Ford F-350 SD · model year

2008 Ford F-350 SD

146 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports, and 1 recall campaign listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

Complaints
146
Recalls
1

The verdict

The 2008 Ford F-350 SD posts above-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.

27th pctile
complaint volume, own model years
1
recall campaign

The 2008FordF-350 SD carries 146 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 4 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2008 F-350 SD is steering with 24 filings, followed by suspension (11) and tires (10). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 1 NHTSA recall campaign listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA currently has 179 investigation files overlapping the 2008 F-350 SD, and 6 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.

146
Complaints
11
Crashes
4
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
2008 Ford F-350 SD

PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.

NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.

Total Complaints

146 filings

Crashes Reported

11 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING24
SUSPENSION11
TIRES10
ENGINE10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC9
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM7
POWER TRAIN6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6
WHEELS6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4

Recalls (1)

20E09000010/12/2020

STEERING

Icon Vehicle Dynamics, LLC (Icon) is recalling all 05-UP FSD 2.5 Centerline Stabilizer Kits with part number 65050. The kits were sold as an accessory for certain 2005-2021 Ford F-250 4X4 and F-350 4X4 pickup trucks. The foam ring inside the stabilizer "through shaft" may block the piston ports, p

Recent Complaints

20210405TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FORD F-350 SD, EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN TIRES, TIRE LINE: LTX MS/2, TIRE SIZE: 245/75/R17, DOT NUMBER: B74345 (PARTIAL). THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WENT FLAT AND THE STEERING CEASED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH THE SPARE TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS THE SECOND TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FIRST TIME, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WENT FLAT WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THAT THE TIRE WAS OVER THE WARRANTY COVERAGE PERIOD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 54,000

20190211STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 12 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DETACHED FROM THE STEERING BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. BOB BELL FORD WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AT 410-766-3600 (LOCATED AT 7125 RITCHIE HWY, GLEN BURNIE, MD 21061). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Mileage: 125,000

20180725STEERING

THE 2008, AS WELL AS OTHER YEARS OF THE FORD F-350 ARE KNOWN TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A FRONT-END SHIMMY OR "DEATH WOBBLE". I HAVE HAD SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS OF WORK DONE TO MY F-350 IN ORDER TO RESOLVE THE DEATH WOBBLE PROBLEM. THE REPAIRS WORK FOR A TIME AND THEN, WITHOUT WARNING, THE DEATH WOBBLE RETURNS. THE FACT THAT THIS CAN OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING, AT HIGH SPEEDS, BY DRIVING OVER A VERY SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, MAKES THIS AN EXTRAORDINARILY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK I CAN ADEQUATELY DESCRIBE THE EXTREME NATURE OF THE DEATH WOBBLE. THE FRONT-END OF THE TRUCK IS BOUNCING LEFT AND RIGHT, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE IS TWISTING AND ROLLING, THE STEERING WHEEL IS BARELY CONTROLLABLE, ANYTHING LOOSE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT GOES FLYING AND KEEPING THE VEHICLE IN ITS LANE IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE. REDUCING SPEED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE IS THE ONLY RECOURSE AND THIS POSES A DANGER PARTICULARLY WHEN ON A HEAVILY TRAFFICKED HIGHWAY. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME AND

Mileage: 128,000

20180725SUSPENSION

THE 2008, AS WELL AS OTHER YEARS OF THE FORD F-350 ARE KNOWN TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A FRONT-END SHIMMY OR "DEATH WOBBLE". I HAVE HAD SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS OF WORK DONE TO MY F-350 IN ORDER TO RESOLVE THE DEATH WOBBLE PROBLEM. THE REPAIRS WORK FOR A TIME AND THEN, WITHOUT WARNING, THE DEATH WOBBLE RETURNS. THE FACT THAT THIS CAN OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING, AT HIGH SPEEDS, BY DRIVING OVER A VERY SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, MAKES THIS AN EXTRAORDINARILY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK I CAN ADEQUATELY DESCRIBE THE EXTREME NATURE OF THE DEATH WOBBLE. THE FRONT-END OF THE TRUCK IS BOUNCING LEFT AND RIGHT, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE IS TWISTING AND ROLLING, THE STEERING WHEEL IS BARELY CONTROLLABLE, ANYTHING LOOSE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT GOES FLYING AND KEEPING THE VEHICLE IN ITS LANE IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE. REDUCING SPEED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE IS THE ONLY RECOURSE AND THIS POSES A DANGER PARTICULARLY WHEN ON A HEAVILY TRAFFICKED HIGHWAY. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME AND

