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-350 steering problems
moderate 292 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
292
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 292 steering complaints filed for the 2017 Ford F-350, 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
Of the 19 model years of Ford F-350 we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 292.
Steering accounts for 52% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
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 death wobble dominates complaints in this cluster: 292 steering complaints, the vast majority describing violent front-end oscillation triggered by hitting bumps, bridge joints, or rough pavement at highway speeds (typically 50–75 mph). Owners report uncontrollable shaking of the steering wheel and entire front end lasting 3–5 seconds, occurring repeatedly over thousands of miles. The shaking stops only when the truck slows to 25–45 mph. It happens with and without a trailer, and braking often makes it worse.
Ford issued Technical Service Bulletin 18-2268 to address this known issue. Dealer repairs include steering dampener replacement (most common but often ineffective), drag link or ball joint replacement, track bar replacement, and caster/camber adjustment with shims. However, owners report returning multiple times for the same problem—sometimes four visits or more. Steering stabilizer parts are frequently back-ordered, delaying repairs weeks or months. When repairs do work, they often hold for only 6,000–12,000 miles before the wobble returns.
One owner reported a power steering pump failure at 17,000 miles with no warning lights, leaving him struggling to steer and brake at city speed. Another found a cracked factory aluminum wheel rim around the valve stem, causing slow pressure loss.
Owners emphasize the safety hazard: loss of steering control at highway speeds in traffic, particularly while towing a fifth wheel or gooseneck trailer, has nearly caused collisions. Several report being pulled over by law enforcement for wobbling wheels. This is a design defect that dealers cannot permanently fix with current bulletin procedures.
Same Ford F-350 steering reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Death Wobble / Sustained Steering Oscillation
Violent front-end shaking and steering wheel oscillation triggered by hitting bumps, rough road surfaces, bridge joints, or expansion joints at highway speeds. The phenomenon causes rapid left-right oscillation of the steering wheel and front end that makes the vehicle difficult or impossible to control until speed is reduced to 25–45 mph. Owners report the shaking can last 3–5 seconds and feels like the vehicle is bouncing or coming apart.
When: Typically between 9,000–65,000 miles; most commonly reported between 15,000–35,000 miles. Triggered during highway driving at 50–75 mph, particularly over rough pavement, bridge transitions, seams in roadway, or expansion joints.
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking of steering wheel and front end; Left-right oscillation of steering wheel (approximately 1 inch each direction); Whole truck vibrates and bounces; Loss of steering control or difficulty controlling vehicle; Shaking stops only when vehicle slows to 25–45 mph; Occurs when hitting bumps, road seams, expansion joints, potholes, rough patches, or rippled pavement; Can happen while driving straight or in curves; owners report it primarily while driving straight but fear it could occur in curves; Occurs with and without trailer attached, with and without payload; Braking during wobble may worsen the shaking; coasting and gradual deceleration sometimes recommended by owners; Cup holders rattle; visible damage to front tires (chunks torn out, cracks, divots) reported in some cases
Codes mentioned: TSB 18-2268, TSB 18-2268/06-22214
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer repairs vary widely and are often ineffective. Repairs cited: steering stabilizer/steering dampener replacement (most common first attempt; often returns), drag link replacement, ball joint replacement, track bar replacement, caster angle shims (various sizes), alignment adjustment, camber adjustment, suspension shimming, leveling kit installation (1.5 inches reported). Multiple owners report returning to dealer 3–4+ times for the same issue. Steering stabilizer parts frequently back-ordered. Replacement steering stabilizers cost owners approximately $624–$1,400 when not covered; some owners report dealer reimbursement of $335 for out-of-warranty repairs. One owner paid $450 for parts and labor without resolution. Some owners self-repaired with aftermarket steering stabilizer without success. Cost estimates from owners range $400–$1,400+.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford TSB 18-2268 acknowledges the problem and provides corrective action (shim adjustment, caster/camber adjustment, steering dampener replacement). Ford case numbers assigned (e.g., CAS-17515150-L3W8H1) but cases closed without confirming fix. Some dealers state they are aware of the issue and reference TSB 18-2268; one dealer stated it is a 'known issue.' Ford customer service representatives gave owners 'the run-around' per complaints. Some dealers claim parts are back-ordered, preventing timely repair. Dealers claim they cannot reproduce the issue during test drives (driving at speeds under 45 mph). Ford initially blamed owners (improper maintenance, insufficient bed weight) rather than acknowledging design defect. One owner reported no recall issued; another noted TSB 18-2268 does not correct the problem per online owner reports. Tailgate recall (22V880000) and seat belt pretensioner recall mentioned in one complaint but unrelated to steering issue.
Power Steering Pump Failure
Complete loss of power steering function without warning lights or prior symptoms. Pump failed intermittently—initially seemed to reset after restart, then failed again days later before permanently failing.
