NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 Ford F-450 SD Recalls & Complaints

The 2008 Ford F-450 SD has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 68 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Ford F-450 SD. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2008 Ford F-450 SD owner complaints

Owners have filed 68 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Ford F-450 SD, describing incidents dated May 26, 2007 to September 9, 2024.

Most-cited components

Engine 39 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 19 complaints
Power Train 11 complaints
Steering 7 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 4 complaints
Electrical System 3 complaints

Of the 68 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 3 a fire; across all 68 complaints, owners report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11615638 · Filed September 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-450. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the transfer case exploded, and the front windshield shattered. No injuries were sustained; however, several other vehicles sustained cosmetic damage. No warning light was illuminated. A Police report was…
ODI #11166041 · Filed January 9, 2019
FUEL TANK DELAMINATION LEADING TO BLOWN ENGINE X2 AND FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT X2. I USE NO ADDITIVES AND BUY ONLY COMMERCIAL FUEL ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY IN NORTHEAST GEORGIA.
ODI #10928366 · Filed November 28, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-450 SD. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS INDEPENDENTLY ROLLED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000. THE VIN WAS NOT…

Read all 68 complaints

Owner-reported

2008 Ford F-450 SD mileage at failure

57 of the 68 complaints on file for the 2008 Ford F-450 SD give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Engine	Median 30,000 miles	Middle half 15,000–65,000 miles	Based on 32 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

FMVSS 207/DRIVER SEAT BACK FRAME

NHTSA #08V096000 · Seats · NHTSA notice

Reported February 28, 2008 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 87,515 vehicles

Ford campaign 08C01 · Owners notified April 24, 2008 · Vehicles built January 29, 2007 – June 16, 2007 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 08C01.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

POSITIVE BATTERY WIRE LOCATION

NHTSA #07V140000 · Electrical System — 12V/24V/48V Battery · NHTSA notice

Reported March 26, 2007 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 1,022 vehicles

Ford campaign 07S50 · Owners notified April 3, 2007 · Vehicles built December 18, 2006 – January 28, 2007 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 07S50.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE/EXHAUST SYSTEM

NHTSA #07V139000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Control Module (TCM/PCM/TECM) · NHTSA notice

Reported March 26, 2007 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 33,169 vehicles

Ford campaign 07S49 · Owners notified April 3, 2007 · Vehicles built June 13, 2006 – March 9, 2007 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 07S49.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2008 Ford F-450 SD. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

68 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Ford F-450 SD.

Power Train

ODI #11615638

Incident: September 9, 2024 · Filed: September 20, 2024

The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-450. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the transfer case exploded, and the front windshield shattered. No injuries were sustained; however, several other vehicles sustained cosmetic damage. No warning light was illuminated. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to an independent mechanic for a diagnostic test. The contact was informed that the transfer case, drive shaft assembly, fuel injection pump, fuel lines, and transmission wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that there was no recall associated with the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 164,176.

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11166041

Incident: February 25, 2009 · Filed: January 9, 2019

FUEL TANK DELAMINATION LEADING TO BLOWN ENGINE X2 AND FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT X2. I USE NO ADDITIVES AND BUY ONLY COMMERCIAL FUEL ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY IN NORTHEAST GEORGIA.

Visibility/Wiper

ODI #10928366

Incident: November 27, 2016 · Filed: November 28, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-450 SD. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS INDEPENDENTLY ROLLED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Steering; Engine

