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2008 Ford F-550 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

23 reports with mileage · 3 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 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

26 reports
33,100 miles · Feb 13, 2014
Structure

THE RIGHT FRAME RAIL HAS COMPLETELY SEVERED AT THE RIGHT FRONT SHOCK. THE LEFT FRAME RAIL AT THE LEFT FRONT SHOCK IS 80% CRACKED. THE ENGINE CRADLE CROSS MEMBER ATTACHES IN THIS AREA. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK HAS DROPPED TWO INCHES. THE FAN SHROUD HAS DROPPED TO THE POINT THAT THE FAN HAS CUT A GROOVE IN IT. THIS IS A …

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THE RIGHT FRAME RAIL HAS COMPLETELY SEVERED AT THE RIGHT FRONT SHOCK. THE LEFT FRAME RAIL AT THE LEFT FRONT SHOCK IS 80% CRACKED. THE ENGINE CRADLE CROSS MEMBER ATTACHES IN THIS AREA. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK HAS DROPPED TWO INCHES. THE FAN SHROUD HAS DROPPED TO THE POINT THAT THE FAN HAS CUT A GROOVE IN IT. THIS IS A CAB/CHASSIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564224

36,000 miles · Jan 21, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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,…

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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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560786

23,000 miles · Aug 21, 2013
EnginePower Train

FORD 6.4L DIESEL ENGINES (2008-2010) IN F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS CONTAIN RADIATORS THAT WERE IMPROPERLY CONSTRUCTED AND UNABLE TO WITHSTAND ENGINE PRESSURES AND LEAK COOLANT, AND CAN CAUSE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURES DUE TO OVERHEATING. FORD REPLACED COUNTLESS RADIATORS IN ITS 6.4L VEHICLES UNDER WARRANTY AND ISSU…

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FORD 6.4L DIESEL ENGINES (2008-2010) IN F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS CONTAIN RADIATORS THAT WERE IMPROPERLY CONSTRUCTED AND UNABLE TO WITHSTAND ENGINE PRESSURES AND LEAK COOLANT, AND CAN CAUSE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURES DUE TO OVERHEATING. FORD REPLACED COUNTLESS RADIATORS IN ITS 6.4L VEHICLES UNDER WARRANTY AND ISSUED A NUMBER OF SERVICE BULLETINS RELATED TO ITS 6.4L RADIATOR FAILURES. HOWEVER, EVEN ITS REDESIGNED RADIATORS CONTINUE TO FAIL. IN OUR VERY LOW MILEAGE F550 DIESEL, THE RADIATOR FAILED AT 23000 MILES EVEN AFTER BEING INSPECTED BY FORD AND "APPROVED" AS ADEQUATE. FORD REFUSES TO PROVIDE A FIX. THE FORD DEALERSHIP TELLS US THAT SOME CUSTOMERS HAVE REPLACED RADIATORS AS MANY AS 10 TIMES, OR MORE. AN INTERNET SEARCH (E.G., GOOGLE) FOR "FORD 6.4L RADIATOR" SHOWS COUNTLESS OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE RADIATOR FAILURES. AGAIN, FORD IS UNWILLING TO RECALL THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE PARTS OR PROVIDE A WARRANTY REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10536573

20,000 miles · Feb 20, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS CLOGGED DUE TO THE FUEL TANK DELAMINATING. AS A RESULT, BOTH THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS CLOGGED DUE TO THE FUEL TANK DELAMINATING. AS A RESULT, BOTH THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO PAY THE REPAIR COSTS FOR THE FUEL PUMP AND A PERCENTAGE OF THE FUEL TANK REPAIR EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

NHTSA ODI #10499419

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2012
WheelsCrash

AN FORD F-550 DRIVEN BY [XXX], AN EMPLOYEE OF WIREGRASS CONSTRUCTION USDOT-[XXX], HIT MY WIFE'S CAR PUNCTURING THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE AND RUINING RIM. UPON THE EXCHANGE AND THE VESTAVIA POLICE REPORT, DRIVER PRODUCED A PROOF OF INSURANCE OF TRAVELER'S INSURANCE THAT HAD EXPIRED. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT IN POSSESSION OF THE CU…

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AN FORD F-550 DRIVEN BY [XXX], AN EMPLOYEE OF WIREGRASS CONSTRUCTION USDOT-[XXX], HIT MY WIFE'S CAR PUNCTURING THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE AND RUINING RIM. UPON THE EXCHANGE AND THE VESTAVIA POLICE REPORT, DRIVER PRODUCED A PROOF OF INSURANCE OF TRAVELER'S INSURANCE THAT HAD EXPIRED. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT IN POSSESSION OF THE CURRENT PROOF OF INSURANCE AND HAS STILL NOT RESOLVED OUR CLAIM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10467610

32,225 miles · Jul 19, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

I AM ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2008 F-550 SUPERDUTY USED FOR MY BUSINESS. IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000 AND HAS REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE ENGINE ASSEMBLY TWICE. BOTH INSTANCES THE TRUCK WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE FAILURES OCCURRED AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO GET TO SHOULDER OF ROAD. BO…

