Is the 2013 Ford F-350 steering system reliable?

NHTSA recorded 32 steering complaints for the 2013 F-350, making up 37% of all complaints filed for that model year, a pattern owners commonly describe as the "death wobble."

What is the Ford F-350 death wobble?

It is a term owners use for a violent front-end shaking, often starting after hitting a bump at highway speed, described repeatedly in NHTSA steering complaints for the 2013 F-350.

Is there a recall for steering problems on the 2013 Ford F-350?

No related recalls are listed in the data for steering issues on the 2013 Ford F-350.

At what mileage does the steering problem usually appear?

The median mileage at failure among reported steering complaints for the 2013 Ford F-350 is 107,500 miles.

How does the 2013 F-350 compare to other years for steering complaints?

The 2013 F-350's steering complaint share of 37% is lower than years like 2017 (51%), 2018 (50%), and 2019 (57%), which show higher shares of steering complaints.

2013 Ford F-350 Steering Problems

NHTSA lists 32 steering complaints for the 2013 Ford F-350, 37% of that year's 86 total complaints. Owners describe a violent front-end shaking known as the "death wobble," often triggered by bumps at highway speed, with a median failure mileage of 107,500. No related recall is on file.

Steering complaints: 32; 37% of 86
Crashes reported: 1
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 1
Median mileage: 107,500 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical steering symptoms owners report

Front end oscillates and shakes violently, called the "death wobble," after hitting a bump or uneven pavement at highway speeds.
Steering wheel shimmies uncontrollably at speeds around 55 to 75 mph, sometimes forcing the driver to slow well below the posted limit to regain control.
Some owners report the wobble returned within a short time after dealers replaced steering stabilizers, track bars, or bearings.
Braking during the wobble event reportedly worsens the shaking rather than helping stop it.
One owner reported the truck drifted onto the center line and nearly lost all steering control during an episode.

When 2013 Ford F-350 steering complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 22, 2017, latest Mar 1, 2026.

32 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2017 to Mar 2026; peak Mar 2020 (4).

Steering recalls for the 2013 Ford F-350

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Steering complaints by F-350 model year

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

200566 (20%)
200696 (35%)
200717 (28%)
200872 (31%)
200917 (36%)
201018 (35%)
201166 (35%)
201275 (41%)
201332 (37%)
201448 (49%)
201567 (32%)
201676 (37%)
2017292 (51%)
2018101 (50%)
2019266 (57%)
202035 (19%)
20214 (4%)
202216 (15%)
20232 (5%)
20244 (9%)
20251 (7%)

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Ford F-350 steering system reliable?: NHTSA recorded 32 steering complaints for the 2013 F-350, making up 37% of all complaints filed for that model year, a pattern owners commonly describe as the "death wobble."
What is the Ford F-350 death wobble?: It is a term owners use for a violent front-end shaking, often starting after hitting a bump at highway speed, described repeatedly in NHTSA steering complaints for the 2013 F-350.
Is there a recall for steering problems on the 2013 Ford F-350?: No related recalls are listed in the data for steering issues on the 2013 Ford F-350.
At what mileage does the steering problem usually appear?: The median mileage at failure among reported steering complaints for the 2013 Ford F-350 is 107,500 miles.
How does the 2013 F-350 compare to other years for steering complaints?: The 2013 F-350's steering complaint share of 37% is lower than years like 2017 (51%), 2018 (50%), and 2019 (57%), which show higher shares of steering complaints.