EQUIPMENT; STEERING; SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
2008 Ford F-250 Sd
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 141 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Ford F-250 Sd, most frequently naming the engine, steering and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 84 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 2010 | 1 | 36 |
| May 2010 | 1 | 37 |
| Jun 2010 | 1 | 38 |
| Jul 2010 | 2 | 40 |
| Aug 2010 | 3 | 43 |
| Sep 2010 | 4 | 47 |
| Oct 2010 | 2 | 49 |
| Nov 2010 | 2 | 51 |
| Dec 2010 | 2 | 53 |
| Jan 2011 | 4 | 57 |
| Feb 2011 | 2 | 59 |
| Mar 2011 | 2 | 61 |
| Apr 2011 | 3 | 64 |
| May 2011 | 1 | 65 |
| Jun 2011 | 2 | 67 |
| Jul 2011 | 1 | 68 |
| Aug 2011 | 3 | 71 |
| Nov 2011 | 3 | 74 |
| Apr 2012 | 2 | 76 |
| May 2012 | 1 | 77 |
| Jun 2012 | 1 | 78 |
| Jul 2012 | 1 | 79 |
| Sep 2012 | 1 | 80 |
| Oct 2012 | 2 | 82 |
| Nov 2012 | 2 | 84 |
| Dec 2012 | 1 | 85 |
| Feb 2013 | 1 | 86 |
| Mar 2013 | 1 | 87 |
| Apr 2013 | 3 | 90 |
| May 2013 | 5 | 95 |
| Jun 2013 | 5 | 100 |
| Jul 2013 | 2 | 102 |
| Oct 2013 | 1 | 103 |
| Nov 2013 | 1 | 104 |
| Jan 2014 | 1 | 105 |
| Mar 2014 | 1 | 106 |
| May 2014 | 1 | 107 |
| Jun 2014 | 1 | 108 |
| Aug 2014 | 4 | 112 |
| Oct 2014 | 1 | 113 |
| Nov 2014 | 3 | 116 |
| Dec 2014 | 2 | 118 |
| Feb 2015 | 1 | 119 |
| Apr 2015 | 2 | 121 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 122 |
| Aug 2015 | 2 | 124 |
| Sep 2015 | 2 | 126 |
| Nov 2015 | 2 | 128 |
| Jan 2016 | 1 | 129 |
| Feb 2016 | 1 | 130 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 131 |
| Sep 2016 | 1 | 132 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 133 |
| Mar 2017 | 1 | 134 |
| Aug 2017 | 1 | 135 |
| Mar 2018 | 1 | 136 |
| Jun 2018 | 1 | 137 |
| Feb 2019 | 2 | 139 |
| Jul 2019 | 1 | 140 |
| Aug 2019 | 1 | 141 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine4225.5%
- Steering3923.6%
- Brakes1810.9%
- Tires & wheels127.3%
- Electrical95.5%
- Fuel system84.8%
- Body & structure74.2%
- Driver assistance63.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
2 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govEQUIPMENT
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Alleged Loss of Steering
The Office of DefectsInvestigation (ODI) opened PE13-014 after identifying five complaints alleging steering gear failure in model year (MY) 2008 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pick-up trucks and to evaluate the relationship between the design history of the steering gear assembly and the alleged defect.As background, ODI investigated steering gear sector shaft fractures in approximately 1.3 million MY 1999 - 2001 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks and MY 2000 - 2001 Ford Excursion sport utility vehicles in Engineering Analysis EA01-009.The investigation determined that the sector shaft failures were the result of extraordinary, possibly multiple, impacts and not the result of fatigue.No defect in design, manufacturing or materials was identified in the sector shaft.EA01-009 was closed August 19, 2003 with 169 complaints, resulting in a rate of 12.9 incidents per 100,000 vehicles after approximately one year of service.Ford increased the diameter of the sector shaft from 1.375 inches to 1.625 inches at the start of MY 2005 production, increasing the resistance of the steering gear assembly to torsional overload by approximately 48% and changing the failure mode from sector shaft fracture to cracked or broken sector shaft gear teeth.The redesigned steering gear assembly was used in approximately 1.1 million MY 2005 through 2009 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks, including the subject vehicles.Figure 1 shows the basic steering system design used in Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009 and PE13-014. Figure 2 shows the locations of failures resulting from impact related torsional overloading of the sector shaft for the subject vehicles and the prior generation Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009.Figure 3 shows an example of a failed sector shaft investigated in EA01-009 and comparisons of fracture surfaces of sector shafts failing from fatigue loading and from torsional overload.Ford provided field return part analysis of failed steering gears from MY 2005 through 2009 Super Duty trucks found evidence of broken sector shaft gear teeth and piston damage consistent with incidents of single event overload (Figure 4).Laboratory analysis found no evidence of fatigue or material property defects in any of the fractures.Analysis of complaint rates by vehicle build month showed no patterns indicating potential manufacturing quality issues and no difference before and after Ford introduced design changes to the input shaft and sector shaft seals in July 2007 to address potential leak concerns (Figure 5).Analysis of failures by time in service indicates a random failure pattern/distribution, consistent with incidents of impact induced overload (Figure 6). The complaint rate for the subject vehicles after approximately 5 to 6 years, 7.1 incidents per 100,000 vehicles, is lower than the rate observed in EA01-009. Furthermore, similar to the condition investigated in EA01-009, a number of incident records include evidence of impact loads (e.g., curb strikes) and several alleged crashes include incidents in which information suggests that the steering gear failure was most likely a result of crash forces, rather than the cause of the crash.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at ww
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11242558
- Incident
- Dec 3, 2012
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
- NHTSA ID
- 11241495
- Incident
- Aug 21, 2015
SOME TIMES THE FIRST GEAR LIGHT WILL COME ON DURING DRIVING NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHY
- NHTSA ID
- 11179919
- Incident
- Jun 13, 2018
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11174499
- Incident
- Nov 1, 2017
- Mileage
- 200,000 mi
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 EXPLOSION IS ALSO INDICATIVE THAT THE TRANSFER CASE WAS SUBJECT TO APPRECIABLE HEAT GENERATION. FORTUNATELY, AND RATHER INCREDIBLY, NO INJURIES NOR CRASHES WERE SUSTAINED WHEN THE TRANSFER CASE PRECIPITOUSLY BURST. DESPITE THE ABSENCE OF COLLATERAL DAMAGE OR CASUALTIES, THE SEVERITY AND MAGNITUDE OF THIS INEXPLICABLE EQUIPMENT FAILURE WARRANT DOCUMENTATION AS THIS IS A CRITICAL PART MALFUNCTION.
