Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
A recent Ford class action lawsuit claims that the company knowingly sold F-250 and F-350 trucks with a dangerous “death wobble” defect.
Plaintiff William Lessin claims that Ford has known about the defect in their trucks’ suspension and steering systems for 14 years but failed to recall the vehicles or warn their customers about the potentially dangerous problem.
The problem, referred to as a “death wobble,” allegedly stems from a defect in the trucks’ steering linkage and suspension systems.
According to the Ford class action, the defect leads to difficult steering and intense shaking even when drivers are driving in normal conditions.
“The Death Wobble is typically triggered when the class vehicles are traveling at speeds above 50 miles per hour and one of the tires hits a groove or bump in the road,” Lessin argues in his Ford truck class action. “This causes a violent shaking of the vehicle, which can only be controlled by a sudden reduction of speed.”
The Ford defect may present itself in abnormal wearing of several vehicle components, according to Lessin’s Ford class action. He claims that unusual wear or loosening of the track bar bushing, damper bracket, ball joint, control arms, shock absorbers, and/or struts can lead to the defect.
“The violent shaking of the vehicle can cause loss of control of the vehicle and difficulty steering while the class vehicles are in operation at any time and under typical driving conditions or speed,” the Ford class action lawsuit claims.
“This exposes the driver and the occupants of the class vehicles, as well as others who share the road with them, to an increased risk of accident, injury or death.”
Lessin reportedly purchased a 2011 Ford F-250 in 2010, believing that his truck was free of defects. However, Lessin allegedly experienced the “death wobble” and took his truck in for repairs multiple times over the span of three months.
Despite being diligent with his repairs, the Ford dealership allegedly refused to acknowledge the problem and honor the truck’s warranty for repairs. Due to his issues with the dealership, Lessin says he needed to spend more than $1,600 on repairs to fix the issue and he claims that his truck’s value has decreased.
Lessin’s experience reportedly represents that of numerous Ford truck owners. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) allegedly received 1,265 reports of the “death wobble” defect between March 2005 and February 2019. Some of these reports describe accidents and injuries due to the dangerous defect, the plaintiff states.
The Ford class action lawsuit claims that the automaker should have warned consumers about the defect as soon as they started to receive reports of the issue. Lessin also says that the company should pay for repairs on all affected vehicles.
Lessin seeks to represent a Class of current and former owners and lessees of model year 2005 to 2019 Ford F-250 and F-350 trucks.
Lessin and the proposed Class are represented by Richard D. McCune, David C. Wright and Mark I. Richards of McCune Wright Arevalo LLP; and Douglas C. Sohn of Sohn & Associates.
The Ford Truck Wobble Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Lessin v. Ford Motor Company, et al., Case No. 3:19-cv01082, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Top Class Actions is a Proud Member of the American Bar Association
LEGAL INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
©2008 – 2024 Top Class Actions® LLC
Various Trademarks held by their respective owners
This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens.
251 thoughts onFord Class Action Alleges ‘Death Wobble’ Truck Defect
THIS STEERING PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED, HOPEFULLY WHICH HAS NOT HAPPENED. I HAVE A F-250 DOING THIS “DEATH WOBBLE”. PLEASE FORWARD THE DETAILS ON THIS LAWSUIT AS THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY APPEARS NOT TO BE DOING ANYTHING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM COMPLETELY, AND EVEN IS RESISTING CORRECTION. THANK YOU.
My 2019 F250 began the “Death Wobble” at 34,500 miles. Upon contacting Ford they even documented the problem as “a Death Wobble” and proceeded in supposedly fixing the problem. It has now been in the shop and had repairs 6 times. The problem is yet to be resolved. The dealership now refuses to return my calls and says there is nothing else that can be done. They even had the kahunas to state that it’s caused by the tool boxes I installed at 55,000 miles (now 77k). Unfortunately, nobody will ride in the vehicle and I am extremely nervous when I pull trailers with a load. This is what I purchased this piece of junk to do. It’s affecting my ability to do work as needed and costing me work and valuable work time. This will be the last Ford I own! There is a fix and should have simply stepped up to the plate and corrected poor engineering.
Got a 2019 f-350 swr probably the we most dangerous vehicle I’ve ever owned! Took it to ford filed a report with them they installed double stabilizer and replaced parts! As lol go no avile! When tires get about 2/3 wore look out! !!! Coming off if bridge inbuttments look out! At least once a wet!! Awsome! 75,000 $ death trap
this happens on my 2016 F150, it isnt limited to just the 250/350’s
I bought a 2015 f350 and I haven’t been driving my truck because of that every time I bring it in to the dealer ship they tell me that’s the way the vehicle drives. The reason I bought the truck was to start a business and I’m very scared too put wight on the truck not knowing how it will handle it. I would love to join the lawsuit if that is possible
I have a 2012 f250 and it’s having a death wobble and it’s bad done change almost everything on the front end of the truck
I also have a 2012 f250 that I bought used with 95k on it from a Ford dealer certifying the truck. It drove fine for me till I got to a 130k and that’s when it developed the bump steer or death wobble issue. The truck was not safely driveable. I thought the truck was gonna shake apart and I had to do everything in my power to keep it on the road till i got it slowed down to a complete stop. And them power stops almost resulted in me getting rearended and causing some major pileups. I’m a mechanic, so I started changing the front end steering parts one by one untill I changed them all including shocks and tires. It was better, but still did it at any random time. Had a alignment done as well at the Ford dealer and it passed with flying colors, but still had the issue. So, I spent a lot of money and nothing fixed it untill, after a lot of research and talking to others I installed the PMF dual steering stabilizer kit with Bilsteins. I’ve only got 10k on it since the install, but hasn’t done it since. Drives like a new truck. Thankful that something worked to mask the problem that Ford knows they have, but refuses to fix.
I hate that I even bought the 2015 F-350 it’s not safe to drive over 40mph
And I fear for my kids safety more then anything when their riding with me
I have a 2016 F350 6.7 FX$ Super Crew that suffers from this as well. I want to be a part of this class action lawsuit. Located in Missouri
I have the exact same vehicle and problem. Has anyone found out how to join the class-action?
I have the 2008 super duty and we have the death wobble. I have kept the truck maintained and would like to see ford pay for the repairs to fix this problem or be reimbursed for repairs I have made to fix this dangerous malfunction.
I have a 2009 f350 that I have owned since new and has had the death wobble problem the first time at about 70K miles and it just happened again at 109K miles. The first time replaced all the parts with ford factory. This time I replaced with very expensive aftermarket parts. I hope that it is fixed this time. I would also like to join the class action lawsuit if possible. As this is becoming a very expensive and dangerous problem. Full loss of control at 45 MPH the first time, the second time highway speeds 70 plus MPH.
I just experienced the death wobble on my 2017 F250, 36000 miles. I was driving from Florida to Massachusetts and hit a bump on the highway. I had all I could do to keep control of the truck. I managed to get into the right lane to slow down enough for it to stop. I’m now stuck in Massachusetts and am afraid to drive the truck back to Florida.
Have 2014 F250 diesel purchased new at local Ford dealer no modifications 40,000 miles no heavy hauling. Yesterday for first time experienced front end shake at 60 to 65 mph. Duplicated it today at 60 mph. Drove it around few miles and could not duplicate shake, could still fell slight vibration in steering wheel. Was going to take it to Ford dealer where I purchased truck but based on what I am reading not sure if that is a good ideal. Nor taking it to an unknown front end shop. I am a life long Ford guy too!. Not sure what to do now. Had five surgeries over last several years, that’s the reason for the low mileage. Anyone have success correcting the issue?