FORD F-250 · model year

2008 FORD F-250

255 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008FORDF-250 carries 255 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 6 fires, 4 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 F-250 is steering with 79 filings, followed by suspension (31) and engine (18). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2008 F-250, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

255
Complaints
12
Crashes
6
Fires
4
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

255 filings

Crashes Reported

12 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING79
SUSPENSION31
ENGINE18
TIRES15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11
SERVICE BRAKES11
POWER TRAIN9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC5
AIR BAGS5
SEAT BELTS4
SUSPENSION:FRONT4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM3

Recalls (6)

08V09600028/02/2008

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

07V13900026/03/2007

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.

07V14000026/03/2007

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.

08V19100025/04/2008

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. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." DURING A 30 MPH FRON

07V54100021/11/2007

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.

11T00200015/03/2011

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

CONTINENTAL TIRE IS RECALLING CERTAIN CONTITRAC TR TIRES, SIZE LT275/70R18 125/122S OUTLINE WHITE LETTERS AND BLACK SIDEWALL, AND CONTITRAC, SIZE LT275/70R18 125/122S, BLACK SIDEWALL, PRODUCED FROM MAY 6, 2007, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 20, 2008, SOLD AS AFTERMARKET AND INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON SO

Recent Complaints

20260208STRUCTURE:BODY

All the fiberglass Bkack trim and the Gray door panels and the middle armrest are causing skin irritation to any person that come in touch with them. I havee owned this Truck for so many years, the problem started about 4 years ago, since I only use it for towing the camper I have ignored the issue for sure this very inconvenient to sell a vehicle with only 87k because of the manufactur cheap trim or other oweners didn't complain and ignored the issue. I have not taken the Truck to the Ford dealer because I have know doubt in my mind that they will tell me it's an 18 years old vehicle get another one. Yes I have the vehicle available for inspection at anytime. Thank you very much for taking the time to read my complaint.

20251226UNKNOWN OR OTHER

What: 2008 Backup camera failure just like the 1.46 million in newer models. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? See details for current recall, copy/paste. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No, but am happy to let them. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No, camera simply stopped working around aug-25. I want you to make them include older year models in this recall. I purchased this vehicle from Vic Bailey Ford Spartanburg SC, financed for 72 months to pay off Jan-1-26. *If ford can sell it, and get financed, when still in the process of paying off, this truck SHOULD get the same considerations as newer ones when there is identical issues.

20251226BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING

What: 2008 Backup camera failure just like the 1.46 million in newer models. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? See details for current recall, copy/paste. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No, but am happy to let them. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No, camera simply stopped working around aug-25. I want you to make them include older year models in this recall. I purchased this vehicle from Vic Bailey Ford Spartanburg SC, financed for 72 months to pay off Jan-1-26. *If ford can sell it, and get financed, when still in the process of paying off, this truck SHOULD get the same considerations as newer ones when there is identical issues.

20251112ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Ford F-250. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was an independent dealer sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 88,000. It was later discovered, after checking the Carfax report, that the mileage was 182,000.

Mileage: 182,000

20250714TIRES

Cooper Discoverer AT3 tires LT275/70R18 D1 I purchased these tires on 11/08/2019. My truck had 166,736 miles it now has around 202,000. I experienced a blow out where the total tread separated from the rear driver side side walls. The tread separated piece was in one piece. As if a re-tread tire. It caused extensive damage to my rear quarter panel among a list of other damaged parts. The tread was on the tires were still in excellent shape.

20250623ENGINE

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. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.

Mileage: 185,000

20241205STRUCTURE

The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed over a bump in the roadway, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact inspected underneath the vehicle and became aware that the rubber body mounts were deteriorating and detaching from the frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

20241114ENGINE

The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250 The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed fluid leaking from the bottom of the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the engine block of the vehicle had fractured. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine block had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20241025UNKNOWN OR OTHER

UNKNOWN

20241015FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed the oil dipstick indicated that the engine was overfilled with oil. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the high-pressure fuel pump causing diesel fuel to leak into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the engine had previously been replaced at 288,000 miles. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 307,000.

