Possible Death Wobble New F250
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 185
From: Frederick, CO
With very few exceptions, there is no such thing as possible death wobble. It's absolutely unmistakable. It's called "death wobble" because of how insanely violent and disruptive it is ... it's not called "annoyance wobble." Sorry to beat this one up -- I'm not trying to chastise anyone ... just illustrating that death wobble is really severe and, if it happens, there is an immediate, "Holy crap!" moment.
Here is my odyssey and there's a YouTube video of DW in the first post if you want to see what it looks like. It's not subtle. It's completely undriveable when it happens.
I wouldn't buy a vehicle that I didn't like the mannerisms of ... death wobble or otherwise. Every vehicle built today is a massively complex piece of machinery with tons of tolerances. If those tolerances stack the wrong way, some peculiar things might happen. I'd walk away and buy/order the next one.
Here is my odyssey and there's a YouTube video of DW in the first post if you want to see what it looks like. It's not subtle. It's completely undriveable when it happens.
I wouldn't buy a vehicle that I didn't like the mannerisms of ... death wobble or otherwise. Every vehicle built today is a massively complex piece of machinery with tons of tolerances. If those tolerances stack the wrong way, some peculiar things might happen. I'd walk away and buy/order the next one.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,676
Likes: 12,797
From: Wyoming
22K and three years with lots of highway miles. Death Wobble hit once (at about 5K miles) after hitting a very rough bump while towing. I thought I had blown a tire. It was likely partially my fault. I had the front shocks set too soft and didn't have enough force on the WDH. After correcting those, I've had no problems.
Death Wobble is not a death knell. It can be corrected and Ford has issued multiple TSB's for it.
Death Wobble is not a death knell. It can be corrected and Ford has issued multiple TSB's for it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,220
Likes: 62
Ford has issued a customer satisfaction campaign for the problem.
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...74720-0001.pdf
FTE Community Team
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 1,050
From: Florida
I would walk away from that truck because you will always be feeling something is not right with it. Find another one to buy. While it’s likely due to tires sitting for a while it also may be something unbalanced in the drive train which could be a warranty nightmare to resolve.
My 2017;F-350 had stiff steering and wandering at highway speeds. It got better over time but it never was perfect. I replaced the tires at 1200 miles and 90% of it went away.
I traded it for a 2019 F-350 and it has handled perfect from day one. (But Ford has agreed to buy it back due to an intermittent electrical issue)
I bought 59 new cars and truck in my lifetime. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve driven the exact same brand new vehicles to choose the one that rides and handles the best. They all handle slightly different. I always take them on highways on test drives to check for smoothness. If the vehicle is not smooth I walk away.
My 2017;F-350 had stiff steering and wandering at highway speeds. It got better over time but it never was perfect. I replaced the tires at 1200 miles and 90% of it went away.
I traded it for a 2019 F-350 and it has handled perfect from day one. (But Ford has agreed to buy it back due to an intermittent electrical issue)
I bought 59 new cars and truck in my lifetime. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve driven the exact same brand new vehicles to choose the one that rides and handles the best. They all handle slightly different. I always take them on highways on test drives to check for smoothness. If the vehicle is not smooth I walk away.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 536
From: Wasilla, AK
When I test drove my 2017 F150 it had a slight vibration at 40-55 mph. Sales person said it was due to mud in the tires. 18 months later Ford bought it back under the Lemon Law.
DON'T BUY it until the issue is corrected. If they wont fix it, move on.
The only thing the sales person and dealership want to do is sell you a truck, period. If its fixable, have it fixed before you buy. You lost any leverage you had once you bought it.
DON'T BUY it until the issue is corrected. If they wont fix it, move on.
The only thing the sales person and dealership want to do is sell you a truck, period. If its fixable, have it fixed before you buy. You lost any leverage you had once you bought it.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the comments. I walked away. Like someone said - I don't want buyers remorse, and all leverage is lost once you sign the papers. There's a great truck out there for me somewhere - I'm going to take my time and find it.
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