2008 Ford F-250

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 195 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 8 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
70,000 milesMedian miles at failure

160 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 40,00050,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering63
400
Suspension16
100
Tires15
201
Engine15
010
Electrical System9
010
Service Brakes8
000
Power Train7
010
Vehicle Speed Control6
000
Engine and Engine Cooling6
000
Unknown or Other5
100

8 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Tires › Tread/Belt11T002000
Filed Mar 15, 2011390,657 vehiclesContinental Tire The Americas, Llc.

Defect. CONTINENTAL TIRE IS RECALLING CERTAIN CONTITRAC TR TIRES, SIZE LT275/70R18 125/122S OUTLINE WHITE LETTERS AND BLACK SIDEWALL, AND CONTITRAC, SIZE LT275/70R18 125/122S, BLACK SIDEWALL, PRODUCED FROM MAY 6, 2007, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 20, 2008, SOLD AS AFTERMARKET AND INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON SOME MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 FORD F-250 AND F-350 TRUCKS. SOME OF THESE TIRES MAY EXPERIENCE UNEVEN WEAR, VIBRATION, OR PARTICULARLY UNDER CONDITIONS OF OVERLOADING OR UNDER INFLATION IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE USAGE, SEPARATION BETWEEN THE BELT EDGES.

Risk. SEPARATION OF THE BELT EDGES COULD LEAD TO TREAD BELT SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. CONTINENTAL TIRE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CONTINENTAL CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-888-799-2168.

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility09V026000
Filed Jan 26, 2009108 vehiclesComm Trans Sully Corporation

Defect. COMM TRANS IS RECALLING 108 MY 2005-2008 FORD E250 AND E350 VANS BUILT ON FORD CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.

Risk. A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy. COMM TRANS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR COMM TRANS AT 901-726-9394.

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility09V025000
Filed Jan 23, 2009111 vehiclesComm Trans Sully Corporation

Defect. COMM TRANS IS RECALLING 111 MY 2005-2008 FORD E250 AND E350 VANS BUILT ON FORD CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS ON MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.

Risk. THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy. COMM TRANS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR COMM TRANS AT 901-726-9394.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery08V191000
Filed Apr 25, 200864,754 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. FORD IS RECALLING 64,754 MY 2008 F-250 AND F-350 SINGLE REAR WHEEL, 4X4, 156 INCH WHEEL BASE PICK UP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO PIECE DRIVE SHAFT FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE FUEL SPILLAGE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." DURING A 30 MPH FRONTAL IMPACT INTO A RIGID BARRIER, THE FUEL TANK CAN MOVE FORWARD AND CONTACT A FRAME CROSS MEMBER, POTENTIALLY CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE WHICH CAN RESULT IN FUEL SPILLAGE.

Risk. FUEL SPILLAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRACKET ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 23, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Seats08V096000
Filed Feb 28, 200887,515 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. FORD IS RECALLING 87,515 MY 2008 F250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." SOME 40% SPLIT AND CAPTAIN'S CHAIR DRIVER'S SEATS, EQUIPPED WITH LUMBAR SUPPORTS, MAY HAVE IMPROPER WELDS AT THE JOINT OF THE SEAT BACK PIVOT BRACKET AND THE SEAT BACK FRAME.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT SIDE PIVOT BRACKET MAY CRACK OR BREAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL ADD A REINFORCEMENT TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK FRAME ON THE 40% SPLIT OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIR SEAT EQUIPPED WITH LUMBAR SUPPORT OR, IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT BACK FRAME WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module07V541000
Filed Nov 21, 200745 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ASSEMBLED.

Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY PREVENT THE DRIVER AIR BAG FROM PROPERLY DEPLOYING AND REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE YOUR DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 20, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)07V139000
Filed Mar 26, 200733,169 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A 6.4L DIESEL ENGINE, EXCESSIVE TEMPERATURES IN THE DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM MAY RESULT FROM EXCESS HYDROCARBONS IN THE EXHAUST.

