Upon hitting small road bump while accelerating to highway speed, steering wheel started violently shaking (death wobble), had to decelerate quickly to regain control. Upon later inspection found steering damper bad and some resulting ball joint play in several areas due to bad steering damper.
2016 Ford F-250 Sd
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most F-250 Sd years
Owner complaints for the 2016 Ford F-250 Sd are substantially higher than the model-year median of 89.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all F-250 Sd years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
133 reports with mileage · 155 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 117 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 111 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
117 reportsThe contact owns a 2016 Ford F-250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V337000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an…
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The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V337000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was stiff and made rattling sounds while making a turn. The air bag warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the horn, cruise control, phone, and radio buttons on the steering wheel were inoperable. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were expected to become available in the third quarter of 2023. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
A notice of recall was received July 2022 by my family with the following numbers: Safety Recall Notice 22S35 / NHTSA Recall 22V337. I called NHTSA today to follow up on this notice, which in July 2022 I was told by Parsons Ford the fix was not available as of yet. [XXX] with NHTSA gave me a number to Ford's customer care hotlin…
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A notice of recall was received July 2022 by my family with the following numbers: Safety Recall Notice 22S35 / NHTSA Recall 22V337. I called NHTSA today to follow up on this notice, which in July 2022 I was told by Parsons Ford the fix was not available as of yet. [XXX] with NHTSA gave me a number to Ford's customer care hotline. Ford contacted Malloy Ford in Winchester VA which is suppose to call us when an actionable fix is available. They have no clue when that will be so I contacted NHTSA again today which now says there is no recall on my vehicle. So are we driving a vehicle that could potentially kill us or not. Why would the recall disappear within hours of talking to NHTSA & Ford? INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
When I drove over 50mph and hit any bump the front of the truck shakes wildly. Online says DEATH WOBBLE. This has been going on for 4 months. When taking my children to school 20+ miles away on the highway this has happened several times to and from school on the same day. Other vehicles move out of my line to avoid me while I…
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When I drove over 50mph and hit any bump the front of the truck shakes wildly. Online says DEATH WOBBLE. This has been going on for 4 months. When taking my children to school 20+ miles away on the highway this has happened several times to and from school on the same day. Other vehicles move out of my line to avoid me while I slow the truck to under 45 mph. They are scared and nervous about getting to school safely. My mother and wife refuse to drive the truck after experiencing this while driving. The fuel injector now also has a problem. The truck is going in to be serviced for the failing fuel injector and death wobble hopefully today if Waldorf MD Ford has openings I am awaiting a call back. It has not been inspected yet only diagnostic at AutoZone showing the fuel injector error code. No warning was given prior to this happening, the truck was riding smoothly, hit a bump in the highway and went crazy. Then it did it again and again and again.
I was experiencing what is known as the "death wobble" in my 2016 Ford F250 FX4 truck. The truck only has 56,000 miles but is out of warranty. I recently spent $1326.00 to have the problem repaired. Apparently this is a major problem with these trucks. I have the repair bill but didn't include it with this statement.
Entered a highway on-ramp, accelerating to 65-70 mph, drove over a rough patch of road and truck front end began to shake violently(death wobble) we were very lucky to be able to slow down without being involved in an accident. I spent $5000 this past summer that was suppose to have fixed this problem.
On a highway, 65-70 mph, drove over a rough patch of road and truck front end began to shake violently(death wobble). Happened three times on same day, same trip. On all occasions we were very lucky to be able to stop or slow down without being involved in an accident. I spent $5000 this past summer that was suppose to have f…
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On a highway, 65-70 mph, drove over a rough patch of road and truck front end began to shake violently(death wobble). Happened three times on same day, same trip. On all occasions we were very lucky to be able to stop or slow down without being involved in an accident. I spent $5000 this past summer that was suppose to have fixed the problem.
