NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
141 reports118,000 miles · Jul 3, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY WANDERED OUT OF THE LANE AS THE TURN WAS COMPLETED THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY WANDERED OUT OF THE LANE AS THE TURN WAS COMPLETED THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
NHTSA ODI #10523048
52,000 miles · Jun 27, 2013
SteeringCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CAREENED INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILUR…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CAREENED INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
NHTSA ODI #10522105
160,000 miles · Jun 20, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine
2008 FORD F-250 SD DIESEL NO WARNING DRIVING 55 ON THE FREEWAY TOWING A TRAILER THE TRUCK SHUTS DOWN NO POWER. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THIS TRUCK HAS SHUT DOWN ON THE FREEWAY WITH NO WARNING. HOW CAN FORD SELL THEIR CUSTOMERS A TRUCK AS WHAT ONE OTHER PERSON STATES: A $55,000.00 TRUCK THAT IS ADVERTISED TO BE SUPER DUTY AND SHOULD …
Read full complaint
2008 FORD F-250 SD DIESEL NO WARNING DRIVING 55 ON THE FREEWAY TOWING A TRAILER THE TRUCK SHUTS DOWN NO POWER. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THIS TRUCK HAS SHUT DOWN ON THE FREEWAY WITH NO WARNING. HOW CAN FORD SELL THEIR CUSTOMERS A TRUCK AS WHAT ONE OTHER PERSON STATES: A $55,000.00 TRUCK THAT IS ADVERTISED TO BE SUPER DUTY AND SHOULD LAST 400000 TO 500000 MILES WITH ONLY MINER ENGINE REPAIRS, THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. FORD KNOWS FOR A FACT THAT THEY HAVE A FAULTY MOTOR AND FAULTY INTERNAL PARTS ON ALL THE 2008 THRU 2010 6.4 L DIESEL MOTORS. THAT'S WHY THEY DESIGNED A NEW MOTOR AND ARE SUING NAVISTAR THE ENGINE DESIGNER. NOW YOU CAN GO ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND FIND THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS AND MORE. THIS IS OUR SECOND TIME TO ENTER A COMPLAINT IN THE NHTSA (#10435125) DOES ANYTHING HAPPEN WITH THIS INFORMATION? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10520802
150,000 miles · Jun 7, 2013
Steering
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 JO…
Read full complaint
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. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10515701
18,000 miles · Jun 5, 2013
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS CONSTANTLY BEING DEPRESSED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKES HAD SEIZED. THE DEALER LUBRICATED THE BRAKES WITH H…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS CONSTANTLY BEING DEPRESSED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKES HAD SEIZED. THE DEALER LUBRICATED THE BRAKES WITH HEAVY GREASE AND REPLACED BOTH THE BRAKE PADS AND CALIPERS. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10515211
52,000 miles · Jun 4, 2013
Steering
I WAS PULLING OFF EXPRESSWAY, SLOWING ON EXIT RAMP. TRUCK SHOOK AND I COULD NOT STEER FOR A FEW SECONDS. IT HAS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES SINCE THEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10515085
101,000 miles · May 31, 2013
Suspension
THE TRUCK SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY AND I HAD TO PULL IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND IT CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE READ MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF TRUCK AND EVERY COMPLAINT IS THE SAME CONDITION 70 MPH AND HITTING A BUMP OR POTHOLE AND THE TRUCK SHAKES TO THE…
Read full complaint
THE TRUCK SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY AND I HAD TO PULL IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND IT CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE READ MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF TRUCK AND EVERY COMPLAINT IS THE SAME CONDITION 70 MPH AND HITTING A BUMP OR POTHOLE AND THE TRUCK SHAKES TO THE POINT OF LOOSING CONTROL UNTIL YOU GET IT STOPPED. HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON AND IT IS BETTER BUT NOT GONE. AIR PRESSURE SHOULD NOT BE A CRITICAL FOR THE SAFETY OF A TRUCK TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. ALL OF MY TIRES WERE AT 65 PSI A 100 MILE BEFORE I STARTED THE TRIP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10514574
109,212 miles · May 28, 2013
Steering
I WAS DRIVING TO A CROSS STREET INTERSECTION WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND COULDN'T TURN ON TO THE CROSS STREET AND I HAD TO STOP THE TRUCK AND BACK UP, THEN AFTER I STOPPED, THE WHEEL LET GO AND I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE TRUCK. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIME SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE TRUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10513980
109,145 miles · May 22, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT CHANGED LANES AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT CHANGED LANES AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC FLUSHED THE STEERING SYSTEM BUT THE SERVICE DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,145.
