The vehicle dossier US · 2008
2008 Ford
F-250Problems & recalls
196 distinct owner reports in the NHTSA snapshot. Steering appears in 80 of them. Explore what was reported—and which official actions are on file.
01 / Owner-reported evidence
What owners reported.
Categories attached to 196 distinct reports. A report can mention more than one component, so category totals can overlap.
See original component labels
These are reports made to NHTSA, not verified diagnoses. More reports can reflect more vehicles, more time on the road, or greater reporting activity.
The reporting timeline
When reports arrived.
Reports by year filed, not by the year a problem occurred. Showing the latest 15 years with reports.
70,000 miles is the median among 161 reports with usable mileage. The middle half spans 41,000–130,000 miles.
This describes the submitted reports. It does not predict when a vehicle will fail.
02 / Official safety campaigns
8 recall campaigns on file.
A campaign can cover only certain production dates or configurations. The count does not tell you whether an individual car has an open recall.
TIRES:TREAD/BELTCampaign 11T002000
Reported concern
CONTINENTAL TIRE IS RECALLING CERTAIN CONTITRAC TR TIRES, SIZE LT275/70R18 125/122S OUTLINE WHITE LETTERS AND BLACK SIDEWALL, AND CONTITRAC, SIZE LT275/70R18 125/122S, BLACK SIDEWALL, PRODUCED FROM MAY 6, 2007, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 20, 2008, SOLD AS AFTERMARKET AND INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON SOME MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 FORD F-250 AND F-350 TRUCKS. SOME OF THESE TIRES MAY EXPERIENCE UNEVEN WEAR, VIBRATION, OR PARTICULARLY UNDER CONDITIONS OF OVERLOADING OR UNDER INFLATION IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE USAGE, SEPARATION BETWEEN THE BELT EDGES.
Manufacturer’s stated response
CONTINENTAL TIRE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CONTINENTAL CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-888-799-2168.
Read campaign 11T002000 at NHTSAEQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITYCampaign 09V026000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Read campaign 09V026000 at NHTSAEQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITYCampaign 09V025000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Read campaign 09V025000 at NHTSAFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERYCampaign 08V191000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Manufacturer campaign: 08C04
Read campaign 08V191000 at NHTSASEATSCampaign 08V096000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Manufacturer campaign: 08C01
Read campaign 08V096000 at NHTSAAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULECampaign 07V541000
Reported concern
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ASSEMBLED.
Manufacturer’s stated response
DEALERS WILL REPLACE YOUR DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 20, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Manufacturer campaign: 07C19
Read campaign 07V541000 at NHTSAELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERYCampaign 07V140000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Manufacturer campaign: 07S50
Read campaign 07V140000 at NHTSAPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)Campaign 07V139000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Manufacturer campaign: 07S49
Read campaign 07V139000 at NHTSA03 / The manufacturer’s record
Instructions. Updates. Responses.
12 distinct communications list this model-year. Showing the latest 12. A matching model-year does not establish that every engine, trim or reported symptom is covered.
PC-01.12.2016In monitoring our technical service inquiries and technical service bulletins from Ford, there is the potential for moderate to severe steering wheel oscillation (wobble) to occur. After extensive testing and outside feedback, …NHTSA ID 10179912
In monitoring our technical service inquiries and technical service bulletins from Ford, there is the potential for moderate to severe steering wheel oscillation (wobble) to occur. After extensive testing and outside feedback, the following details have been established to correct or prevent steering wheel oscillation occurrences in lifted 05-16 Ford Super Duty 4wd pickups.
