Ford prides itself on manufacturing reliable, powerful, and modern trucks. The company has invested heavily in product design, research, and development. As a result, Ford is an award-winning truck brand with a significant market share in the US.
Despite its success, in the last 15 years, many Ford trucks in the 350 & 250 super duty series have displayed a persistent suspension problem. When a truck with a defective suspension hits a bump or groove at highway speeds, it shakes violently, a condition famously known as death wobble. Consequently, the vehicle loses control or becomes difficult to steer, an experience that leaves drivers distraught.
Despite truck owners’ numerous trips to repair shops or dealers, most end up frustrated with no solution. Luckily, California has lemon laws enacted to offer a solution to consumers that buy or lease problematic vehicles—including Ford trucks 250/350 super duty series.
If you’ve endured the frightening death wobble experience, a Ford lemon law attorney can help you seek relief.
Here is more information about the problems some people have had with the death wobble in Ford trucks.
The Death Wobble is a term used to describe a violent shaking or oscillation of the front wheels of a vehicle, typically occurring at high speeds. It most commonly affects trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps, including certain models of Ford trucks.
This phenomenon is often caused by worn or damaged suspension components, such as the track bar, tie rods, or control arms. When these parts become loose or worn, they can create a feedback loop of oscillation, resulting in the Death Wobble.
If you experience the Death Wobble, it’s important to have your vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic. They can help determine the underlying cause of the issue and whether or not it is fixable.
If you have experienced the Ford Death Wobble, then you know how terrifying and dangerous it can be for both drivers and passengers. The Ford Death Wobble mimics the feeling of a car about to lose control, and sometimes causes a driver to actually lose control.
The Ford Death Wobble can cause panic and fear among drivers and passengers. Imagine driving down the highway, minding your own business, when suddenly your vehicle starts shaking violently. It can cause a driver to panic and struggle to regain control of the vehicle. It’s a terrifying experience that can lead to accidents, injuries, and even fatalities.
Further, passengers in the vehicle can panic, as well, as they do not know what is happening and have no idea whether the driver can control the Ford. It can cause ongoing distress for vehicle owners and their families. The Death Wobble can lead to serious safety concerns and mental trauma.
William Lessin, a San Diego, California resident, sued Ford Motor Company for its deliberate failure to correct the faults on Ford-250 and Ford-350 models from 2005 to 2019. Lessin, who bought his Ford Truck for personal, family, and household use, explained the truck had become a source of constant pain.
For instance, he had presented the truck to Mossy Ford, San Diego, for repair twice within three months. On both occasions, the manufacturer failed to recognize the defect or provide a solution to the problem.
As a result, Lessin suffered approximately $1,231 in out-of-pocket losses while buying spare parts and additional money for the vehicle’s lost value and other damages.
The class action attempted to cure the losses suffered by William Lessin, together with former owners and lessees of the Ford-250 and Ford-350 models from 2005 to 2019.
Here is a sample of complaints related to the case:
NHTSA ID: 10243184: As the owner was driving at 63 mph, the vehicle stuck a slight dip on the road, the steering started shaking violently, lost control, and crashed. The manufacturer didn’t provide repairs to the owner; instead, Ford advised the complainant to follow the TSB instructions to repair the failure.
The problem began when the truck clocked 40,000 miles. It hit a small bump on the road and swerved left to right for approximately a second. The problem intensified over the next four months culminating in a loud shaking from the front left wheel.
Despite the owner’s futile efforts to replace the tires, dampener, track bar, and bushing, the truck didn’t improve. In January 2008, the owner experienced another death wobble incident after hitting a piece of black ice. Subsequently, the driver lost control, spun, and landed in a ditch.
The affected party lost control while driving at 60 mph due to violent shaking of the front end. The driver was forced to pull over and reduce the speed to 20 mph to regain control.
The episode occurred twice in a two-mile period. The frightening experience discouraged the driver from accelerating even when conditions allowed.
The driver experienced a violent shaking at the front end. The manufacturer recommended a wheel alignment and a change of tires. These changes didn’t solve the problem. While driving on the freeway, a slightly rough patch resulted in a violent shaking and eventual loss of control.
After clocking 14,000 miles, the vehicle started experiencing the death wobble effect. As the complainant drove at 65mph, the front end and the steering wheel shook violently. The driver lost control and was forced to slow down to approximately 30 mph to avoid an accident.
Being on a highway, the driver behind had to slam the brakes to avoid a collision. The driver experienced the death wobble shaking at least four times and believed it posed a real danger to his family.
Although Ford acknowledged the suspension defect—death wobble—it failed to disclose the true nature and existence of the defect to consumers and class members. Approximately 337 complainants had expressly notified Ford that they experienced death wobble.