NHTSA ODI #10513135
29,062 miles · May 14, 2013
SteeringCrash
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT WHEN I TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE TRUCKS STEERING WHEEL PROCEEDED TO TURN LEFT WHEN IT ABRUPTLY STOPPED MOVING. LUCKILY I WAS MOVING AT A SLOW ENOUGH SPEED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND ROLL INTO THE PARKING LOTS CURB. I THEN PROCEEDED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, AND WIT…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT WHEN I TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE TRUCKS STEERING WHEEL PROCEEDED TO TURN LEFT WHEN IT ABRUPTLY STOPPED MOVING. LUCKILY I WAS MOVING AT A SLOW ENOUGH SPEED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND ROLL INTO THE PARKING LOTS CURB. I THEN PROCEEDED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, AND WITH ALL MY MIGHT I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT UNTIL IT MADE A CLUNKING SOUND AND FREED UP. I MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME A SHORT DISTANCE AND HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A HARD TIME TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AT LOW SPEEDS ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10511887
NHTSA investigations
1PE13014 · Alleged Loss Of Steering
Opened May 7, 2013 · Closed Jan 31, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)
The Office of DefectsInvestigation (ODI) opened PE13-014 after identifying five complaints alleging steering gear failure in model year (MY) 2008 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pick-up trucks and to evaluate the relationship between the design history of the steering gear assembly and the alleged defect.As background, ODI investigated steering gear sector shaft fractures in approximately 1.3 million MY 1999 - 2001 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks and MY 2000 - 2001 Ford Excursion sport utility vehicles in Engineering Analysis EA01-009.The investigation determined that the sector shaft failures were the result of extraordinary, possibly multiple, impacts and not the result of fatigue.No defect in design, manufacturing or materials was identified in the sector shaft.EA01-009 was closed August 19, 2003 with 169 complaints, resulting in a rate of 12.9 incidents per 100,000 vehicles after approximately one year of service.Ford increased the diameter of the sector shaft from 1.375 inches to 1.625 inches at the start of MY 2005 production, increasing the resistance of the steering gear assembly to torsional overload by approximately 48% and changing the failure mode from sector shaft fracture to cracked or broken sector shaft gear teeth.The redesigned steering gear assembly was used in approximately 1.1 million MY 2005 through 2009 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks, including the subject vehicles.Figure 1 shows the basic steering system design used in Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009 and PE13-014. Figure 2 shows the locations of failures resulting from impact related torsional overloading of the sector shaft for the subject vehicles and the prior generation Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009.Figure 3 shows an example of a failed sector shaft investigated in EA01-009 and comparisons of fracture surfaces of sector shafts failing from fatigue loading and from torsional overload.Ford provided field return part analysis of failed steering gears from MY 2005 through 2009 Super Duty trucks found evidence of broken sector shaft gear teeth and piston damage consistent with incidents of single event overload (Figure 4).Laboratory analysis found no evidence of fatigue or material property defects in any of the fractures.Analysis of complaint rates by vehicle build month showed no patterns indicating potential manufacturing quality issues and no difference before and after Ford introduced design changes to the input shaft and sector shaft seals in July 2007 to address potential leak concerns (Figure 5).Analysis of failures by time in service indicates a random failure pattern/distribution, consistent with incidents of impact induced overload (Figure 6). The complaint rate for the subject vehicles after approximately 5 to 6 years, 7.1 incidents per 100,000 vehicles, is lower than the rate observed in EA01-009. Furthermore, similar to the condition investigated in EA01-009, a number of incident records include evidence of impact loads (e.g., curb strikes) and several alleged crashes include incidents in which information suggests that the steering gear failure was most likely a result of crash forces, rather than the cause of the crash.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at ww
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
The Office of DefectsInvestigation (ODI) opened PE13-014 after identifying five complaints alleging steering gear failure in model year (MY) 2008 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pick-up trucks and to evaluate the relationship between the design history of the steering gear assembly and the alleged defect.As background, ODI investigated steering gear sector shaft fractures in approximately 1.3 million MY 1999 - 2001 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks and MY 2000 - 2001 Ford Excursion sport utility vehicles in Engineering Analysis EA01-009.The investigation determined that the sector shaft failures were the result of extraordinary, possibly multiple, impacts and not the result of fatigue.No defect in design, manufacturing or materials was identified in the sector shaft.EA01-009 was closed August 19, 2003 with 169 complaints, resulting in a rate of 12.9 incidents per 100,000 vehicles after approximately