Components: STEERING. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10179912 at NHTSATSB-13-12-22FORD: THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0713 AND/OR P0710 REGARDING TORQSHIFT TRANSMISSION. MODEL 2008-2009 F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS, LOW CAB FORWARD, 2008-2010 F-250, F-350, 2008-2011 E…NHTSA ID 10054755
FORD: THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0713 AND/OR P0710 REGARDING TORQSHIFT TRANSMISSION. MODEL 2008-2009 F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS, LOW CAB FORWARD, 2008-2010 F-250, F-350, 2008-2011 E-350, E-450, F-450, F-550, 2011 F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS, F-50 COMMERCIAL STRIPPED CHASSIS. *PE
Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10054755 at NHTSACSP-11B24FORD: SOME CONTINENTAL TIRES MIGHT HAVE UNEVEN WEAR, VIBRATION, OR THE POSSIBLE TREAD DETACHMENT. 2008-2009 F250/F350. *RM UPDATED 8/3/11. *PENHTSA ID 10038950
FORD: SOME CONTINENTAL TIRES MIGHT HAVE UNEVEN WEAR, VIBRATION, OR THE POSSIBLE TREAD DETACHMENT. 2008-2009 F250/F350. *RM UPDATED 8/3/11. *PE
Components: TIRES. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10038950 at NHTSATSB-11-4-3FORD: 2005-2011 F250/F350. THE FUEL FILL NOZZLE MAY AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF TOO EARLY. *RMNHTSA ID 10038949
FORD: 2005-2011 F250/F350. THE FUEL FILL NOZZLE MAY AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF TOO EARLY. *RM
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10038949 at NHTSAAS-21769FORD: IF THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT LACK OF POWER, SURGE, OR HESITATION WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES WILL OVERRIDE ACCELERATION. *RMNHTSA ID 10039053
FORD: IF THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT LACK OF POWER, SURGE, OR HESITATION WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES WILL OVERRIDE ACCELERATION. *RM
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · POWER TRAIN · SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10039053 at NHTSACSP-10M05FORD SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. CATALYST Y PIPE WARRANTY EXTENSION.. IN SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE TO CRACK OR MELT. …NHTSA ID 10034712
FORD SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. CATALYST Y PIPE WARRANTY EXTENSION.. IN SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE TO CRACK OR MELT. THIS CAN CAUSE SYMPTOMS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO AUDIBLE NOISE FROM THE CATALYST Y PIPE AND/OR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATION. CSC LETTER WAS RECEIVED. *PE
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM). Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10034712 at NHTSASB-21434FORD: SUPPLY/RETURN LINES INSTALLATION AT HIGH PRESSURE PUMP-REVISED WASHER FOR TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 6.4L ENGINES. WHEN INSTALLING SUPPLY OR RETURN LINES AT HIGH PRESSURE PUMP ON DIESEL ENGINES, DO NOT USE THE BONDED STYLE WASH…NHTSA ID 10034631
FORD: SUPPLY/RETURN LINES INSTALLATION AT HIGH PRESSURE PUMP-REVISED WASHER FOR TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 6.4L ENGINES. WHEN INSTALLING SUPPLY OR RETURN LINES AT HIGH PRESSURE PUMP ON DIESEL ENGINES, DO NOT USE THE BONDED STYLE WASHER (W302870), USE ONLY THE HYBRID STYLE WASHER (W303659). *PE
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10034631 at NHTSASB-21410FORD: SOME TRUCKS WITH 6.4L ENGINE WILL RUN ROUGH, SMOKES, OR NO START DUE TO GASOLINE OR ALCOHOL IN THE FUEL. GASOLINE/ALCOHOL LACK THE LUBRICITY OF DIESEL FUEL AND WILL CAUSE FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE. *PENHTSA ID 10034628
FORD: SOME TRUCKS WITH 6.4L ENGINE WILL RUN ROUGH, SMOKES, OR NO START DUE TO GASOLINE OR ALCOHOL IN THE FUEL. GASOLINE/ALCOHOL LACK THE LUBRICITY OF DIESEL FUEL AND WILL CAUSE FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE. *PE
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL · FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10034628 at NHTSACSP-09B08FORD SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. VEHICLES FUEL INJECTOR O RINGS CAN PREMATURELY WEAR. AS A RESULT, FUEL MAY LEAK INTO CRANKCASE CAUSING OIL LEVEL TO RISE. HIGH OIL LEVELS CAN CAUSE DRIVABILITY…NHTSA ID 10029024
FORD SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. VEHICLES FUEL INJECTOR O RINGS CAN PREMATURELY WEAR. AS A RESULT, FUEL MAY LEAK INTO CRANKCASE CAUSING OIL LEVEL TO RISE. HIGH OIL LEVELS CAN CAUSE DRIVABILITY CONCERNS AND ULTIMATELY LEAD TO ENGINE DAMAGE. CSC LETTER WAS RECEIVED. *PE UPDATED 12/08/09. CSC LETTER WAS REC'D. *PE
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10029024 at NHTSA08-4-12SLOW FUEL FILL--MIL ON WITH DTC P0191. *NJNHTSA ID 10024824
SLOW FUEL FILL--MIL ON WITH DTC P0191. *NJ
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10024824 at NHTSA19715INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS DIM - SPDJB MUST LEARN RESISTANCE VALUES OF DIMMER. *KBNHTSA ID 10022240
INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS DIM - SPDJB MUST LEARN RESISTANCE VALUES OF DIMMER. *KB
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10022240 at NHTSA07512SLOW FUEL FILL. *KBNHTSA ID 10021591
SLOW FUEL FILL. *KB
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10021591 at NHTSARecords below contain the NHTSA bulk summary unless a document-reviewed explainer is linked. A service bulletin is not a safety recall or a promise of a free repair. Records may be revised or superseded; verify the current document with the manufacturer.
04 / Agency investigations
Official inquiries.
An investigation is an inquiry into a potential concern. Its presence does not establish a defect, and a closed case does not certify a car’s condition.
Alleged Loss of SteeringPE13014
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
Recorded closure: Jan 31, 2014
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