← New search

2008 Ford F-450 Sd

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all F-450 Sd years →

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

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

57 reports with mileage · 11 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports3 fire reports3 injury reports

Fuel System, Diesel complaints

8 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2011
Fuel System, Diesel

2008 FORD F450. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A SAFETY CONCERN OF AN AUXILIARY FUEL TANK *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE PURCHASED THE FUEL TANK AND IT WAS INSTALLED ON JUNE 1, 2011. THE TANK WAS MADE OF THE SAME MATERIAL AS TOOL BOXES FOR TRUCK BEDS. RECENTLY, A SINGLE BOLT ATTACHED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BECAME LOOSE AND SLIPPED …

Read full complaint

2008 FORD F450. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A SAFETY CONCERN OF AN AUXILIARY FUEL TANK *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE PURCHASED THE FUEL TANK AND IT WAS INSTALLED ON JUNE 1, 2011. THE TANK WAS MADE OF THE SAME MATERIAL AS TOOL BOXES FOR TRUCK BEDS. RECENTLY, A SINGLE BOLT ATTACHED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BECAME LOOSE AND SLIPPED AN INCH AND A HALF OUT OF THE HOLE SECURING THE TANK TO THE BED OF THE TRUCK. THE BOLT THREADS WERE STRIPPED UP TO THE END OF THE BOLT. THE NUT WAS AT THE END OF THE THREADS OF THE BOLT. THE BOLT WAS PROTRUDING OUTWARD IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK AND WAS BENT AT A 45 DEGREES. WITH THE BOLT BENT OVER, THE TANK SLID AN INCH FORWARD IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK. THE DRIVER SIDE BOLT HAD ALSO LOOSENED, BUT WAS STILL SECURE WITH A NUT. THE ESTABLISHMENT WHERE THE CONSUMER MADE THE PURCHASE, INFORMED HIM HE TANK WAS SUPPOSED TO BE MOVABLE. THEY STATED IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SECURED WITH ONE BOLT ON EACH END.

NHTSA ODI #10420489

25,000 miles · Jun 17, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, DieselVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

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 FAILED AGAIN, I…

Read full complaint

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 FAILED AGAIN, IT WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. 1 WEEK LATER I RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE AGAIN, 2 DAYS AFTER THAT THE ACCELERATOR STUCK ONCE AGAIN WHILE HAULING A TRAILER LOADED WITH A RENTAL TRENCHER. THIS TIME THE RESULT WAS A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT THAT SENT ONE OF MY EMPLOYEES TO THE HOSPITAL AND CAUSED MAJOR PROPERTY DAMAGE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAS BEEN THERE EVER SINCE. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE SHORT BLOCK, INJECTORS, AND OTHER VARIOUS ENGINE COMPONENTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10336804

4,000 miles · May 5, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Diesel

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328946

34,090 miles · Mar 30, 2010
Fuel System, Diesel

THE COATING ON THE INTERIOR OF FORD DIESEL FUEL TANKS CORRODES AND COLLECTS AS SEDIMENT IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE SEDIMENT, COLLECTS AT THE BOTTON OF THE FUEL TANK AND IS SUCKED INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM. IN THIS INCIDENT, THE FAILURE BEGAN WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING. THE DEALER, REPLACED THE SENSOR, THEN AT A SECOND TIM…

Read full complaint

THE COATING ON THE INTERIOR OF FORD DIESEL FUEL TANKS CORRODES AND COLLECTS AS SEDIMENT IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE SEDIMENT, COLLECTS AT THE BOTTON OF THE FUEL TANK AND IS SUCKED INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM. IN THIS INCIDENT, THE FAILURE BEGAN WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING. THE DEALER, REPLACED THE SENSOR, THEN AT A SECOND TIME THE FUEL ELEMENT, AND FINALLY THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE FUEL LINES BECOME FOULED, THE FUEL PUMPS BECOME CLOGGED AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. AS THE COATING CONTINUES TO DETERIORATE, THE ONLY RECOURSE IT TO CHANGE THE FUEL TANK, THE SENSORS, AND ENTIRE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM. WE HAVE HAD 3 FORD VEHICLES F SERIES EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. IN THIS CASE IN LESS THAN 18 MONTHS FROM DATE OF PURCHASE, THE FUEL ELEMENTS AND SENSORS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT WE ARE REPORTING THIS AS IT SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN ALL THE FORD DIESEL FUEL SYSTEMS. AS THE FUEL SYSTEMS BECOME CLOGGED, THE VEHICLES LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING AND CREATE A SAFETY ISSUE AND DRIVING HAZARD NOT ONLY TO THE VEHICLE OPERATOR BUT OTHER MOTORISTS.

