YearToAvoid

2018 Ford F-250 Suspension, Wheels & Tires Problems

NHTSA lists 203 Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints for the 2018 Ford F-250, 51% of all 397 complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 26,250 miles. A related tire recall (campaign 21V155000) covers Continental tires on this vehicle.

Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints
203
51% of 397
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
26,250 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical suspension symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe a sudden, violent front-end shake known as the 'death wobble' that starts after hitting a bump, bridge expansion joint, or rough pavement, often at highway speeds around 65-80 mph.
  • The steering wheel oscillates uncontrollably during these events, and drivers report being unable to steer normally until the truck slows to a much lower speed or comes to a stop.
  • Several owners say the wobble first appeared as a mild looseness in the front end at lower mileage and worsened over time, becoming a full death wobble by the time mileage reached the mid-teens to high-teens of thousands.
  • Some drivers took the truck to dealers who replaced the steering dampener or blamed tire balance, but the shaking returned afterward.
  • One complaint reports the front end vibration was severe enough to crack the windshield while driving at 65 mph.
  • One owner reported losing control and crossing lanes of traffic into the median after the wobble began, resulting in a crash.

When 2018 Ford F-250 suspension complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 25, 2018, latest Jul 11, 2025.

2018 Ford F-250 suspension, wheels & tires complaints: complaints filed per quarter542018 Q32019 Q22020 Q12020 Q42021 Q32022 Q22023 Q22024 Q4
203 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2018 Q3 to 2025 Q3; peak 2019 Q4 (54).

Suspension, Wheels & Tires recalls for the 2018 Ford F-250

  1. NHTSA 21V155000Mar 10, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires15,769 vehicles

    Tires

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150, 2018-2020 F-250, F-350, and 2019 Escape vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.

    Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S10.

Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints by F-250 model year

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

  1. 201047 (45%)
  2. 2011180 (49%)
  3. 2012147 (46%)
  4. 201355 (47%)
  5. 201495 (57%)
  6. 2015133 (45%)
  7. 2016118 (41%)
  8. 2017602 (52%)
  9. 2018203 (51%)
  10. 2019698 (60%)
  11. 202033 (13%)
  12. 202119 (12%)
  13. 20226 (5%)
  14. 20233 (7%)
  15. 20242 (5%)
  16. 20253 (19%)

Frequently asked questions

How many suspension, wheels and tire complaints does the 2018 Ford F-250 have?
NHTSA lists 203 complaints in this category for the 2018 F-250, which is 51% of the 397 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for suspension or tire issues on the 2018 F-250?
Yes. Campaign 21V155000, reported in 2021, covers Continental tires on 2018 F-250 (and related F-150, F-350, Escape) vehicles that may have been improperly cured; dealers inspect and replace affected tires free of charge.
At what mileage do these suspension problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for this problem area on the 2018 F-250 is 26,250 miles, though several owner complaints describe issues starting well before that, in the low thousands of miles.
What is the 'death wobble' owners describe on the 2018 F-250?
It is a violent front-end and steering wheel shaking that owners report starting after hitting a bump or bridge joint at highway speed, making the truck hard to control until it slows down significantly.
Did the suspension wobble cause any crashes?
NHTSA data shows 1 crash and no fires or injuries linked to the Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints for the 2018 F-250.

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.