2008 Ford F-350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2008 Ford F-350 ranks 4th worst out of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 85 and an Avoid verdict. NHTSA logged 232 complaints, 8 recalls, 14 crashes, and 13 fires, with engine problems making up 37% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 85/100
- #4 of 21 F-350 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 232
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 14
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 13
- Injuries
- 10
- Top issue
- Engine
Top 2008 Ford F-350 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine86 (37%)
- Steering72 (31%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires53 (23%)
- Fuel System24 (10%)
- Brakes23 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain14 (6%)
- Structure & Body11 (5%)
- Electrical System10 (4%)
- Airbags5 (2%)
- Other5 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some engines suddenly shut down at highway speed after an exhaust filter or diesel particulate filter issue, sometimes with smoke or an oil leak visible afterward.
- Owners describe steering gear box failures that caused loss of control at moderate speeds, including one case where the vehicle crashed into a ditch.
- Several owners report the front end catching fire near the wheel well after parking, in some cases requiring a fire extinguisher.
- Front brake calipers have locked up and overheated, producing smoke during normal low-speed driving.
- One owner described the front suspension and steering as too light for the truck's rated load, causing instability even when empty.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during a crash triggered by a sudden steering pull to one side.
2008 Ford F-350 recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- NHTSA 08V344000Jul 28, 2008Structure & Body108 vehicles
Trailer hitches
Knapheide is recalling 108 my 2006-2008 pro series truck beds equipped with an icc bumper which included a provision for a ball hitch. There may be an insufficient weld attaching the hitch channel to the supporting structure.
Risk: This could result in bending of the hitch channel or the hitch could be pulled off the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Knapheide will offer two remedies to its customers: (1) for those customers who do not use the hitch, the hitch will be removed from the truck bed and replaced with an icc bumper; or (2) for those customers who need a hitch, a receiver hitch assembly will be added to the existing hitch assembly and all suspect weld joints will be re welded. The recall began on august 15, 2008. Owners may contact knapheide at 1-877-473-5763.
2008 compared with other F-350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Ford F-350 a bad year?
- Compared with other F-350 model years, 2008 ranks 4th worst out of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 85 and an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford F-350?
- NHTSA complaints show engine problems account for 37% of complaints, followed by steering at 31% and suspension, wheels and tires at 23%. Median mileage at failure across all complaints was 54,000.
- Does the 2008 Ford F-350 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2008 F-350, covering areas including fuel system, structure and body, airbags, electrical system, and transmission and powertrain. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- Which Ford F-350 years are better than 2008?
- Among the years listed, 2007 earned a Good verdict with a complaint index of 0, and 2014 earned a Best verdict with a complaint index of 20, both far lower than 2008's index of 85.
- Are there fire risks with the 2008 Ford F-350?
- NHTSA complaint data records 13 fire-related complaints for the 2008 F-350, with several owners describing engine bay or wheel well fires.