Risk. LACK OF POWER OR ROUGH OPERATION, UNUSUAL NOISES FROM THE ENGINE OR EXHAUST, WHITE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST, AND POTENTIALLY A VISIBLE FLAME OUT THE TAILPIPE CAN OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery07V140000
Filed Mar 26, 20071,022 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A 6.4L DIESEL ENGINE, INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE OF THE BATTERY POSITIVE (B+) WIRE TO THE RIGHT HAND SPLASH SHIELD BOLT MAY RESULT IN THE BATTERY B+ WIRE CONTACTING THE SPLASH SHIELD BOLT.

Risk. LONG TERM CONTACT COULD CAUSE WIRE CHAFE, RESULTING IN COPPER WIRE BEING EXPOSED. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE BATTERY B+ WIRE COULD SHORT TO GROUND INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BATTERY B+ WIRE LOCATION AND, IF NECESSARY, REPOSITION THE WIRE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Structure › Body
Filed Feb 8, 2026OK

All the fiberglass Bkack trim and the Gray door panels and the middle armrest are causing skin irritation to any person that come in touch with them. I havee owned this Truck for so many years, the problem started about 4 years ago, since I only use it for towing the camper I have ignored the issue for sure this very inconvenient to sell a vehicle with only 87k because of the manufactur cheap trim or other oweners didn't complain and ignored the issue. I have not taken the Truck to the Ford dealer because I have know doubt in my mind that they will tell me it's an 18 years old vehicle get another one. Yes I have the vehicle available for inspection at anytime. Thank you very much for taking the time to read my complaint.

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 26, 2025SC

What: 2008 Backup camera failure just like the 1.46 million in newer models. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? See details for current recall, copy/paste. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No, but am happy to let them. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No, camera simply stopped working around aug-25. I want you to make them include older year models in this recall. I purchased this vehicle from Vic Bailey Ford Spartanburg SC, financed for 72 months to pay off Jan-1-26. *If ford can sell it, and get financed, when still in the process of paying off, this truck SHOULD get the same considerations as newer ones when there is identical issues.

Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed Nov 12, 2025182,000 milesWI

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Ford F-250. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was an independent dealer sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 88,000. It was later discovered, after checking the Carfax report, that the mileage was 182,000.

Tires
Filed Jul 14, 2025MO

Cooper Discoverer AT3 tires LT275/70R18 D1 I purchased these tires on 11/08/2019. My truck had 166,736 miles it now has around 202,000. I experienced a blow out where the total tread separated from the rear driver side side walls. The tread separated piece was in one piece. As if a re-tread tire. It caused extensive damage to my rear quarter panel among a list of other damaged parts. The tread was on the tires were still in excellent shape.

Engine
Filed Jun 23, 2025185,000 milesCO

The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving uphill at approximately 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was HOT before the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was then allowed to cool down, and water was added to the radiator. The contact stated that when the vehicle was restarted, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred 12,000 miles later. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced again. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.

Structure
Filed Dec 5, 2024130,000 milesOK

The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed over a bump in the roadway, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact inspected underneath the vehicle and became aware that the rubber body mounts were deteriorating and detaching from the frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Engine
Filed Nov 14, 2024100,000 milesNC

The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250 The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed fluid leaking from the bottom of the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the engine block of the vehicle had fractured. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine block had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 25, 2024NY

UNKNOWN

Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Oct 15, 2024307,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed the oil dipstick indicated that the engine was overfilled with oil. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the high-pressure fuel pump causing diesel fuel to leak into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the engine had previously been replaced at 288,000 miles. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 307,000.

Tires
Filed Oct 9, 2024FL

TIRE HAD A FULL TREAD SEPERATION WHILE DOING 65 ON [XXX] IN BROWARD COUNTY FL CAUSED DAMAGE TO DRIVER SIDE FRONT FENDER AND ALLOY RIM , WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD WITH NO ACCIDENT TIRE SIZE WAS LT275 / 70 R18 AND HAD LESS THAN 12000 MILES I CHECKED THE OTHER 3 TIRES AND A COUPLE HAVE UNUSUAL WEAR WHICH MAY BE STARTING TO HAVE THE TREAD SEPERATE AS YOU CAN A CRACK FORMING WHERE THE FAILED TIRE SEPERATED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Air Bags
Filed Aug 27, 2024TX