NHTSA ODI #10322803

13,000 miles · Mar 20, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, DieselPower TrainFireInjury

DRIVING AS NORMAL ON FWY HEARD A LOUD NOISE THOUGHT I GOT A FLAT. STOPPED VEHICLE ON SHOULDER, BRAKING WAS DIFFICULT AND WHITE SMOKE WAS AROUND THE CAR. I GOT OUT AND DID NOT SEE ANY FLAT TIRES BUT I SAW SMOKE BETWEEN THE CAB AND BED OF THE TRUCK. I RAN BACK TO THE DRIVER DOOR AND SAW A SMALL FIRE ON THE FLOOR NEXT TO THE 4X4…

Read full complaint

DRIVING AS NORMAL ON FWY HEARD A LOUD NOISE THOUGHT I GOT A FLAT. STOPPED VEHICLE ON SHOULDER, BRAKING WAS DIFFICULT AND WHITE SMOKE WAS AROUND THE CAR. I GOT OUT AND DID NOT SEE ANY FLAT TIRES BUT I SAW SMOKE BETWEEN THE CAB AND BED OF THE TRUCK. I RAN BACK TO THE DRIVER DOOR AND SAW A SMALL FIRE ON THE FLOOR NEXT TO THE 4X4 SHIFTER FOR THE TRANSFER CASE. I IMMEDIATELY GRABBED MY 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER FROM HER CAR SEAT AS THE CAB FILLED WITH SMOKE AND RAN APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET AWAY AND TOLD MY DAUGHTER TO STAY. I JUMPED INTO THE BACK OF THE TRUCK GRABBED A LARGE FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND DISCHARGED IT INTO THE HOLE IN THE FLOORBOARD NEXT TO THE TRANSFER CASE IT WENT OUT AND IMMEDIATELY CAME STARTED UP AGAIN. I THEN CALLED 911. SOME PEOPLE STOPPED AND HELPED ME REMOVE A FEW POSSESSIONS FROM THE TRUCK BED. WITHIN 3 MINUTES THE TRUCK FIRE FLASHED AND WE ALL STOOD BACK AND VIDEO TAPED THE VEHICLE BURN TO THE GROUND. THE WITNESSES SAID WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOMETHING METAL CAME OFF OF MY TRUCK STRUCK THEIR CAR AND THE REASON THEY PULLED OVER IS BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD A FLAT BUT WHEN THEY LOOKED BACK THEY SAW FIRE UNDERNEATH MY TRUCK AND RAN TO HELP. THE FD ARRIVED THEY SHOT FOAM ON THE FIRE BUT IT CONTINUED TO GO OUT THEN START BACK IT TOOK THEM APPROXIMATELY 30 MIN TO EXTINGUISH. I AM VERY MECHANICAL AND BELIEVE MECHANICAL FAILURE IN THE EXHAUST CANNINSTERS THAT COLLECT THEN BURN HYDRO CARBON PARTICLES BEFORE THEY ARE RELEASED INTO THE CAT CONVERTER, SENT EXCESSIVE HEAT TO THE TRANSMISSION THEN THE TRANSFER CASE(DIRECTLY BELOW THE FUEL LINES), THUS MELTING THE FUEL LINES WHICH DRIPPED ON THE RED HOT TRANSFER CASE AND STARTED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP PREVIOUSLY UNDER A FORD RECALL FOR SHOOTING FLAMES OUT OF THE TAIL PIPES SO I ASSUME THEY MUST HAVE RESTRICTED THE FLAMES WHICH KEPT THE MORE HEAT INSIDE THE VEHICLE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND IS SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS! MY DAUGHTER AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THE AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED OR AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10321167

19,800 miles · Nov 24, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Diesel

FORD REFUSES TO REPAIR WARRANTY VEHICLE, FUEL TANK LEAKS, AIR CONDITIONER NOT WORKING, FORD REFUSE TO REPAIR RADIATOR RECALL - CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 08B06 AND FORD REFUSES TO FIX ENGINE PROBLEM. AT TIME OF THE ENGINE PROBLEM OCCURRED LOSS OF POWER SHAKING KNOCKING SOUND WHITE SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE. LOSS OF OIL AND ANTIFR…

