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2008 Ford F-450 Sd

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

57 reports with mileage · 11 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports3 fire reports3 injury reports

Engine complaints

11 reports
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15,000 miles · Jan 9, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System

FUEL TANK DELAMINATION LEADING TO BLOWN ENGINE X2 AND FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT X2. I USE NO ADDITIVES AND BUY ONLY COMMERCIAL FUEL ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY IN NORTHEAST GEORGIA.

NHTSA ODI #11166041

28,900 miles · Oct 4, 2016
EngineSteering

ENTERED ON 10/04/2016 AT 2:45:07 PM EDT (GMT-0400) BY NHTSA.WEBMASTER@DOT.GOV: SENDER NAME: SENDER EMAIL: SUBJECT: FORD F-450 COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE AND ENGINE PROBLEMS COMMENTS: I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK NEW IN 2008 AND DROVE IT CROSS COUNTRY TOWING MY 5TH WHEEL. AT 4,544 MILES THE RADIATOR BLEW APART. (DRIVING HIGHWAY/TOWI…

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ENTERED ON 10/04/2016 AT 2:45:07 PM EDT (GMT-0400) BY NHTSA.WEBMASTER@DOT.GOV: SENDER NAME: SENDER EMAIL: SUBJECT: FORD F-450 COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE AND ENGINE PROBLEMS COMMENTS: I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK NEW IN 2008 AND DROVE IT CROSS COUNTRY TOWING MY 5TH WHEEL. AT 4,544 MILES THE RADIATOR BLEW APART. (DRIVING HIGHWAY/TOWING) THIS WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AFTER FIGHTING WITH FORD. AT 6,065 MILES I HAD ANOTHER COOLING SYSTEM LEAK.(DRIVING LOCAL) THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE "SMALL" RADIATOR, THE "FUEL AND TURBO" COOLER. AT 21432 MILES THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.(DRIVING/TOWING/LOCAL) SHOP STATED THAT "FLUID WAS CONTAMINATED" (THIS TRUCK HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED BY FORD) AT 22215 MILES I HAD TO HAVE THE LEFT REAR AXLE SEAL, BRAKE PADS AND LOWER CAC HOSE FOR TURBO REPLACED.( DRIVING HIGHWAY/TOWING) NOW AT 29,017 MILES THE RADIATOR TANKS HAVE SEPARATED FROM THE CORE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN ALONG WITH THE CRANK SEAL AND ANOTHER POWER STEERING PUMP.( COMBINATION, HIGHWAY/LOCAL/TOWING? NOT TOWING) I HAVE CHECKED WITH FORD AND THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY REFUSE TO COVER ANY OF THIS, OR ANY PART, UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE ALSO DONE RESEARCH ON THESE TRUCKS HAVING FOUND MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME COOLING SYSTEM ISSUES ALONG WITH OTHER ISSUES THAT FORD REFUSED TO COVER. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE, I THINK THEY NEED TO HAVE A RECALL ON THE COOLING SYSTEMS IN THEIR TRUCKS. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS. I WOULD APPRECIATE A RESPONSE. CHECK EDMUNDS FORD F-450 SD TURBO DIESEL REVIEW, MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE, ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10913839

122,000 miles · Sep 17, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion System

INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE DONE ON 2008 FORD F450SD 6.4L TRUCKS ON THE BOLTS THAT ARE USED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR THE EXHAUSTS. HAVE A BOLT THAT BROKE THAT IS NOW CAUSING A WHISTLING SOUND UNDER ACCELERATION AND EXHAUST FUMES TO ESCAPE. ON THE DRIVER SIDE FOUR OTHER BOLTS HAVE BROKEN OFF IN THE HEAD UNIT THAT WILL REQUIRE …

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INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE DONE ON 2008 FORD F450SD 6.4L TRUCKS ON THE BOLTS THAT ARE USED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR THE EXHAUSTS. HAVE A BOLT THAT BROKE THAT IS NOW CAUSING A WHISTLING SOUND UNDER ACCELERATION AND EXHAUST FUMES TO ESCAPE. ON THE DRIVER SIDE FOUR OTHER BOLTS HAVE BROKEN OFF IN THE HEAD UNIT THAT WILL REQUIRE FOR THE ENGINE OR CAB TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE BOLTS. THE REPAIR FACILITY MY TRUCK IS LOCATED HAS FOUR OTHER 6.4L FORD SUPER DUTY TRUCKS SITTING THEIR FOR THE SAME REPAIRS. SEEMS TO ME THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TYPE OF STUDS AND BOLTS THE MANUFACTURER USED. RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THE OTHER TRUCKS WERE F250, F350, AND F450 SUPER DUTY 6.4L TURBO DIESEL. THE EXHAUST FUMES IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI #10764446

122,000 miles · Sep 15, 2015
Engine

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 T…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10763769

68,000 miles · Jun 30, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-450 SD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE RPMS GAUGE STARTED TO FLUCTUATE ABNORMALLY AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM STARTED TO SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-450 SD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE RPMS GAUGE STARTED TO FLUCTUATE ABNORMALLY AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM STARTED TO SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND ENGINE OIL TEMPERATURE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE COOLER, COOLANT, THERMOSTAT, AS WELL AS THE OIL AND OIL FILTERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 09/02/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE TURBO BOOST BRAKE SYSTEM WAS SLOWLY LEAKING. UPDATED 12/7/2015*JS

