2008 Ford F-250 Engine Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11668717

Incident

Mar 15, 2023

Mileage

185,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11625228

Incident

Nov 14, 2024

Mileage

100,000 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the cabin began to fill up with diesel exhaust fumes and white smoke. The contact stated that "Drive Vehicle to Clean Exhaust Filter" warning light illuminated. The contact rolled down the window to relieve the cabin of exhaust fumes and smoke. The contact noticed that a rubber boot around the 4WD shift lever inside the vehicle was completely melted, and only a thick plastic ring around the shift lever opening where the rubber boot was attached remained. The contact replaced the rubber boot; however, the failure reoccurred within a week after replacement. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the exhaust pipes needed to be replaced and that the repair required the vehicle cabin to be removed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11498062

Incident

Oct 15, 2022

Mileage

130,000 mi

My truck is having the same issues as listed in the recalls but isn’t on the recall list. Running rough dash board turns off and loses power to the cab. Low voltage light comes on but batteries and alternator test fine. Factory installed lift blocks have cracked and caused can bushings to fail.

NHTSA ID

11438963

Incident

Jan 1, 2020

I PURCHASED MY 2008 FORD F250 IN 2015 FROM A DEALERSHIP IN BURKBURNETT, TX. THE TRUCK STARTED LOOSING COOLANT FROM WHAT SEEM TO BE THE LOWER RADIATOR HOSE. THAT LEAK STOPPED BUT CONTINUED LEAK COOLANT FROM BUT WAS NOT VISIBLE. THEN THE COOLANT FILLER BOTTLE STARTED COLLECTING A BLACK FLUID AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS ENGINE OIL. SO, I WAS GETTING OIL IN MY ANTIFREEZE. THE RADIATOR WAS DRAINED AND REFILLED WITH COOLANT BUT I STILL FOUND OIL IN THE COOLANT FILLER BOTTLE. RIGHT AROUND THANKSGIVING 2019, I DECIDED TO TRADE IN THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO A DEALERSHIP 50 MILES AWAY. THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE LOCKED UP AFTER THE TEST DRIVE AND HAS NOT STARTED SINCE. WE WERE GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF $11,000 TO CLEAN OUT THE OILS IN THE ENGINE. THE PICKUP IS NOT WORTH THAT MUCH ACCORDING TO THE LIENHOLDER. THE VEHICLE IS NOW SITTING IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE AND HAS BEEN SINCE THE NEW YEAR AFTER WE HAD IT TOWED FROM THE DEALERSHIP 50 MILES AWAY TO OUR HOME.

NHTSA ID

11318307

Incident

Oct 16, 2019

Mileage

130,000 mi

THE RADIATOR IS SEPARATING AT THE SEAL AT THE EDGE. WE ARE LOSING APPROX 1 GALLON OF ANTIFREEZE A DAY. I HAVE HEARD THIS COMPLAINT FROM SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS WE HAVE TALKED TO AND OTHER CUSTOMERS.

NHTSA ID

11280385

Incident

Aug 25, 2019

Mileage

135,000 mi

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AD THERE IS A LACK OF POWER AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THERE IS ALSO A COOLANT LEAK AT THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS A SURGE HESITATION FEELING AND ALACK OF POWER ON ACCELERATION. THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION THAT HAS AN ODD SHIFT.

NHTSA ID

11256033

Incident

Apr 23, 2012

Mileage

44,649 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, FAILED TO ACCELERATE, THE ENGINE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE, AND WHITE SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.

NHTSA ID

11222051

Incident

Jun 11, 2009

Mileage

240,000 mi

EXCESSIVE BLOWBY POLLUTING ENGINE. #8 AND #6 CYLINDERS, RINGS HEAVILY WORN OR DAMAGED DUE TO DIESEL REGEN CONTAMINATING LUBRICATION AND GETTING IN CRANKCASE. THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOWN AND UNACCEPTABLE ISSUE CAUSING SCORED ENGINE BLOCKS AND FAILURE OF ENGINE AND DPF AND EGRS.

NHTSA ID

11174452

Incident

Jan 31, 2019

Mileage

80,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, WHITE SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE EXHAUST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V139000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COLLEY FORD (1945 AUTO CENTRE DR, GLENDORA, CA 91740, 909-592-4131) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11122212

Incident

Aug 20, 2018

Mileage

70,000 mi

EXHAUST MANIFOLDS LEAK. FORD USES ALUMINA HEADS WITH STEEL MANIFOLD BOLTS AND CAST IRON EXHAUST MANIFOLDS. THE THREE METALS HAVE DIFFERENT HEAT RANGES WHICH CAUSE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS TO WRAP OR CRACK AND BREAK THE BOLTS CAUSING LEAKS.

NHTSA ID

11082669

Incident

Mar 16, 2018

Mileage

156,452 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THEN THE BATTERY LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED, THEN IT JUST DIED. IT CRANKED BUT WOULDN'T START. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC TO WHICH HE SAID THE ENTIRE CAB HAD TO BE REMOVED (PER FORD CONSULTANT) TO REPAIR ELECTRICAL SHORT. $$$$$$ I CANT AFFORD THIS! THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS!