ODI #10913839

Incident: September 16, 2016 · Filed: October 4, 2016

ENTERED ON 10/04/2016 AT 2:45:07 PM EDT (GMT-0400) BY [email protected]: SENDER NAME: SENDER EMAIL: SUBJECT: FORD F-450 COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE AND ENGINE PROBLEMS COMMENTS: I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK NEW IN 2008 AND DROVE IT CROSS COUNTRY TOWING MY 5TH WHEEL. AT 4,544 MILES THE RADIATOR BLEW APART. (DRIVING HIGHWAY/TOWING) THIS WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AFTER FIGHTING WITH FORD. AT 6,065 MILES I HAD ANOTHER COOLING SYSTEM LEAK.(DRIVING LOCAL) THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE "SMALL" RADIATOR, THE "FUEL AND TURBO" COOLER. AT 21432 MILES THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.(DRIVING/TOWING/LOCAL) SHOP STATED THAT "FLUID WAS CONTAMINATED" (THIS TRUCK HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED BY FORD) AT 22215 MILES I HAD TO HAVE THE LEFT REAR AXLE SEAL, BRAKE PADS AND LOWER CAC HOSE FOR TURBO REPLACED.( DRIVING HIGHWAY/TOWING) NOW AT 29,017 MILES THE RADIATOR TANKS HAVE SEPARATED FROM THE CORE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN ALONG WITH THE CRANK SEAL AND ANOTHER POWER STEERING PUMP.( COMBINATION, HIGHWAY/LOCAL/TOWING? NOT TOWING) I HAVE CHECKED WITH FORD AND THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY REFUSE TO COVER ANY OF THIS, OR ANY PART, UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE ALSO DONE RESEARCH ON THESE TRUCKS HAVING FOUND MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME COOLING SYSTEM ISSUES ALONG WITH OTHER ISSUES THAT FORD REFUSED TO COVER. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE, I THINK THEY NEED TO HAVE A RECALL ON THE COOLING SYSTEMS IN THEIR TRUCKS. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS. I WOULD APPRECIATE A RESPONSE. CHECK EDMUNDS FORD F-450 SD TURBO DIESEL REVIEW, MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE, ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10883654

Incident: June 10, 2016 · Filed: July 8, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-450. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER THE CONTACT REMOVED AND RECONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST FUEL RECIRCULATION VALVE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Structure

ODI #10870536

Incident: May 1, 2015 · Filed: May 24, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-450 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY AS THE DOOR AJAR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HOWEVER, THE DOOR FAILED TO LATCH IN A SECURED POSITION. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, THE DOOR LATCHED PROPERLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED TEN TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED WITH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10860944

Incident: September 22, 2015 · Filed: April 22, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-450 SD. AFTER WATER WAS ADDED TO THE RADIATOR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WATER LEAKED OUT OF THE HOSE. THE VEHICLE LEAKED RADIATOR FLUID FROM THE HOSE. IN ADDITION, THE EGR COOLER MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE AIR CONDITIONER TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EGR COOLER, RADIATOR, AND HOSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10821300

Incident: January 10, 2016 · Filed: January 20, 2016

I HAVE 2008 FORD F450 WITH 60 K MILES AND RADIATOR START LEAKING AT THE BOTTOM AND IT WAS BUILDING PREASSURE ON THE TOP OF ATIFREAZE BOX AND HEAT AIR STOPED WORKING AND FORD DEALER THAT I BOUGHT FROM DISNT COVER THE WARRANTY I PAID 1400$ TO GET PROBLEM FIXED AND IT SECOND RADIATOR THAT I CHANGED FROM MY POCKET !!!! I THINK FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING WITH THAT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR ALL 2008-2014 POWER STROKE DIESEL ENGINES

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10764446

Incident: September 15, 2015 · Filed: September 17, 2015

INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE DONE ON 2008 FORD F450SD 6.4L TRUCKS ON THE BOLTS THAT ARE USED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR THE EXHAUSTS. HAVE A BOLT THAT BROKE THAT IS NOW CAUSING A WHISTLING SOUND UNDER ACCELERATION AND EXHAUST FUMES TO ESCAPE. ON THE DRIVER SIDE FOUR OTHER BOLTS HAVE BROKEN OFF IN THE HEAD UNIT THAT WILL REQUIRE FOR THE ENGINE OR CAB TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE BOLTS. THE REPAIR FACILITY MY TRUCK IS LOCATED HAS FOUR OTHER 6.4L FORD SUPER DUTY TRUCKS SITTING THEIR FOR THE SAME REPAIRS. SEEMS TO ME THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TYPE OF STUDS AND BOLTS THE MANUFACTURER USED. RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THE OTHER TRUCKS WERE F250, F350, AND F450 SUPER DUTY 6.4L TURBO DIESEL. THE EXHAUST FUMES IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD.

Engine

ODI #10763769

Incident: September 14, 2015 · Filed: September 15, 2015

FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR FAULTY BOLTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ONE BOLT BROKEN OFF ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT DEALS WITH THE EXHAUST CAUSING A WHISTLING SOUND UNDER ACCELERATION. FOUR BOLTS BROKE OFF ON THE DRIVER SIDE THAT GO INTO THE HEAD OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. IMPOSSIBLE TO GAIN ACCESS TO THESE BOLTS UNLESS YOU PULL THE ENGINE OUT IN ORDER TO REPLACE. FORD NEEDS TO HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE FAULTY HARDWARE AND REPLACE THIS AT NO COST TO THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE.

Other Ford F-450 SD model years

Check your 2008 Ford F-450 SD VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford F-450 SD at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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