Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Ford F-250 SD owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 have I spoken with the dealer. The first I ever knew there was a problem noted by Ford was when I received an alert on flmowner.com and it stated field service action number: 09l02 fsa title: customer maintenance reminder vehicle shimmy and tire inflation pressure I always maintain proper tire pressure and have them balanced and rotated on a regular basis through discount tires (where I bought new tires in 2011). I don't have a lift and haven't altered any of the stock suspension parts. Mileage and time frame are an approx as I wasn't aware of this service issue prior to this week. Those are the approximates to when I moved to co.
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., 385 by pass rd, brandenburg, ky 40108, [phone]) was notified of the failure and indicated that an appointment May need to be scheduled. It had not been determined if the failure was related to special field service campaign number: 09l02 to prevent shimmies. The vehicle was hauling a trailer over unleveled Land during the most recent failure. The vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
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 parking lots curb. I then proceeded to put the vehicle in reverse, and with all my might I turned the steering wheel to the right until it made a clunking sound and freed up. I managed to drive the vehicle home a short distance and have not driven it since. I have always had a hard time turning the steering wheel at low speeds on this vehicle, but never experienced anything like this.
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 needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15e014000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000. The VIN was not available.
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 crashed into a median. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The VIN was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The approximate failure mileage was 161,162.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford f-250 SD. The contact stated that the steering wheel locked several times and the brakes had to be applied each time while making a turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to replicate and diagnose the failure. The dealer replaced the power steering fluid and brake fluid, but were also unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford f-250 super duty. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle careened into a ditch. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed the lower steering shaft would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 52,000.
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 when the problem occurred.
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 tighten the pitman arm. There was a Ford technical service bulletin issued for this problem and it indicated improper tire pressure. Totally not true. The front end wobble was so severe it made me cross into on-coming lanes of traffic. Luckily no one was coming the other way or there would have been a serious accident. The Ford dealer also replaced the front stabilizer shock. The very next day the exact same thing happened. Violent front end wobble at 65mph+ and when a small bump was hit. I had to slow the truck down to 20mph on an interstate freeway in order to get the wobble to stop and almost caused another accident. …
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 front and 80psi in the back. The door sticker said the pressures should be 70 in the front and 80 in the back. I have replaced the shocks and steering stabilizer shock and it did not make a difference. The old shocks appeared to be in good shape yet. I then replaced the tires even though they were still good and they were worn evenly. Still did not fix it. I then dropped my air pressure in the tires to 60psi front and back to if it made a difference. Still did not fix it. I had the dealership look at it and they said they could not find anything wrong with it. I owned a 1999 f-250 and it never had this problem. …
NHTSA investigations
Alleged Loss of 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…
Steering complaints in other F-250 SD years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2008 Ford F-250 SD?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Ford F-250 SD, 28% of the model year's 141 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist › power steering fluid (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Ford F-250 SD steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2008 Ford F-250 SD. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Ford F-250 SD steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.