Clock spring frayed and uncoiled. Unknown steering issue till clockspring checked. Airbag inflator is unoperational. Current clockspring recall for Ford does not cover this vehicle. Widen your recall. Most owners would believe it to be a power steering issue with pump and fluid, like we did.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 13, 2024CA

I have a 2008 ford f250 with 60,000 miles I bought it used about 7 years ago I only drive it to pull my trailer camping also I don't drive it much hoping a engine light will come on my vehicle has unintended acceleration it happen when I come to a stop light and my vehicle will unexpectedly tug forward to 0 to 60 mpg I have to push on my brakes and turn off the key and turn back on sometimes 6 times before it goes back to normal I called the dealer to get answer where I live in California and they said they cant diagnose it unless it duplicates its self and they will charge me $200 plus if they cant find the problem I did research and found 4 vehicles the same year that had this problem and there is a recall on some of these vehicle with the same problem with the same motor and year same electronic gas pedal but they are the expedition and other makes anyways this problem has almost cause me to get in plenty accidents I had the gas pedal and electronic sensor replace throttle body and both sensors replace and still have the problem the ford dealer are saying they never heard of this issue but I google unintended acceleration and see cars of all makes and model with this drive by wire electronic situation all I want is to get it fixed doing my research its a software issue in the computer

Suspension
Filed May 31, 2024FL

Death wobble

Suspension
Filed May 15, 2024CA

Serious uncontrollable violent shaking in the front end of the vehicle when it hits a pot hole or runs over a bump. It’s almost like one side starts to bounce which leads to the other side to start bouncing and it goes back and forth from either side very fast which sounds like a loud rumble

Steering
Filed Mar 27, 2024120,000 milesNJ

The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH on a bridge, the vehicle drove over potholes and the vehicle experienced the death wobble, causing the steering wheel to shake uncontrollably. The contact firmly gripped the steering wheel and decelerated to 30 MPH to prevent the vehicle from shaking. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that several independent mechanics had previously replaced the tires, control arms, shocks, struts, steering damper, and pitman arm, as well as performed an alignment; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Steering
Filed Sep 12, 2023AL

Several times steering has been lost while making a turn. Thusfar accidents have been narrowly avoided. I have worked with the Ford dealer and replaced all major components in 2022. But the problem has started again. Most times the steering wheel is difficult to turn in parking situations; other times the steering wont work at all. I have had to swing wide into the oncoming lane during a turn to make the turn.

Tires
Filed Jul 3, 2023IN

295/65R20 Had 3 out of 4 tires separate with about 1400 miles on them at highway speeds. Purchase in 11/22 first on failed 4/23 the other 2 5/23. 1st one had belts break at hwy speeds the 2nd had a large chunk of trade come off and 3rd had belts separate. 70mph was average speed when the issue occurred.

Steering
Filed Mar 3, 2023PA

Experiencing the ford “death wobble”. Around 50 mph going over small road transition the vehicle start shaking violently and I have no control. The only way to stop it is come close to a dead stop in the middle of a highway.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 22, 2023MS

When decelerating, such as taking an off-ramp, it loses power to the brakes and steering, which makes it unsafe.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 17, 2023179,000 milesTX

The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and making a left turn, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond and went to the floorboard. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stood on the brake pedal and the vehicle stopped. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot at a low speed. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the brake pedal responded as needed while driving to his residence. Upon investigating the failure, the contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact repaired the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.

20 of 195 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2014142010Routine
201395010Routine
2012266150Above average
2011248230Above average
201073020Routine
200954110Routine
2008 — this page195841Fatalities reported
200760700Routine
2006221750Above average
2005144530Routine
2004154740Routine
2003116781Fatalities reported
2002156791Fatalities reported
20012209244Fatalities reported
200032610147Fatalities reported
199958119132Fatalities reported
199856910Routine
199730414190Above average
19961765250High concern
19951844170Routine
199412310230High concern
1993130940Routine
1992119761Fatalities reported
1991107790Routine
19901117140Routine

Compare every F-250 year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

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: Mar 15, 2011. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.