one year of service.Ford increased the diameter of the sector shaft from 1.375 inches to 1.625 inches at the start of MY 2005 production, increasing the resistance of the steering gear assembly to torsional overload by approximately 48% and changing the failure mode from sector shaft fracture to cracked or broken sector shaft gear teeth.The redesigned steering gear assembly was used in approximately 1.1 million MY 2005 through 2009 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks, including the subject vehicles.Figure 1 shows the basic steering system design used in Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009 and PE13-014. Figure 2 shows the locations of failures resulting from impact related torsional overloading of the sector shaft for the subject vehicles and the prior generation Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009.Figure 3 shows an example of a failed sector shaft investigated in EA01-009 and comparisons of fracture surfaces of sector shafts failing from fatigue loading and from torsional overload.Ford provided field return part analysis of failed steering gears from MY 2005 through 2009 Super Duty trucks found evidence of broken sector shaft gear teeth and piston damage consistent with incidents of single event overload (Figure 4).Laboratory analysis found no evidence of fatigue or material property defects in any of the fractures.Analysis of complaint rates by vehicle build month showed no patterns indicating potential manufacturing quality issues and no difference before and after Ford introduced design changes to the input shaft and sector shaft seals in July 2007 to address potential leak concerns (Figure 5).Analysis of failures by time in service indicates a random failure pattern/distribution, consistent with incidents of impact induced overload (Figure 6). The complaint rate for the subject vehicles after approximately 5 to 6 years, 7.1 incidents per 100,000 vehicles, is lower than the rate observed in EA01-009. Furthermore, similar to the condition investigated in EA01-009, a number of incident records include evidence of impact loads (e.g., curb strikes) and several alleged crashes include incidents in which information suggests that the steering gear failure was most likely a result of crash forces, rather than the cause of the crash.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at ww
Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)
The Office of DefectsInvestigation (ODI) opened PE13-014 after identifying five complaints alleging steering gear failure in model year (MY) 2008 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pick-up trucks and to evaluate the relationship between the design history of the steering gear assembly and the alleged defect.As background, ODI investigated steering gear sector shaft fractures in approximately 1.3 million MY 1999 - 2001 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks and MY 2000 - 2001 Ford Excursion sport utility vehicles in Engineering Analysis EA01-009.The investigation determined that the sector shaft failures were the result of extraordinary, possibly multiple, impacts and not the result of fatigue.No defect in design, manufacturing or materials was identified in the sector shaft.EA01-009 was closed August 19, 2003 with 169 complaints, resulting in a rate of 12.9 incidents per 100,000 vehicles after approximately one year of service.Ford increased the diameter of the sector shaft from 1.375 inches to 1.625 inches at the start of MY 2005 production, increasing the resistance of the steering gear assembly to torsional overload by approximately 48% and changing the failure mode from sector shaft fracture to cracked or broken sector shaft gear teeth.The redesigned steering gear assembly was used in approximately 1.1 million MY 2005 through 2009 Ford Super Duty pick-up trucks, including the subject vehicles.Figure 1 shows the basic steering system design used in Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009 and PE13-014. Figure 2 shows the locations of failures resulting from impact related torsional overloading of the sector shaft for the subject vehicles and the prior generation Ford Super Duty trucks investigated in EA01-009.Figure 3 shows an example of a failed sector shaft investigated in EA01-009 and comparisons of fracture surfaces of sector shafts failing from fatigue loading and from torsional overload.Ford provided field return part analysis of failed steering gears from MY 2005 through 2009 Super Duty trucks found evidence of broken sector shaft gear teeth and piston damage consistent with incidents of single event overload (Figure 4).Laboratory analysis found no evidence of fatigue or material property defects in any of the fractures.Analysis of complaint rates by vehicle build month showed no patterns indicating potential manufacturing quality issues and no difference before and after Ford introduced design changes to the input shaft and sector shaft seals in July 2007 to address potential leak concerns (Figure 5).Analysis of failures by time in service indicates a random failure pattern/distribution, consistent with incidents of impact induced overload (Figure 6). The complaint rate for the subject vehicles after approximately 5 to 6 years, 7.1 incidents per 100,000 vehicles, is lower than the rate observed in EA01-009. Furthermore, similar to the condition investigated in EA01-009, a number of incident records include evidence of impact loads (e.g., curb strikes) and several alleged crashes include incidents in which information suggests that the steering gear failure was most likely a result of crash forces, rather than the cause of the crash.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at ww
Illustration