In some of the affected vehicles, customers may experience sustained steering wheel oscillation after hitting rough pavement or an expansion joint at speeds typically above 45 mph (72 Km/h).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Ford F-250 steering problems
moderate 717 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
717
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
6crashes
5injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 717 steering complaints filed for the 2017 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.
How fast does it fail?
Cumulative share of the 10 mileage-bearing steering complaints filed against the 2017 Ford F-250 by each odometer reading. Median failure: 36,000 mi.
10% have failed by20,010 mi
Half the fleet by36,000 mi
90% have failed by84,000 mi
Curve based on owner-reported odometer mileage at the time of complaint. Reflects when owners filed, not when symptoms first appeared. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve.
What stands out
Steering accounts for 62% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 717 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 2017 Ford F-250 steering system has a severe and well-documented failure pattern owners call the "death wobble." It strikes without warning when hitting road bumps, expansion joints, or rough pavement at highway speeds (typically 55–75 mph). The front end shakes violently—so intensely that the steering wheel becomes nearly impossible to control, the windshield has cracked, and drivers report loss of vehicle control and unintended lane drift toward other traffic. The shaking does not stop until speed drops below 30–40 mph, often requiring hard braking in heavy traffic with serious collision risk.
Owners report this happens repeatedly over the truck's life—first at 9,000–20,000 miles, recurring multiple times despite repair attempts. Ford has issued technical service bulletins (TSB-18-2268, TSB-19-2274) addressing "sustained steering wheel oscillation," and dealers acknowledge the problem is "well-known" and "overwhelming." Repair attempts include steering damper replacement, track bar replacement, drag link replacement, outer tie rod replacement, shock replacement, and alignment adjustment. Yet nearly every owner reports the wobble returns within weeks or months. Multiple owners paid out-of-pocket after warranty expiration (often $625–$2,600) for parts that failed again. Dealers blame tire pressure, balance, alignment, or caster settings, but correction of these items does not fix the underlying issue. Several owners note the truck has never been in a collision, has stock parts only, and proper tire maintenance—ruling out owner-caused wear. The problem persists across multiple dealerships and regardless of repair approach, suggesting a design defect rather than isolated mechanical wear.
Same Ford F-250 steering reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Sustained steering wheel oscillation ("death wobble")
Violent front-end and steering wheel shaking triggered by road bumps, expansion joints, or rough pavement at highway speeds (55–75 mph). Shaking is severe enough to cause loss of steering control, unintended lane drift, and risk of collision. Shaking persists until vehicle speed drops below 30–40 mph, often requiring emergency braking.
When: First occurs between 9,000–20,000 miles; recurs throughout vehicle life at intervals of weeks to months
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking of steering wheel and entire front end; Loss of steering control or severe difficulty controlling vehicle; Unintended lane drift or swerving; Front suspension feels like it will self-destruct; Shaking does not stop until speed is reduced to approximately 30–40 mph; Triggered by small bumps, expansion joints, bridge seams, potholes, or uneven road transitions; Occurs at highway speeds 55–75 mph, occasionally at lower speeds (50 mph); No warning lamps or advance indication
Codes mentioned: TSB-18-2268 (4WD Sustained Steering Wheel Oscillation Above 45 mph, vehicles built on or before 7/31/18), TSB-19-2274
Repairs/costs cited: Repair attempts have included: steering damper/stabilizer replacement (original and upgraded versions); track bar replacement; drag link replacement; outer tie rod/tie rod end replacement; steering box replacement; shock replacement; caster/alignment adjustment (including non-spec caster settings); shim installation. Repairs are frequently back-ordered (6 weeks to 3 months delay reported). Owner costs range from $186–$4,000+ after warranty expiration. Multiple owners report parts on back-order or unavailable. Aftermarket steering dampers have been recommended by dealers as temporary solution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford issued TSB-18-2268 and TSB-19-2274. Dealers acknowledge the problem is 'well-known' and 'overwhelming' in these model trucks. Ford has not issued a full recall. Warranty repairs performed free of charge on vehicles within the 3-year/36,000-mile period. Repairs beyond warranty mileage are owner-paid. Ford customer service has been reported as unable or unwilling to provide assistance. Extended warranty coverage disputed at dealerships. Some dealer service managers have reportedly stated 'that's just what the truck does' and advised owners not to drive above 70 mph or to purchase aftermarket parts.
Premature wear of front suspension and steering components
Violent oscillations from death wobble cause accelerated wear to suspension parts, drag links, ball joints, and steering rods. Parts become loose or bent from the violent shaking. Front windshield cracking has been reported during wobble events.
