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 ↗2018 Ford F-250 steering problems
moderate 243 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
243
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 243 steering complaints filed for the 2018 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.
How fast does it fail?
Cumulative share of the 12 mileage-bearing steering complaints filed against the 2018 Ford F-250 by each odometer reading. Median failure: 29,500 mi.
10% have failed by13,000 mi
Half the fleet by29,500 mi
90% have failed by68,000 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 64% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 9 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 243 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
Owners describe a violent, uncontrolled shaking of the front end and steering wheel triggered by hitting road bumps, expansion joints, or rough pavement at highway speeds. The oscillation starts around 45–70 mph and subsides only when the driver brakes hard enough to drop below 30–40 mph. Most report no warning lights or advance notice. During episodes, the steering wheel shakes so violently that holding it is difficult; the truck feels like it will cross lanes or hit nearby vehicles.
The problem shows up early—many owners report it within the first 10,000–30,000 miles—and recurs frequently. Several took their trucks to dealerships multiple times for the same issue. The most common repair has been replacement of the steering dampener (part SPO HC3Z 3E651 F) under TSB 18-2268 or TSB 19-2274, but many owners report the problem returns within weeks or a few thousand miles. Some dealers have also replaced tie rods, sector shafts, drag links, bushings, and performed alignment work, with mixed results.
One owner reported the drag link actually popped off the sleeve entirely, resulting in complete loss of steering at low speed on a residential road. Tire wear becomes uneven and premature as a side effect, forcing replacement despite significant tread remaining. Owners universally describe the situation as terrifying and unsafe for themselves, passengers, and other drivers, especially when towing or during poor weather conditions.
Same Ford F-250 steering reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Death Wobble – Front-End Oscillation at Highway Speed
Violent, uncontrolled shaking of the front end and steering wheel triggered by hitting road bumps, expansion joints, or rough pavement at speeds above 45–70 mph. Owners describe losing steering control and being forced to brake hard to regain stability. The condition appears to involve resonance in the front suspension and steering linkage that builds during highway operation and subsides only when speed drops below 35–40 mph.
When: Typically occurs within 10,000–30,000 miles of purchase; recurring across model years studied (2018 F-250)
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking of steering wheel and front end upon hitting bumps, potholes, expansion joints, or rough pavement; Loss of steering control or difficulty holding the steering wheel (shaking back and forth 3–4 inches reported); Vehicle pulled left or right uncontrollably during episodes; Entire truck vibrates as if coming apart; feels like a tire blowout or loss of traction on ice; Oscillations stop only when speed drops below 30–40 mph; Episodes occur without warning; no warning lights or messages; Can occur on smooth or rough roads, at speeds as low as 45 mph or as high as 75+ mph; Increased severity and frequency over time in many cases
Repairs/costs cited: Steering dampener (damper assembly, part SPO HC3Z 3E651 F or similar) replaced under TSB 18-2268 or TSB 19-2274 by multiple dealerships; some owners also report replacement of steering stabilizer, tie rod, sector shaft, drag link, front shock absorber bushings, or alignment work. Multiple repairs often required, with recurring failure reported within weeks to 4,000–20,000 miles. Out-of-warranty repairs cited as $280+ for aftermarket steering dampers. One owner reported drag link popping off sleeve entirely, resulting in complete loss of steering at low speed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships acknowledge the problem as a known issue ('death wobble' or 'high speed oscillation'); TSB 18-2268 and TSB 19-2274 issued. Steering dampener placed on back order for weeks in several cases. Ford customer care initially denies awareness or knowledge of the issue in some complaints. Some owners report Ford engineers involved; one dealer stated 'Ford has identified what they believe to be the problem, but does not have parts designed yet.' One owner mentioned Ford initiated a buyback offer but was denied. Some dealers refuse warranty coverage after initial repair or claim it is a one-time fix. Several owners report dealerships unable to replicate or diagnose the condition during test drives.
Premature Tire Wear and Alignment Issues
Uneven and premature tire wear (feathering, cupping, or excessive wear on edges) occurring as a secondary effect of the death wobble episodes. Owners report tire replacement needed despite significant remaining tread life, and alignment corrections required but often not covered under warranty.
