2008 Ford F-250 SD

Routine

Owners filed 141 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

127 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles; the median is 43,910 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering31
300
Tires11
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic7
000
Service Brakes7
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel7
010
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine7
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System7
000
Engine7
010
Electrical System6
000
Vehicle Speed Control4
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Equipment20E090000
Filed Dec 9, 2020102 vehiclesIcon Vehicle Dynamics, Llc

Defect. Icon Vehicle Dynamics, LLC (Icon) is recalling all 05-UP FSD 2.5 Centerline Stabilizer Kits with part number 65050. The kits were sold as an accessory for certain 2005-2021 Ford F-250 4X4 and F-350 4X4 pickup trucks. The foam ring inside the stabilizer "through shaft" may block the piston ports, possibly causing the steering to lock up.

Risk. If the steering locks, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Icon will notify owners, and dealers will install a new shock assembly with a revised foam ring and steel support disc, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Icon customer service at 1-951-689-4266.

Equipment08E026000
Filed Mar 27, 2008338 vehiclesTruxxx Manufacturing, Llc

Defect. TRUXXX IS RECALLING 338 AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT WELDED 3" LIFT BLOCKS FOR REAR SUSPENSIONS, PART NO. 206073, INCLUDED IN SUSPENSION KIT NOS. 108035 AND 108036, SOLD BETWEEN JULY 26, 2007 AND MARCH 4, 2008, FOR USE ON FORD MY 2005-2008 F-250 SUPERDUTY 4X4 LIGHT TRUCKS. COMPRESSIVE FORCES OF THE WELDED LIFT BLOCKS RESULTING FROM FORESEEABLE AND EXCESS VEHICLE PAYLOADS AS WELL AS OVER-TIGHTENING OF THE U-BOLTS DURING INSTALLATION MAY DISTORT THE BLOCKS, REDUCING THE INTENDED CLAMPING FORCE OF THE U-BOLTS.

Risk. THIS COULD ALLOW POSSIBLE SHIFTING AND DAMAGE TO THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT AND AXLE.

Remedy. TRUXXX WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS/INSTALLERS AND WILL REPLACE AFFECTED WELDED LIFT BLOCKS WITH EITHER NON-WELDED ALUMINUM OR CAST IRON BLOCKS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT APRIL 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRUXXX AT 1-800-381-8320.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 6, 2019GA

HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE. HAD THE AIR CHARGE COOLER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT AROUND 70,000 MILES. THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING AS WELL BUT DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE IT AND WANTED 1400.00 TO REPLACE. WAS LOSING COOLANT AT A RATE OF ABOUT 1 GALLON A WEEK GOING THRU THE AIR CHARGE COOLER AND OUT THE EXHAUST. AT 89,000 MILES I HAD TO PAY $1947.00 TO REPLACE BOTH THE VERTICAL AND HORIZONAL EGR COOLERS. AGAIN, DUMPING A GALLON OF COOLANT INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM A WEEK CAUSING SEVER SMOKING AND POLLUTANTS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT THOUSANDS OR PROBABLY MILLIONS OF F-250 AND OTHERS WITH THE 6.4L DIESEL ENGINE. FORD REFUSED TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND DO A TOTAL RECALL ON THESE ILL DESIGNED TRUCKS. I CANNOT BELIEVE THEY HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH TURNING THEIR HEAD ON THIS DESIGN FLAW AND NOT MADE TO CORRECT THE AIR CHARGED COOLERS, PLASTIC RADIATORS AND THE EGR COOLERS.

