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2008 Ford F-450 Sd

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

What owners actually said

68 reports
18,000 miles · Jul 28, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TRUCK WITH ABOUT 18,000 MILES BY ORIGINAL OWNER FAILED ON 22 JUNE 2008; NEW MOTOR REQUIRED AFTER LENGTHY CONTACTS BETWEEN DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY; AS OF JULY 28, 2008, TRUCK IS STILL IN SHOP AND FMC NOT COOPERATIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10236132

43,520 miles · Jun 17, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

TL*THE 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 43,520.…

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TL*THE 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 43,520.

NHTSA ODI #10231366

45,675 miles · Apr 29, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-450. THE CONTACT HAS OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR SEVEN MONTHS AND HAS REPLACED THE RADIATOR SEVEN TIMES DUE TO AN OIL LEAK. THE TURBOS FAILED AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CRACKED IN HALF. THE VEHICLE FAILS TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS. ONE STATED THAT A NEW ENGIN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-450. THE CONTACT HAS OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR SEVEN MONTHS AND HAS REPLACED THE RADIATOR SEVEN TIMES DUE TO AN OIL LEAK. THE TURBOS FAILED AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CRACKED IN HALF. THE VEHICLE FAILS TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS. ONE STATED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED, BUT THE OTHER DISAGREED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AND UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH HIS CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY REGARDING THE LEMON LAW. HE ALSO CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY REFUSED TO TOUCH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,675.

NHTSA ODI #10226085

6,000 miles · Apr 11, 2008
Electrical System

IN 2007 I PURCHASED A 2008 FORD F-450 .. IT INCLUDES A FORD BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM. I OWN A 5TH WHEEL RV TRAILER WITH DEXTER ELECTRIC OVER HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES. I TRADED IN A 2006 FORD F-350 TRUCK WITH A FORD BRAKE CONTROLLER AND WITH WHICH I HAD TOWED THE TRAILER OVER 20,000 MILES WITH NO BRAKING DIFFICULTY. RECENTLY WE…

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IN 2007 I PURCHASED A 2008 FORD F-450 .. IT INCLUDES A FORD BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM. I OWN A 5TH WHEEL RV TRAILER WITH DEXTER ELECTRIC OVER HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES. I TRADED IN A 2006 FORD F-350 TRUCK WITH A FORD BRAKE CONTROLLER AND WITH WHICH I HAD TOWED THE TRAILER OVER 20,000 MILES WITH NO BRAKING DIFFICULTY. RECENTLY WE ENCOUNTERED SOME BRAKE CONTROLLER ISSUES INCLUDING ERRONEOUS DASHBOARD DISPLAY MESSAGES. I HAVE LEARNED FROM OTHER PURCHASERS OF A 2008 FORD F-450 WHO WERE ALSO TOWING RV TRAILERS THAT THEY WERE EXPERIENCING ISSUES. WE BEGAN TO DEVELOP ERRATIC BRAKING PERFORMANCE AS WE WERE BRAKING TO A STOP. THE BRAKE CONTROLLER WAS RAPIDLY SENDING AND STOPPING SENDING VOLTAGE TO THE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM REPEATEDLY, CAUSING US TO NEARLY HIT VEHICLES IN FRONT OF US OR SURGE INTO TRAFFIC.. A FORD DEALER. SERVICE TECH'S DID SOME CHECKING- I WAS TOLD THAT EVERYTHING WAS WORKING CORRECTLY. I CONTACTED DEXTER AXLE COMPANY AND SPOKE TO A DEXTER ENGINEER. HE WAS FAMILIAR WITH BRAKING PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE F-450. HE WAS IN CONTACT WITH FORD TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES. HE SAID THAT FORD HAS AGREED THAT IT HAS A "QUALITY ISSUE" THE CONTROLLER IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH ELECTRIC OVER HYDRAULIC BRAKING SYSTEMS. FORD DID NOT TELL HIM OF ANY PLANS TO CORRECT THE ISSUE I THEN LEARNED FROM A FORD DEALER SERVICE TECH. THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO FIX IT. FORD'S CUSTOMER CARE CENTER SAID THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY SUCH PROBLEMS BUT CONSULTED WITH A FORD "REP" WHO DID CONFIRM THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT THAT FORD HAS NOT ISSUED ANY ADVICE TO ITS DEALERS ABOUT THE PROBLEM, HAS NOT ISSUED ANY SORT OF RECALL, AND SUGGESTS THAT I PURCHASE AND HAVE INSTALLED AN AFTERMARKET TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM TO "REPLACE" FORD'S OWN SYSTEM. FORD WOULD NOT BE WILLING TO REIMBURSE ME THE COST OF THEIR SUGGESTED REPAIR. FORD ASSIGNED A CASE NUMBER TO MY COMPLAINT AND IT IS 1506491018. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224219

16,000 miles · Jan 25, 2008
Fuel System, OtherFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND SMOKE. THE PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME, THE WELDING NUT WAS BROKEN. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS BEING HELD TOGETHER BY THE NUTS AND BOLTS. FORD STATED THAT NOTHING COUL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND SMOKE. THE PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME, THE WELDING NUT WAS BROKEN. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS BEING HELD TOGETHER BY THE NUTS AND BOLTS. FORD STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE COMMERCIAL VEHICLES ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,000.

NHTSA ODI #10215977

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2007
Seat BeltsStructure

NEW FORD F-450, REAR SEAT BELT BOLTS UNINSTALLED AND REAR SEAT BOLTS INSTALLED IMPROPERLY. DETAILS: 4 REAR SEAT BELT BOLTS WERE ONLY INSTALLED BY 1 - 2 THREADS FOR A 1-1/2 BOLT CLEARLY PRESENTING A DANGER TO A CHILD OR ANYONE RIDING IN THE REAR SEAT. ALL REAR SEAT BOLTS SCREWED IN ONLY "FINGER TIGHT", NOT TORQUED PROPE…

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NEW FORD F-450, REAR SEAT BELT BOLTS UNINSTALLED AND REAR SEAT BOLTS INSTALLED IMPROPERLY. DETAILS: 4 REAR SEAT BELT BOLTS WERE ONLY INSTALLED BY 1 - 2 THREADS FOR A 1-1/2 BOLT CLEARLY PRESENTING A DANGER TO A CHILD OR ANYONE RIDING IN THE REAR SEAT. ALL REAR SEAT BOLTS SCREWED IN ONLY "FINGER TIGHT", NOT TORQUED PROPERLY. NOTE: FORD WAS NOTIFIED (ANSWERER: ROSE ON WED, 28 NOV @ 0845 HRS) NO RESPONSE AS REQUESTED TO INSURE THAT PROBLEM WAS BEING INVESTIGATED. NOTE: IT WOULD SEEM THAT FORD SHOULD TRY TO DETERMINE IF ANY OTHER UNITS (SOMEWHAT BEFORE AND SOMEWHAT AFTER PRODUCTION ) HAD SIMILAR DANGEROUS PROBLEMS. - CLEARLY, A CHILD IN A SAFETY SEAT ATTACHED TO THE REAR SEAT OF SUCH A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE WOULD BE THROWN FORWARD. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2008, MAKE=FORD F-450 CREW, MODEL=F-450 CREW CAB). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210272

200 miles · Oct 23, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE SUDDENLY RACES UP CAUSING VEHICLE TO LURCH. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10206716

2,900 miles · Sep 17, 2007
Visibility

TL*THE 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 WERE NO…

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TL*THE 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 WERE NOT DESIGNED WRONG AND WERE NOT SAFETY RISKS. THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,900 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,700. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF UPDATED

NHTSA ODI #10203242

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.