2008 FORD F 250 SD

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    steering rack mechanical

    15 unsafe

    15
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=17, median 55,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT WHEN I TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE TRUCKS STEERING WHEEL PROCEEDED TO TURN LEFT WHEN IT ABRUPTLY STOPPED MOVING. LUCKILY I WAS MOVING AT A SLOW ENOUGH SPEED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND ROLL INTO THE PARK…"~29,062 mi, complaint #979184
    • "I BOUGHT A SET OF WHEEL AND TIRES A YEAR AGO, THEY ARE STOCK SIZE. THE DAY THE TIRES AND WHEELS WERE PUT ON MY TRUCK THE STEERING WAS TIGHT AND WOULD NOT STRAIGHTEN BACK OUT WITHOUT RESISTANCE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I WENT TO THE TIRE PLACE AND THEY ADVISED ME…"~48,000 mi, complaint #1067265
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000. RETURNED BY USPS ON 11-15-2013. SECOND A…"~99,000 mi, complaint #1013753
    • "I WAS DRIVING TO A CROSS STREET INTERSECTION WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND COULDN'T TURN ON TO THE CROSS STREET AND I HAD TO STOP THE TRUCK AND BACK UP, THEN AFTER I STOPPED, THE WHEEL LET GO AND I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE TRUCK. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL…"~109,212 mi, complaint #982203
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF TO THE LEFT OF THE ROAD INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STEER THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE WAY, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MOVE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CR…"~161,162 mi, complaint #1097822
  2. #2

    engine cooling

    1 stranded, 13 unsafe

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 46,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "DRIVING NEW 6.4 L F-250 TOWING A 5TH WHEEL FROM OHIO TO ARIZONA. RADIATOR CRACKED WITHOUT WARNING DURING USE AND SPRAYED RADIATOR FLUID ALL OVER THE WINDSHIELD, OBSTRUCTING VIEW. STRANDED US IN MIDDLE OF THE DESERT FOR OVER 2HRS. *TR"~2,600 mi, complaint #645782
    • "NOTICED A COOLANT LEAK COMING OFF THE DRIVER SIDE FRAME RAIL UNDER THE HOOD. TOOK IT IN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR. $1,400 LATER THEY SAID IF I HAD A HYPER EXTENDED THERMOSTAT IT WOULD BE FREE AS THAT IS WHAT FORD BELIEVES IS C…"~22,850 mi, complaint #836419
    • "I NOTICED THAT SOMETHING WAS DRIPPING FROM THE FRONT END OF MY TRUCK AND SUSPECTED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I ALSO GAVE THEM SEVERAL TSBSS CONCERNING THE RADIATOR LEAK TO MAKE THEM AWARE THAT THIS IS A…"~39,000 mi, complaint #926789
    • "MANUFACTURER DEFECT ON THE RADIATOR FOR A TWO YEAR OLD F-250 SUPER DUTY. THE DEFECT IS ON THE SEAM OF THE RADIATOR. *TR"~54,000 mi, complaint #702940
    • "LEAKING RADIATOR THAT IS A $1,200 REPAIR. *KB"~64,000 mi, complaint #874383
  3. #3

