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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
85,874 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Ford F-250 engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Ford F-250 Owner Comments

problem #16

Jan 012020

F-250

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My truck is having the same issues as listed in the recalls but isn-€™t on the recall list. Running rough dash board turns off and loses power to the cab. Low voltage light comes on but batteries and alternator test fine. Factory installed lift blocks have cracked and caused can bushings to fail.

- Green Cove Springs, FL, USA

problem #15

Oct 162019

F-250

  • 130,000 miles
I purchased my 2008 Ford F250 in 2015 from a dealership in burkburnett, tx. The truck started loosing coolant from what seem to be the lower radiator hose. That leak stopped but continued leak coolant from but was not visible. Then the coolant filler bottle started collecting a black fluid and I was told that it was engine oil. So, I was getting oil in my antifreeze. The radiator was drained and refilled with coolant but I still found oil in the coolant filler bottle. Right around thanksgiving 2019, I decided to trade in the vehicle and drove it to a dealership 50 miles away. They test drove the vehicle and the engine locked up after the test drive and has not started since. We were given an estimate of $11,000 to clean out the oils in the engine. The pickup is not worth that much according to the lienholder. The vehicle is now sitting in front of my house and has been since the new year after we had it towed from the dealership 50 miles away to our home.

- Wichita Falls, TX, USA

problem #14

Aug 252019

F-250

  • 135,000 miles
The radiator is separating at the seal at the edge. We are losing approx 1 gallon of antifreeze a day. I have heard this complaint from several dealerships we have talked to and other customers.

- Cisco, TX, USA

problem #13

Apr 232012

F-250

  • 44,649 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The check engine light turns on ad there is a lack of power at freeway speeds. There is also a coolant leak at the center of the engine. The vehicle has a surge hesitation feeling and alack of power on acceleration. There is a noise coming from the transmission that has an odd shift.

- Victor, CA, USA

problem #12

Jun 112009

F-250

  • 240,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle lost power, failed to accelerate, the engine made an abnormal noise, and white smoke was seen coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 240,000.

- Groveland, FL, USA

problem #11

Jan 312019

F-250

  • 80,000 miles
Excessive blowby polluting engine. #8 and #6 cylinders, rings heavily worn or damaged due to diesel regen contaminating lubrication and getting in crankcase. This is a very well known and unacceptable issue causing scored engine blocks and failure of engine and dpf and egrs.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #10

Mar 162018

F-250

  • 156,452 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Exhaust manifolds leak. Ford uses alumina heads with steel manifold bolts and cast iron exhaust manifolds. The three metals have different heat ranges which cause the exhaust manifolds to wrap or crack and break the bolts causing leaks.

- Belding, MI, USA

problem #9

Mar 142017

F-250

  • 96,000 miles
While driving the engine light came on, then the battery light intermittently illuminated, then it just died. It cranked but wouldn't start. Took it to my mechanic to which he said the entire cab had to be removed (per Ford consultant) to repair electrical short. $$$$$$ I cant afford this! thousands of dollars!

- Taneytown, MD, USA

problem #8

Oct 262016

F-250

  • miles
Total damage in the engine, dealer sale with this problem

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #7

Jan 062014

F-250

  • 60,150 miles
Vehicle had been driving it but it was parked for about 25 minutes, with nothing running or keys in the ignition. Came out side to the smell of smoke and the engine compartment bust into flames. Fire investigator said that the fire was electrical that started on the passenger side of the engine. Truck was a total loss as fire spread along drivetrain to gas tank. Fire department was able to keep gas tank from exploding.

- Norton Shores, MI, USA

problem #6

Jun 072012

F-250 8-cyl

  • 30,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The truck dies. Driving on the road or freeway, the truck just flat out dies. No power. We have to navigate to the side of the road then turn the ignition off then turn it back on. Extremely dangerous situation which happens every three weeks or so and has happened about 8 times now.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #5

Aug 152013

F-250

  • 190,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250. The contact stated that fire emitted from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the egr valve assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.

- Edinburg, TX, USA

problem #4

Dec 262013

F-250

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-250. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond to acceleration attempts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage and VIN was not available.

- Helotes, TX, USA

problem #3

Aug 252010

F-250 8-cyl Diesel

  • 40,000 miles
Radiator starting leaking, replaced it twice and is leaking again @ around 60K. Leaks could cause overheating and engine failure.

- Maple Valley, WA, USA

problem #2

Oct 152012

F-250

  • 104,000 miles
While driving engine power failed and loud knocking noise was heard. Upon being serviced, rocker arm was broken and caused the problems. There was no notice of this issue and it affected sudden loss of power/speed. It is noted that while searching the internet it was discovered that this appears to be a common problem with these 6.4L diesel engines.

- Glen Jean, WV, USA

problem #1

Sep 152012

F-250

  • 67,730 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F250. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the vehicle began making noises and stalled periodically. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed there was a cooling system leak and the radiator and hoses would need to be replaced with higher grade hoses and tanks. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 67,730 and the current mileage was 68,000.

- League City, TX, USA

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