Tires
Filed Jul 31, 2019FL

WE OWN A 2008 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY TRUCK WITH BF GOODRICH RUGGED TERRAIN T/A TIRES. ON OR ABOUT 7/5/15, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE DEVELOPED TREAD FAILURE AS A PORTION OF THE TIRE TREAD BEGAN PEELING OFF WHILE TRAVELLING ON I-75. A SPARE TIRE WAS PUT ON AND THE TIRE WAS REPLACED AND A WARRANTY CLAIM WAS SUBMITTED AS IT WAS STILL UNDER TREAD WARRANTY. ON OR ABOUT 8/21/15, THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE TIRE FAILURE WHILE TRAVELING ON I-95, WHICH CAUSED NEARLY $3000.00 IN DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL ON THE BF GOODRICH RUGGED TERRAIN T/A TIRES BUT NOT FOR THE 20 INCH TIRES WHICH ARE THE ONES DESCRIBED HERE. WE FEEL THAT THE 20 INCH TIRES NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED FOR POSSIBLE RECALL AS WELL. THESE TIRES ONLY HAD 37,667 MILES ON THEM AND WERE PURCHASED NEW FROM FORD ON 7/23/12. THIS TIRE FAILURE NEARLY CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WHICH COULD OF LEAD TO DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION SHOWING THE TIRES HAVE BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED/INFLATED AND ROTATED. *JS

Electrical System
Filed Feb 13, 2019NV

SOME TIMES THE FIRST GEAR LIGHT WILL COME ON DURING DRIVING NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHY

Steering
Filed Feb 5, 2019200,000 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. WITHIN LESS THAN A YEAR OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE SHIMMIED AND EXPERIENCED A DEATH WOBBLE. THE DEALER (RAY'S FORD, INC., 385 BY PASS RD, BRANDENBURG, KY 40108, (270) 422-4901) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT AN APPOINTMENT MAY NEED TO BE SCHEDULED. IT HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED IF THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO SPECIAL FIELD SERVICE CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09L02 TO PREVENT SHIMMIES. THE VEHICLE WAS HAULING A TRAILER OVER UNLEVELED LAND DURING THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Power Train
Filed Jun 8, 201852,500 milesMI

AT APPROXIMATELY 3 PM ON SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 2018, MY 2008 F-250 SD 4WD TRUCK EXPERIENCED AN ABRUPT CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TRANSFER CASE. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A BUSY INTERSTATE CORRIDOR WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHILE IN 2WD MODE. IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, A DULL RUMBLE COULD BE HEARD, WHICH RAPIDLY AMPLIFIED TO A LOUD ROAR. I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND WAS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY JOLTED BY A THUNDEROUS EXPLOSION THAT EMANATED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE TRUCK SHOOK VIOLENTLY AS I PULLED OVER ONTO THE HIGHWAY SHOULDER. AS THE TRUCK LURCHED FORWARD HESITANTLY, A CLOUD OF THICK SMOKE BILLOWED OUT FROM BELOW THE TRUCK NEAR THE FRONT DOORS. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS POURING OUT THE TRANSFER CASE, WHOSE EXTERIOR WALL HAD LITERALLY BEEN RIPPED APART. LARGE GEAR COMPONENTS FROM THE TRANSFER CASE WERE STREWN ALONG THE HIGHWAY SHOULDER. THE EXPLOSION WITHIN THE TRANSFER CASE CAUSED SEVERAL INTERNAL PARTS TO BE EJECTED WITH SIGNIFICANT FORCE AND VELOCITY. THE SIZABLE INDENTATIONS AND LARGE SCRAPES INFLICTED UPON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THE PASSENGER FLOOR PAN, RESPECTIVELY, ARE A CONSPICUOUS TESTAMENT TO THE FORCEFUL DISCHARGE OF THESE VARIOUS COMPONENTS PARTS FROM INSIDE THE TRANSFER CASE. THE SUBSTANTIAL ENERGY CONTAINED IN THIS EXPLOSION NECESSARILY IMPLIES THAT TREMENDOUS PRESSURE WAS BUILDING UP INSIDE THE TRANSFER CASE. FURTHERMORE, THE THICK, ACRID SMOKE RELEASED FOLLOWING THE EXP

Steering
Filed Mar 27, 2018141,000 milesTN

I EXPERIENCED "DEATH WOBBLE" 3 TIMES IN TWO WEEKS AFTER HITTING A BUMP ON THE INTERSTATE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 - 65 MPH EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL I SLOWED DOWN TO 40 MPH OR BELOW. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING FORWARD IN A STRAIGHT LINE WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED.