    tire failure

    1 stranded, 9 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 44,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "ALL 4 TIRES ON MY TRUCK HAVE SUBSTANTIAL CRACKING ALL THE WAY AROUND WHERE THE TREAD IS ATTACHED TO THE TIRE CARCASS. THE TREAD HAS CRACKS IN IT AS WELL. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN IN SERVICE 30 MONTHS. *TR"~6,910 mi, complaint #888503
    • "RECENTLY I TOOK MY FORD F250 SD TO HAVE THE TIRES CHECKED AND ROTATED. THEY WERE UNABLE. TO ALIGN MY VEHICLE DUE TO UNEVEN WEAR , VIBRATION ,AND SEPARATION ON BELT EDGES TO ME WAS OF GREAT CONCERN. THE MILEAGE ON MY FORD F250 IS ONLY 23,600 MILES. MY TRUCK IS…"~23,600 mi, complaint #1189240
    • "MY COMPLAINT REGARDS A DEFECTIVE CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC LT275/65R18 TIRE ON A 2008 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY PICK-UP. ONE OF THE ORIGINAL OEM TIRES DEVELOPED A SHIFTED BELT / SEPARATION AT 43,910 MILES W/ 9/32" OF TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRE. CONTINENTAL HAS AN ONGOING V…"~43,910 mi, complaint #867385
    • "3/13 I BOUGHT A SET OF FEDERAL COURAGIA MT 35X12.50X20 TIRES AND 10 MONTHS LATER THE STEEL BELTS SEPARATED CAUSING TIRE FAILURE. 2/14 I BOUGHT ANOTHER SET OF THE SAME TIRES AND THEY SEPARATED AFTER 8 MONTHS. DOT4113 IS THE SERIAL NUMBER OF THE SECOND SET OF TI…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1138790
    • "WE OWN A 2008 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY TRUCK WITH BF GOODRICH RUGGED TERRAIN T/A TIRES. ON OR ABOUT 7/5/15, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE DEVELOPED TREAD FAILURE AS A PORTION OF THE TIRE TREAD BEGAN PEELING OFF WHILE TRAVELING ON I-75. A SPARE TIRE WAS PUT ON AND…"~110,719 mi, complaint #1218250
  4. #4

    power steering hydraulic

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 54,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "2008 FORD F-250 4-WD POWER STEERING. IF YOU ARE ON A MUDDY OR ICEY ROAD AND START TO LOSE CONTROL YOU CANNOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL QUICK ENOUGH TO REGAIN CONTROL IT'S LIKE THE POWER STEERING BELT BROKE. THIS WAS MENTIONED ON THE T.V. SHOW MOTOR WEEK SO THIS…"~1,553 mi, complaint #638406
    • "STEERING ON VEHICLE BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT. THE POWER STEERING PUMP LOST HALF OF THE FLUID. REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP. SIXTY DAYS LATER THE STEERING GEAR BOX BOUND UP AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE WHEELS TO BE TURNED.THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS REPLA…"~35,985 mi, complaint #1128539
    • "I WAS DRIVING DOWN A GRAVEL ROAD AT 35 MPH WHEN MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP BUT HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DETERMINED THE GEAR BOX HAS FAILED. *TR"~53,000 mi, complaint #1080120
    • "SLOWING DOWN TO EXIT HIGHWAY AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES AS IF THE TRUCK SHUT OFF, BUT IT WAS STILL RUNNING. *JS"~55,000 mi, complaint #914783
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC (SUMMERS AUTOMOTIVE) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEED…"~170,000 mi, complaint #1396689
  5. #5

    throttle and pedal

    6 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    7
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 8,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "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 TRANS…"~1,000 mi, complaint #684995
    • "MY 2008 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY HAS A GAS PEDAL THAT STICKS TO THE FLOOR MAKING YOU GO FULL THROTTLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SO OFTEN THAT I AM USED TO THROWING THE TRUCK INTO NEUTRAL TO STOP FROM HITTING PEOPLE AND THEN KICKING THE GAS PEDAL UNTIL IT RELEASES. T…"~2,100 mi, complaint #817110
    • "I HAVE A 2008 F-250 S/D MANUFACTURED 02/08 AT THE KENTUCKY PLANT. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN APRIL 2009 AND NOW HAS JUST UNDER 8000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I HAVE TWICE EXPERIENCED UNCONTROLLED INVOLUNTARY ACCELERATION WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE COMMON ELEME…"~7,880 mi, complaint #730503
    • "WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH, THE TRUCK INSTANTLY "TOOK OFF", THE TACHOMETER WENT TO BETWEEN 5500 & 6000 RPM, AND SPEED INCREASED TREMENDOUSLY TO ALMOST 90MPH. I TAPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE BRAKE TO TRY TO INTERRUPT WHAT…"~28,000 mi, complaint #819565
    • "WHEN SHIFTING THE TRUCK FROM PARK TO DRIVE THE TRUCK RANDOMLY WENT FULL THROTTLE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPEN. IN ANOTHER CASE IT ALSO HAS WENT FULL THROTTLE WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND SHIFTING INTO PARK."~150,000 mi, complaint #1365949
  6. #6