When: Observed concurrent with or shortly after death wobble incidents; as early as 25,000–30,000 miles on vehicles with under 8,000–10,000 miles of initial use
Symptoms owners cite: Tires wearing unevenly or feathering despite proper inflation; Abnormal wear pattern on outside tread noted at dealership; Tire replacement needed despite half or more of tread life remaining; Vehicle pulling to the right or left; alignment out of specification
Repairs/costs cited: Tire replacement (all four in some cases) and alignment corrections required. Some dealers insist on tire replacement before performing alignment. Estimated costs not specified in most narratives; owners note this is an additional out-of-pocket expense tied to the steering defect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers attribute tire wear to 'miles' or 'normal wear,' not to the death wobble, and deny warranty coverage. Some refuse to align without new tires first. No manufacturer guidance provided to owners regarding warranty responsibility for secondary damage.
Front Shock Absorber Bushing Deterioration
Cracked and deteriorating bushings on front shock absorbers observed by an owner inspection. The owner reported seeing this defect present on multiple new F-250 and F-350 vehicles on the dealer lot with zero miles, suggesting a manufacturing issue or design flaw. Ford acknowledged the cracked bushings can affect steering, handling, and braking.
When: Present on new vehicles with zero miles and continuing to deteriorate; one owner concerned the bushings will fail shortly after warranty expiration
Symptoms owners cite: Visible cracks and deterioration in front shock absorber bushings; Defect present on multiple new and used units on dealer lot
Repairs/costs cited: Bushings replaced under warranty when discovered during inspection. No repair cost cited.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford acknowledged the defect and covered replacement under warranty, stating that cracked bushings can affect steering, handling, and braking. However, the owner observed the same defect on all new units, raising concerns about systemic design or manufacturing quality.
Synthesized from 243 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 15 most recent
I purchased the truck new, and it has never experienced the death wobble until dec.25, 2024. The truck now has only 45k miles on it. I was driving on the interstate and hit a rough patch in the road at 70 MPH, and the truck began to vibreate and shaking, my son was in the vehicle behind me and said it looked like the cab was going to fall off it was shaking so bad. I have taken the truck to two…
While driving at highway speed experienced death wobble multiple times over several days on a trip. Major safety issue!! Ford needs to accept responsibility for this design flaw. It is putting lives at risk!!
My 2018 Ford f-250 has the "death wobble". I purchased the truck in february 2018 and by december 2018 had driven less than 8,000 miles. While driving at 70 to 75 MPH on an interstate highway, I crossed an expansion joint on a bridge and the front-end started bouncing uncontrollably and the steering wheel shaking violently. The shaking stopped after slowing to under 45 MPH. I pulled to the…
This submission is the second notice of "death wobble' on my 2018 Ford f-250 truck. The truck had less then 14,000 miles on it. It occurred on november 9, 2019. I was merging into traffic on an interstate highway at about 65-70 MPH and crossed a bridge joint which caused the front wheels and steering wheel to shake violently. I slowed the vehicle and was almost rear-ended by a 18 wheel…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel started to shake significantly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering damper needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was…
I have experienced 'death wobble' on multiple occasions. The vehicle has @47,000 on it. It has been in a Ford authorized repair center three times and the issue has still not been fixed. Every time the wobble happens at 65-70 MPH on the highway. It usually happens during a turn while hitting a bump. Twice I have nearly lost all control of the vehicle.
Driving straight on highway 95 in arizona, at 70 with cruise control set. Clear day, no adverse weather or road conditions. Tires equally pressurized at factory settings of 59 front and 55 rear and a completely stock suspension and tire package. Out of nowhere, steering wheel begins to shake violently and the truck is swerving from one lane to the other. I had to slow to nearly 30 to regain…
When hitting any small bump or expansion joint in the road when traveling over 60 MPH on any roadway the vehicle begins shaking violently and is uncontrollable until rapid deceleration below 40 MPH. The problem has occurred over a dozen times in the first 20,000 miles of the vehicles life. It has been in the shop 3 times and is currently scheduled for a 4th service call, however Ford claims no…
After hitting a rough spot in the highway. Truck starts to shake uncontrollably. Have to pull over and almost stop to make it stop wobbling. Very dangerous problem.
While driving on highway, vehicle hits a bump and front end starts shaking violently. Shaking continues until I slow way down. It is actually difficult to control as steering wheel is shaking so bad. This has happened multiple times but is becoming more frequent.
Had steering trouble with your 2018 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 2018 Ford F-250?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 243 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 192 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 19,000 and 39,700 miles, with the median around 29,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 19,000; a quarter make it past 39,700. 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/2018/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.