NHTSA ID

10966071

Incident

Mar 14, 2017

Mileage

96,000 mi

TOTAL DAMAGE IN THE ENGINE, DEALER SALE WITH THIS PROBLEM

NHTSA ID

10938876

Incident

Oct 26, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND WOBBLED OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL HARSHLY IN ORDER FOR THE FAILURE TO SEIZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WOBBLING OF THE FRONT END CAUSED THE RADIATOR TO EVENTUALLY BURST. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE TIRES AND PERFORMED AN ALL WHEEL ALIGNMENT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA ID

10734536

Incident

May 29, 2015

Mileage

123,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE LOW ENGINE POWER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR SEAL FRACTURED AND THE HOSES WERE LEAKING. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ID

10691615

Incident

Feb 21, 2015

Mileage

68,000 mi

VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVING IT BUT IT WAS PARKED FOR ABOUT 25 MINUTES, WITH NOTHING RUNNING OR KEYS IN THE IGNITION. CAME OUT SIDE TO THE SMELL OF SMOKE AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BUST INTO FLAMES. FIRE INVESTIGATOR SAID THAT THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL THAT STARTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS AS FIRE SPREAD ALONG DRIVETRAIN TO GAS TANK. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO KEEP GAS TANK FROM EXPLODING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10683017

Incident

Jan 6, 2014

Mileage

60,150 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS WERE RUSTED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS FRACTURED AND LEAKING. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED BOTH EXHAUST MANIFOLDS, 20 STUDS, FOUR NUTS, AND TWO GASKETS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,851.

NHTSA ID

10664297

Incident

Sep 12, 2014

Mileage

110,851 mi

THE TRUCK DIES. DRIVING ON THE ROAD OR FREEWAY, THE TRUCK JUST FLAT OUT DIES. NO POWER. WE HAVE TO NAVIGATE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THEN TURN THE IGNITION OFF THEN TURN IT BACK ON. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH HAPPENS EVERY THREE WEEKS OR SO AND HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 8 TIMES NOW. *TR

NHTSA ID

10617577

Incident

Jun 7, 2012

Mileage

30,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FIRE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE EGR VALVE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA ID

10564072

Incident

Aug 15, 2013

Mileage

190,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10557355

Incident

Dec 26, 2013

RADIATOR STARTING LEAKING, REPLACED IT TWICE AND IS LEAKING AGAIN @ AROUND 60K. LEAKS COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING AND ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10544480

Incident

Aug 25, 2010

Mileage

40,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE POWER FAILED AND LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD. UPON BEING SERVICED, ROCKER ARM WAS BROKEN AND CAUSED THE PROBLEMS. THERE WAS NO NOTICE OF THIS ISSUE AND IT AFFECTED SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER/SPEED. IT IS NOTED THAT WHILE SEARCHING THE INTERNET IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE 6.4L DIESEL ENGINES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10493072

Incident

Oct 15, 2012

Mileage

104,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING NOISES AND STALLED PERIODICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A COOLING SYSTEM LEAK AND THE RADIATOR AND HOSES WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH HIGHER GRADE HOSES AND TANKS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,730 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ID

10478366

Incident

Sep 15, 2012

Mileage

67,730 mi

I AM FILING A COMPLAINT HERE AS FORD CUSTOMER CARE REFERENCED YOU IN ONE OF THEIR RESPONSES TO ME. MY PICKUP WITH 24,000 MILES ON IT BLEW OUT THE TANK ON THE RADIATOR. THIS COULD REFLECT AS A SAFETY ISSUE FROM BEING STRANDED. FROM TALKING TO THE SERVICE PEOPLE AT LEWIS AND CLARK FORD IN YANKTON SD WHERE I HAD TO BE TOWED TO IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. I ALSO HAVE DONE A LITTLE RESEARCH ON LINE AND IN A SHORT TIME FOUND APPROXIMATELY 40 CASE SO I AM SURE THERE ARE MANY MORE. ANY HELP YOU COULD GIVE ME WITH THIS ISSUE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10474370

Incident

Sep 14, 2011

Mileage

24,000 mi

ON MARCH 13, 2012, I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE REGARDING A REPAIR THEY MADE TO MY TRUCK. THE CASE NUMBER IS [XXX]. I HAD TO REPLACE TWO RADIATOR HOSES COSTING ME $500. THEY WERE NOT DEFECTIVE DUE TO ABUSE OR MAINT. THEY HAD A DESIGN FLAW PER THE SERVICE TECH. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK IN FOR ONE OF THEM WAS LEAKING. THEY REPLACED BOTH FOR THEY SAID THAT THE OTHER ONE WAS GOING TO LEAK EVENTUALLY. THEY WERE REPLACED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED HOSE TO PREVENT THE LEAKING. THE TECH STATED THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MANY ON THIS MODEL AND YEAR TRUCK. I REALIZE THE TRUCK WAS PAST THE 3 YEAR/36000 MILE WARRANTY; HOWEVER IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY OR FORD SHOULD HAVE COVERED THE COST. IT WAS A MANUFACTURE DESIGN FLAW AND COULD HAVE BLOWN OUT ON THE ROAD CAUSING A BREAK DOWN AND HIGHWAY SAFETY HAZARD. ALL I'M ASKING FOR IS THAT FORD ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND A RECALL BE MANDATED FOR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY I COULD BE REIMBURSED. SHOULD YOU REQUIRE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I'M SURE OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. ALSO, I HAVE IN MY POSSESSION THE TWO DEFECTIVE AND DESIGN FLAWED RADIATOR HOSES. I MADE THE DEALERSHIP GIVE THEM TO ME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10452694

Incident

Mar 13, 2012

Mileage

49,000 mi