With a name like “Death Wobble,” it clearly can’t be good. This is the case with the Ford Death Wobble you may have heard about. You likely have a few questions about it, as it can be a possible safety hazard.
Are there any complaints with Ford suspension? Does Ford have any suspension recalls? What vehicle does the “Death Wobble” recall affect?
The so-called, “death wobble” issue affects Ford trucks, particularly the Super Duty and has been an issue for around 15 years.
There are currently no recalls for suspension in Ford trucks. Ford has, thus far, refused to address the issue.
Though Ford has refused to acknowledge that the death wobble is a real phenomenon, there have been thousands of complaints from drivers all around the world that have chronicled the issues with this occurrence. We will discuss it in greater depth in this article.
Ford Super Duty Death Wobble
The death wobble is something that has been in the news and in complaints from drivers for the past 15 years. The issue is mainly with Ford Super Duty F-250 and F-350 trucks. The phenomenon is known as the death wobble and has to do with the suspension in the vehicle.
Drivers that have experienced it describe it as a violent shaking of the truck after the driver has hit a bump or a hole while they are driving at highway speeds.
This phenomenon is something that is not only scary, but that can also cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and then have an accident. Drivers that have dealt with the issue say that it is harrowing and that they genuinely felt like they were going to die.
The main problem with this issue is that there are really no indicators prior to it occurring that there is any chance that it may happen.
Drivers that have experienced it are nearly always driving at highway speed, therefore very fast, and when the wobble begins it becomes so violent that they cannot control the wheel and they cannot keep the vehicle in their lane or even on the road.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has had over 1,000 complaints of the death wobble and the accidents that are caused by the event. Currently, Ford has not addressed the death wobble, they have not addressed the multiple complaints from drivers, and they have not addressed any possible remedy or repair for the issue.
Currently, there is no indication from the Ford motor company that they are intending to do anything about the issue. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration requested more time to investigate the issue and they have taken the complaints and compiled them.
The death wobble only happens when the vehicle is traveling over 50 miles per hour and it is often tipped off when the truck hits a bump or a hole in the road.
A similar issue was reported in Jeep Wranglers and Jeep answered that the death wobble is only common in vehicles that have worn out suspensions that needed to be replaced and were neglected. There is currently a lawsuit in process to sue Ford for not disclosing that there was an issue with the suspension and that it did not need to be repaired.
The class action lawsuit is currently open and Ford is working to dismiss it on the grounds that they did not seek to have the issue worked on before the factory warranty expired. It is claimed that they did not have any complaints before the four-year mark after purchasing the vehicle.
What Should you Do about the Death Wobble?
With an issue like the death wobble that is not a formal recall, there is not really anything that can be done in terms of taking your truck in for a recall. If you have a vehicle that has had the death wobble or you have been a victim of it, you can file a complaint with the NHTSA and may be able to file with the current lawsuit.
If you suspect that your vehicle might be going to experience the death wobble or you are having trouble with your suspension it is advised that the vehicle be inspected and repaired if possible. If your vehicle is still under factory warranty your warranty may cover the cost of repair.
Recalls are important and if you are dealing with this sort of issue it is important to make certain you have your car repaired. Your safety and the safety of others is paramount and proper care of your vehicle can help.
