Ford F-350 Super Duty steering problems, 2016–2027
791 of the 1,951 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford F-350 Super Duty 2016–2027 name the steering (NHTSA’s “Steering” heading — the steering column, rack, pump and power assist). The loudest years: 2017 (292), 2019 (266), 2018 (101). Filed under the same heading across these years: 3 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Ford F-350 Super Duty steering problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the steering | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | 5 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 4 | 9% | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2022 | 16 | 14% | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2020 | 35 | 19% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2019 | 266 | 57% | 21k | — | the year → |
| 2018 | 101 | 50% | 25k | — | the year → |
| 2017 in depth | 292 | 51% | 27k | 20 TSBs | the record → |
| 2016 | 77 | 37% | 40k | — | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the steering. Nothing here is a rate.
When the steering complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 1 · 2017: 6 · 2018: 35 · 2019: 226 · 2020: 194 · 2021: 96 · 2022: 110 · 2023: 56 · 2024: 36 · 2025: 22 · 2026: 9
Across the model years, half of the 509 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the steering problem between 17,000 and 38,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the steering, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Front steering death wobble at highway speeds after hitting small bump transitioning asphalt to concrete over bridge. Has happened multiple times over two weeks, to the point of losing control of vehicle. Extremely difficult to control and bring truck to a safe stop.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-350. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle shook violently. The contact had to let up off the accelerator pedal to regain control of the vehicle and pulled off to the side of the road. The contact noticed that all of the steering components were very loose. The vehicle was not repaired.
I have experienced the "Ford death wobble" three times in the past two weeks. It happens in the same place on my commute where I pass over a bridge joint on the freeway. I AM usually doing between 65-70 MPH. It shakes the vehicle so badly that I have to cross through three lanes of traffic to pull over and come to a complete stop.
The truck shakes violently when hitting bumps on highway at speeds above 55 to the point it will shake the wheel out of your hands. This has happened several times and the last time it happened I crossed on coming traffic lane and slowed on the opposite shoulder before death wobble went away.
Experience front end wobble when encountering rough sections of highway . Occurs when driving highway speeds
What is on file about the steering, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 25V626000 CriticalSep 19, 2025 · 115,539 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-250, F-350, and F-450 vehicles. The steering column upper shaft may detach from the steering column and result in a loss of steering control.
- 23V847000 HighDec 15, 2023 · 17,970 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150 and Ford SD F250, F350, F450, F550, and F600 vehicles. The steering wheel clock spring may have an insufficient weld, causing a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
- 23V344000 CriticalMay 12, 2023 · 19 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Super Duty F-250, F-350, and F-450 vehicles. The steering column upper shaft bolts may be missing or improperly tightened, resulting in possible separation of the steering column from the adjoining components.
Other systems with a record on the Ford F-350 Super Duty
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Ford F-350 Super Duty problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ford F-350 Super Duty years have the most steering complaints?
2017, 292; 2019, 266; 2018, 101. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2019 (57%).
Is there a recall for the steering on the Ford F-350 Super Duty?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 25V626000 (2021), 23V847000 (2023), 23V344000 (2023). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do steering problems show up on the Ford F-350 Super Duty?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 25,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 17,000 and 38,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Steering" heading cover?
The steering column, rack, pump and power assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.