The Ford death wobble, or Ford Super Duty death wobble, is a manufacturing defect experienced by Ford truck drivers. The Ford Motor Company has done little to help those affected by violent shaking, which has resulted in countless accident claims.
The Sandy Springs manufacturer liability attorneys from Ashenden & Associates explain the Ford Super Duty death wobble and how you can be compensated for damages caused by this dangerous defect.
You could be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one have been injured in an accident involving the Ford Super Duty death wobble. To schedule a free consultation, call the experienced auto defect attorneys at Ashenden & Associates by calling 770-394-8909 today.
What is the Ford Death Wobble?
The Ford Death Wobble is a violent wobble or violent shaking that occurs in the front end of certain Ford vehicles, particularly affecting the suspension and steering components. It is most commonly reported by Ford owners of Ford Super Duty trucks, such as the Ford F-250 and F350 and SUVs, especially those with a solid front-end axle, and can be triggered by hitting a bump or pothole at highway speeds, leading to difficulty steering.
Which Ford Trucks Are Affected by the Ford Death Wobble?
The Ford trucks most commonly affected by the Ford Death Wobble recall are the Ford Super Duty F-Series Models. This includes the Ford F-250 and 350 models manufactured between 2005 and 2019. In fact, over 1,200 drivers filed complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about the Ford Super Duty death wobble regarding Super Duty trucks as old as 2005.
The recent class action lawsuit alleges that Ford knew of the issue and continued manufacturing the trucks.
What Causes Ford Death Wobble in Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty Trucks?
Ford Super Duty death wobble is allegedly caused by a defect linked to the steering systems and suspensions. The steering part is prone to abnormal wear or premature wear, loose steering dampers, ball joints, control arm features, shocks, or struts. At highway speeds or when the truck gains speed over a pothole or road irregularity, a violent shaking occurs to such an extent that drivers have difficulty steering.
The 2019 Lessin v. Ford Motor Company lawsuit states on page 9:
“The Class Vehicles suffer from one or more defects in their suspension and steering linkage systems … including but not limited to, abnormal wearing and/or loosening of the track bar bushing (or “pitman arm”), damper bracket, the ball joints, control arms, shock absorbers, and/or struts, resulting in spontaneous and continuous violent shaking of the vehicle when encountering irregularities in the roadway surface at freeway speeds.”
The Ford Super Duty Death Wobble Steering Wheel Mechanisms
If you’re unfamiliar with what those automotive parts do, we go into further detail here.
- Control Arms connect the vehicle’s frame to the front-end wheel assemblies, allowing the Ford truck driver to steer the truck properly.
- Ball Joints connect the wheel hubs to the control arms. These parts are responsible for providing a smooth and safe ride.
- Damper Bracket is another vital vehicle component that helps drivers steer straight. Also known as the steering stabilizer, steering dampers absorb the shock from the steering components.
- Struts help control the vehicle’s movement. A good indication that your vehicle has bad struts is if you have difficulty driving, accelerating, braking, and turning on bumpy roads under typical driving conditions.
- Shocks are responsible for what their name suggests – absorbing the shock of the suspension and springs to prevent bouncing. Shocks also help the vehicle’s tires remain on the road.
- Track Bar Bushing connects the track bar to the axle and frame, keeping the axle centered at all times.
If any of the parts listed above malfunction, it can lead to serious issues and a frightening experience, even during typical driving conditions.
Injuries and Complaints Associated With the Ford Death Wobble
One of the most common injuries associated with the Ford Death Wobble is driver and passenger discomfort and anxiety. The violent shaking can be a frightening experience, leading to a loss of control and panic behind the steering wheel.
This can result in physical injuries such as muscle strains, sprains, or even more severe injuries in the event of an accident caused by the loss of control. The stress and anxiety associated with this issue can also have long-lasting psychological effects on the truck’s driver and passengers.
Ford truck owners have reported various issues related to the Death Wobble, including damage to steering components, suspension components, and tires. Having to constantly fix or replace abnormally worn parts can become expensive and frustrating for owners, leading to dissatisfaction with their Ford trucks and the Ford Motor Company.
