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2008 Ford F-250 Sd

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Ford F-250 Sd do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 89.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

127 reports with mileage · 14 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

8 reports
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120,000 miles · Feb 14, 2017
Service BrakesSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE BRAKES HAD TO BE APPLIED EACH TIME WHILE MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND BRAKE F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE BRAKES HAD TO BE APPLIED EACH TIME WHILE MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND BRAKE FLUID, BUT WERE ALSO UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10954457

51,000 miles · Aug 4, 2016
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, IT SUNK TO THE FLOORBOARD AND FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY USING THE ELECTRIC BRAKE FROM A TRAILER BEING TOWED BY THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, IT SUNK TO THE FLOORBOARD AND FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY USING THE ELECTRIC BRAKE FROM A TRAILER BEING TOWED BY THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL BRAKE RELEASE SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000. UPDATED 09/22/16*LJ UPDATED 10/6/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI #10893155

40,000 miles · Sep 13, 2015
Air BagsSeat BeltsService BrakesCrash

I WAS DRIVING MY FORD 250 ON A SLICK ROAD WHEN A PICK UP STOPPED SHORT IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME HITTING THE REAR END OF THE PICK UP APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT ALLOWED ME TO SLIDE UNDER THE BELT CAUSING MY KNEES TO HIT THE DASH. OTHER THEN GOOD BRUISES AND MILD SOREN…

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I WAS DRIVING MY FORD 250 ON A SLICK ROAD WHEN A PICK UP STOPPED SHORT IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME HITTING THE REAR END OF THE PICK UP APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT ALLOWED ME TO SLIDE UNDER THE BELT CAUSING MY KNEES TO HIT THE DASH. OTHER THEN GOOD BRUISES AND MILD SORENESS I WAS FINE. THE OTHER PERSON WAS FINE AS WELL. MY SEAT BELT DID NOT ENGAGE AND I AM WONDERING WHY MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE GRILL AND RADIATOR WERE DAMAGED?

NHTSA ODI #10763419

62,021 miles · Apr 6, 2015
Service Brakes

WAS TOLD BY DEALER, REAR CALIPER WAS DRAGGING, I REPLACED REAR BRAKES AND IN THE PROCESS NOTICED BOTH BACK CALIPERS WERE DEFECTIVE AT 62000 MILES. ONE PISTON ON ONE SIDE WAS ATTACHED TO THE PAD AND CRACKED IN HALF. THE OTHER SIDE, BOTH PISTONS WERE BROKEN. AT SUCH A SHORT MILEAGE INTERVAL, CALIPERS SHOULD NOT BE DEFECT…

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WAS TOLD BY DEALER, REAR CALIPER WAS DRAGGING, I REPLACED REAR BRAKES AND IN THE PROCESS NOTICED BOTH BACK CALIPERS WERE DEFECTIVE AT 62000 MILES. ONE PISTON ON ONE SIDE WAS ATTACHED TO THE PAD AND CRACKED IN HALF. THE OTHER SIDE, BOTH PISTONS WERE BROKEN. AT SUCH A SHORT MILEAGE INTERVAL, CALIPERS SHOULD NOT BE DEFECTIVE AND DRAGGING ON THE ROTORS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10703992

10,000 miles · Jan 15, 2014
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT WAS ENTERING A PARKING LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION, HOWEVER NO RESULTS WERE FOUND FOR THE FAILURE. THE BRAKES WERE REBUILT, REPLACED, DISSEMBLED AND CLEANED, HOWEVER THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT WAS ENTERING A PARKING LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION, HOWEVER NO RESULTS WERE FOUND FOR THE FAILURE. THE BRAKES WERE REBUILT, REPLACED, DISSEMBLED AND CLEANED, HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ODI #10560018

92,000 miles · Nov 5, 2013
Service BrakesSteering

AFTER APPOX. ONE HOUR AT 65 MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL I DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL , COASTING TO A SPEED OF ABOUT 25 MPH OR LESS TO MAKE A UPCOMING LEFT TURN. AS I STARTED TO TURN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE AND FOUND IT WAS WITHOUT ASSIST, AND THE SAME WAS TRUE FOR THE STEERING. I APPLIED AS MUCH PRESSURE AS I COULD TO BOTH THE BRAK…

