Sometime sudden decrease of power , f250 truck rpm goes high while parking with engine on and now pitman arm broke off causing no control of steering . Having it push safely off the road , contact dealership but no parts to fix and timely how long it takes to get part to fix problem. 2020 ford f250 start but very unsafe to operate with no control of the steering
2020 Ford F-250 steering problems
severe 43 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
43
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
1injury
What stands out
Owners have filed 43 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2020 Ford F-250 shows a well-documented pattern of front-end steering instability colloquially called "death wobble"—violent shaking of the front end and steering wheel triggered by hitting bumps or rough pavement at highway speeds (50–75 mph). Owners report the shaking lasts 3–5 seconds and subsides only when slowing to 5–20 mph. These incidents occur on trucks with 2,000 to 112,000 miles and repeat in the same road sections, making the highway unsafe. Repairs involving track bars, drag links, steering dampers, and pitman arms cost $1,500+ and often fail within 25,000 miles.
Separately, steering wheel seizure, steering column disengagement (loud pop followed by floppy steering), and clock-spring failure (especially in cold) have been reported. One critical incident involved steering seizure at 63 mph causing loss of vehicle control, unconsciousness, and totaling of the truck with airbag non-deployment.
NHTSA Campaign 25V626000 (Steering) addresses some 2020 models, but many owners' VINs fall outside recall coverage. Recall parts remain on backorder as of early 2025, leaving owners unable to address identified defects. Dealers initially denied problems or claimed warranty exclusions; some told owners Ford "knows about" the wobble but won't fix it. Additionally, two owners report Ford dealerships sold them incorrect power-steering fluid (passenger-car fluid instead of truck ATF), a parts-counter error that could lead to seal damage and steering system failure.
Same Ford F-250 steering reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Death Wobble—violent front-end shaking triggered by bumps/rough pavement
Violent, uncontrollable shaking of the front end and steering wheel when vehicle hits bumps, expansion joints, or potholes at highway speeds (typically 50–75 mph). Owners report difficulty maintaining steering control and the shaking persists until vehicle slows to 5–20 mph. Occurs on nearly new trucks and repeats across road sections. One owner reports shaking so severe they thought the truck would tip.
When: Typically 20,000–112,600 miles; reported on vehicles with as few as 2,000–8,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking of front end and steering wheel; Vehicle sway side-to-side; Difficulty maintaining steering control; Loose, sloppy steering feel; No warning lights on most reports
Repairs/costs cited: One owner paid $1,500+ for drag link replacement twice with no lasting fix (problem returned at ~25,000 miles). Another paid for steering damper and track bar replacement; technician noted axle replacement needed but not performed initially. Third owner's dealer recommended pitman arm, steering damper, track bar, and drag link replacement but vehicle not repaired. Ford parts (track bar, drag links, steering damper) are typical repairs cited.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 25V626000 (Steering) recalled some 2020 models; however, multiple owners report their VINs excluded from recall coverage. Some owners told Ford knows of the issue but will not fix it. One owner notes prior class-action lawsuit on 2017–2019 models; 2020 treated differently. Recall parts on backorder as of reports in early 2025.
Steering wheel seizure and loss of power steering
Steering wheel suddenly seized while vehicle in motion, causing loss of control and unintended veering. One critical incident: vehicle veered into woods at 63 mph with simultaneous traction-control warning and steering lock; driver lost consciousness and vehicle totaled. Another report: vehicle lost all motive and power-steering power while coasting at 45–50 mph due to fuel pump failure creating secondary steering loss.
When: 63,000–97,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden steering wheel seizure; Loss of power steering functionality; Loss of motive power (fuel system failure in one case); Traction control failure warning; Vehicle veering off road
Repairs/costs cited: One case: high-pressure fuel pump (CP4) failed with metal fragments in fuel line; pump replaced. No repair completed in another case before towing.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 25V626000 (Steering) and 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel) issued; recall parts unavailable at time of complaints. Manufacturer opened case file on the seizure incident.
Steering column disengagement and clock-spring failure
Steering column failed with sudden loud pop; steering wheel became loose and floppy, moving freely in all directions including in/out. Separate recurring issue: clock spring failed three times on same vehicle; occurs most noticeably when temperature below 32°F, causing steering to stiffen and horn inoperable in certain wheel positions. Another owner experienced steering wheel horn inop and steering stiffness.
