YearToAvoid

2012 Ford F-250 Steering Problems

Steering complaints make up 130 of 323 total complaints (40%) for the 2012 Ford F-250, centered on a violent front-end shake often called the "death wobble." Median mileage at failure was 82,387 miles, with no related recalls, crashes, fires, or injuries reported to NHTSA.

Steering complaints
130
40% of 323
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
82,387 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical steering symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe sudden, violent front-end shaking or wobbling triggered by hitting bumps, seams, or road transitions at highway speeds around 55 to 70 mph.
  • The steering wheel itself vibrates and becomes hard to control during these episodes, forcing drivers to slow down or stop to regain control.
  • Several owners refer to the issue by name as the "death wobble" and report it recurring even after dealer repairs like adding a steering dampener or replacing a track bar assembly and bushing.
  • Some drivers report front ball joints wearing out and needing replacement in connection with the shaking.
  • One owner reported having to turn the steering wheel excessively to maneuver the vehicle at various speeds without any shaking episode.
  • Dealers in multiple cases were unable to diagnose the cause or told owners the repair was not covered under warranty.

When 2012 Ford F-250 steering complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 17, 2013, latest Apr 21, 2026.

2012 Ford F-250 steering complaints: complaints filed per quarter142013 Q12014 Q42017 Q12019 Q12020 Q32022 Q22023 Q42026 Q2
130 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q1 to 2026 Q2; peak 2020 Q1 (14).

Steering recalls for the 2012 Ford F-250

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Steering complaints by F-250 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2005106 (24%)
  2. 2006180 (36%)
  3. 200746 (40%)
  4. 2008119 (35%)
  5. 200939 (51%)
  6. 201043 (41%)
  7. 2011149 (40%)
  8. 2012130 (40%)
  9. 201340 (34%)
  10. 201481 (48%)
  11. 2015126 (43%)
  12. 2016118 (41%)
  13. 2017717 (62%)
  14. 2018252 (63%)
  15. 2019776 (67%)
  16. 202045 (17%)
  17. 202115 (9%)
  18. 20227 (6%)
  19. 20234 (9%)
  20. 20244 (11%)
  21. 20254 (25%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are steering complaints on the 2012 Ford F-250?
NHTSA lists 130 steering complaints for the 2012 F-250, which is 40% of the 323 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Ford F-250 death wobble?
No. The JSON data shows no related recalls listed for steering issues on the 2012 F-250.
At what mileage does the steering problem usually appear?
The median mileage at failure for steering complaints on the 2012 F-250 is 82,387 miles, though individual complaints in the sample range from very low mileage to over 100,000 miles.
Did the steering issue cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries tied to the steering complaints for the 2012 F-250.
How does 2012 compare to other F-250 model years for steering complaints?
The 2012 F-250's steering share is 40%, similar to 2010 (41%), 2011 (40%), and 2016 (41%), but lower than 2019 (67%) and 2017 (62%).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.