Mileage: 128,000

20180124POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,425. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 212,425

20171130ENGINE

ENGINE DID NOT KICK OUT OF REGIN CAUSEING OVER HEAT

Mileage: 119,000

20170513STEERING

STEERING GEARBOX FAILED. STEERING FELT VERY LOOSE, PULLED INTO PARKING LOT. STEERING WOULD TURN RIGHT BUT WOULD NOT TURN TO THE LEFT.COULD HEAR A CRUNCHING OR POPPING NOISE WHEN ATTEMPTING TOP TURN LEFT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THAT FOUND THE STEERING GEARBOX FAILED INTERNALLY.

Mileage: 52,500

20170329CrashWHEELS

NITTO DURA GRAPPLER 245/75R/17 FRONT LEFT TIRE BLEW CAUSING VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO GUARD RAILING ON INTERSTATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ON I-75 SB NEAR MM 181 APPROXIMATELY 72 MPH. I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL. ON MARCH 6,2015 I HAD ANOTHER TIRE BLOW AND I FILED A NITTO CLAIM NUMBER 804190 (THROUGH THE TIRE DEALERSHIP). I RECEIVED FROM NITTO THE SAME TIRE IN EXCHANGE. EVEN THOUGHT THIS TYPE OF TIRE WAS RECALLED ON SAFERCAR.GOV ON NOVEMBER 4, 2015. WHY WAS IT REPLACED BY NITTO WITH ANOTHER DEFECTIVE TIRE??? NOW MY VEHICLE IS TOTALED!

Mileage: 75,000

20170309STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A RANDOM DEATH WOBBLE ASSOCIATED WITH THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION. A DEALER PERFORMED EXTENSIVE REPAIRS, BUT THE CONDITION CONTINUED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE SAFELY DRIVEN DUE TO A STRONG VIBRATION FROM THE STEERING, WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO BE UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

20170309SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A RANDOM DEATH WOBBLE ASSOCIATED WITH THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION. A DEALER PERFORMED EXTENSIVE REPAIRS, BUT THE CONDITION CONTINUED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE SAFELY DRIVEN DUE TO A STRONG VIBRATION FROM THE STEERING, WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO BE UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

20161126ENGINE

I NOTICED A PLUM OF WHITE SMOKE OUT THE TAIL PIPE. THAT INDICATED STEAM, WATER IN THE SYSTEM TO ME. ALL THE GAUGES WERE NORMAL AND I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND CHECKED THE FLUID LEVELS. NO OBVIOUS PROBLEM. I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT GET IT IN FOR 36 HOURS. I DROVE IT .4 MILES HOME AND PARKED IT. AT THE APPOINTED TIME I DROVE TO NORTH COUNTRY FORD. IT TOOK THEM ANOTHER DAY TO FIND THE DIESEL MECHANIC WHO COULD WORK ON THE VEHICLE. 24 HOURS LATER I AM TOLD THE ENGINE IS BLOWN; FLUID GOT INTO THE MANIFOLD AND WAS SUCKED INTO THE # 3 CYLINDER. DEPENDING ON THE AMOUNT OF PARTS THAT COULD BE SALVAGED THE COST OF REPLACEMENT COULD EXCEED $ 12,000. THIS VEHICLE HAS 95,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS HAD TOW OTHER INCIDENTS WITH THE ENGINE AND DRIVE TRAIN: IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR, IN PREPARATION FOR A TRIP TO ARIZONA I HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED. ABOUT 1400 MILES LATER THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP WHEN WE ENCOUNTERED ANY HILLS OR MOUNTAINS. I PARKED THE TRAILE