    engine internal

    1 stranded, 5 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "I HAVE HAD MANY ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH MY 6.4 DIESEL FROM LOSS OF ENGINE POWER , TO LACK OF POWER , WHITE /GRAYISH SMOKE, HESITATION , ENGINE ALMOST DYING TO ACCELERATION AND ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, I EVEN HAD AN OCCASIONAL ENGINE LIGHT COME ON, GURGLING SOU…"~1,000 mi, complaint #668420
    • "RE-OCCURRING PROBLEM WITH MY 2008 FORD F-250. THE TRUCK UPON ACCELERATION SURGES AT 2800-3000 RPM'S AND BLOWS WHITE SMOKE OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. THIS ONLY HAPPENS DURING HIGH HUMID, OR RAINY DAYS, OR WHILE THE TRUCK IS OPERATING IN A STEADY STATE OF DRIVING…"~85,000 mi, complaint #845481
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK IN THE NUMBER EIGHT CYLINDER WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT R…"~125,000 mi, complaint #1315264
    • "LIFTERS AND CAM HAVE FAILED. AND HAS TRASHED THE MOTOR. HAVE ASKED FOR HELP FROM FORD AND THEY HAVE DENIED CLAIM. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THAT $55,000.00 TRUCK THAT IS ADVERTISED TO BE SUPER DUTY AND SHOULD LAST 400000 TO 500000 MILES WITH ONLY MINER ENGINE R…"~128,000 mi, complaint #923071
    • "2008 F250 SUPER DUTY DIESEL EXPLODED (NEIGHBORS' DESCRIPTION) WHILE PARKED. WE HAD JUST RETURNED FROM TOWING A SKID LOADER BACK FROM A JOB SITE AND APPROXIMATELY HALF AN HOUR LATER, NEIGHBORS CALLED TO SAY THAT OUR TRUCK HAD EXPLODED. THE FIRE DEPT WAS ON TH…"~191,550 mi, complaint #830380
  7. #7

    engine stall or no start

    1 stranded, 5 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "IN HOT TEMPERATURE THE TRUCK STARTS BLOWING OUT WHITE/GRAY SMOKE THEN QUITS RUNNING. SET FOR 1 TO 1.5 HRS IT WILL START AND GO ABOUT 30 TO 40 MILES THEN QUIT AGAIN. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 2 TIMES NOW AND THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. IT SAYS THAT IT IS AN OVE…"~13,000 mi, complaint #674491
    • "2008 FORD F-250XL, 5.4L, AUTO. ENGINE RUNAWAY. WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN THE ENGINE INCREASED IT'S SPEED DRAMATICALLY ON IT'S OWN. EVEN WITH THE BRAKES FULLY APPLIED THE VEHICLE STILL MOVED INTO A 4 WAY INTERSECTION. I SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND THE RPM'S INCRE…"~17,800 mi, complaint #849878
    • "ON 8/10/2010, AFTER DRIVING MY 2008 F-250 ON INTERSTATE 5 FOR ABOUT 6 HOURS CONTINUOUSLY AT APPROX. 70MPH IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE, I OVERRODE CRUISE CONTROL TO ACCELERATE AND PASS A VEHICLE. AS I RETURNED TO THE RIGHT SIDE DRIVING LANE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO R…"~28,223 mi, complaint #810517
    • "2008 FORD F-250 SD DIESEL NO WARNING DRIVING 55 ON THE FREEWAY TOWING A TRAILER THE TRUCK SHUTS DOWN NO POWER. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THIS TRUCK HAS SHUT DOWN ON THE FREEWAY WITH NO WARNING. HOW CAN FORD SELL THEIR CUSTOMERS A TRUCK AS WHAT ONE OTHER PERSON STAT…"~160,000 mi, complaint #987755
  8. #8