Mileage: 307,000

20241009TIRES

TIRE HAD A FULL TREAD SEPERATION WHILE DOING 65 ON [XXX] IN BROWARD COUNTY FL CAUSED DAMAGE TO DRIVER SIDE FRONT FENDER AND ALLOY RIM , WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD WITH NO ACCIDENT TIRE SIZE WAS LT275 / 70 R18 AND HAD LESS THAN 12000 MILES I CHECKED THE OTHER 3 TIRES AND A COUPLE HAVE UNUSUAL WEAR WHICH MAY BE STARTING TO HAVE THE TREAD SEPERATE AS YOU CAN A CRACK FORMING WHERE THE FAILED TIRE SEPERATED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20240827AIR BAGS

Clock spring frayed and uncoiled. Unknown steering issue till clockspring checked. Airbag inflator is unoperational. Current clockspring recall for Ford does not cover this vehicle. Widen your recall. Most owners would believe it to be a power steering issue with pump and fluid, like we did.

20240827VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Clock spring frayed and uncoiled. Unknown steering issue till clockspring checked. Airbag inflator is unoperational. Current clockspring recall for Ford does not cover this vehicle. Widen your recall. Most owners would believe it to be a power steering issue with pump and fluid, like we did.

20240827STEERING

Clock spring frayed and uncoiled. Unknown steering issue till clockspring checked. Airbag inflator is unoperational. Current clockspring recall for Ford does not cover this vehicle. Widen your recall. Most owners would believe it to be a power steering issue with pump and fluid, like we did.

20240613ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I have a 2008 ford f250 with 60,000 miles I bought it used about 7 years ago I only drive it to pull my trailer camping also I don't drive it much hoping a engine light will come on my vehicle has unintended acceleration it happen when I come to a stop light and my vehicle will unexpectedly tug forward to 0 to 60 mpg I have to push on my brakes and turn off the key and turn back on sometimes 6 times before it goes back to normal I called the dealer to get answer where I live in California and they said they cant diagnose it unless it duplicates its self and they will charge me $200 plus if they cant find the problem I did research and found 4 vehicles the same year that had this problem and there is a recall on some of these vehicle with the same problem with the same motor and year same electronic gas pedal but they are the expedition and other makes anyways this problem has almost cause me to get in plenty accidents I had the gas pedal and electronic sensor repl

20240613UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I have a 2008 ford f250 with 60,000 miles I bought it used about 7 years ago I only drive it to pull my trailer camping also I don't drive it much hoping a engine light will come on my vehicle has unintended acceleration it happen when I come to a stop light and my vehicle will unexpectedly tug forward to 0 to 60 mpg I have to push on my brakes and turn off the key and turn back on sometimes 6 times before it goes back to normal I called the dealer to get answer where I live in California and they said they cant diagnose it unless it duplicates its self and they will charge me $200 plus if they cant find the problem I did research and found 4 vehicles the same year that had this problem and there is a recall on some of these vehicle with the same problem with the same motor and year same electronic gas pedal but they are the expedition and other makes anyways this problem has almost cause me to get in plenty accidents I had the gas pedal and electronic sensor repl

20240613VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I have a 2008 ford f250 with 60,000 miles I bought it used about 7 years ago I only drive it to pull my trailer camping also I don't drive it much hoping a engine light will come on my vehicle has unintended acceleration it happen when I come to a stop light and my vehicle will unexpectedly tug forward to 0 to 60 mpg I have to push on my brakes and turn off the key and turn back on sometimes 6 times before it goes back to normal I called the dealer to get answer where I live in California and they said they cant diagnose it unless it duplicates its self and they will charge me $200 plus if they cant find the problem I did research and found 4 vehicles the same year that had this problem and there is a recall on some of these vehicle with the same problem with the same motor and year same electronic gas pedal but they are the expedition and other makes anyways this problem has almost cause me to get in plenty accidents I had the gas pedal and electronic sensor repl

20240531SUSPENSION

Death wobble

20240531STEERING

Death wobble

20240515SUSPENSION

Serious uncontrollable violent shaking in the front end of the vehicle when it hits a pot hole or runs over a bump. It’s almost like one side starts to bounce which leads to the other side to start bouncing and it goes back and forth from either side very fast which sounds like a loud rumble

Compare 2008FORDF-250 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 FORD F-250 have?
The 2008 FORD F-250 has 255 NHTSA complaints, 12 crashes, 6 fires, 4 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2008 FORD F-250?
Yes, the 2008 FORD F-250 has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is SEATS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 FORD F-250?
The most-complained component for the 2008 FORD F-250 is STEERING with 79 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION and ENGINE.
Is the 2008 FORD F-250 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.