When: Occurs after first wobble event and continues with each subsequent occurrence; can manifest within days to weeks of prior repair
Symptoms owners cite: Bent tie rods and drag links; Worn or loose ball joints; Worn steering damper (so worn it has no resistance when placed in vise); Loose front-end suspension components; Front windshield cracking from violent shaking
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of bent tie rods, drag links, outer tie rod ends, ball joints, steering box, and shocks. One owner paid over $4,000 for 'complete rebuild of steering and front end' at dealer, though independent mechanic later found only the tie rod had been replaced (cost of part approximately $300). Owners report parts wear faster than expected on a truck with 30,000–45,000 miles and no prior collision or frame work.
Tire wear acceleration
The violent oscillations and non-spec alignment settings cause tires to wear faster than normal. Dealers have blamed tire pressure and balance as causes of wobble, then blamed the wobble as cause of tire wear.
When: Occurs throughout vehicle ownership; noted even after tire replacement or rebalancing
Symptoms owners cite: Tires wear out prematurely; Tires declared 'dry rotted' or in 'horrible shape' within 2 years of purchase despite light mileage
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have recommended tire replacement, balance, and pressure adjustment as fix for wobble, without success. One owner purchased 4 new tires at dealer cost to address wobble; problem returned. One dealer recommended out-of-spec toe adjustment to combat wobble, stating it would cause tires to wear faster.
Steering system control fault (adaptive steering)
One owner reported an Adaptive Steering Fault alert after battery work, with steering wheel offset (turned to 10 o'clock while driving straight). Related to potential battery cable harness voltage issue.
When: Reported at 75,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Dash alert: 'Adaptive Steering Fault Service Required'; Steering wheel turned left to 10 o'clock position while driving straight; Vehicle sluggish at starting (battery issue)
Codes mentioned: Adaptive Steering Fault
Repairs/costs cited: Battery cables replaced. Dealer quoted $4,596.59 for Battery Cable Harness replacement. Diagnostic fee was $465.88 to investigate adaptive steering fault.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls issued for 2017 model year on this issue, though recalls exist for other years. Ford did not offer a resolution.
Synthesized from 717 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 16 most recent
Crossed rail road tracks truck start shaking so bad like to have lost control at 65 miles per hour
When vehicle travels over a rough spot or a change in grade on the road such as a bridge joint the front end shakes violently and you have to almost stop to get it to correct itself. This has happened 3 times in the past month. Most recent was on interstate traveling 70 MPH. Traveling on highway and drove across a bridge joint, front end started shaking violently and I almost caused an accident…
The "death wobble" started after 15k miles on my truck. I've brought my truck to Ford dealership. Ford dealership in san jose, ca told me the dampners on my truck needs to be replaced, but the parts are in back order and doesn't know when Ford will have the parts for replacement. During our latest trip to santa ana, ca on dec 26, 2019. The front end of my truck, steering wheel shook…
I am experiencing the death wobble in my truck. Driving typically above 60 MPH, if I drive over a bridge expansion joint or if there are ripples or continuous bumps in the highway, I will lose control of my truck in a sever shaking. The only way I have doing found to fix it is to slow down, turn the vehicle off and continue driving.
Truck starts violently shaking when it hits bumps. Usually happens over 60 mph.
As vehicle approaches >60MPH, the steering wheel vibrates violently, and the entire front end of the truck begins to shake and wobble, causing steering to be compromised. This is a serious risk given there could be a loss of control of steering. The only way to eliminate the problem is to slow down or stop the vehicle. But eventually, the problem comes back again. No warning lights come on…
Known problem to later model Ford F250 Sper Duty pickup trucks (2015 to 2019??) experiencing a violent steering wheel oscillation after hitting a minor bump in pavement or a pot hole. aka "death wobble" at highway speeds. This has occurred three times thus far on this truck. This seems to occur at approximately 55 to 65 MPH. The shaking is so bad that the driver could easily loose control.…
There is an issue with the track bar coming loose and causing speed wobble. I had it replaced under warranty at about 35,000 miles. Now I'm at about 41,000 miles and it's really loose again. It causes the truck to sometimes lose control. It happened the other day when only going about 30 miles an hour. Hit a bump in the road and the whole front end started vibrating out of control. I had to slow…
At around 20,000 miles driving down the highway I hit a bump doing about 70 mh and my steering wheel started shaking uncontrollably. Had to slow down to about 35 MPH to get it to stop. Took it to my local dealership and they said the steering dampner was bad. They replaced it. Fixed the problem for about 12000 miles, now at around 30,000 miles it ha started again. Took it back to the dealer and…
Vehicle will violently wobble from small road bumps at speeds above 55mph
Had steering trouble with your 2017 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 2017 Ford F-250?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 717 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 590 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 20,000 and 39,500 miles, with the median around 28,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,000; a quarter make it past 39,500. 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/2017/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.