Ford Death Wobble Recall
There isn’t a technical Ford death wobble recall. Ford Motor Company has not recalled any vehicles that are susceptible to the death wobble. However, Ford has sent letters to notify customers of steering wheel oscillation problems after hitting rough pavement. Drivers are able to bring that letter to the dealership in order to have their steering components replaced.
In addition to handling repair costs, Ford also issued extended warranties for any driver who has experienced the death wobble caused by premature wear for class vehicles. The extended warranties cover any necessary steering and suspension repair costs.
Is There a Ford Death Wobble Lawsuit?
Multiple lawsuits have been filed against the Ford Motor Company, the most recent occurring in 2019. This most recent class action lawsuit alleges that Ford knew about the death wobble and still manufactured and sold the affected trucks.
While Ford drivers of affected vehicles can no longer join this lawsuit, you can file a complaint against large auto manufacturers. A successful claim could result in a replacement truck, cash, or a refund for the costs of repairs. Even though drivers can’t join the class action lawsuit, it’s still worth filing a claim regarding your Ford super-duty death wobble.
The Sandy Springs auto defect attorneys at Ashenden & Associates can help you file your claim for the Ford Super Duty death wobble or other vehicles and ensure you recover maximum compensation from valid claims. Call 770-394-8909 for a free consultation.
Corrective Actions And Solutions Offered By Ford Motor Company
In light of the defect linked to the Ford Super Duty death wobble claims, Ford updated the new super-duty models with stronger suspension systems and brakes. In order to prevent the death wobble in more recent editions, Ford also improved the design and quality of other critical components in the steering system.
What To Do if You Experience the Ford Death Wobble in Atlanta, GA
Listed below are the steps Ford owners should take if they ever experience the Ford Super Duty death wobble while driving their Ford F-250 or F-350 Super-Duty.
Slow Down or Stop Immediately
When driving at a high speed and you can’t control or have difficulty steering your Ford super-duty, it’s critical that you slow down and stop as soon as you’re able. According to the recent class-action lawsuit, plaintiffs stated that slowing down from standard highway speeds was the only way they were able to stop the death wobble.
Call 911 in the Event of a Crash or Injury
If you’re unable to slow down and end up crashing your Ford truck, call 911 immediately. Even if you don’t think you or your passengers sustained any injuries or they appear minor, it’s still important to call 911. Not only will there be an official record of the accident, but you’ll also know that you and the passengers in the vehicle are okay.
File a Complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
After you’ve received medical treatment, you should file an official complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In addition to having a police report of the death wobble incident, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration complaint is just another way that owners can have the faulty vehicle accident on an official record.
Call an Auto Defect Lawyer
After you’ve filed your complaint, contact the Sandy Springs auto defect attorneys at Ashenden & Associates. Our law firm has extensive experience in injury law and handling lawsuits against sellers and large auto manufacturers of auto parts with a manufacturing defect and claims for several types of truck accidents.
Compensation for Ford Super Duty Death Wobble
Defects are one of the common causes of truck accidents in Georgia, and this case would be a reason to get a lawyer after a car accident.
A successful product liability lawsuit can result in the plaintiff recovering both non-economic and economic damages. In some cases, Ford owners can also receive punitive damages that further punish the manufacturer for their negligent actions.
At Ashenden & Associates, our product liability attorneys have recovered the following damages for clients:
- Medical expenses related to death wobble injuries
- Rehabilitation bills
- Lost wages if you missed work due to your death wobble injuries
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damages
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma stemming from the accident
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of consortium
Call Sandy Springs Auto Defect Lawyers at Ashenden & Associates Today
If you’re a Ford owner and experienced the Super Duty death wobble in your vehicle, you could have a claim against the truck manufacturer. At Ashenden & Associates, our Sandy Springs auto defect attorneys have represented countless clients in product and manufacturer liability claims. Our law firm isn’t afraid of large corporations and believes they should be held accountable for their negligent actions.
To discuss your Super Duty death wobble case with one of our experienced Sandy Springs car accident attorneys, call Ashenden & Associates at 770-394-8909 today.