When: At 17,000 miles; failure began intermittently and worsened over several days
Symptoms owners cite: Total loss of power steering assistance; Steering wheel became extremely hard to turn (owner, a 60-year-old man of normal strength, could barely steer); Loss of normal braking function (brakes unresponsive initially, requiring hard pressure); No warning lights or failure indicators displayed; Intermittent nature—failure seemed to reset after restart but returned days later; Failure occurred at low speed (approximately 30 mph on city street)
Repairs/costs cited: Ford dealer diagnosed power steering pump as bad and replaced it. Repair completed; no further issues reported after repair (tested at approximately 30 miles post-repair).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No warning issued by system. After first intermittent failure, dealership told owner to return if issue recurred rather than addressing it proactively. Different dealership completed repair 60 miles away from original purchase dealer.
Cracked Aluminum Wheel Rim
Factory aluminum rim cracked around tire valve stem, causing slow and then rapid tire pressure loss. Crack extended approximately 2 inches toward inner edge of rim.
When: Owner purchased truck used with approximately 62,000 miles; issue manifested after subsequent use, discovered around 62,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Slow tire pressure loss (70 psi dropping to 60 psi over couple days); Valve stem area leaking (initially thought to be valve stem issue); Visible crack around tire valve stem extending toward inner edge of rim; Rapid pressure loss (20 psi in approximately one hour during long-distance drive)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner initially had stainless steel valve stem replaced with rubber valve stem; leak persisted. Used tire sealant (Green Slime) for temporary fix lasting approximately two weeks. Finally replaced with aftermarket wheels. Dealership stated truck was out of warranty and would not cover replacement.
Synthesized from 292 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 13 most recent
While travelling on the highway at highway speeds (55+ MPH), the truck experiences the "death wobble". The steering wheel will begin to shake violently, compromising steering control. The shaking will typically only subside by reducing speed, of the vehicle.
I have a 2017 Ford f-350 super duty. Over the last two months I have had two situations during acceleration on a highway where the vehicle almost shakes/vibrates apart on the front end. I have reported the issue to Ford two times now. When it first occurred in nov 2019 with 19k miles on it, they told me they never heard of this issue. When it happened again on the 29th of december I took it back…
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 67 MPH and going over a bump on the roadway, the vehicle started sharking uncontrollably. The contact was able to stop on the side of the road and waited until the vehicle stopped shaking before the vehicle started to operate normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the front-end of the vehicle was repaired however, the…
On december 24 ,2020 after entering interstate i25, and reaching about 50 to 65 miles per hour the truck when into a violent shack and was hard to control.
My 2017 f350 has 34k miles. If any bump in the road is hit it causes the truck to violently shake. Any speeds over 65mph this will happen. I have almost lost control 2 time. The violent shake continues until you can slow the truck to 20-30mph. Someone is going to die. Ford is not stepping up and fixing this. Please help!
Steering wobble - I was driving on I-5 at 70 mph and ran over a small pothole. The steering started violently and uncontrollably shaking. It caused the truck to drift into the left lane but fortunately no other vehicle was along side. I was able to regain control by cautiously slowing down to about 35 mph. At that point the shaking stopped and steering went back to normal. Checking the tpms,…
Was on the highway, in a 65mph zone, when I hit a bump, and the whole truck started to violently shake. I tried to pull over, thinking it was a tire blow out, but the steering wouldnt react. I slowed down, and about 20mph, as people around me almost hit me, the truck came back in control, and stopped shaking. I speed back up like nothing happened.... My wife and son was witness. This also…
Shaking of steering wheel this is not an isolated incident with our trucks, it's a nationwide problem that is very very dangerous. In a 10 mile ride it would happen 3-4x at 70 to 75mph hitting the slightest bump, the truck would violently shake. I would have to slow down to 20 MPH for it to stop. Very difficult on a highway and unsafe.*dt consumer stated 6 complaints on 6 different trucks on…
Heavy vibration and shacking of steering wheel this is not an isolated incident with our trucks, it's a nationwide problem that is very very dangerous. In a 10 mile ride it would happen 3-4x at 70 to 75mph hitting the slightest bump, the truck would violently shake. I would have to slow down to 20 MPH for it to stop. Very difficult on a highway
I was traveling down the highway at approximately 60 MPH and hit a bump. My vehicle began shaking violently. I had to abruptly decelerate down to 35 MPH to get ot to stop shaking. I believe it's called a death wobble. I've had my vehicle in to the Ford dealership twice to have it fixed to no avail. I had the whole front end rebuilt. $1500 down the drain. I had a 2012 f350 that did the same thing.…
Had steering trouble with your 2017 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 steering problem on the 2017 Ford F-350?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 292 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 236 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 18,950 and 38,000 miles, with the median around 27,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 18,950; a quarter make it past 38,000. 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 $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-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.