    alignment and pull

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "1. DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 65MPH+ IN A 2008 FORD F-250. 2. HIT A MINOR SEAM IN THE PAVED ROAD. 3. FRONT END WOBBLE (KNOWN ON MANY INTERNET SITES AT THE "FORD DEATH WOBBLE". MY TRUCK WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND I TOOK IT TO FORD DEALER THE NEXT DAY. THEY TIGHTE…"~26,898 mi, complaint #743802
    • "I EXPERIENCED "DEATH WOBBLE" 3 TIMES IN TWO WEEKS AFTER HITTING A BUMP ON THE INTERSTATE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 - 65 MPH EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL I SLOWED DOWN TO 40 MPH OR BELOW. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING FORWARD IN A STRAIGHT LINE…"~141,000 mi, complaint #1457270
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. WITHIN LESS THAN A YEAR OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE SHIMMIED AND EXPERIENCED A DEATH WOBBLE. THE DEALER (RAY'S FORD, INC., [REDACTED ADDRESS], BRANDENBURG, KY 40108, [REDACTED PHONE]) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILU…"~200,000 mi, complaint #1536942
  9. #9

    brake hydraulics

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "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 BR…"~10,000 mi, complaint #1032383
    • "IN APRIL 2010, MY 2008 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY'S RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER FROZE, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO HEAT UP AND BEGIN SMOKING. THE FORD DEALERSHIP CLAIMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM IN APRIL, BUT IN JULY, THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE (SMOK…"~10,292 mi, complaint #807479
    • " 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…"~26,000 mi, complaint #942665
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F250 SD. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING IN HER DRIVEWAY AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AS IT FELL MUCH FARTHER INTO THE FLOORBOARD THAN USUAL. THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE AND THE CONTACT UTILIZED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE…"~33,000 mi, complaint #803897
    • "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 OCCURRE…"~51,000 mi, complaint #1305027
  10. #10

    exhaust system

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "SUDDEN INTENSE INTENSE SMOKE FROM TAILPIPE AT TIME OF EXHAUST CLEANING FROM MY 2008 FORD F250 DIESEL PICKUP (FORD CONSIDERS NORMAL OPERATION OF SYSTEM) WHILE ENTERING A TOLL PLAZA CREATED A SUDDEN AND UNSAFE CONDITION FOR OTHER DRIVERS BEHIND ME. THE SMOKE WA…"~10,700 mi, complaint #709569
    • "DRIVING AROUND AND DIESEL FUEL SMELL CAME INTO THE CAB OF THE TRUCK AND SMOKE FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS TRUCK HAS A 6.4L JOB 1 DIESEL. WE HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP BECAUSE DRIVING IT MAKES ME SICK TO MY STOMACH AND LIGHT HEADED. FORD TE…"~14,875 mi, complaint #754927
    • "ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS MY 08 FORD F250 6.4 HAS HAD EXCESSIVE BLUISH WHITE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST WHILE DRIVING AND LASTS AROUND 20 SECONDS. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND SITUATION MET ALL CRITERIA OUTLINED IN TSB 11-2-2. CAC WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, VEHICLE STILL INTE…"~55,666 mi, complaint #978157
    • "EXHAUST LEAK FROM BEHIND THE TURBO. EXHAUST ENTERS THE INSIDE OF THE CAB. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. EXPENSIVE TO FIX. MUST REMOVE CAB FROM FRAME TO REPAIR. HAZARDOUS FUMES ENTER VEHICLE CAUSING HEADACHES. DEALER IS ACTING LIKE THIS IS RARE BUT IN SEARCHING…"~107,000 mi, complaint #955359
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS HE NOTICED THAT WHITE SMOKE WOULD EMIT FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS EQUIPPED WITH A SELF-CLEANING FUNCTION HOWEVER, TH…"~179,000 mi, complaint #971536
  11. #11

    suspension struts shocks

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "2008 FORD F-250 SUPERDUTY DRIVING AT 40-70 MPH STRAIGHT OR TURNING (IE: ON A FREEWAY FLY-OVER). THE FRONT-END SHAKES/SHIMMIES WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP, POTHOLE, OR SURFACE THAT IS UNEVEN TO THE POINT YOU LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. HAPPENS MOST ALL THE TIME IF ON FLY-…"~4,500 mi, complaint #814852
    • "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 AG…"~32,500 mi, complaint #735649
    • "WHILE DRIVING MY 08 FORD F250 SD, I EXPERIENCE SEVERE SHIMMY GOING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR SMALL DIP. MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN GOING ABOUT 45 AND I HIT A BUMP AND THE WHEEL JERKS AND THROWS THE TRUCK WHAT FEELS LIKE FEET. I HAVE NOT REPLACED ANY PARTS YET NOR…"~71,000 mi, complaint #1160991
    • "I BOUGHT A 2008 FORD F-250 EXTENDED CAB TRUCK AND WHEN I GO OVER A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD THE FRONT END SHAKES REAL BAD TO THE POINT I ALMOST LOST CONTROL GOING DOWN A HIGHWAY AT 55MPH. I CHECKED THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES AND THEY WERE AT 70PSI IN THE FRO…"~88,000 mi, complaint #802999
    • "THE TRUCK SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY AND I HAD TO PULL IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND IT CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE READ MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF TRUCK AND EVERY COMPLAINT IS THE SAME COND…"~101,000 mi, complaint #983030
  12. #12