Read full complaint

FORD REFUSES TO REPAIR WARRANTY VEHICLE, FUEL TANK LEAKS, AIR CONDITIONER NOT WORKING, FORD REFUSE TO REPAIR RADIATOR RECALL - CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 08B06 AND FORD REFUSES TO FIX ENGINE PROBLEM. AT TIME OF THE ENGINE PROBLEM OCCURRED LOSS OF POWER SHAKING KNOCKING SOUND WHITE SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE. LOSS OF OIL AND ANTIFREEZE. MAYBE EGR COOLER, INJECTOR OR TURBO PROBLEM? FORD SHIFTS THE BLAME ON TO THE CUSTOMER AND WILL NOT HONOR WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10293416

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Diesel

LTR ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2008 FORD F450 TRUCK DEFECTIVE ENGINE. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED FROM JULY 12, 2008 TO NOVEMBER 28, 2008 SHE EXPERIENCED THREE FAILED ENGINES. THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF HEAT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, ENOUGH TO MELT THE WIRING AND CAUSE SMOKE TO COME INTO THE CAB OF THE TRUCK. ON EACH OCCASIO…

Read full complaint

LTR ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2008 FORD F450 TRUCK DEFECTIVE ENGINE. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED FROM JULY 12, 2008 TO NOVEMBER 28, 2008 SHE EXPERIENCED THREE FAILED ENGINES. THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF HEAT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, ENOUGH TO MELT THE WIRING AND CAUSE SMOKE TO COME INTO THE CAB OF THE TRUCK. ON EACH OCCASION, THAT THE ENGINE FAILED, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CONSUMERS SON WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, OIL BEGAN BLOWING ALL OVER THE WINDSHIELD. THE FUEL PUMP ALSO FAILED WHICH WAS CAUSING THE STEERING AND STARTER TO LOCK UP.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10289568

23,606 miles · Jan 31, 2009
Fuel System, Diesel

I OWN A 2008 FORD F-450 WITH A 6.4 DIESEL MOTOR. I HAVE NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH DRIVE TRAIN PROBLEMS SINCE I TOOK DELIVERY. FINALLY, WHILE DRIVING ON A 4-LANE HIGHWAY DOING 50MHP THE MOTOR QUIT RUNNING. BAKE AND STEERING FAILURE FOLLOWED. AFTER GETTING TOWED TO A DEALER AND AFTER 3 DAYS TO FIND THE PROBLEM, I WAS TOLD THERE WA…

Read full complaint

I OWN A 2008 FORD F-450 WITH A 6.4 DIESEL MOTOR. I HAVE NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH DRIVE TRAIN PROBLEMS SINCE I TOOK DELIVERY. FINALLY, WHILE DRIVING ON A 4-LANE HIGHWAY DOING 50MHP THE MOTOR QUIT RUNNING. BAKE AND STEERING FAILURE FOLLOWED. AFTER GETTING TOWED TO A DEALER AND AFTER 3 DAYS TO FIND THE PROBLEM, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A BURNT WIRING HARNESS INSIDE THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP SYSTEM. I ASKED IF THIS WAS A SINGLE ISSUE OR WIDE-SPREAD. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A TSB (TECH SERVICE INFORMATION) REGARDING THIS FAILURE. I ASKED WHY NO RECALL AND WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I CONSIDER MY TRUCK TO STOP RUNNING AT ANY SPEED TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. THE REPAIR TOOK 11 DAYS TO COMPLETE. IN ORDER TO MAKE THE REPAIR THE CAB AND THE FRONT BODY HAVE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE CHASSIS. I CAN SEE WHY FORD WOULD NOT WANT TO REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE PIECES ON ALL THE 6.4 DIESEL MOTORS, HOWEVER BY WAITING FOR EACH ONE TO BREAK DOWN, AND POSSIBLY CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IS A TERRIBLE BUSINESS DECISION. PLEASE HELP OTHER OWNERS!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10257033

Official recalls

3

08V096000 · Seats

Feb 28, 2008

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.

07V139000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Mar 26, 2007

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.

07V140000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery

Mar 26, 2007

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.