Truck was driving 70 mph going to TN when it started shaking and grinding or awful noise. Lost control of steering d/t shaking. Slowed down and pulled over to side of road to check vehicle equipment. Made call to my son who said it's the death wobble, advised to slow below 60 mph. No death wobble again unless I hit a bump then i…
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Truck was driving 70 mph going to TN when it started shaking and grinding or awful noise. Lost control of steering d/t shaking. Slowed down and pulled over to side of road to check vehicle equipment. Made call to my son who said it's the death wobble, advised to slow below 60 mph. No death wobble again unless I hit a bump then it started again.
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 wi…
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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 the last 6 months.
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
Official recalls
325V572000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Sep 3, 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.
22V337000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Clockspring/spiral Cassette
May 13, 2022
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles. Dust may accumulate in the steering wheel clock spring, causing a disconnection in the electrical connection resulting in the driver's air bag not deploying as intended.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A disconnected driver's air bag can result in it not deploying, as intended, during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering wheel clock spring, free of charge. Remedy parts are expected to become available in the 3rd Quarter of 2023. An interim notification letter informing owners of the safety risk was mailed on July 6, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed July 10, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S35.
16V246000 · Tires:sidewall
Apr 26, 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks manufactured April 5, 2016, to April 11, 2016. The tires installed during assembly of the affected vehicles may have sustained damage to the inner sidewall, possibly resulting in a loss of air or a tire rupture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A rapid loss of air or a tire rupture while the vehicle is being driven may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires for damage and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 23, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S17.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE24014 · Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak
Opened May 9, 2024 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Diesel; Fuel System, Other:fuel Filter
The Office of Defect Investigations (ODI) has received 27 complaints alleging diesel fuel leaks due to a fracture in the secondary fuel filter housing in model year (MY) 2015-2021 Ford Motor Company (Ford) F-250, 350, 450, and 550 Super Duty vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. Of these complaints, 12 describe an engine compartment fire. The proximity of the secondary fuel filter to high heat sources creates a potential for autoignition thermal events and fires. ODI has contacted the vehicle manufacturer, Ford, and the filter manufacturer, Allevard Sogefi USA (Sogefi), and learned that the low-pressure fuel system is capable of a maximum operating pressure of 8.5 Bar, while the secondary fuel filter is only tested to seven (7) Bar during the manufacturing process. Additionally, changes starting in 2022 by both Ford and Sogefi align with a lack of similar complaints on MY 2022 and newer vehicles. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to evaluate the severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related problems. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Diesel
The Office of Defect Investigations (ODI) has received 27 complaints alleging diesel fuel leaks due to a fracture in the secondary fuel filter housing in model year (MY) 2015-2021 Ford Motor Company (Ford) F-250, 350, 450, and 550 Super Duty vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. Of these complaints, 12 describe an engine compartment fire. The proximity of the secondary fuel filter to high heat sources creates a potential for autoignition thermal events and fires. ODI has contacted the vehicle manufacturer, Ford, and the filter manufacturer, Allevard Sogefi USA (Sogefi), and learned that the low-pressure fuel system is capable of a maximum operating pressure of 8.5 Bar, while the secondary fuel filter is only tested to seven (7) Bar during the manufacturing process. Additionally, changes starting in 2022 by both Ford and Sogefi align with a lack of similar complaints on MY 2022 and newer vehicles. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to evaluate the severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related problems. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Fuel System, Other:fuel Filter
The Office of Defect Investigations (ODI) has received 27 complaints alleging diesel fuel leaks due to a fracture in the secondary fuel filter housing in model year (MY) 2015-2021 Ford Motor Company (Ford) F-250, 350, 450, and 550 Super Duty vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. Of these complaints, 12 describe an engine compartment fire. The proximity of the secondary fuel filter to high heat sources creates a potential for autoignition thermal events and fires. ODI has contacted the vehicle manufacturer, Ford, and the filter manufacturer, Allevard Sogefi USA (Sogefi), and learned that the low-pressure fuel system is capable of a maximum operating pressure of 8.5 Bar, while the secondary fuel filter is only tested to seven (7) Bar during the manufacturing process. Additionally, changes starting in 2022 by both Ford and Sogefi align with a lack of similar complaints on MY 2022 and newer vehicles. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to evaluate the severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related problems. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
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