Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2008 Ford F-450 SD
NHTSA data on file today
The 2008 Ford F-450 SD has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 68 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #08V096000 FMVSS 207/DRIVER SEAT BACK FRAME NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07V140000 POSITIVE BATTERY WIRE LOCATION NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07V139000 POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE/EXHAUST SYSTEM NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 28 complaints
- Engine 11 complaints
- Power Train 11 complaints
- Fuel System, Diesel 8 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 8 complaints
- Steering 7 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).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2008 Ford F-450 SD has numerous complaints regarding engine and cooling systems, and several recalls related to safety and electrical issues. This indicates potentially high repair costs and reliability concerns.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine cooling | 60,000–100,000 miles | $900–$1,500 | very common |
| power train | 70,000–130,000 miles | $1,200–$2,500 | common |
| fuel system | 50,000–100,000 miles | $800–$1,500 | common |
| electrical system | 40,000–90,000 miles | $400–$800 | occasional |
| seats | 30,000–80,000 miles | $300–$700 | rare |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- oil and filter changes
- brake pad and rotor replacement
- transmission fluid change
- coolant system inspection
- tire rotation and balancing
- air filter replacement
- battery inspection
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- overheating engine
- hard shifts or slipping transmission
- frequent stalling or rough idle
- unusual vibrations in steering
- battery low voltage warnings
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2008 Ford F-450 SD at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.