IllustrationDeath wobble. Uncontrollable shaking in steering to the point of loss of control. Occurs after a bumpy road or at speeds in excess of 45mph. This occurred on a packed interstate and by the grace of God we didn't wreck or be rear-ended by a semi.
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
240–25K
2525–50K
2850–75K
1775–100K
25100–150K
14150K+
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.
6 crash reports5 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
288 reportsViolently 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
There was a violent shaking from the front end od my Ford F250 Super Duty trucks happening on the freeway while driving over 50 miles and hour. This has happended 3 times in the last 6 months. It is very dangerous and causes other vehicles around to try and get out of the way. It only stops after reducing to a dangerously lo…
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There was a violent shaking from the front end od my Ford F250 Super Duty trucks happening on the freeway while driving over 50 miles and hour. This has happended 3 times in the last 6 months. It is very dangerous and causes other vehicles around to try and get out of the way. It only stops after reducing to a dangerously low speed on the freeway. It is very scary and life threatening in my opinion. Please recall and correct!
At speed on interstate after hitting bumps in the roadway front end started to wobble bad. Had to slow down below 45mph to get wobble to stop.
Ford sent me a recall #22S35 regarding a clock spring contamination of the steering wheel date (5/2022) notice beginning in 6/2022 to have it repaired by making an appt with a local dealer however, the dealer service advisors at Tustin Ford in Ca told me in multiple calls to them that Ford does not have the parts built yet. Pl…
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Ford sent me a recall #22S35 regarding a clock spring contamination of the steering wheel date (5/2022) notice beginning in 6/2022 to have it repaired by making an appt with a local dealer however, the dealer service advisors at Tustin Ford in Ca told me in multiple calls to them that Ford does not have the parts built yet. Please advise John J. Rochefort (949) 285-7171 jrmw@cox.net
The Driveshaft fractured and fell out of truck while driving and lost control and veered off onto the grass of highway.
The airbag light is on as the spring in the steering column has become contaminated which caused audible cracking sounds in steering column, degrading steering and the horn not to function.
I have had multiple repairs done and several components replaced and im still fighting a death wobble issue. It occurs at normal opersting speeds above 40mph when you travel across bumpy surfaces.
While driving on Route 64 in Virginia in May 2022, the vehicle sustained severe steering wheel oscillations after hitting rough pavement, driving around 65 miles per hour. It was difficult to hold on to the steering wheel. The oscillations lasted roughly 60 seconds. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of …
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While driving on Route 64 in Virginia in May 2022, the vehicle sustained severe steering wheel oscillations after hitting rough pavement, driving around 65 miles per hour. It was difficult to hold on to the steering wheel. The oscillations lasted roughly 60 seconds. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the occurrence. This occurrence happened again while driving on Route 50 eastbound to Annapolis on Saturday October 1, 2022 around 65 miles per hour. After hitting rough pavement, the vehicle sustained severe steering wheel oscillations. The oscillations last roughly 60 seconds. In both occurrence, it was difficult to hold onto the steering wheel. We were concerned that the ability for the truck to break would be impacted.
FRONT WHEELS WOBBLE UNCONTROLABLY AFTER HITTING A BUMP AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30 MPH. PROBLEM CONFIRMED BY MECHANIC AND TEMPERARY FIX ACOMPLISHED BY ADDING 2 MORE DAMPENING SHOCK ABSORBERS IN ADDITION TO THE ONE PROVIDED BY THE FACTORY AND REPLACING FRONT STRUTS AND FRONTEND BALL JOINTS.
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.