2008 Ford F-550 SD Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 31%of 26 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 26,112miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2008 Ford F-550 SD, 31% of the 26 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 26,112 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Events leading up to the failure is typical over road driving. The failure is with the main cooling radiator, after about 20,000 it begins to leak at the drivers side bottom left corner. Consequences are the vehicle is not drivable until repairs are made. The truck was purchased in june 2007 and we are now having to replace the third radiator. The truck was under warranty with the first replacement, we had to pay a warranty adjustment with the second radiator. Now with the third one gone out they want us to pay for the entire replacement cost.”
NHTSA complaint #10235256, filed 2008-07, 86,000 miles“Vehicle overheats and looses power at different speeds; we had over $1100.00 in repairs done and it still overheats with the wrench light coming on, took it back to mechanic and he ran the codes and now says it is the oil cooler not working. Ford said they do not have a recall on this and the heart of texas Ford place in brady, tx mechanic said there are alot of complaints on this oil cooler part for the f550 6.4 diesel.”
NHTSA complaint #10560786, filed 2014-01, 36,000 miles“This vehicle was purchased new and at 14,000 miles it started bogging and the check engine light came on and the vehicle died out around 5 times, after the dealership sat on the vehicle for 5 days without diagnosing I moved the vehicle to a different dealership where they conducted a service bulletin for ECM reprogramming now at 16,000 miles the vehicle is doing it all over again and not to mention radiator leaking, brakes squealing, trans fluid seepage and fuel level gauge not operating correctly. Please help!!!! $65,000 vehicle they should be forced to buy it back.”
NHTSA complaint #10259808, filed 2009-02, 14,000 miles“The contact owns a 2008 Ford f-550. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the contact smelled a strong odor of exhaust fumes inside the cabin. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they replaced the exhaust inlet pipe and oxidation catalytic converter. The failure mileage was 43,975. Updated 12/05/2011”
NHTSA complaint #10373328, filed 2010-12, 43,975 miles“The contact owns a 2008 Ford f-550. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the speed immediately decreased to 15 MPH. There were no warning indicators. The contact pulled over and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of failure, however, they had to replace the wire harness to restart the vehicle. The current mileage was 18,000 and failure mileage was 16,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10197789, filed 2007-07, 16,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10060326Jul 1, 2015Ford: diesel engine runs rough, engine knocking, hard start, crank but no start due to height of improper pedestal that causes exhaust or intake valves be hung open. Model…
- 10057870Sep 1, 2014Ford: due to restrictions from cooling system contamination, diesel engine oil coolers primarily are being replaced because of other components in cooling system. Model 2008-10…
- 10056750Aug 1, 2014Ford: there are exhaust leaks, caused by warped exhaust manifold, experience by diesel engine. Model 2008-10 f super duty.
- 10045066Jun 12, 2012Ford: some trucks, equipped with 6.4l diesel engine will lack power with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p246c and p2463 with a malfunction indicator lamp.
- 10044214Mar 1, 2012Ford: some trucks may exhibit a situation with diesel engine such as engine knocking, low power, exhaust smoke, long or no crank start and runs rough.
- 10038924Apr 27, 2011Ford: some ford super duty trucks may exhibit a lack of power with a diagnostic trouble code during acceleration.
- 10038945Apr 19, 2011Ford: some ford super duty trucks may exhibit a lack of power with a diagnostic trouble code at full operating temperature during acceleration.
- 10041245Mar 7, 2011Ford service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. There are multiple problems with the vehicle. Possibliy including: malfunction light on, runs rough, reduced…
- 10039053Mar 1, 2011Ford: if there is an intermittent lack of power, surge, or hesitation while driving the brakes will override acceleration.
- 10039129Nov 22, 2010Ford: the malfunction light may be on with a lack of power. Htere may be mulitple trouble codes stored. 2008 f-250/350/450/550.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 8% |
| 2008 | 8 | 31% |
| 2007 | 1 | 4% |
| 2006 | 5 | 11% |
| 2005 | 5 | 16% |
| 2004 | 16 | 33% |
| 2003 | 6 | 18% |
| 2002 | 4 | 18% |
| 2001 | 2 | 7% |
| 2000 | 5 | 7% |
| 1999 | 10 | 16% |
Other parts of the 2008 Ford F-550 SD
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Ford F-550 SD
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology