2007 Ford F-250 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2007 Ford F-250 most commonly report a violent front-end shaking at highway speeds after hitting a bump or uneven pavement, a phenomenon widely referred to in complaints as 'death wobble.' A secondary cluster of complaints concerns the 6.0L diesel engine, particularly EGR/oil cooler failures and head gasket problems that typically appear at higher mileages. Fuel system and slow-fill issues round out the recurring themes.

1. 1
   Steering

   Violent front-end shaking at highway speed (death wobble)

   • 23 complaints (38%)
   • median 38,355 mi at 4.0 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • filed 2007–2023

   Owners describe a sudden, violent oscillation of the front end and steering wheel that begins after hitting a bump, pothole, or uneven pavement at speeds above roughly 45-60 mph. The shaking is severe enough that drivers report fighting the wheel and having to brake hard or come to a near-stop before it subsides. According to complaints, dealers have replaced steering dampers, track bars, and steering boxes with mixed results, and the problem frequently returns after repairs. Complaints span a wide mileage range, from under 5,000 miles to well over 150,000 miles, with many occurring in the 10,000-75,000 mile range, and the event is consistently triggered by road surface irregularities at highway speed.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the steering damper, track bar, and steering box have been inspected or replaced, and confirm whether the service bulletin addressing steering wheel oscillation has been applied. A test drive over rough pavement at highway speed is advisable.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2007 Ford f250, superduty 4x4, harley davidson edition (all stock), experienced extreme cavitation, or wobble, and violent shaking to the steering and front suspension after encountering a mild series of bumps while traveling about 50mph. This has occurred on 3 occasions. I have read 100's upon 100's of complaints online about this same problem with several different year model Ford trucks. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10386299, filed 2011-03, 69,900 miles

   “I have a 2007 f 250 diesel and every time I am driving over speed bump at 45mph to 65mph my truck shakes like crazy it has been taken to the dealer for a fix but nothing is done I am afraid that one day this will cost an accident I hope the this mater is taken care soon thank you for your help.”

   NHTSA complaint #10543396, filed 2013-09, 10,600 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   6.0L diesel EGR cooler and oil cooler failure

   Mentioned in 4 of 54 sampled complaints

   Owners with the 6.0L diesel describe white smoke from the exhaust, coolant entering the engine or emission system, and the check engine light illuminating. According to complaints, dealers diagnosed failed EGR coolers and oil coolers, and one complaint notes that a bypass kit or engine redesign were the solutions offered at significant cost to the owner. These complaints tend to appear at higher mileages, with reports in the 37,000 to 150,000 mile range.

   What to check: Ask for the full service history on any 6.0L diesel and check whether the EGR cooler and oil cooler have been replaced or bypassed; inspect for white exhaust smoke and check coolant for any signs of contamination.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Egl cooler failure, white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe caused by coolant entering into the emission system. On all 6.0 engines the egl cooler will fail. This problem is so massive with so many massive complaints from customers that Ford has done two things 1) designed a by-pass kit and 2) re-designed the engine to eliminate the problem (6.7 engine). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10604676, filed 2014-06, 150,000 miles

   “1) faulty head bolts repair was over $6000 involved gaskets, cracked heads, bolts, updates and upgrades. 2) death wobble front end issues (mine are fortunately occurring at at low speeds) however the wobble has caused many front end and steering components to wear out prematurely. Wobble kicks in after sharp turns and wheel will not return to center and when forced back to center it will wander and hunt for center. Usually up till 20-25mph then self corrects.”

   NHTSA complaint #11054161, filed 2017-12, 75,000 miles

Buying note. The dominant concern with this model year is the front-end oscillation issue at highway speeds, which complaints describe as recurring even after multiple dealer repair attempts, so a pre-purchase inspection of the front-end and steering components is worthwhile. Buyers considering a 6.0L diesel example should verify the EGR cooler and oil cooler history before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 54 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.