Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
190–25K
1925–50K
2950–75K
1775–100K
21100–150K
12150K+
117 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 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports9 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
131 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2026
EngineStructureUnknown Or OtherFireInjury
Items in my bed and liner caught on fire. Engine regeneration for emissions got so hot melted all of the bed liner and caught a new large tv on fire. Ford has a glue on heat shield under bed which fell off. Exhaust gets so hot it caught on fire. They should have put a metal fixed plate or something fixed no a cheap glue on piece…
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Items in my bed and liner caught on fire. Engine regeneration for emissions got so hot melted all of the bed liner and caught a new large tv on fire. Ford has a glue on heat shield under bed which fell off. Exhaust gets so hot it caught on fire. They should have put a metal fixed plate or something fixed no a cheap glue on piece of foil. I inspected other trucks all missing!
NHTSA ODI #11711591
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2026
Engine
I have had multiple incidents of my truck shutting off completely while driving. The latest incident resulted in a "catastrophic engine failure". In the latest incident occurring in April 2025, I was driving on [XXX] . [XXX] is a two-lane highway with no divider, navigating through mountainous terrain. I was driving up a hi…
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I have had multiple incidents of my truck shutting off completely while driving. The latest incident resulted in a "catastrophic engine failure". In the latest incident occurring in April 2025, I was driving on [XXX] . [XXX] is a two-lane highway with no divider, navigating through mountainous terrain. I was driving up a hilly area when my truck shut off, and I lost all power steering. There is no shoulder on this part of the freeway, with an approximate 40-foot embankment. I was able to navigate the vehicle to the side of the road and position it just before the beginning of a guard rail beginning allowing me some grace. Due to no shoulder space, I was effectively parked on the white containment line of the road. I had my [XXX] daughter and wife in the car. I had to wait for a break in traffic to be able to open the driver's door due to the proximity to the active highway. I was safely get the truck towed to the nearest FORD dealership, where it was determined the engine was in "catastrophic failure" due to oil engine overfill. I informed FORD that my last oil change was with the FORD dealership and within the recommended time frame. I was informed by a technician that there is an ongoing issue with this engine make (6.4-liter, diesel). The technician stated that FORD is aware of the issue. The technician stated that fuel gets mixed with the oil and causes an "engine oil overfill". None of these issues stems from negligence but rather an unakknowledged issue by FORD. There was a check engine light that appeared at the time of failure. The check engine light had come on, at which point I contacted a mechanic to schedule an appointment. When I arrived for my appointment, the check engine light had disappeared, and I was told that no codes would alert if the actual check engine light was not on during the inspection. That same scenario occurred on approximately 3 occasions. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11710743
Mileage unknown · May 14, 2025
EngineFuel/propulsion System
Vehicle died while driving on the freeway. Towed to the local Ford who did a diagnostic and test they found that the engine is completely done with as there was an engine oil overfill, and it filled the CAC system and melted cylinder eight piston. they’re saying that they will need to replace the entire engine and HP fuel pump i…
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Vehicle died while driving on the freeway. Towed to the local Ford who did a diagnostic and test they found that the engine is completely done with as there was an engine oil overfill, and it filled the CAC system and melted cylinder eight piston. they’re saying that they will need to replace the entire engine and HP fuel pump in order to repair and I see many others have experienced this same problem.
NHTSA ODI #11661000
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2025
Unknown Or OtherFireInjury
Items inside bed caught on fire due to exhaust cleaning system getting so hot to burn off pollution in DPF pipe. Dangerous truck to drive contacted ford. No one contacted me. Other ford diesels caught on fire due to this. I’m retired military and don’t have money to buy 50k trucks. Only 80k on truck.