- NHTSA ID
- 11100533
- Incident
- Jun 2, 2018
- Mileage
- 52,500 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11081526
- Incident
- Mar 24, 2018
- Mileage
- 141,000 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11012062
- Incident
- Jul 28, 2017
- Mileage
- 170,000 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 10968483
- Incident
- Mar 19, 2017
- Mileage
- 150,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k
EQUIPMENT
All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is lost, follow these steps to recover the code. Dealer Key Code access is granted through the Dealer Program Enrollment System (DPES); dealership management can authorize users. The authorized user must go to FMCDealer.com > Parts and Service > Parts Product Line Information > Keys/Entry Devices > Aftermarket Keyless Entry Keypad Code Access. Follow the instructions on the screen to obtain the master code for the accessory keypad.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
When performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving MERCON SP, MERCON LV has replaced all versions of MERCON SP and can be used going forward. Mixing MERCON LV and MERCON SP in the same transmission is acceptable. After 30-Jun-2023, MERCON SP ATF will no longer be manufactured and will only be available until inventory depletes.
EQUIPMENT
Some 2005-2021 F-Super Duty 4x4 vehicles operated in extreme dust, mud or tar sand conditions may exhibit accelerated 4x4 vacuum hub seal and or wheel bearing wear as a result of harsh operating conditions. A knuckle seal shield kit is now available for customer purchase. The kit is designed for severe duty and is non warrantable. The knuckle seal shield kit GC3Z-54024A38-A includes an installation instruction sheet
SUSPENSION
Some 2005-2020 F-Super Duty 4x4 vehicles operated in extreme dust, mud or tar sand conditions may exhibit accelerated 4x4 vacuum hub seal and or wheel bearing wear as a result of harsh operating conditions. A knuckle seal shield kit is now available for customer purchase. The kit is designed for severe duty and is non warrantable. The knuckle seal shield kit GC3Z-54024A38-A includes an installation instruction sheet
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Some 2002-2008 F-Super Duty, F-150 and Mark LT vehicles may exhibit concern during or after programing the VSM. The programming may fail or vehicle symptoms such as inoperative door locks, dome lamps, door ajar indicators or auto lamps may occur after successful programing. To ensure the VSM is configured correctly, use the Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) scan tool and select the blue ball and socket icon in the upper left corner. Select the utility knife in the bottom left corner. Select Update/Special Function and enter 53061 in the blue box then press the tick mark. The screen will go back to the system utilities page. Navigate to the toolbox tab and run the Programmable Module Installation (PMI) on the VSM. The procedure will prompt you to manually enter the as-built into the VSM. Obtain the as-built data from PTS > OASIS > As-Built.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 62.4 |
| 2024 | 37 | 4 | 0 | 59.5 |
| 2023 | 43 | 16 | 0 | 61.0 |
| 2022 | 119 | 17 | 0 | 59.8 |
| 2021 | 162 | 13 | 1 | 59.8 |
| 2020 | 260 | 15 | 3 | 64.7 |
| 2019 | 1,160 | 12 | 3 | 59.6 |
| 2018 | 397 | 10 | 3 | 58.4 |
| 2017 | 1,155 | 15 | 3 | 59.2 |
| 2016 | 287 | 4 | 1 | 56.6 |
| 2015 | 296 | 3 | 2 | 54.4 |
| 2014 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 46.2 |
| 2013 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 39.5 |
| 2012 | 57 | 1 | 1 | 38.2 |
| 2011 | 122 | 1 | 1 | 44.4 |
| 2010 | 32 | 1 | 0 | 38.1 |
| 2009 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 39.7 |
| 2008Viewing | 141 | 2 | 1 | 50.3 |
| 2007 | 54 | 3 | 2 | 52.3 |
| 2006 | 274 | 3 | 2 | 53.8 |
| 2005 | 295 | 5 | 2 | 55.6 |
| 2004 | 254 | 4 | 3 | 60.9 |
| 2003 | 178 | 6 | 5 | 61.4 |
| 2002 | 245 | 5 | 4 | 63.5 |
| 2001 | 288 | 4 | 8 | 62.9 |
| 2000 | 233 | 4 | 5 | 64.9 |
| 1999 | 249 | 5 | 5 | 63.4 |
| 1998 | 1 | 1 | 3 | — |
| 1997 | 39 | 2 | 3 | 60.7 |
| 1996 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 49.5 |
| 1995 | 9 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 1994 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 1993 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1992 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1991 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.