    other

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "SUPPLEMENT TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY PRODUCT INFORMATION REGARDING BRAKE TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK VOLUNTARY AGREEMENT - DOCKET NUMBER 25669. *KB THE LETTER STATED THE 2008 F-250 SUPER DUTY WAS OMITTED FROM THE SAFECAR WEBSITE AS BEING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE…"complaint #665944
    • "I ORDERED A 2008 F-250 SUPER DUTY LARIAT CREW CAB IN MARCH 2008 AND TOOK DELIVERY IN LATE APRIL 2008. WHEN TRYING TO INSTALL A CHILD SAFETY SEAT, I REALIZED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SEATBELT IN THE INBOARD REAR SEAT. IT WOULD NOT GO INTO 'AUTOMATIC LOCKI…"complaint #701539
    • "PURCHASED NEW 2008 F-250 ON 3/21/09. UPON DETAILED INSP OF VEHICLE'S UNDECARRIAGE, I NOTICED THE SPARE TIRE WAS 2" SMALLER THAN THE ROAD TIRES. 18" VICE 20". I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS IS STANDARD PRACTICE. THIS TRUCK WAS PURCHASED WITH THE INTENT OF T…"complaint #713311
    • "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 O…"complaint #742792
  13. #13

    brake pads and rotors

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE BUILDING SUPPLY WITH THE TRUCK. I WAS TOWING A SMALL UTILITY TRAILER. AS I APPROACHED A FAIRLY SHARP CURVE I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE TRUCK BRAKES WERE GONE WITHOUT WARNING. THE TRAILER BRAKES LOCKED AND S…"~21,000 mi, complaint #949139
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE CALIPERS WERE DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO OVERHEAT. AS A…"~40,000 mi, complaint #875246
    • "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 BROKE…"~62,021 mi, complaint #1172234
  14. #14

    steering electric assist

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I WAS PULLING OFF EXPRESSWAY, SLOWING ON EXIT RAMP. TRUCK SHOOK AND I COULD NOT STEER FOR A FEW SECONDS. IT HAS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES SINCE THEN. *TR"~52,000 mi, complaint #983816
    • "EVERYTIME I GET ON THE BRAKES HARD THE STEERING QUITS, CANNOT STEER 2008 F250, DIESEL, HARD ON BRAKES STEERING LOCKS IN DIRECTION YOU ARE GOING, HAPPENS EVERYTIME WITHOUT FAIL. *TR"~115,000 mi, complaint #840619
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY WANDERED OUT OF THE LANE AS THE TURN WAS COMPLETED THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFAC…"~118,000 mi, complaint #991161
  15. #15

    transmission automatic

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR RECALIBRATION. AFTER THE RECALL SERVICE, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-60 MPH WHEN THE TRANS…"~14,545 mi, complaint #951694
  16. #16

    wiring harness

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "WE PURCHASED THIS 2008 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY NEW AT THE FORD STORE IN SAN LEANDRO, CA ON JULY 21, 2007 AND CONTINUE TO BE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS. THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A 6.4 TURBO-DIESEL ENGINE. THIS VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO TSB 07-26-2 (WIRING HARNESS DEFEC…"~80,121 mi, complaint #1173038
    • " SUMMARY: PURCHASED THIS 2008 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY NEW AT A FORD DEALERSHIP IN FLA. ON FEB. 29, 2008 AND CONTINUE TO BE THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A 6.4 TURBO-DIESEL ENGINE. THIS VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO TSB 07-26-2 (WIRING HARNESS DEFEC…"~178,000 mi, complaint #1213106
  17. #17

