2008 Ford F-450 SD: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 68 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (30% of complaints); the 2006 and 2007 and 2009 and 2010 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 68 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford f-450 sd. While driving various speeds, the driver and rear passenger windows independently rolled down. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Nov 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford f-450. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to be restarted after the contact removed and reconnected the battery. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the exhaust fuel recirculation valve failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the remedy failed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2016
“I have 2008 ford f450 with 60 k miles and radiator start leaking at the bottom and it was building preassure on the top of atifreaze box and heat air stoped working and ford dealer that I bought from disnt cover the warranty I paid 1400$ to get problem fixed and it second radiator that I changed from my pocket !!!! I think ford needs to do something with that it should be a recall for all 2008-2014 power stroke diesel engines”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2016
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“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford f-450 sd. After water was added to the radiator, the contact noticed that water leaked out of the hose. The vehicle leaked radiator fluid from the hose. In addition, the egr cooler malfunctioned and caused the air conditioner to operate intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the egr cooler, radiator, and hoses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2015
“Ford needs to issue a recall for faulty bolts in the engine compartment. One bolt broken off on the passenger side that deals with the exhaust causing a whistling sound under acceleration. Four bolts broke off on the driver side that go into the head of the engine block. Impossible to gain access to these bolts unless you pull the engine out in order to replace. Ford needs to held accountable for these faulty hardware and replace this at no cost to the owner of the vehicle.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford f-450 sd. The contact stated that while driving at 45 mph, the rear driver's side door opened independently as the door ajar warning indicator illuminated. The contact maneuvered to the side of the road. However, the door failed to latch in a secured position. After numerous attempts, the door latched properly. The failure recurred ten times. In addition, the same failure occurred with the rear passenger side door on a separate occasion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Structure · May 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford f-450. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the bolt in the steering column became detached. The steering wheel became inoperable and after engaging the brakes, the vehicle coasted to a stop. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that the steering column bolt was fractured. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2014
“2008 ford f-450 based type I ambulance. Contact alleges that improper manufacturing of 6.4l powerstroke diesel engine cylinder number 8 resulted in reduced compression and excessive blow by of combustion gases and particulate matter. Reported consequence includes engine stall, reduced power, no start condition, exhaust gas temperature sensor contamination and catastrophic turbocharger damage. Engine problems had negative impact on delivery of ambulance services.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2014
“2008 ford f450 crew cab. Consumer states car had two major mechanical breakdowns. *ta the consumer stated the turbo and engine blew out five days apart. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford f-450 sd. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate over 20 mph. The dealer stated that the fuel injection system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,462.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-450 SD 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-450 SD reliable?
NHTSA has 68 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Ford F-450 SD. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Ford F-450 SD problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 35,000 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Ford F-450 SD have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm). 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.