Mileage: 95,000

20161126POWER TRAIN

I NOTICED A PLUM OF WHITE SMOKE OUT THE TAIL PIPE. THAT INDICATED STEAM, WATER IN THE SYSTEM TO ME. ALL THE GAUGES WERE NORMAL AND I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND CHECKED THE FLUID LEVELS. NO OBVIOUS PROBLEM. I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT GET IT IN FOR 36 HOURS. I DROVE IT .4 MILES HOME AND PARKED IT. AT THE APPOINTED TIME I DROVE TO NORTH COUNTRY FORD. IT TOOK THEM ANOTHER DAY TO FIND THE DIESEL MECHANIC WHO COULD WORK ON THE VEHICLE. 24 HOURS LATER I AM TOLD THE ENGINE IS BLOWN; FLUID GOT INTO THE MANIFOLD AND WAS SUCKED INTO THE # 3 CYLINDER. DEPENDING ON THE AMOUNT OF PARTS THAT COULD BE SALVAGED THE COST OF REPLACEMENT COULD EXCEED $ 12,000. THIS VEHICLE HAS 95,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS HAD TOW OTHER INCIDENTS WITH THE ENGINE AND DRIVE TRAIN: IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR, IN PREPARATION FOR A TRIP TO ARIZONA I HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED. ABOUT 1400 MILES LATER THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP WHEN WE ENCOUNTERED ANY HILLS OR MOUNTAINS. I PARKED THE TRAILE

Mileage: 95,000

20160912TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350 SD EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH RUGGED TERRAIN T/A TIRES, SIZE: 275/70R18. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE TIRE TREAD DETACHED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,335 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000.

Mileage: 91,335

20160715STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350 SD. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE POWER STEERING LOST POWER AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT A BOLT IN THE POWER STEERING MECHANISM FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 09/06/16*LJ UPDATED 09/08/16.*JB

Mileage: 110,000

20160511ENGINE

SHORTLY AFTER THE TRUCK IS UP TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE A CONSTANT PLUME OF WHITE SMOKE CONTINUOUSLY EMITS FROM THE EXHAUST. FUEL ECONOMY HAS HAD A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS. DURING LOWER LEVELS (1/4 OR LOWER LEVELS OF DIESEL) OF FUEL CAPACITY THE ENGINE WILL STALL AND DIE UPON TAKE OFF. ATTEMPTING TO RESTART AFTERWARDS WAS VERY DIFFICULT. DURING THIS PROCESS A "WRENCH" APPEARS ON THE DASH AND THAT'S ABOUT IT. I HAVE NOT CHECKED "CODES" YET AND THE CHECK ENGINE LITE IN ON.

Mileage: 100,000

20160511FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

SHORTLY AFTER THE TRUCK IS UP TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE A CONSTANT PLUME OF WHITE SMOKE CONTINUOUSLY EMITS FROM THE EXHAUST. FUEL ECONOMY HAS HAD A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS. DURING LOWER LEVELS (1/4 OR LOWER LEVELS OF DIESEL) OF FUEL CAPACITY THE ENGINE WILL STALL AND DIE UPON TAKE OFF. ATTEMPTING TO RESTART AFTERWARDS WAS VERY DIFFICULT. DURING THIS PROCESS A "WRENCH" APPEARS ON THE DASH AND THAT'S ABOUT IT. I HAVE NOT CHECKED "CODES" YET AND THE CHECK ENGINE LITE IN ON.

Mileage: 100,000

20160419AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350 SD. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STUCK FOR TWO MINUTES AND THEN FAILED TO MOVE. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Mileage: 115,000

20160419STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-350 SD. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STUCK FOR TWO MINUTES AND THEN FAILED TO MOVE. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Mileage: 115,000

20150330VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SUDDEN VEHICLE ACCELERATION DURING SLOWING/BRAKING. REGISTERED OVER 4000 RPM AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WITH BRAKES FULLY DEPRESSED AND WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STOP WHICH ALMOST LED TO A REAR END COLLISION. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO PARK AND ENGINE SLOWLY DECREASED FROM RACING AND WENT TO NORMAL RPM OPERATING RANGE AT IDLE WITHIN SECONDS. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

20150330ENGINE

SUDDEN VEHICLE ACCELERATION DURING SLOWING/BRAKING. REGISTERED OVER 4000 RPM AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WITH BRAKES FULLY DEPRESSED AND WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STOP WHICH ALMOST LED TO A REAR END COLLISION. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO PARK AND ENGINE SLOWLY DECREASED FROM RACING AND WENT TO NORMAL RPM OPERATING RANGE AT IDLE WITHIN SECONDS. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

Compare 2008FordF-350 SD to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 6 Open

View all investigations

Vehicle Safety Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 Ford F-350 SD have?
The 2008 Ford F-350 SD has 146 NHTSA complaints, 11 crashes, 4 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2008 Ford F-350 SD?
Yes, the 2008 Ford F-350 SD has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is STEERING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford F-350 SD?
The most-complained component for the 2008 Ford F-350 SD is STEERING with 24 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION and TIRES.
Is the 2008 Ford F-350 SD 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.

Data vintage: August 2026. 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.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2008 Ford F-350 SD; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.