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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.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
141Owner complaints

Model-year median: 89

0Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

2008 Ford F-250 Sd

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 141 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 1 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Steering: 39 reports
  • Engine And Engine Cooling: 33 reports
  • Tires: 12 reports
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 10 reports
  • Electrical System: 9 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    295
    2005    274
    2006    54
    2007    141
    2008    23
    2009    32
    2010    122
    2011
    Compare all F-250 Sd years →

    Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

    What owners reported most

    Steering
    39    Engine And Engine Cooling
    33    Tires
    12    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    10    Electrical System
    9
    All reported categories
    Engine
    9    Service Brakes
    8    Power Train
    7    Structure
    7    Unknown Or Other
    6    Vehicle Speed Control
    6    Suspension
    5    Fuel System, Diesel
    4    Fuel/propulsion System
    3    Seat Belts
    3    Wheels
    3    Air Bags
    2    Equipment
    1    Fuel System, Gasoline
    1    Fuel System, Other
    1    Traction Control System
    1    Trailer Hitches
    1    Visibility
    1

    Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

    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

    Structure complaints

    7 reports
    Clear category filter
    100,000 miles · Nov 2, 2015
    Structure

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT…

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    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BUSHINGS THAT CONNECT THE BED OF THE TRUCK TO THE FRAME HAD DETERIORATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

    NHTSA ODI #10787824

    5 miles · Dec 30, 2014
    Structure

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS WATER LEAKING INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, MOLD WAS BUILDING UP ON THE REAR SEATS AND SEAT BELTS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WATER WAS ENTERING THROUGH THE CABIN AND HE WAS CONCERNED THAT IT MIGHT POTENTIALLY LEAK THROUGH THE MOON ROOF. …

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    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS WATER LEAKING INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, MOLD WAS BUILDING UP ON THE REAR SEATS AND SEAT BELTS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WATER WAS ENTERING THROUGH THE CABIN AND HE WAS CONCERNED THAT IT MIGHT POTENTIALLY LEAK THROUGH THE MOON ROOF. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE CAUSED A STRONG MILDEW ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON MORE THAN TWO OCCASIONS WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5.

    NHTSA ODI #10669084

    59,427 miles · Aug 11, 2014
    Structure

    WATER LEAKING INTO REAR GLASS MISC SUBLET TO LEAK SOL TO RESEAL REAR GLASS SUBL. LEAK SOLUTION 16433 PO#235147 $250.00 BASICALLY USED LIQUID METAL TO SEAL REAR WINDOW. I THINK THAT THIS IS A DEFECT WHERE THE WINDOW FITS INTO THE CAB OF THE TRUCK ON F150 AND F250. WHEN I TOOK MY TRUCK IN THERE WAS A LINE OF TRUCKS THAT HAD…

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    WATER LEAKING INTO REAR GLASS MISC SUBLET TO LEAK SOL TO RESEAL REAR GLASS SUBL. LEAK SOLUTION 16433 PO#235147 $250.00 BASICALLY USED LIQUID METAL TO SEAL REAR WINDOW. I THINK THAT THIS IS A DEFECT WHERE THE WINDOW FITS INTO THE CAB OF THE TRUCK ON F150 AND F250. WHEN I TOOK MY TRUCK IN THERE WAS A LINE OF TRUCKS THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM. *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10621509

    200 miles · Nov 5, 2009
    StructureTrailer Hitches

    I OWN A FORD F250, MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT A 7 PIN TRAILER PLUG, WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT THE PLUG FALLS OFF THE CONNECTOR AS I AM DRIVING. I HAVE NOTICED THAT FORD CHANGED THERE DESIGN ON THE PLUG, THEY TURNED IT TO THE RIGHT SO THE LOCK IS SIDE, INSTEAD OF BEING ON THE TOP. I HAVE TRY TO TALK TO FORD ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAY THERE'S …

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    I OWN A FORD F250, MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT A 7 PIN TRAILER PLUG, WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT THE PLUG FALLS OFF THE CONNECTOR AS I AM DRIVING. I HAVE NOTICED THAT FORD CHANGED THERE DESIGN ON THE PLUG, THEY TURNED IT TO THE RIGHT SO THE LOCK IS SIDE, INSTEAD OF BEING ON THE TOP. I HAVE TRY TO TALK TO FORD ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAY THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, I LOOSE MY BRAKES TO MY TRAILER EVERYTIME THIS HAPPENS MAKING IT VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10291149

    32,500 miles · Sep 15, 2009
    Structure

    EVERYTIME I DRIVE AND THERE ARE 'WHOOPS' IN THE ROAD, MY TRUCK VIOLENTLY BOUNCES.THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME. AND MY STEERING FEELS VERY LOOSE FROM IT. I CAN SEE MY FRONT TIRES SHAKING HARD, LIKE THEY'RE ABOUT TO FLY OFF THE WHEEL STUDS. IT STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AGO IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD ROADS. *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10284029

    1,000 miles · Aug 25, 2008
    Service Brakes, HydraulicStructure

    ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE APPLYING FOOT BRAKE PEDAL, FOOT ALSO DEPRESSES GAS PEDAL. THIS OCCURS MOSTLY WHEN HAVING TO STOP QUICKLY. CONDITION INCREASES STOPPING DISTANCE. CONDITION IS BAD WITH A STANDARD TRANSMISSION AND MUCH MORE SO WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. SELLING DEALER AND ANOTHER DEALER IN TEXAS SAID THERE IS NO A…

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    ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE APPLYING FOOT BRAKE PEDAL, FOOT ALSO DEPRESSES GAS PEDAL. THIS OCCURS MOSTLY WHEN HAVING TO STOP QUICKLY. CONDITION INCREASES STOPPING DISTANCE. CONDITION IS BAD WITH A STANDARD TRANSMISSION AND MUCH MORE SO WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. SELLING DEALER AND ANOTHER DEALER IN TEXAS SAID THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT. IN MY OPINION THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10239694

    Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2008
    Electrical SystemStructure

    2008 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN FALL 2007- WITH ZERO MILES. APPX. 3 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE, TRUCKS CAB RUBBED THE INTERNAL WIRING HARNESS INTO..CAUSING THE TRUCK TO HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND DAMAGES. TRUCK WAS UN-ABLE TO BE DRIVEN OR USED FOR APPX. 2 WEEKS, DUE TO REPAIRS. PROBLEM WITH WIRING HARNESS FIXED UNT…

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    2008 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN FALL 2007- WITH ZERO MILES. APPX. 3 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE, TRUCKS CAB RUBBED THE INTERNAL WIRING HARNESS INTO..CAUSING THE TRUCK TO HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND DAMAGES. TRUCK WAS UN-ABLE TO BE DRIVEN OR USED FOR APPX. 2 WEEKS, DUE TO REPAIRS. PROBLEM WITH WIRING HARNESS FIXED UNTIL APPX. 4 MONTHS AGO, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, TRUCK SHUT COMPLETELY OFF AND WOULD NOT START BACK. HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY TIME TRUCK IS DRIVEN.... VERY DANGEROUS! STILL CONTINUING TO SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING....ALONG WITH OTHER PROBLEMS THESE ARE JUST TWO MAJOR ONES TO MENTION.... *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10237103

    Recall campaigns

    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 ↗

    Defect 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

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.