KnownCarProblems2008 Ford F-250 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 196 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Ford F-250, most often about the steering (41% of complaints, typically around 77,500 miles). It is 6th of 15 F-250 model years by number of complaints and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2008 Ford F-250 problems
Steering
80 complaints · 41%Half of these problems showed up before 77,500 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist, gear box (other than rack and pinion).
I took my 2008 Ford F-250 to the Ford dealer to have an alignment and oil change. I had the vehicle aligned approximately eight months ago but the alignment has steadily deteriorated. The vehicle has a little over 77,000 miles. I purchased this vehicle brand new and have been the only owner. I have never been…
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250. While driving approximately 62 MPH, the steering wheel and both front tires began shaking without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the steering gear box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not…
Suspension
35 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 117,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
While driving at highway speeds if I hit a bump the whole truck shakes violently to the point of losing control of the vehicle. I need to brake heavily to stop the shaking. I've read up on it and it has been dubbed the 'death wobble' and apparently is a huge problem. It is not safe to drive the truck, so I am keeping…
When traveling more than 40mph and a wheel hits a groove or bump in the road, the entire truck shakes violently and is hard to control, forcing the driver to quickly decelerate to regain control of the truck. It feels as if the tires are bouncing uncontrollably. This has been happening since we purchased the vehicle…
Engine
33 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine, cooling system.
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…
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, [phone]) where it…
Wheels and tires
19 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 31,000 miles. Parts named most often: pressure monitoring and regulating systems.
One of 4 continental contitrac lt 275/65 r 18 tires, dot # p5b9 1vub, has multiple (14+) tiny air leaks through the tread of the tire. There is no apparent damage to the tire or tread. The tires have just under 30,000 miles on them. They are the original equipment tires that came with my 2008 Ford f250 2wd manual…
The contact owns a 2008 Ford f250 with a set of continental contitrac tires, size lt275/70/r18. The contact was driving 50 MPH when all four tires split on the sidewall. The tires were taken to a local tire shop for a replacement where the contact was informed of a potential recall on the tires under NHTSA campaign id…
Brakes
18 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles. Parts named most often: pedals and linkages.
2008 Ford f250 - right rotor only disintegrating causing major damage to the caliper and rubber boot. Had truck to dealership twice and they could find nothing wrong with the truck, now dealership is saying that it is lack of maintenance on my part. I seriously believe that this is a defective part. Brake on right…
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the front and rear rotors, the calipers and the front and rear brakes. The vehicle was repaired. The…
Transmission
14 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, transfer case (4-wheel drive).
The contact owns a 2008 Ford f250. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the check the exhaust filtration system warning message appeared on the instrument panel and suddenly the engine stalled. The vehicle failed to restart was towed to a safer location where the battery was disconnected and…
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 20-25 MPH, the vehicle started shaking. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to spitzer Ford (543 w maple st, hartville, oh 44632) and informed that the track bar, ball joints, tie rod joints and possible steering gear assembly…
Electrical
12 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 90,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel.
I was driving our 2008 F-250 2wd an as I applied the brakes to turn, lost power steering and brakes. This had occurred a few times before but I could not identify the problem. The problem was intermittent and although a near serious accident occurred, no problem could be found. I was planning to take it to a local…
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!
Speed control
8 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 51,500 miles.
The cruise control failed to turn off. After several hours of highway driving with the cruise control turned on, I was not able to turn the cruise control off by using the cruise control on/off switch or by braking. The truck accelerated when the brakes were applied. After several attempts to turn the cruise control…
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250. While approaching a stop sign at 10 MPH, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 55,000.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Ford F-250 recalls
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Risk: A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: delivery
Risk: Fuel spillage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seats
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: This condition may prevent the driver air bag from properly deploying and reduce occupant protection in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
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.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the power train control module. The recall began on april 3, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: 12v/24v/48v battery
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Alleged loss of steering
Summary
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
Questions about the 2008 Ford F-250
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford F-250?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (80 complaints, typically around 77,500 miles); suspension (35 complaints, typically around 117,000 miles); engine (33 complaints, typically around 69,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Ford F-250 have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 26, 2009 (equipment Adaptive/Mobility). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Ford F-250?
- It is 6th of 15 F-250 model years by number of complaints, with 196 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.