Surprisingly, Ford told 88 consumers they couldn’t identify the problem and hadn’t experienced it before.
Alternatively, Ford or its authorized dealers could acknowledge death wobble but identify the cause as something not covered under warranty. Such parts include tire pressure, balancing, rotation, or wheel alignment.
In other instances, Ford recommended ineffective parts in eliminating death wobble and charged its customers thousands of dollars.
Under implied warranty, Ford promised that the class vehicles were of merchantable quality and fit for corresponding use. In that regard, Ford implied that it manufactured, distributed, and sold class vehicles, and their suspensions were safe and reliable.
The warranty indicated that the vehicle would not experience premature suspension or steering failure. Contrary to the warranty, the class vehicles at the time of sale were not fit for ordinary or intended purposes. In addition, they didn’t provide reliable, durable, and safe transportation.
To that end, the Ford 250 & 350 super-duty trucks had design and manufacturing defects.
Under the above act, Ford provides a five-year/60 000 miles basic warranty and 10-year 100,000 miles for the powertrain.
However, Ford breached the warranty by:
Many truck owners have visited Ford mechanics several times to repair or replace front-end parts. Unfortunately, most of these fixes lasted for only a short while before the death wobble re-emerged.
Finding spare parts associated with design or manufacturing defects is equally a challenge. Moreover, those truck owners who’re fortunate to find them pay a premium. With that in mind, any repair effort by a truck owner doesn’t take away the warranty liability from the manufacturer.
Ideally, the manufacturer should recall the vehicles and fix the defect temporarily. In addition, the truck owners should honor the service contract to solve these defects.
Despite the number of repair attempts or level of care, some vehicles have significant defects that prove difficult to cure. These problematic vehicles are classified as lemon cars. By definition, a lemon car is a vehicle with significant defects or malfunction that makes it unsafe or difficult to drive.
Each state, including California, has instituted lemon laws to regulate and oversee manufacturers’ management of lemon cases.
California lemon laws were designed to provide reprieve to vehicle owners or lessees who’ve suffered the inconvenience of defective vehicles. These statutes apply the lemon law presumption that activates after a manufacturer fulfills a ‘’reasonable’’ number of repair attempts.
Generally, lemon laws cover new or used vehicles with the manufacturer’s new warranty.
The covered cars include:
California lemon laws have no set number; however, it has guidelines that determine whether a manufacturer has made a reasonable number of repair attempts.
Here are the guidelines:
If the manufacturer doesn’t repair or fix a significant warranty defect after a reasonable number of repair attempts, they must either:
If you find yourself dealing with an unrepairable Death Wobble and are considering filing a Lemon Law claim, here are the steps you need to take to protect your rights and seek compensation.
The first step in any Lemon Law claim is to document the problems you are experiencing with your Ford truck. Keep a detailed record of each occurrence of the Death Wobble, noting the date, time, and circumstances in which it happened. Take videos or photos if possible to provide visual evidence of the issue. It is also important to keep records of any repair attempts made by the dealership or mechanic and keep copies of all invoices and work orders.
The Lemon Law process can be confusing. It is highly recommended to consult with an experienced Lemon Law attorney who handles Ford defect cases. An attorney can review your case, guide you through the steps, and provide advice on how to proceed. They will maximize your chances of a successful claim.
Once you have consulted with an attorney and gathered all the necessary documentation, it’s time for them to file a complaint with the appropriate government agency. Make sure to complete all required forms accurately and provide all relevant information about your vehicle and the Death Wobble issue. Your attorney can assist you in preparing and submitting the complaint.
After filing your complaint, the manufacturer will have an opportunity to respond and resolve the issue. They may offer to repair or replace the vehicle, or provide a monetary settlement. Your Lemon Law attorney will help you evaluate the manufacturer’s offer and negotiate on your behalf. If an agreement cannot be reached, your attorney may recommend pursuing legal action by filing a lawsuit against the manufacturer.
In addition to the death wobble causing a frightening experience, affected owners can experience frequent breakdowns and expensive repairs. Unfortunately, regular repairs are costly and greatly inconvenience your everyday life.
You, therefore, need an experienced lemon law attorney at LemonLaw123 who can seek the rightful relief you deserve. Contact us online or call us at 657-220-6877 for a free case review.
Valerie G. Fernandez Campbell, known as The Lemon Law Lady, has dedicated her entire legal career to the specialized field of Lemon Law, a journey that began immediately after her
graduation from UCLA School of Law.
With a 99% success rate and a policy of no fees unless you win, her practice stands as a testament to her expertise in California’s Lemon Law, her commitment to her clients, and her unwavering dedication to justice and consumer rights.