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AFTER APPOX. ONE HOUR AT 65 MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL I DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL , COASTING TO A SPEED OF ABOUT 25 MPH OR LESS TO MAKE A UPCOMING LEFT TURN. AS I STARTED TO TURN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE AND FOUND IT WAS WITHOUT ASSIST, AND THE SAME WAS TRUE FOR THE STEERING. I APPLIED AS MUCH PRESSURE AS I COULD TO BOTH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE STEERING WHEEL AND FORTUNATELY MADE THE TURN WITH OUT INCIDENT. I TAPPED THE FUEL PEDAL AND BOTH THE BRAKES AND STEERING ASSIST RETURNED TO NORMAL. I'VE HAD THE PROBLEM BEFORE WITH LOSS OF BRAKES BUT HAVE ALWAYS BEEN GOING STRAIGHT. I REPORT THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT SINCE THE VEHICLE DOESN'T SHOW A ERROR CODE THEY CAN'T FIX IT! AT LEAST IF I DIE IN A CRASH THIS WILL BE MY RECORD. I WILL REPORT THE TRUCK AGAIN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WONT FIX IT. I HAVE SEEN THAT OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING ALSO. I WON'T LET MY WIFE DRIVE THE TRUCK IT IS NOT SAFE!!! THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THE SYSTEM IS DRAWING FLUID FOR BOTH THE BRAKES AND STEERING FROM THE POWERSTEERING PUMP, ALSO I BELIEVE FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THE FLUID TRAVELS THRU A SCREEN(FILTER) WHICH CAN PLUG STARVING THE SYSTEM OF FLUID NEEDED TO PROPERLY OPERATE THE STEERING AND BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551058

18,000 miles · Jun 5, 2013
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS CONSTANTLY BEING DEPRESSED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKES HAD SEIZED. THE DEALER LUBRICATED THE BRAKES WITH H…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS CONSTANTLY BEING DEPRESSED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKES HAD SEIZED. THE DEALER LUBRICATED THE BRAKES WITH HEAVY GREASE AND REPLACED BOTH THE BRAKE PADS AND CALIPERS. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10515211

26,000 miles · Oct 4, 2012
Service Brakes

AFTER A 10 MILE TRIP , GOT TO MY HOME AND REAR DRIVER BRAKE WAS SMOKING. I HAD CONTINUALLY COMPLAINED TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP ABOUT EXCESSIVE HEAT I.E. YOU COULD HEAR CRACKLING AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE. I BOUGHT A CENTEC HAND LASER HEAT TEMPERATURE LCD GUN AND DEMONSTRATED TO THE FORD SERVICE MANAGER THAT ALL DISCS HAD EX…

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AFTER A 10 MILE TRIP , GOT TO MY HOME AND REAR DRIVER BRAKE WAS SMOKING. I HAD CONTINUALLY COMPLAINED TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP ABOUT EXCESSIVE HEAT I.E. YOU COULD HEAR CRACKLING AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE. I BOUGHT A CENTEC HAND LASER HEAT TEMPERATURE LCD GUN AND DEMONSTRATED TO THE FORD SERVICE MANAGER THAT ALL DISCS HAD EXCESSIVE HEAT. THEY CLAIMED THEY SERVICED THE BRAKES. CONTINUALLY BLAMED THE NEW YORK WINTER AND SALT. SINCE I GOT MY LAST SERVICE SATISFACTION SURVEY SHORTLY AFTER THIS SMOKING INCIDENT, I WROTE THAT FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE TRUCKS FOR THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE DEALERSHIPS EITHER CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM OR WAIT TILL THE WARRANTY IS UP(IS FORD ITSELF COVERING UP?) I REPLACED THE CALIPER MYSELF IN MY YARD SINCE I FELT IT WAS UNSAFE. THE PISTONS IN THESE CALIPERS FREEZE UP DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478567

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE13014 · Alleged Loss Of Steering

Opened May 7, 2013 · Closed Jan 31, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)

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

Additional source detail variants (2)

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

Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)

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