2020 Ford F-250 Steering Problems
Steering complaints make up 45 of 263 total complaints (17%) for the 2020 Ford F-250, well below the 62-67% share seen in 2017-2019. NHTSA recall 25V626000 covers a steering column upper shaft that may detach, and owners report a violent "death wobble" at highway speed with median failure mileage of 21,000.
- Steering complaints
- 45
- 17% of 263
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 21,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical steering symptoms owners report
- Steering wheel and front end shake or oscillate violently after hitting a bump, pothole, or expansion joint at highway speeds around 50-75 MPH, described by owners as the "death wobble."
- Vibration typically forces the driver to slow sharply, sometimes to near a stop, before the shaking subsides.
- Some owners report the steering wheel vibrates repeatedly during normal driving from the first day of ownership, not just after road impacts.
- One owner reported the steering wheel suddenly seized while driving 63 MPH along with a traction control failure warning, causing the vehicle to veer off the road.
- Replacing drag links did not resolve the wobble for at least one owner, who said the shaking returned after the repair.
- NHTSA recall 25V626000 addresses a separate issue where the steering column upper shaft may detach, causing loss of steering control.
When 2020 Ford F-250 steering complaints were filed
First complaint Jan 31, 2020, latest Aug 24, 2026.
Steering recalls for the 2020 Ford F-250
- NHTSA 25V626000Sep 19, 2025Steering115,539 vehicles
Steering:column
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.
Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering column, and repair or replace the upper shaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 20, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S94. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 23, 2025.
Steering complaints by F-250 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Is there a steering recall on the 2020 Ford F-250?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 25V626000, reported September 19, 2025, covers 2020-2021 F-250, F-350, and F-450 trucks where the steering column upper shaft may detach from the column, causing loss of steering control. It is not a do-not-drive or park-outside recall.
- How common are steering complaints on the 2020 F-250?
- Steering accounts for 45 of 263 total complaints filed for the 2020 F-250, or 17% of all complaints, compared to 62-67% for 2017-2019 model years.
- What is the "death wobble" owners describe?
- Owners describe violent shaking of the steering wheel and front end after hitting a bump or expansion joint at highway speed, sometimes requiring hard braking to slow down before it stops.
- At what mileage do 2020 F-250 steering problems typically appear?
- NHTSA data lists a median mileage at failure of 21,000 miles for steering complaints on the 2020 F-250.
- Have steering complaints caused crashes or injuries on the 2020 F-250?
- NHTSA lists 2 crashes and 1 injury among the 45 steering complaints for the 2020 F-250, with no fires reported.