2008 Ford F-350: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 131 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (30% of complaints); the 2007 and 2009 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 131 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Vehicle died while driving on the freeway. Towed to the local Ford who did a diagnostic and test they found that the engine is completely done with as there was an engine oil overfill, and it filled the CAC system and melted cylinder eight piston. they're saying that they will need to replace the entire engine and HP fuel pump in order to repair and I see many others have experienced this same problem.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2025
“Items inside bed caught on fire due to exhaust cleaning system getting so hot to burn off pollution in DPF pipe. Dangerous truck to drive contacted ford. No one contacted me. Other ford diesels caught on fire due to this. I'm retired military and don't have money to buy 50k trucks. Only 80k on truck.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2024
“Power steering pump replaced with new unit. Major steering issues. Will not turn at some points. Almost caused 3 accidents on 10/22/2021. Have had front end and power steering pump replaced.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“Death wobble and learned about class action after I had front end repaired with complete overhaul ball joints etc in January 2018 ($2100 plus dollars) by my mechanic. May 16, 2021 experienced 3 incidents of death wobble in Oklahoma City enroute toTulsa, Oklahoma. See my mechanic on June 1, 2021.”Owner report · Steering · May 2021
“On interstate passing in left lane hit a rough patch trucks starts shaking so bad I thought it was going to flip. Could not get to shoulder so had to go in the mediam it was not a flat spot it was a hill so I went straight and not at an angle if I had I would of flipped. This is not the first time. Ifrist time I had approx $3000.00 of front in work done trying to fix the problem, but it did not.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2021
“We were hauling a load of logs about an hour away everything was fine when all of the sudden the truck down shifted and white smoke started pouring out from under the passenger side of the hood followed by flames. We had to try to get off the road where we were there was no where to pull off and finally could swing into a state gamesland and someone called the fire dept. I am now out of a truck I just purchased 2 months ago and my VIN number isn't even showing up”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2021
“Driving thru town 25mph or less turning one corner fine then another corner the opposite direction and only steering wheel turned.my truck went straight into the rock wall damaged hood fender,bumper,headlight bezel and lights driver wheel, and when diagnosed the original problem it was the steering gearbox failure”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2021
“Death wobble occurs at highway speeds if bumps occur consecutively close together,the only way to stop wobble if you abruptly stop,it's worse if your on a transition ramp to on coming traffic.”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford f-350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering and braking system would suddenly malfunction causing the driver to nearly loose control of the vehicle. During the failures, the steering wheel would not turn in either direction and the brake pedal was difficult to depress. The cause of the failures were not determined. The local dealer taylor motor company located at 524 russ ave, waynesville, nc 28786 was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 211,000.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2020
“I have a 2008 ford f-350 that I experienced a violent, shuddering, vibration at approximately 75 m.p.h. On interstate-75 yesterday, 09/19/2020, that almost caused me to crash. I looked online and there are many, many people who have and are experiencing the same, dangerous problem. I firmly believe that there should be a recall of the affected f-250 and f-350 vehicles and ford should repairs these vehicles before anyone is injured or killed, if there hasn't been such a trajedy or tragedies already.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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.
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 SOME MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 FORD F-250 AND F-350 TRUCKS. SOME OF THESE TIRES MAY EXPERIENCE UNEVEN WEAR, VIBRATION, OR PARTICULARLY UNDER CONDITIONS OF OVERLOADING OR UNDER INFLATION IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE USAGE, SEPARATION BETWEEN THE BELT EDGES.
Remedy: CONTINENTAL TIRE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CONTINENTAL CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-888-799-2168.
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.
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.
KNAPHEIDE IS RECALLING 108 MY 2006-2008 PRO SERIES TRUCK BEDS EQUIPPED WITH AN ICC BUMPER WHICH INCLUDED A PROVISION FOR A BALL HITCH. THERE MAY BE AN INSUFFICIENT WELD ATTACHING THE HITCH CHANNEL TO THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE.
Remedy: KNAPHEIDE WILL OFFER TWO REMEDIES TO ITS CUSTOMERS: (1) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO DO NOT USE THE HITCH, THE HITCH WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TRUCK BED AND REPLACED WITH AN ICC BUMPER; OR (2) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO NEED A HITCH, A RECEIVER HITCH ASSEMBLY WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING HITCH ASSEMBLY AND ALL SUSPECT WELD JOINTS WILL BE RE WELDED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KNAPHEIDE AT 1-877-473-5763.
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 PIVOT BRACKET AND THE SEAT BACK FRAME.
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. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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 FRONTAL IMPACT INTO A RIGID BARRIER, THE FUEL TANK CAN MOVE FORWARD AND CONTACT A FRAME CROSS MEMBER, POTENTIALLY CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE WHICH CAN RESULT IN FUEL SPILLAGE.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-350 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Ford F-350 reliable?
NHTSA has 131 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Ford F-350. The most complained-about area is steering (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Ford F-350 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 67,766 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Ford F-350 have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.