Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2008 Ford F-550 SD
NHTSA data on file today
The 2008 Ford F-550 SD has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 26 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09V456000 AIR CONDITIONER NHTSA notice
- 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 8 complaints
- Engine 6 complaints
- Power Train 5 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 3 complaints
- Structure 2 complaints
- Electrical System 1 complaint
Of the 26 complaints on file, 2 report a crash; across all 26 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $8,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2008 Ford F-550 SD has notable issues with engine and cooling systems, auto transmissions, and electrical systems. These are reflected in both recalls for serious safety and functionality issues and high owner complaint counts. Key failure points include the engine, power train, and electrical systems, leading to higher repair costs and increased maintenance frequency.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 80,000–120,000 miles | $3,500–$7,000 | common |
| transmission control module | 60,000–90,000 miles | $800–$1,500 | common |
| battery wiring | 50,000–75,000 miles | $200–$500 | occasional |
| seat mounts | 50,000–100,000 miles | $100–$300 | occasional |
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
- Replace air filters
- Brake inspections
- Transmission fluid change
- Cooling system checks
- Battery voltage checks
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Smoke from air conditioner
- Engine overheating
- Battery wiring burning smell
- Transmission slipping
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2008 Ford F-550 SD at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.