2008 Ford F-250 SD Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year cluster around two themes: front-end shimmy and steering problems on 4x4 trucks, and cooling-system leaks on the 6.4L diesel, which many owners say appeared well before 50,000 miles. Brake drag and tire tread or sidewall failures are also reported, usually in the 26,000-70,000 mile range.

1. 1
   Steering

   Steering wheel locks up or loses assist

   • 30 complaints (21%)
   • median 55,504 mi at 5.5 yrs old (29 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2017

   Complaints describe the steering wheel suddenly locking or requiring heavy effort, often at low speed while turning or maneuvering, and sometimes while towing. Some owners report the wheel spinning freely with the front wheels not responding, or the truck wandering out of its lane mid-turn. Dealers reportedly replaced the steering gear box, flushed power steering fluid, or said they could not duplicate the problem. Spread from very low mileage up to about 160,000 miles, often at low-speed turns or while towing.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: With the engine running, turn the wheel lock to lock at idle and listen for noise or binding, check for play in the steering wheel, and ask whether the steering gear box or its mounting bolts have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Loss of steering control while turning corner. Wheel failed to return to centre without extreme force. Following the corner the vehicle jumped left to right uncontrolled approx 6-12 inches at low speed for 1/2 block. Fighting the wheel I was able to stop, and the steering loosened up allowing me to finish the last 2 blocks of journey at a reduced speed with the steering reacting normally.”

   NHTSA complaint #10515701, filed 2013-06, 150,000 miles

   “2008 Ford f250 crew! Where do I begin? I've had this truck in more times than I can count! Most recently for power steering issues! I'm having it worked on for the third time today! Along with another problem with the front drive shafts, which it has been in at least two other times for! The power steering doesn't work at lower speeds when trying to maneuver around or even when trying to turn around! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10262866, filed 2009-03, 30,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   White or blue exhaust smoke and rough running

   • 20 complaints (14%)
   • median 30,000 mi at 3.5 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2015

   Owners describe bursts of heavy white, gray or blue smoke from the tailpipe, sometimes thick enough to block visibility for traffic behind, along with rough running, hesitation or loss of power. Some say the smoke appeared during the diesel exhaust cleaning cycle, while others report the engine stalling or shutting down with no warning. Dealers reportedly told owners the smoke was normal regeneration behavior, could not find stored codes, or replaced turbo and injector parts. Reported from a few hundred miles up to about 100,000, often during acceleration, towing or steady highway driving.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Watch the tailpipe on a cold start and during hard acceleration for heavy smoke, ask about regeneration-related visits and any calibration updates or turbo, injector or Y-pipe work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had many engine problems with my 6.4 diesel from loss of engine power , to lack of power , white /grayish smoke, hesitation , engine almost dying to acceleration and almost causing an accident, I even had an occasional engine light come on, gurgling sounds , whooping sounds and grinding ,metallic sounds coming from my engine. I was told by multiple dealerships that if there is no engine light there is no code if there is no code there is no problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10226669, filed 2008-05, 1,000 miles

   “Re-occurring problem with my 2008 Ford f-250. The truck upon acceleration surges at 2800-3000 RPM's and blows white smoke out of the exhaust pipe. This only happens during high humid, or rainy days, or while the truck is operating in a steady state of driving for several hours. If you pull off the freeway, and then try to accelerate on the entrance ramp the truck stumbles and looses acceleration. I have had the truck in the dealer several times to try to find the problem, but they were not successful. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10386577, filed 2011-03, 85,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Radiator and cooling-system leaks (6.4L diesel)

   • 14 complaints (10%)
   • median 42,500 mi at 3.1 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $1,588 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2019