NHTSA ODI #10731225

124,000 miles · Jun 26, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AFYER STOPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND LOSS POWER. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TURBO PRESSURE GAUGE DROPPED. I TOOK THE TRUCK INTO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT A MANAFOLD BOLT HAD BROKEN WHICH CAUSED A BAD EXHUAST LEAK. REPAIR COST WAS $3500. I DROVE THE TRUCK LESS THAN 50 MILES OVE…

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I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AFYER STOPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND LOSS POWER. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TURBO PRESSURE GAUGE DROPPED. I TOOK THE TRUCK INTO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT A MANAFOLD BOLT HAD BROKEN WHICH CAUSED A BAD EXHUAST LEAK. REPAIR COST WAS $3500. I DROVE THE TRUCK LESS THAN 50 MILES OVER THE NEXT TWO DAYS AND THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN WITH LOSS OF POWER AND ENGINE LIGHT ON. I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAD EXPLODED AND SENT METAL DEBRIS THROUGH OUT THE FUEL SYSTEM. I WAS THEN TOLD THE REPAIR COST WERE GOING TO $7500 ($6000 FOR PARTS AND $1500 FOR LABOR). THIS IS A BAD FORD ENGINEERING DESIGN PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY FORD AS WELL AS A RECALL ON ALL MODELS USING THE SAME HPFP ASSEMBLY.

NHTSA ODI #10730584

64,075 miles · Apr 3, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT CRUISING SPEED. THERE WERE ABSOLUTELY NO WARNINGS, THE ENGINE JUST QUIT, DISABLING THE VEHICLE IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC. THE DEALER REPAIR WAS TO REPLACE WIRING HARNESS FOR HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP DUE TO WIRES SHORTING THE ENGINE AFTER THE INSULATION WAS CHAFED BY INTERNA…

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VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT CRUISING SPEED. THERE WERE ABSOLUTELY NO WARNINGS, THE ENGINE JUST QUIT, DISABLING THE VEHICLE IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC. THE DEALER REPAIR WAS TO REPLACE WIRING HARNESS FOR HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP DUE TO WIRES SHORTING THE ENGINE AFTER THE INSULATION WAS CHAFED BY INTERNAL CONTACT WITH OTHER ENGINE PARTS, WHICH WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS ENGINE FOR BUILDS PRIOR TO AUGUST 20, 2007, ACCORDING TO A FORD TSB: 07-26-2. THIS PART IS COMPLETELY INTERNAL AND NOT SUBJECT TO INSPECTION UNTIL FAILURE. MY FAMILY AND I WERE EXTREMELY FORTUNATE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GET SAFELY TO THE SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE WITH MANY SEMI'S AND CARS AROUND US WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. ALSO, SINCE ENGINE WOULDN'T START AT ALL, WE WERE SUBJECTED TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS WHILE WAITING FOR TOW VEHICLE, OVER 2 HOURS. THIS IS A POTENTIAL LIFE-THREATENING DEFECT!! LOSING ALL POWER IN SECONDS WITHOUT WARNING IN HIGH-SPEED TRAFFIC IS UNACCEPTABLE, FORD! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577271

125,000 miles · Jan 10, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-450 SD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE MANIFOLD BOLTS WERE CORRODED, THE OIL COOLER WAS CLOGGED AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-450 SD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE MANIFOLD BOLTS WERE CORRODED, THE OIL COOLER WAS CLOGGED AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE TURBO CAUSED THE EGR SENSOR TO FAIL AND IT ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #10559365

96,000 miles · Oct 21, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-450 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS HAULING A TRAILER AT 60 MPH UPHILL WHEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 20 MPH INDEPENDENTLY AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE COMPUTER …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-450 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS HAULING A TRAILER AT 60 MPH UPHILL WHEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 20 MPH INDEPENDENTLY AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE COMPUTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 11/15/13*CN UPDATED 12/2/2013 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10548743

30,000 miles · Jul 23, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

FIRST TIME IT WAS MY RADIATOR, I REPLACED IT. SECOND TIME IT WAS AND INJECTOR, I HAD THAT FIXED. NOW IT IS MY TURBO AND ENGINE. FORD REFUSES TO COVER IT UNDER WANRRENTY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THESE MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10467138

Official recalls

3

08V096000 · Seats

Feb 28, 2008

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT SIDE PIVOT BRACKET MAY CRACK OR BREAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

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.

07V139000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Mar 26, 2007

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: LACK OF POWER OR ROUGH OPERATION, UNUSUAL NOISES FROM THE ENGINE OR EXHAUST, WHITE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST, AND POTENTIALLY A VISIBLE FLAME OUT THE TAILPIPE CAN OCCUR.

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.

07V140000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery

Mar 26, 2007

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: LONG TERM CONTACT COULD CAUSE WIRE CHAFE, RESULTING IN COPPER WIRE BEING EXPOSED. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE BATTERY B+ WIRE COULD SHORT TO GROUND INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.