NHTSA ODI #11645692
Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2023
SteeringSuspension
Death wobble. First experience was September 2019
NHTSA ODI #11533462
70,000 miles · May 24, 2023
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-350. The contact stated that on several occasions while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the contact noticed a burning odor throughout the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear driver’s and passenger’s side wheels inadvertently locked without warning then released. No warning lights were il…
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The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-350. The contact stated that on several occasions while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the contact noticed a burning odor throughout the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear driver’s and passenger’s side wheels inadvertently locked without warning then released. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the brake pedal and plunger rod was replaced with a longer plunger rod; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact stated that he had to applied pressure to the brake pedal that was depressed down to the floorboard. As a result, the vehicle glided to a stop. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that brake pedal and the brake master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred after the vehicle was retrieved from the dealer. The contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the front driver’s side wheel locked without warning and then released. The contact stated that he steered the vehicle off the roadway and was informed by another motorist that there was smoke underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that he was assist by Law Enforcement and advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake caliper, front brake lock, brake pads, master cylinder and other undisclosed brake parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact was advised by the technician to take the vehicle to Bob’s 151 transmission Center where it was diagnosed that the ABS had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was too old, and no further assistance was provided. The contact stated that th
NHTSA ODI #11523641
Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2023
Steering
Steering went out , wouldn’t return to center
NHTSA ODI #11507117
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2021
Steering
Power steering pump replaced with new unit. Major steering issues. Will not turn at some points. Almost caused 3 accidents on 10/22/2021. Have had front end and power steering pump replaced.
NHTSA ODI #11437889
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2021
Steering
Death wobble and learned about class action after I had front end repaired with complete overhaul ball joints etc in January 2018 ($2100 plus dollars) by my mechanic. May 16, 2021 experienced 3 incidents of death wobble in Oklahoma City enroute toTulsa, Oklahoma. See my mechanic on June 1, 2021.
NHTSA ODI #11419059
200,000 miles · May 13, 2021
Steering
ON INTERSTATE PASSING IN LEFT LANE HIT A ROUGH PATCH TRUCKS STARTS SHAKING SO BAD I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO FLIP. COULD NOT GET TO SHOULDER SO HAD TO GO IN THE MEDIAM IT WAS NOT A FLAT SPOT IT WAS A HILL SO I WENT STRAIGHT AND NOT AT AN ANGLE IF I HAD I WOULD OF FLIPPED. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME. IFRIST TIME I HAD APPROX $300…
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ON INTERSTATE PASSING IN LEFT LANE HIT A ROUGH PATCH TRUCKS STARTS SHAKING SO BAD I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO FLIP. COULD NOT GET TO SHOULDER SO HAD TO GO IN THE MEDIAM IT WAS NOT A FLAT SPOT IT WAS A HILL SO I WENT STRAIGHT AND NOT AT AN ANGLE IF I HAD I WOULD OF FLIPPED. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME. IFRIST TIME I HAD APPROX $3000.00 OF FRONT IN WORK DONE TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT IT DID NOT.
KNAPHEIDE IS RECALLING 108 MY 2006-2008 PRO SERIES TRUCK BEDS EQUIPPED WITH AN ICC BUMPER WHICH INCLUDED A PROVISION FOR A BALL HITCH. THERE MAY BE AN INSUFFICIENT WELD ATTACHING THE HITCH CHANNEL TO THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN BENDING OF THE HITCH CHANNEL OR THE HITCH COULD BE PULLED OFF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: KNAPHEIDE WILL OFFER TWO REMEDIES TO ITS CUSTOMERS: (1) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO DO NOT USE THE HITCH, THE HITCH WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TRUCK BED AND REPLACED WITH AN ICC BUMPER; OR (2) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO NEED A HITCH, A RECEIVER HITCH ASSEMBLY WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING HITCH ASSEMBLY AND ALL SUSPECT WELD JOINTS WILL BE RE WELDED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KNAPHEIDE AT 1-877-473-5763.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT SIDE PIVOT BRACKET MAY CRACK OR BREAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY PREVENT THE DRIVER AIR BAG FROM PROPERLY DEPLOYING AND REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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
2008 Ford F-350 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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