   Owners report coolant leaking from the radiator, often at a seam or lower corner, with some finding it during routine service and others seeing coolant spray onto the windshield. Several say the radiator, hoses and degas bottle were replaced at their own cost well under 100,000 miles, and a few mention a degas bottle fitting installed after an earlier radiator replacement. Complaints also describe coolant loss accompanied by rough running or lack of power. Mostly reported between a few thousand and about 87,000 miles, with several under 50,000.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Look for coolant residue or staining at the radiator seams and lower corners, check the degas bottle level and ask whether the coolant venturi tee update and any radiator replacement were done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I noticed that something was dripping from the front end of my truck and suspected that the radiator was leaking. I took it to the dealership to diagnose the problem. I also gave them several tsbss concerning the radiator leak to make them aware that this is a known problem to Ford. Obviously they called me back and said that the entire cooling system (radiator, hoses and degas bottle) needed replacement, it wasn't under warranty and I would need to pay $1,776. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10464620, filed 2012-07, 39,000 miles

   “2008 Ford f-250. Radiator leaking. Dealer states to Ford customer service that they found a leak in april of 2010. They never informed me of it however. In april the vehicle was still under the 36,000 mi. Warranty. I first noticed the leak around the last of november 2010 and by then the vehicle was at 46,000 mi. And out of warranty. My dealer tells me they and Ford are aware that there is a problem with these radiators but Ford has yet to issue a recall. Dealer wont incur any of the cost for repairs and Ford wont offer any assistance either. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10374994, filed 2011-01, 46,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Front-end shimmy or wobble after hitting a bump

   • 7 complaints (5%)
   • median 71,000 mi at 2.8 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2009–2018

   Owners describe the front end shaking or shimmying violently after hitting a bump, pothole or seam in the road at highway speed, sometimes so strongly that they have to slow down or stop. Many say it happens on uneven surfaces at 40-70 mph, and some report replacing shocks, a steering stabilizer or tires without improvement. Several mention a dealer told them nothing could be done, while others point to a field service action covering shimmy and tire pressure. Reported from roughly 1,500 to 200,000 miles, most often on highway-speed bumps and uneven pavement.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test drive on broken pavement at highway speed and ask whether the front-end service action for shimmy and tire pressure was applied; inspect front shocks, steering stabilizer and tire pressures and condition.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving my 08 Ford f250 sd, I experience severe shimmy going over a bump in the road or small dip. More noticeable when going about 45 and I hit a bump and the wheel jerks and throws the truck what feels like feet. I have not replaced any parts yet nor have I spoken with the dealer. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10690980, filed 2015-02, 71,000 miles

   “I bought a 2008 Ford f-250 extended cab truck and when I go over a small bump in the road the front end shakes real bad to the point I almost lost control going down a highway at 55mph. I checked the air pressure in the tires and they were at 70psi in the front and 80psi in the back. The door sticker said the pressures should be 70 in the front and 80 in the back. I have replaced the shocks and steering stabilizer shock and it did not make a difference. The old shocks appeared to be in good shape yet. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10346223, filed 2010-07, 88,000 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake drag and caliper problems

   • 16 complaints (11%)
   • median 31,500 mi at 3.7 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • filed 2008–2017

   Owners report rear brakes dragging or staying applied, hot rotors and a burning smell after short drives, and rear calipers found cracked or with broken pistons. Some say the dealer attributed the heat to winter road salt or serviced the brakes without resolving it. A few describe the brake pedal overriding acceleration during an intermittent power loss. Mostly reported between about 26,000 and 70,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: After a test drive, feel each wheel for uneven heat and look for scoring or heavy wear on the rear rotors; ask whether the rear calipers have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After a 10 mile trip , got to my home and rear driver brake was smoking. I had continually complained to local Ford dealership about excessive heat I.e. You could hear crackling after parking the vehicle. I bought a centec hand laser heat temperature lcd gun and demonstrated to the Ford service manager that all discs had excessive heat. They claimed they serviced the brakes. Continually blamed the new york winter and salt. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10478567, filed 2012-10, 26,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250 SD. The contact stated that the steering wheel locked several times and the brakes had to be applied each time while making a turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to replicate and diagnose the failure. The dealer replaced the power steering fluid and brake fluid, but were also unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10954457, filed 2017-02, 120,000 miles

Buying note. Check the front end carefully on a rough-road test drive and confirm any steering or shimmy service actions were applied, and on 6.4L diesel trucks inspect the cooling system and radiator for leaks. Service records showing steering gear, brake caliper and radiator work are worth asking for, since owners report these recurring.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.