When: 50,000 miles (column failure); cold weather (clock spring); recurring failures within 6–8 months
Symptoms owners cite: Steering column loud pop followed by floppy/loose movement; Clock spring noise at low temperatures; Steering stiffness when cold; Horn inoperability in certain steering positions; Steering wheel moves freely in/out and side-to-side
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column repaired at dealership (parts retained by owner for inspection). Clock spring replaced three times on same vehicle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 25V626000 (Steering) addresses steering issues; one owner reports recall notification received but repairs delayed due to parts unavailability.
Incorrect power-steering fluid sold at dealerships—car fluid instead of truck ATF
Two separate incidents at different Ford dealerships (Ted Russell Parkside in Knoxville, TN and Varner Ford in Clinton, TN) where service personnel sold owners passenger-car power-steering fluid instead of the correct Ford Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) for heavy-duty truck service. Owners—one an engineer with fluids expertise—report that owner's manual (page 367) and fluid appearance (dark red ATF vs. lighter car PS fluid) should have caught the error. Dealerships blamed computer printouts and claimed missing VIN when vehicle was physically present on lot. Owners warn that wrong fluid lacks high-pressure additives required for truck loads, leading to poor lubrication of steering pump and rack, accelerating metal-to-metal wear and eventual steering failure.
When: Routine maintenance during ownership; October 2024 invoices
Symptoms owners cite: Dealership dispenses incorrect fluid type
Repairs/costs cited: Owners rejected wrong fluid at point of sale. A tire-and-lube mechanic confirmed to one owner that wrong fluid damages seals in power-steering system.
PCM failure and steering-related electrical issues
One owner reported PCM (powertrain control module) failure on a 2020 F-250 with recall notifications pending (Campaigns 25V626000 Steering, 24V957000 Fuel System). Vehicle not repaired before reporting; failure mileage unknown. Related: one owner reports pre-collision assist system fault, advanced traction control system disabled, hill descent control fault, and hill start assist disabled during death-wobble episodes, indicating electronic control interference.
When: Unknown mileage for PCM failure; related electrical issues at 85,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: PCM failure; Pre-collision assist fault; Advanced traction control system disabled; Hill descent control fault; Hill start assist disabled
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 25V626000 and 24V957000 issued; parts unavailable at time of report.
Steering unresponsiveness and misalignment after collision repair
After vehicle was in accident and sent to collision center for repair, vehicle exhibited persistent steering problems: truck pulling left while steering wheel cocked to the right, difficult ride quality, pre-collision system inadequate warning. Collision center unable to find tire shop willing to perform alignment; Ford dealership performed 'recalibration' but problems persisted. Owner suspects vehicle may be one of many not included in recall despite having the defect.
When: September 2020 accident and subsequent repair attempts
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle pulls to left; Steering wheel cocked to right (misaligned); Rough ride; Pre-collision warning insufficient; Vehicle non-responsive to driver input (caused accident)
Repairs/costs cited: Collision center and Ford dealership 'recalibration' unsuccessful.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford advised customer would be contacted within couple weeks; accident occurred before scheduling. Owner suspects multiple vehicles affected by recalls are not captured in recall scope.
Pitman arm failure—sudden breakage causing complete loss of steering control
Pitman arm broke off without warning during normal operation, resulting in immediate and complete loss of steering control. Vehicle had to be safely pushed off road. No prior warning signs reported. Related to broader steering-linkage vulnerability noted in death-wobble complaints.
When: Mileage and specific timing not provided
Symptoms owners cite: Pitman arm sudden breakage; Complete loss of steering control
Repairs/costs cited: No parts available at dealership at time of report; extended delay for repair parts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership contacted; informed no parts available and timeline for delivery unknown.
Synthesized from 43 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Driving while pitman arm broke in half lost total control
2020 Ford F250 Super Duty, I have a Severe Death Wobble that has developed for the second time in a short period of time. The Ford Death Wobble is The Violent Shaking of the Vehicle can cause loss of control of the vehicle and difficulty steering wile vehicle is in operation at any time under typical driving conditions or speed. This exposes the driver and occupants of vehicle, as well as others…
There are several recalls on 2019-2020 f250/350 built at the kentuky plant my vehicle however is apparently not one of them but I was in a car accident back in september 21 2020 I was driving on a county road and the vehicle did not was non responsive to what I wanted it to do I almost hit a small vehicle in front of me but swerved and crashed in a field the when I purchased the vehicle I did not…
Had steering trouble with your 2020 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 2020 Ford F-250?
It's a meaningful issue. 43 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 6,500 and 66,000 miles, with the median around 25,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 6,500; a quarter make it past 66,000. 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/2020/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.