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I AM ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2008 F-550 SUPERDUTY USED FOR MY BUSINESS. IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000 AND HAS REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE ENGINE ASSEMBLY TWICE. BOTH INSTANCES THE TRUCK WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE FAILURES OCCURRED AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO GET TO SHOULDER OF ROAD. BOTH FAILURES ALSO GAVE NO WARNING. FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED IN AUGUST 2009 @ 32,225 WHEN DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE AND IT IMMEDIATELY STALLED. TRUCK WAS TOWED TO DEALER UPON WHICH IT WAS DETERMINED A CONNECTING ROD HAD GONE THROUGH BLOCK. THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION PROVIDED EXCEPT THE ENGINE WAS STILL UNDER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED APRIL 2012 @ 107,000 WHILE DRIVER WAS ON HIS WAY TO DEALER TO GET RADIATOR FIXED DUE TO A LEAK. HE WAS ON THE BELTWAY WHEN HE IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO LOOSE POWER, IT STALLED WITH A CHANCE OF GETTING TO SHOULDER. WHEN TOWED TO THE DEALER, IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS EXCESSIVE COOLANT IN OIL PAN (3 GALLONS) WHICH CAUSED INTERNAL FAILURE TO THE BEARINGS/CRANK/RODS. ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THIS TIME FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE WATER PUMP FRONT COVER THAT WAS SEVERELY PITTED ALLOWING COOLANT TO ENTER ENGINE. THIS FRONT COVER HAD BEEN REPLACED AROUND 71,000 FOR SAME PROBLEM, WHICH ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC, IS COMMON WITH 6.4L ENGINE. I HAVE SERVICED THIS TRUCK ACCORDING TO FORDS RECOMMENDATIONS. HAVE HAD THE OIL CHANGED MORE FREQUENTLY THAN 10,000 MILE THAT IS RECOMMENDED FOR THE TYPE OF USAGE. DEALER AGREED THAT 7,500 MILES BETWEEN OIL CHANGES WAS SUFFICIENT SINCE TRUCK WAS NOT USED IN SEVERE OPERATING CONDITIONS. CONCERNED FOR SAFETY OF MY DRIVER SINCE THIS TRUCK HAS STALLED TWICE ON ROAD RESULTING IN MAJOR ENGINE REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH I HAVE PROPERLY MAINTAINED THE TRUCK. I HAVE GOOGLED AND FOUND MANY OTHER OWNERS OF FORD TRUCKS WITH 6.4L DIESEL THAT HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD. UPDATED 07/19/12 *BF UPDATED 10/02/12

NHTSA ODI #10467342

50,000 miles · Apr 5, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F550 SD DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F550 SD DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10394348

4,029 miles · Mar 28, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

VEHICLE - EATON HYBRID FORD F550DR BUCKET TRUCK VIN [XXX]. DRIVING ON IH 35 AT APPROX. 50 MPH, TRAFFIC CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. I HIT THE BRAKES ON THE HYBRID TRUCK AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ( I WAS PUSHING THE PEDAL VERY HARD ), THE FRONT AND REAR TIRES DID NOT LOCK UP NOR DID I FEEL THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATE INDICATIN…

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VEHICLE - EATON HYBRID FORD F550DR BUCKET TRUCK VIN [XXX]. DRIVING ON IH 35 AT APPROX. 50 MPH, TRAFFIC CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. I HIT THE BRAKES ON THE HYBRID TRUCK AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ( I WAS PUSHING THE PEDAL VERY HARD ), THE FRONT AND REAR TIRES DID NOT LOCK UP NOR DID I FEEL THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATE INDICATING THE ABS HAD BEEN ACTIVATED. I HIT A VAN FROM BEHIND HARD ENOUGH TO PUSH IT FORWARD AND THEN HIT IT A SECOND TIME AND PUSHED IT UNTIL THE VAN BROUGHT US TO A STOP. I BELIEVE THE BRAKES FAILED, IT OCCURRED ONLY ONCE, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. I THINK THAT THE ADDED WEIGHT OF THE BATTERIES AND THE AERIAL TOWER ON THE 550 CHASIS IS MORE THAN THE BRAKES ON THE TRUCK ARE ABLE TO HANDLE. THE TRUCK WAS SENT FOR BODY REPAIR AND THEN TO RIATA FORD IN MANOR TX FOR THE BRAKES TO BE CHECKED. ACCORDING TO THE QUALITY CARE REPORT " TEST DRIVE VEHICLE AND BRAKE SYSTEM IS OPERATING PROPERLY. " NO PARTS WERE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10393538

43,975 miles · Dec 29, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*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 MIL…

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TL*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 *LN

NHTSA ODI #10373328

20,000 miles · Nov 3, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-550 SUPERDUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACR COOLER FAILED WHICH CAUSED ANTIFREEZE TO BE INJECTED INTO THE ENGINE FORMING A FUEL CLOUD BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD TO MONITOR THE COOLANT AND CHANGE IT EVERY 15,000 MILES. THE D…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-550 SUPERDUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACR COOLER FAILED WHICH CAUSED ANTIFREEZE TO BE INJECTED INTO THE ENGINE FORMING A FUEL CLOUD BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD TO MONITOR THE COOLANT AND CHANGE IT EVERY 15,000 MILES. THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW ACR COOLER BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #10363872

Official recalls

4

09V456000 · Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner

Nov 19, 2009

CUES, INC. IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 SERVICE VEHICLES BUILT ON VARIOUS CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER AIRV CEILING UNITS, MODEL NOS. 68RV0010BA, 68RV0012CA, AND 68RV0010EA. THE HEATER ELEMENT IN THESE ASSEMBLIES MAY BE DEFECTIVE WHICH COULD CAUSE THE UNIT TO CREATE SMOKE OR SPARKS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DEFECT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: CUES IS WORKING WITH CARRIER TO REMEDY THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. REPAIRS WILL BE MADE BY CARRIER FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE CARRIER'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-053. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-877-584-7059 OR CUES AT 1-407-849-0190.

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.