NHTSA Complaint #11291865 — 2018 FORD F-250

MY 2018 FORD F-250 HAS THE "DEATH WOBBLE". I PURCHASED THE TRUCK IN FEBRUARY 2018 AND BY DECEMBER 2018 HAD DRIVEN LESS THAN 8,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 TO 75 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, I CROSSED AN EXPANSION JOINT ON A BRIDGE AND THE FRONT-END STARTED BOUNCING UNCONTROLLABLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE SHAKING STOPPED AFTER SLOWING TO UNDER 45 MPH. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CHECKED TO SEE IF A I HAD FLAT TIRE OR OTHER ISSUE CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP, FROM WHICH I PURCHASED IT, FOR RESOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM. THEY INDICATED IT THAT THEY BELIEVE THE PROBLEM WAS THE STEERING DAMPENER. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR ON 12/30/18 AND THEY KEPT IT FOR A WEEK. THEY INDICATED THE "DAMPER" WOULD BE REPLACED UNDER TSB 18-2268. THEY KEPT THE TRUCK UNTIL 1/7/19 UNTIL PARTS ARRIVED. THE REPAIR INVOICE (ATTACHED) INDICATED THEY'D REPLACED A FAILED STEERING LINKAGE DAMPER, PART NO. SPO HC3Z 3E651 F - DAMPER ASSEMBLY. THIS WAS NOT CAUSED BY LACK OF MAINTENANCE OR IMPROPER USE OF THE EQUIPMENT. IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. THE UNCONTROLLABLE VIBRATION AND THE NEED TO SUDDENLY SLOW ON AN EXPRESSWAY WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. SEVERAL TRUCKS AND CARS HAD TO TAKE EVASIVE ACTION TO MISS ME WHILE I PULLED OVER.