Most common 2008 Ford F-250 problems
Share of the 196 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford F-250 complaints by model year
Best F-250 years: 2010, 2009, 2007. Years to avoid: 1999, 2000, 2012, 2011, 2006. Compare all years →
2008 Ford F-250 recalls (5)
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
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.
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.
Seats
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…
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
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.
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.
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2008 Ford F-250:
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…
What 2008 Ford F-250 owners say
Steering all 80 →
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH on a bridge, the vehicle drove over potholes and the vehicle experienced the death wobble, causing the steering wheel to shake uncontrollably. The contact firmly gripped the steering wheel and decelerated to 30 MPH to prevent the vehicle from shaking. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that several independent mechanics had previously replaced the tires, control arms, shocks, struts, steering damper, and pitman arm, as well as performed an alignment; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Several times steering has been lost while making a turn. Thusfar accidents have been narrowly avoided. I have worked with the Ford dealer and replaced all major components in 2022. But the problem has started again. Most times the steering wheel is difficult to turn in parking situations; other times the steering wont work at all. I have had to swing wide into the oncoming lane during a turn to make the turn.
Suspension all 35 →
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 35-45 MPH, the vehicle hit a bump and he heard abnormal sounds coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for an inspection, he was informed that the body mount bushings that hold the cab to the train and cushion the road and the engine vibrations from the body were detaching from the frame. The contact stated that the vehicle was not repaired, and the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a second inspection and the dealer diagnosed that the body mount bushings had detached from the frame. The dealer informed the contact that he would be responsible for the cost of the repair because the vehicle was not included in a recall. …
My truck is having the same issues as listed in the recalls but isn't on the recall list. Running rough dash board turns off and loses power to the cab. Low voltage light comes on but batteries and alternator test fine. Factory installed lift blocks have cracked and caused can bushings to fail.
Engine & cooling all 33 →
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the cabin began to fill up with diesel exhaust fumes and white smoke. The contact stated that "Drive Vehicle to Clean Exhaust Filter" warning light illuminated. The contact rolled down the window to relieve the cabin of exhaust fumes and smoke. The contact noticed that a rubber boot around the 4WD shift lever inside the vehicle was completely melted, and only a thick plastic ring around the shift lever opening where the rubber boot was attached remained. The contact replaced the rubber boot; however, the failure reoccurred within a week after replacement. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the exhaust pipes needed to be replaced and that the repair required the vehicle cabin to be removed. The vehicle had not been repaired. …
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving uphill at approximately 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was HOT before the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was then allowed to cool down, and water was added to the radiator. The contact stated that when the vehicle was restarted, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred 12,000 miles later. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced again. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Ford F-250 a good car?
Based on 196 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 F-250 rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the F-250 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Ford F-250?
The steering — 80 complaints, 41% of all complaints for this model year, most often about hydraulic power assist › pump. Next are the suspension (35) and engine & cooling (33).
How many recalls does the 2008 Ford F-250 have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2008 Ford F-250, the most recent from April 25, 2008 (delivery). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford F-250?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010, 2009 and 2007. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 2000, 2012, 2011 and 2006. See the full Ford F-250 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Ford F-250 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 70,000 miles; 37% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.