer applied TSB 16-0087 suspension parts to rear of truck without permanent resolution. Independent mechanics replaced front-end components (drag link, ball joints, bushings, control arms) without lasting fix. One owner reports Fox aftermarket stabilizer shock did not completely solve the issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford TSB 16-0087 (April 2016) addresses suspension parts for rear of truck, but owners report it does not permanently resolve the wobble. One owner cites Ford Customer Service Program (Customer Service Program referenced, VIN not included). Dealer statements include 'no recalls,' 'no TSB,' and assertion that issue is not warranty-covered. Ford headquarters reportedly engaged on one case but unable to identify root cause. Recall 22V337000 (Air Bags) and 22S35 mentioned in unrelated power steering/clockspring failures. One owner reports no recall available despite known issue.
Track Bar / Track Bar Ball Joint Wear
Excessive play in track bar ball joint or bushing, allowing lateral axle movement perpendicular to vehicle travel direction. One owner documented worn ball joint (Ford Part# MCF-2225) with visible excessive play that fell apart during removal.
When: Failure documented at 37,000 miles (worn track bar ball joint noted in repair records); general wear pattern indicates early-to-moderate mileage onset.
Symptoms owners cite: Lateral play in front axle; Worn track bar ball joint visible upon inspection; Excessive bushing movement noted by independent technician
Repairs/costs cited: Track bar ball joint replacement on worn unit; track bar replacement (multiple replacements on same vehicle noted in some cases, with replacement parts also failing); track bar bushing replacement noted by independent service center.
Ball Joint Failure / Premature Wear
Ball joints wear prematurely and fail, sometimes repeatedly on the same vehicle within months of replacement. One owner's ball joints were documented as 'destroyed' at 24,000 miles and again at approximately 27,000 miles (within 3 months of first replacement).
When: First failure at 24,000 miles; recurrent failures within 3–6 months; general pattern across complaints suggests wear beginning by 30,000–50,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Front-end shaking and wobbling; Ball joints visibly destroyed or worn upon inspection; Recurrent failure of replacement ball joints
Repairs/costs cited: Ball joint replacement (multiple replacements on same vehicle in some cases); replaced ball joints failed again within months.
Steering Damper / Steering Stabilizer Failure
Steering damper or stabilizer loses functionality (loss of pressurization or internal fluid leak) or fails to prevent front-end oscillation. Multiple owners report replacement did not resolve or only temporarily relieved the wobble.
When: Failure documented at approximately 48,000 miles (OEM damper 'shot'—lost all gas or leaked); worn damper noted in some cases.
Symptoms owners cite: Front-end oscillation and shaking despite damper replacement; OEM steering damper loss of pressure or internal fluid leak; Temporary relief after damper replacement followed by recurrence
Repairs/costs cited: Steering damper replacement (OEM and aftermarket Fox stabilizer shock tried); replacement often temporary fix. One owner installed aftermarket Fox damper but still experienced play in wheel and further repairs needed.
Tie Rod / Tie Rod End Wear or Misalignment
Tie rods and tie rod ends wear or become misaligned, contributing to steering instability and wobble. Multiple owners report tie rod replacement as part of multi-part repairs.
When: Wear pattern consistent with 30,000–50,000 mile onset; some tied to specific shock incidents.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel offset or not straight after repairs; Tie rod play or excessive movement
Repairs/costs cited: Tie rod replacement (some found defective post-installation requiring repeat alignment); alignment corrections performed after tie rod work.
Suspension Control Arm / Bushing Wear
Control arms and bushings wear prematurely, allowing excessive movement in suspension geometry. One owner's engine mounts were also deteriorating, suggesting systemic stress from vibration.
When: Wear pattern indicates early-to-moderate mileage onset; engine mount deterioration noted on same vehicle with death wobble.
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of suspension geometry; Worn bushings and control arms upon inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Front-end suspension component replacement (drag link, control arms, bushings); engine mount replacement/repair noted in related vibration case.
Tire Wear (Cupping / Uneven Wear)
Tires develop severe cupping or uneven tread wear, with some owners reporting extreme choppy wear pattern. One owner's tires were so severely chopped that running a hand across the tread would stop due to extreme unevenness, despite being relatively new.
When: Rapid onset; documented as occurring within months or early in ownership; one case noted in first tire replacement of service history.
Symptoms owners cite: Severe cupping of tread; Extreme uneven or 'chopped' wear pattern; Tires fail despite recent replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Tire replacement (multiple sets purchased by some owners); tire balancing and rotation every 5,000–15,000 miles does not prevent recurrence.
Alignment Issues / Caster Angle Out of Specification
Alignment corrections do not hold or resolve wobble; one owner reports mechanic stating caster angle needs to be set more at 2.5–3 degrees for stability, but owner hesitant to modify due to warranty concerns.
When: Alignment problems identified early in ownership; may be present from manufacture.