    airbag system

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "MY DAUGHTER AND HER FIANCE WERE INVOLVED IN A WRECK. HIS 2008 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY TRUCK FLIPPED END OVER END. THEY WERE VERY BADLY INJURED. THE DRIVER AIR BAG NOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. HIS NECK WAS BROKEN BY THE STEERING WHEEL OR DASH AND…"~20,000 mi, complaint #697743
    • "I WAS DRIVING MY FORD [REDACTED ADDRESS] 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 CAU…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1218471
  18. #18

    control module

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "2008 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY: IGNITION SWITCH WHEN TURNED TO START/CRANKING POSITION DOES NOT RETURN TO NORMAL RUN POSITION. THIS LEAVES INSTRUMENTS BLANK AND INOPERATIVE, AND ALL POWER ACCESSORIES FAIL TO OPERATE UNTIL TRUCK IS SHUT OFF & RESTARTED. *TR"~20,000 mi, complaint #798129
    • "WHEN STARTING MY 2008 FORD F-250 I BEGAN HAVING TO TRY IT MORE THAN ONCE, WHICH WAS VERY UNUSUAL FOR MY TRUCK. THEN THE NEXT DAY THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO MY FORD DEALER, THEY HOOKED IT UP TO THEIR DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND INFORMED ME THAT T…"~49,000 mi, complaint #835802
  19. #19

    engine turbo supercharger

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "HEAT SHIELD AROUND TURBOS ON 08 F-250 WITH THE 6.4 DIESEL IS LOSING ITS SHAPE AND BEGINNING TO HANG TOO CLOSE TO THE TURBO AND CAN CATCH FIRE. THIS IS A POOR DESIGN WITH NO CLIPS TO HOLD IT IN PLACE. *TR"~60,000 mi, complaint #825186
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE TURBO ENGINE STALLED WITH AN ILLUMINATION OF A WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PERFORM ROUGHLY WITH SMOKE AND FLAMES EMITTING FROM THE EXHAUST. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNE…"~70,000 mi, complaint #940064
  20. #20

    fuel injector

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WE WHERE HAULING CATTLE DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND LOST POWER AT 2500 RPMS THIS WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO BE ON A HIGHWAY GOING 55 MPH WITH A LOAD OF CATTLE AND WITH NO WARNING THE TRUCK LOST POWER. WE TOOK THE TRUCK INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND ARE NOW HAVING THE…"~114,000 mi, complaint #889795
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE FAILURE INVOLVED THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR.…"~171,000 mi, complaint #853774
  21. #21

    instrument cluster

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "DETAILS: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, . ALL OF THE GAUGES DISPLAYED ZERO. THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE, BUT NOTHING WOULD DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. *TR"~10,000 mi, complaint #696593
  22. #22

    transfer case awd

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "MY FORD F-250 SD ENGAGES INTO 4X4 HIGH AND LOW WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ALL ON ITS OWN. *TR"~30,000 mi, complaint #817119
    • "AT APPROXIMATELY 3 PM ON SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 2018, MY 2008 F-250 SD 4WD TRUCK EXPERIENCED AN ABRUPT CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TRANSFER CASE. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A BUSY INTERSTATE CORRIDOR WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHILE IN 2WD MODE. IM…"~52,500 mi, complaint #1474287
  23. #23

    wheel or rim

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "BOTH FRONT WHEELS ON MY 2008 FORD KING RANCH F-250 PICK-UP ARE CRACKING AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CRACKS ARE IN THE WELD AREA ON THE FLAT PART OF THE WHEEL UNDER THE TIRES CAUSING THE TIRES TO NO LONGER HOLD AIR. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE CLAIMS THE PROBLEM IS…"~114,000 mi, complaint #764068
  24. #24

    abs module

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHILE DRIVING APPLIED BRAKES FOR UPCOMING STOP LIGHT AND REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP CAUSING THE REAREND OF THE TRUCK TO HOP VIOLENTLY. TOOK TRUCK TO FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. *TR"~4,700 mi, complaint #653443
  25. #25

