KnownCarProblems2008 Ford F-450 SD Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 68 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Ford F-450 SD, most often about the engine (57% of complaints, typically around 31,000 miles). It is the most complained-about F-450 SD model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2008 Ford F-450 SD problems
Engine
39 complaints · 57%Half of these problems showed up before 31,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford f-450. While traveling 55 MPH, the contact noticed that all of the warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. Moments later, the vehicle stalled and could not be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the turbo head was replaced. Prior to the most recent…
First time it was my radiator, I replaced it. Second time it was and injector, I had that fixed. Now it is my turbo and engine. Ford refuses to cover it under wanrrenty, many people have had issues with these models.
Fuel system
19 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 24,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, fuel injection system, storage.
This truck started having issue at 24,593 miles from the radiator, cooler, and gasket issues, replaced parts. Then 6 months later issue again on radiator and replace again. 4 days later back again for same issues. 1 month later again in shop for coolant leaking. Feb 2010 we replaced fuel pump assembly. July 2010 had…
Have had acceleration issues with this Ford f-450 since april of 2010, the first time the driver was able to stop the vehicle without incident but the engine blew up when he put it in neutral to stop the vehicle. It was at the Ford dealership for 6 weeks, I retrieved the vehicle, while on the way home the engine…
Transmission
11 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive).
First time it was my radiator, I replaced it. Second time it was and injector, I had that fixed. Now it is my turbo and engine. Ford refuses to cover it under wanrrenty, many people have had issues with these models.
Driving down the road at 65 MPH pulling a horse trailer, transfer case blew up, breaking the front drive shaft, which wiped out the brake lines, trailer brake line and the fuel lift pump and lines. Had no power or brakes. Had Ford fix the truck, but they would not take any responsibility for the failure. The reason…
Steering
7 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 43,500 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system, gear box (other than rack and pinion), column.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Ford F-450 SD. While driving 68 MPH, the contact drove over a bump in the road and the vehicle shut off and the steering wheel locked. The same failures occurred the previous day. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer, but the failures still persists. The current and failure mileages were…
The contact owns a 2008 Ford f450 sd. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH he felt as if the vehicle was losing power of the steering wheel and brakes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The dealer stated that the power steering box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
Speed control
4 complaints · 6%Tl contact owns a 2008 Ford f450 sd. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started and shifted in gear it attempted to accelerate. The contact applied extreme pressure to the brake pedal in order to stop the vehicle from lunging forward. The contact stated that he had to turn the vehicle off twice and restart…
Truck has a dead throttle w/o any notice. I can drive my kids around all day and try to cross traffic and I have lost throttle response. This first occurred when truck had about 800 miles on it. It never flashed a code so I was sent away with a button to press when it would do it again. After weeks in service the map…
Visibility and wipers
3 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: rearview mirrors/devices, sun/moon roof assembly.
Tl contact owns a 2008 four winds hurricane (na), serial number haa020149. The contact stated that the outside mirrors vibrate when driving at 60 MPH. He is unable to clearly view the oncoming vehicles on the road and stated that the convex mirror was too small and useless. The manufacturer stated that the mirrors…
The sunroof exploded while driving down the highway. A loud pop was heard and the glass exploded out or upward. Sunroof was closed, as was shade that covers it. There was a camper on the truck that covers the cab of the truck, and there were no marks on the truck or camper to say a rock had somehow ricocheted and hit…
Body and structure
3 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: body.
The contact owns 2008 Ford F-450 SD. The contact stated that the metal cable that hold the vehicle spare tire broke striking the horses that were being hauled in the rear trailer. The dealer was notified of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the failure was not cover under the warranty. The…
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-450 SD. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the rear driver's side door opened independently as the door ajar warning indicator illuminated. The contact maneuvered to the side of the road. However, the door failed to latch in a secured position. After numerous attempts, the…
Electrical
3 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: integrated trailer brake control.
Injectors turbo exhaust and alot more problems, been towed 6 times been to the dealer over 30 times went through lemon law didn't qualify vehicle to heavy.
Vehicle lost complete power while driving on interstate at cruising speed. There were absolutely no warnings, the engine just quit, disabling the vehicle in high speed traffic. The dealer repair was to replace wiring harness for high pressure fuel pump due to wires shorting the engine after the insulation was chafed…
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-450 SD recalls
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.
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.
Questions about the 2008 Ford F-450 SD
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford F-450 SD?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (39 complaints, typically around 31,000 miles); fuel system (19 complaints, typically around 24,500 miles); transmission (11 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Ford F-450 SD have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 28, 2008 (seats). 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-450 SD?
- It is the most complained-about F-450 SD model year since 2000, with 68 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.