Symptoms owners cite: Front-end wobble persisting after alignment correction; Misalignment detected by alignment check but not corrected to satisfactory specification
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple alignment corrections by dealers and independent shops; corrections do not resolve wobble or hold. One mechanic recommended caster adjustment beyond stock specification.
ABS / Traction Control Engagement / Power Steering Loss (Related to Clockspring Recall)
ABS engages unexpectedly when going around bends, and auto-correct attempts correction causing steering wheel pull. Separately, unrelated power steering loss occurs during turns (related to NHTSA 22V337000 Clockspring recall). Some vehicles experienced clockspring failure affecting steering column electronics and airbag warning light illumination.
When: ABS engagement issue noted on at least one vehicle; power steering loss and clockspring failures reported on separate complaints.
Symptoms owners cite: ABS engages when going around a bend (not in emergency); Steering wheel pulls / auto-correct activates; Power steering stiffness / loss of power assist during turns; Clicking sound from steering column; Airbag warning light illumination; Steering wheel buttons (horn, cruise control, phone, radio) inoperable
Repairs/costs cited: Clockspring replacement attempted (NHTSA 22V337000); one case involved damage to steering column module (part GC3Z3F791KA) during repair, with part unavailable for Platinum trim; steering column replacement may be needed. One dealer performed 'temporary fix' claimed to not exist per Ford.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 22V337000 (Air Bags / Clockspring); parts were not available in timely manner (as of mid-2023 and third quarter 2023 projections). One owner reports recall disappeared from NHTSA database after initial notification. Ford Customer Care Hotline engaged but unable to provide ETA on parts. One complaint references Ford has no part number or fix for trucks with heated steering wheel.
HVAC System Hissing and Physiological Effects
Hissing sound emits from under passenger side when AC and defrost are on; causes upset stomachs and headaches in occupants, creating a general sick feeling.
When: Present since first week of ownership; ongoing.
Symptoms owners cite: Hissing sound under passenger side during AC/defrost operation; Passenger-side sickness (nausea, headache); General ill feeling in cabin
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple service visits; dealer tested one truck, found issue once, deemed 'normal operating condition'; dealer advised detailing truck and refused further service; numerous parts replaced without identifying root cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer classified as 'normal operating condition' after one test drive; no repair attempted.
Synthesized from 114 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
I have experience severe steering oscillation on numerous occasions. The vehicle has 48755 miles as of 28 DEC 21. This condition occurs at highway speeds when driving over a rough road.
Death wobble. Second complaint. Truck worked on 2 months a ago ($600). Wobble returned with a vengeance. Maybe 2,000 additional miles on truck. 82,000 miles currently. On freeway, speed 55-65 MPH. Hit a crack in the road ( not a pothole or anything significant ). Steering wheel shook back and forth 3-4 inches. Noisy, hood shaking strongly. Aggressive braking to below around 40 MPH to stop the…
Have been experiencing Wobble of death multiple times driving on the highway. Very scary. Having to stop or slow down quickly in heavy traffic. The Last time was 3 times in 15 minutes on 12/26/21. This happened on IH 10 leaving Beaumont. No warning signs or messages. Just started shaking violently.
At highway speed on Interstate-95, I hit a rough patch of asphalt paving and front end of vehicle began to shake uncontrollably. Vehicle continued to shake violently until speed was significantly reduced below the flow of traffic thus creating an extremely dangerous situation. All 4 shocks and steering stabilizer were replace with upgraded Bilstein brand products bya Ford master mechanic within…
Both Control Arm bushings and Steering Stabilizer have both failed causing a severe Death Wobble at highway speeds. This condition has nearly caused an accident on 4 separate occasions.
Violently shaking can not control truck, I’ve looked this up and it is known as the death wobble. It looks like they have recalled /027 but not 2016 models what can be done about this. It has happened about 6 times in 3 days
There was a violent shaking from the front end od my Ford F250 Super Duty trucks happening on the freeway while driving over 50 miles and hour. This has happended 3 times in the last 6 months. It is very dangerous and causes other vehicles around to try and get out of the way. It only stops after reducing to a dangerously low speed on the freeway. It is very scary and life threatening in my…
I have experienced what is known as the “DEATH WOBBLE” with my 2016 Ford F-250 super-duty pickup. I have taken it back the dealer after the first incident to have it repaired ($291.00) worth and it done it twice since then, less than 3 weeks after repairs. I’m out of town now so I hope I can get it home for it to go back to the dealer for more repairs. I don’t agree with Ford motor co. Decision…
On multiple occasions over the past few months the front end of my truck has begun to shake violently. The steering wheel shakes badly and the only way to regain control is to brake quickly. In each instance the vehicle was traveling between 65 and 75 MPH and the shaking seems to be instigated by hitting a an uneven section of the road'I specifically recall a bridge expansion joint and a…
Had steering trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Ford F-250?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 114 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 41 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 52,700 and 127,043 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 52,700; a quarter make it past 127,043. 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/2016/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.