2008 Ford F-550 SD Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other F-550 SD years
- Far more complaints than other years 8th of 32 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Ford F-550 SD. That ranks 8th out of 32 F-550 SD model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (8 complaints, 31%), typically at around 26,113 miles. Complaints mention 2 crashes, 1 injury. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 26owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 2complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2008 Ford F-550 SD problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 8 | 31% | 26,113 | — | — |
| Engine | 6 | 23% | 33,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 5 | 19% | 36,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 12% | 25,936 | — | — |
| Structure | 2 | 8% | 31,350 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 1 | 4% | 150,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 4% | 61,799 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 4% | 4,029 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 4% | 74,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 4% | 15,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2008 Ford F-550 SD recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Equipment:appliance:air conditioner
Problem: Cues, inc. Is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 service vehicles built on various chassis equipped with carrier airv ceiling units, model nos. 68rv0010ba, 68rv0012ca, and 68rv0010ea. The heater element in these assemblies may be defective which could cause the unit to create smoke or sparks.
Risk: This defect could result in a fire.
Fix: Cues is working with carrier to remedy the affected vehicles. Repairs will be made by carrier free of charge. Please see carrier's defect report 09e-053. The safety recall began on january 5, 2010. Owners may contact carrier at 1-877-584-7059 or cues at 1-407-849-0190.
Seats
Problem: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat side pivot bracket may crack or break, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
Fix: 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.
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the power train control module. The recall began on april 3, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Brought the truck in to ford and they told me that paint lining from the tank may of gone into the fuel lines and system so they suggested that we replace the tank and they also replaced 2 injectors and the wiring harness for the injectors and reset the check engine light drove fine till the check…
Transmission down shifts to low gear while driving at high speeds on the interstate.
TL* THE CONTACT STATED THEIR COMPANY OWNS A 2008 FORD F-550 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S HEATER CHORD HAD FAILED A TOTAL 5 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER (ROESH FORD LOCATED AT 303 W GRAND AVE BENTONVILLE IL 60106 PHONE NUMBER: [redacted]) WHO REPLACED…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford f-550 sd. While driving 65 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle stalled. The check engine and engine overheating indicators illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was towed to chapman ford of horsham (1100…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford f-550 sd. While driving approximately 55 mph, the check engine warning indicator illuminated and a "stop safety now" message displayed. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that…
Other Ford F-550 SD years
← 2007 F-550 SD · 2009 F-550 SD →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 F-550 SD | 1 | 3 |
| 2025 F-550 SD | 1 | 3 |
| 2024 F-550 SD | 2 | 2 |
| 2023 F-550 SD | 1 | 9 |
| 2022 F-550 SD | 9 | 12 |
| 2021 F-550 SD | 12 | 9 |
| 2020 F-550 SD | 4 | 8 |
| 2019 F-550 SD | 4 | 5 |
| 2018 F-550 SD | 0 | 3 |
| 2017 F-550 SD | 2 | 8 |
| 2016 F-550 SD | 3 | 3 |
| 2015 F-550 SD | 11 | 3 |
| 2014 F-550 SD | 9 | 6 |
| 2013 F-550 SD | 2 | 9 |
| 2012 F-550 SD | 6 | 10 |
| 2011 F-550 SD | 3 | 12 |
| 2010 F-550 SD | 1 | 7 |
| 2009 F-550 SD | 1 | 5 |
| 2008 | 26 | 4 |
| 2007 F-550 SD | 23 | 1 |
| 2006 F-550 SD | 44 | 1 |
| 2005 F-550 SD | 32 | 4 |
| 2004 F-550 SD | 49 | 2 |
| 2003 F-550 SD | 33 | 5 |
| 2002 F-550 SD | 22 | 4 |
| 2001 F-550 SD | 29 | 6 |
| 2000 F-550 SD | 72 | 5 |
| 1999 F-550 SD | 61 | 8 |
| 1998 F-550 SD | 0 | 2 |
| 1997 F-550 SD | 2 | 3 |
| 1996 F-550 SD | 0 | 2 |
| 1995 F-550 SD | 0 | 2 |
See all Ford F-550 SD problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford F-550 SD?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, engine, power train problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 8 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Ford F-550 SD?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2008 Ford F-550 SD a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other F-550 SD model years, the 2008 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.