YearToAvoid

2008 Ford F-250 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

70/100

#7 most-complained of 21 F-250 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2008 Ford F-250 has 337 owner complaints and 7 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 70 out of 100 — #7 highest of 21 F-250 model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is steering (119 complaints, 35% of the total). Complaints report 16 crashes, 7 fires, 6 injuries, and 1 death.

Complaints
337
Recalls
7
Crashes / fires
16 / 7
Injuries / deaths
6 / 1
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2008 Ford F-250 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Steering119 (35%)
  2. Engine87 (26%)
  3. Suspension, Wheels & Tires73 (22%)
  4. Brakes40 (12%)
  5. Electrical System21 (6%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain21 (6%)
  7. Other15 (4%)
  8. Fuel System14 (4%)
  9. Structure & Body12 (4%)
  10. Airbags7 (2%)
2008 Ford F-250 complaints: complaints filed per quarter202007 Q32009 Q42012 Q12014 Q22016 Q42019 Q12021 Q22024 Q2
419 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2007 Q3 to 2026 Q3; peak 2013 Q2 (20).

2008 Ford F-250 recalls

7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 09V026000Jan 26, 2009Other108 vehicles

    Equipment adaptive/mobility

    Comm trans is recalling 108 my 2005-2008 ford e250 and e350 vans built on ford chassis and equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift system accessible for motor vehicles." the anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift.

    Risk: A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.

    Remedy: Comm trans is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or comm trans at 901-726-9394.

  2. NHTSA 09V025000Jan 23, 2009Other111 vehicles

    Equipment adaptive/mobility

    Comm trans is recalling 111 my 2005-2008 ford e250 and e350 vans built on ford chassis and equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations on motor vehicles." the threshold warning system may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.

    Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.

    Remedy: Comm trans is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or comm trans at 901-726-9394.

  3. NHTSA 08V191000Apr 25, 2008Fuel System64,754 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery

    Ford is recalling 64,754 my 2008 f-250 and f-350 single rear wheel, 4x4, 156 inch wheel base pick up trucks equipped with a two piece drive shaft for failing to conform to the fuel spillage requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "fuel system integrity." during a 30 mph frontal impact into a rigid barrier, the fuel tank can move forward and contact a frame cross member, potentially causing damage to the fuel delivery module which can result in fuel spillage.

    Risk: Fuel spillage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a bracket on the affected vehicles free of charge. The recall began on may 23, 2008. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

See all 7 recalls for the 2008 Ford F-250 →

2008 compared with other F-250 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006Avoid754954—
2007Best51144—
2008Caution703377—
2009Best10770—
2010Good301050—

All Ford F-250 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Ford F-250 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Ford F-250 ranks #7 of 21 among F-250 model years (Complaint Index 70/100, verdict: Caution). It has 337 complaints and 7 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford F-250?
The most reported problem areas are steering (119 complaints), engine (87 complaints), and suspension, wheels & tires (73 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 55,000 miles.
Does the 2008 Ford F-250 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2008 Ford F-250, most recently reported 2009, covering other, fuel system, structure & body, and airbags.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.