Steering
Filed Aug 1, 2017170,000 milesCO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC (SUMMERS AUTOMOTIVE) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15E014000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 25, 2017150,000 milesWI

WHEN SHIFTING THE TRUCK FROM PARK TO DRIVE THE TRUCK RANDOMLY WENT FULL THROTTLE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPEN. IN ANOTHER CASE IT ALSO HAS WENT FULL THROTTLE WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND SHIFTING INTO PARK.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 14, 2017120,000 milesOK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE BRAKES HAD TO BE APPLIED EACH TIME WHILE MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND BRAKE FLUID, BUT WERE ALSO UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Engine
Filed Sep 7, 2016125,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK IN THE NUMBER EIGHT CYLINDER WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTUER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 4, 201651,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, IT SUNK TO THE FLOORBOARD AND FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY USING THE ELECTRIC BRAKE FROM A TRAILER BEING TOWED BY THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL BRAKE RELEASE SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000. UPDATED 09/22/16*LJ UPDATED 10/6/2017*JS

Tires
Filed Feb 20, 201635,000 milesGA

TIRE SEPARATION - FACTORY ORIGINAL TIRES WERE REPLACED FOR THE SAME REASON UNDER A RECALL.

Engine
Filed Jan 27, 201637,060 milesMD

I WAS BACKING UP IN THE PARKING AREA OF MY HOUSE IN MY 2008 F250 (DIESEL), AND APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP AND CHANGE DIRECTION. AS I STARTED BRAKING, THE ENGINE STARTED ACCELERATING, EVEN THOUGH I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE KEPT MOVING BACKWARD, AND I HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKES AND SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL TO GET IT TO STOP MOVING BACKWARD. AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE PROBLEM STOPPED. I THEN CONTINUED ON MY WAY. THE VEHICLE HAD 37,060 MILES.

Tires
Filed Nov 5, 201580,000 milesGA

TIRE SEPARATION - FACTORY ORIGINAL TIRES WERE REPLACED FOR THE SAME REASON UNDER A RECALL.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 2, 2015100,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BUSHINGS THAT CONNECT THE BED OF THE TRUCK TO THE FRAME HAD DETERIORATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Seat BeltsCrash
Filed Sep 13, 201540,000 milesTX

I WAS DRIVING MY FORD 250 ON A SLICK ROAD WHEN A PICK UP STOPPED SHORT IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME HITTING THE REAR END OF THE PICK UP APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT ALLOWED ME TO SLIDE UNDER THE BELT CAUSING MY KNEES TO HIT THE DASH. OTHER THEN GOOD BRUISES AND MILD SORENESS I WAS FINE. THE OTHER PERSON WAS FINE AS WELL. MY SEAT BELT DID NOT ENGAGE AND I AM WONDERING WHY MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE GRILL AND RADIATOR WERE DAMAGED?

Tires
Filed Sep 11, 2015110,719 milesFL

WE OWN A 2008 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY TRUCK WITH BF GOODRICH RUGGED TERRAIN T/A TIRES. ON OR ABOUT 7/5/15, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE DEVELOPED TREAD FAILURE AS A PORTION OF THE TIRE TREAD BEGAN PEELING OFF WHILE TRAVELING ON I-75. A SPARE TIRE WAS PUT ON AND THE TIRE WAS REPLACED AND A WARRANTY CLAIM WAS SUBMITTED AS IT WAS STILL UNDER THE TREAD WARRANTY. ON OR ABOUT 8/21/15, THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE TIRE FAILURE WHILE TRAVELING ON I-95, WHICH CAUSED NEARLY $3000.00 IN DAMAGES TO THE TRUCK. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL ON THE BF GOODRICH RUGGED TERRAIN T/A TIRES BUT NOT FOR THE 20 INCH TIRES WHICH ARE THE ONES DESCRIBED HERE. WE FEEL THAT THE 20 INCH TIRES NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED FOR POSSIBLE RECALL AS WELL. THESE TIRES ONLY HAD 37,667 MILES ON THEM AND WERE PURCHASED NEW FROM FORD ON 7/23/12. THIS TIRE FAILURE NEARLY CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, WHICH COULD OF LED TO DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION SHOWING THE TIRES HAVE BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED/INFLATED AND ROTATED.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 26, 2015178,000 milesFL