    catalytic converter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "ENGINE REV'S UP ON IT'S OWN. I DISCUSSED THIS WITH A DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS WILL HAPPEN WHEN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CLEANS IT'S SELF. THE FIRST TIME I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT IN ANY DANGER, THE SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC BUT I HA…"complaint #648162
  26. #26

    emissions aftertreatment

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "1/1/10 ISN'T THE FIRST SMOG-OUT, BUT DEFINITELY THE WORST & MOST DANGEROUS. WHILE DECENDING FROM THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN IN GATLINBURG IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC WHERE IT TOOK 45-60 MINS TO GO 2 MILES, THE EXHAUST CLEANING WAS BLOWING SUFFOCATING AND BLINDIN…"~20,000 mi, complaint #889103
  27. #27

    engine mounts

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS CAPABLE OF MOVING, BUT FAILED TO DIRECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT…"~132,000 mi, complaint #1132414
  28. #28

    ev drive unit or inverter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE TRUCK WILL GO TO REGENERATION MODE WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND IN DRIVE . CAUSING THE TRUCK TO JUST ABOUT TO TAKE OFF INTO TRAFFIC. THE DEALER HAS TRY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM 3 TIMES AND IT HAS NOT WORKED. *TR "~6,951 mi, complaint #649168
  29. #29

    fluid leak unspecified

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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 H…"complaint #1143062
  30. #30

    fuel pump

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "2008 FORD F 250 SUPER DUTY DIESEL 6.4 ENGINE - ENGINE QUIT RUNNING WITH NO WARNING, WOULD NOT RESTART. WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A LONG BRIDGE OVER THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. THIS WAS A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. TSB 07-26-2 WAS PERFORMED TO FIX TH…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1100249
  31. #31

    fuel tank and lines

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TANK FULL OF DIESEL FUEL CONTAMINATED WITH WATER AND SOME DEBRIS. FORD WILL NOT WARRANTY BUT SEVERAL PARTS OF THE FUEL SYSTEM DEVELOPING RUST. THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A FUEL WATER SEPARATOR AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT. SO FORD HAS EQUIPPED THE TRUCK WITH A FUE…"~30,130 mi, complaint #784260
  32. #32

    glass and windshield

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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…"~59,427 mi, complaint #1096678
  33. #33

    mirror

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WE HAVE A NUMBER OF 2008 FORD F-250 PICK UP TRUCKS IN OUR FLEET. THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR CONSTANTLY VIBRATES OUT OF POSITION, CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN BACKING UP. IT SHAKES OUT OF POSITION WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF SETTING IT. IT IS A MANUAL ADJUSTING MIRROR…"~1,000 mi, complaint #708024
  34. #34

    power windows and locks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT HAS RELEASED OUT OF PARK ON TWO OCCASIONS. SHE CANNOT EXIT THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS. THE FAILURE IS INTERMITTENT. THE DEALER WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE DUE TO L…"~6,930 mi, complaint #650308
  35. #35

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY 2008 FORD F250, I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT BELTS WOULD LOCK INTO PLACE WHEN BRAKING AS THEY SHOULD BUT WOULD NOT RELEASE WITHOUT REMOVING THE BUCKLE TO RESET THEM. BUMPS OFTEN SET OFF THE LOCKING. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER AND T…"~500 mi, complaint #687362
  36. #36

    steering column

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I HAD JUST UNHOOKED A 10,000 LB. HORSE TRAILER WITH A HORSE IN IT WHICH IS THIS TRUCKS MAIN JOB. I PULLED OUT OF THE FAR-THOUGHT I FELT MY STEERING PULL TO THE RIGHT & IT SEEMED LIKE I HAD TO OVER-CORRECT THE WHEEL TO PULL I LEFT, I SLOWED DOWN-DROVE DOWN THE…"~45,000 mi, complaint #847910
  37. #37

    suspension arms and bushings

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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 S…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1234624
  38. #38

    unintended acceleration

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I WAS BACKING UP IN THE PARKING AREA OF MY HOUSE IN MY 2008 F250 (DIESEL), AND APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP AND CHANGE DIRECTION. AS I STARTED BRAKING, THE ENGINE STARTED ACCELERATING, EVEN THOUGH I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE KEPT MOVING BACKWARD, AND…"~37,060 mi, complaint #1256359

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for FORD F 250 SD directly.