SUMMARY: PURCHASED THIS 2008 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY NEW AT A FORD DEALERSHIP IN FLA. ON FEB. 29, 2008 AND CONTINUE TO BE THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A 6.4 TURBO-DIESEL ENGINE. THIS VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO TSB 07-26-2 (WIRING HARNESS DEFECT ON HPFP) ISSUED AUGUST 2007.IN JANUARY 2015, WHILE ACCELERATING TO HIGHWAY SPEED, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I LOST ACCELERATION AND THE ENGINE DIED. BRAKING AND STEERING WERE ALSO DIMINISHED.GOT LUCKY AND WAS ABLE TO AVOID A COLLISION AND COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSIS REVEALED A SHORT IN THE WIRING OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP GASKET WIRING HARNESS (THE SUBJECT OF TSB 07-26-2 WHEREIN FORD RECOGNIZED IN AUGUST OF 2007 A PROBLEM WITH UNPROTECTED WIRING WITHIN THE HPFP WIRING HARNESS). REPAIRS WERE EXTREMELY COSTLY (OVER $3,000.00)MORE IMPORTANTLY THIS INSTANTANEOUS FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, INJURY OR DEATH; IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME.I URGE NTSB TO INVESTIGATE UNPLANNED SHUT DOWNS OF THIS VEHICLE'S POWER PLANT. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THIS LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, COLLISION, INJURY AND POSSIBLY DEATH. FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE SINCE AUGUST OF 2007 YET HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL.REPLACE THE HPFP GASKET AND WIRING HARNESS. RUN # 2 FOR US: MY FORD 2008 F250, IS BACK IN THE SAME FORD SHOP ON RUN #2 OF THE SAME WIRING HARNESS. WHILE ACCELERATING TO HIGHWAY SPEED OF 60 MPH,

Steering
Filed Aug 17, 201555,504 milesNV

POWER STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE TOWING A EXPENSIVE CLASSIC CAR. I AM READING THAT IT IS THE STEERING GEAR BOX. FORD WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 8, 201523,600 milesCA

RECENTLY I TOOK MY FORD F250 SD TO HAVE THE TIRES CHECKED AND ROTATED. THEY WERE UNABLE. TO ALIGN MY VEHICLE DUE TO UNEVEN WEAR , VIBRATION ,AND SEPARATION ON BELT EDGES TO ME WAS OF GREAT CONCERN. THE MILEAGE ON MY FORD F250 IS ONLY 23,600 MILES. MY TRUCK IS A 2008 FORD F250 WITH THE ORIGINAL TIRES ,CONTINENTAL HAS A RECALL ALERT ON CERTAIN TIRES. THE MAKE AND SIZE ARE M+S LT 275/65 R18 123/120S. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD I TOOK IT TO THREE TIRE SHOP AND THEY ALL DETERMINED THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE DEALT WITH THE MANUFACTURE OF THE TIRES...I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS THERE ANY THING YOU CAN DO TO REPLACE OR CREDIT ME ON A NEW SET OF TIRES...' SINCERELY [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *KB *TR

20 of 141 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2019
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20269510Routine
202515700Do not drive
202438410Routine
2023431630Routine
20221211740Routine
20211631300Routine
20202631530Above average
20191,16412110Above average
20183971090Above average
20171,15515130Above average
2016288450Above average
2015296360Above average
201426100Routine
201321100Routine
201257100Routine
2011122121Fatalities reported
201032100Routine
200923111Fatalities reported
2008 — this page141230Routine
200754310Routine
2006274340Above average
2005295560Above average
20042544120Above average
20031786100Routine
20022455182Fatalities reported
20012884193Fatalities reported
20002334253Fatalities reported
19992495130Above average
19981100Routine
199739270Routine
199611120Routine
19959130Routine
19942110Routine
19934110Routine
19923000Routine
19911000Routine

Compare every F-250 SD year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 9, 2020. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.