I have a 2008 ford f250 with 60,000 miles I bought it used about 7 years ago I only drive it to pull my trailer camping also I don't drive it much hoping a engine light will come on my vehicle has unintended acceleration it happen when I come to a stop light and my vehicle will unexpectedly tug forward to 0 to 60 mpg I have to push on my brakes and turn off the key and turn back on sometimes 6 times before it goes back to normal I called the dealer to get answer where I live in California and they said they cant diagnose it unless it duplicates its self and they will charge me $200 plus if they cant find the problem I did research and found 4 vehicles the same year that had this problem and there is a recall on some of these vehicle with the same problem with the same motor and year same electronic gas pedal but they are the expedition and other makes anyways this problem has almost cause me to get in plenty accidents I had the gas pedal and electronic sensor replace throttle body and both sensors replace and still have the problem the ford dealer are saying they never heard of this issue but I google unintended acceleration and see cars of all makes and model with this drive by wire electronic situation all I want is to get it fixed doing my research its a software issue in the computer
Ford F-250 sudden acceleration problems
20 of the 4,361 owner complaints about the Ford F-250 describe sudden unintended acceleration, most of them for the 2004 model year.
- owner complaints
- 20
- worst model year
- 2004
- typical mileage
- 30,070
By model year
- 20131
- 20121
- 20082
- 20051
- 20047
- 20021
- 19993
- 19971
- 19941
- 19931
- 19901
Often reported together
Adaptive cruise 5Stalling 2Check engine light 2Seat belt 1Misfire 1Loss of power 1Harsh shifting 1Fuel pump 1
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford f-250. While driving at 65 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle would surge forward uncontrollably causing the seat to recline. The contact stated the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 19,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford f-250. The contact stated that the front driver side seat belt malfunctioned and failed to retract when unbuckled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician adjusted the seat belt clip; however, the failure continued to occur. The contact indicated that while operating the cruise control and descending down a hill, the transmission would rapidly downshift, reducing the speed and causing the passengers to lunge forward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who made adjustments to a computer, but the failure continued to occur. No further information was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 15,000. Updated 03/04/15*lj the consumer stated the seatbelt doesn't always retract causing it to become damaged. The transmission would downshift while going downhill. The rpms would reach 2000 when it should be 1250. The vehicle would downshift 8 times in less than 7 miles. Updated 10/8/2015
Engine accelerates sporadically on its own. Engine occasionally dies at stop lights. Must keep brake pedal firmly pushed at stop as engine will suddenly accelerate. I have already replaced the turbo. The dealer says it could be many different things wrong. The 2003-2007 diesels are notorious for bad turbo, fuel injectors and a head bolt problem that requires removing the cab. I purchased this truck new and it now has 39000 miles on it. This is a serious safety concern.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford f-250. While approaching a stop sign at 10 MPH, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 55,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford f-250. The contact stated that while attempting to merge into traffic with the brakes engaged, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 135,000. *tr...updated 05/22/13 *bf the consumer stated the battery cable was removed and reinstalled in order to reset the computer. The failure has yet to recur. Updated 06/10/2013
While at a dead stop, placed truck in drive and the engine suddenly accelerated to full power lunging the vehicle forward 10' while I simultaneously applied both feet to the brake for maximum stopping power. This is the third time in two to three months this has happened. No check engine lights are on. Took my car to the local ford dealer and was told by the service manager that they have never heard of this problem before. Researched the internet only to find lots of other similar complaints. Originally thought it was human error, floor mat, or similar problem... But this last time, I was prepared because of previous incidents. This problem can cause a terrible accident and may even result in death.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford f-250. The contact was driving with the cruise control activated at 65 MPH when the vehicle surged forward abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the icp sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and the vehicle was repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 124,298.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford f-250. The contact stated while stopped the vehicle would intermittently surge forward momentarily. The contact also stated the accelerator pedal would not always respond when pressure was applied to it and the vehicle would intermittently stall while driving at any speed. The failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer stated that the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 05v270000 (electrical system:wiring). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 76,000.
Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration. When driving and coming to a stop vehicle will stall with a rough idle, and the rpms will increase to 2500 rpms, causing the vehicle to surge forward. Driver must apply the brakes, and the vehicle will shut down completely. Owner took the vehicle to the dealer. However, the problem would not duplicate itself.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control: cruise control
- What is wrong
- Ford is recalling 225,000 my 1992-2003 econoline, my 1993-1995 taurus sho, my 1992-1998 crown victoria, my 1993 bronco, f-series, my 1995-1997 f-series super duty stripped chassis, my 1992-1998 mercury grand marquis, and my 1992-1995 lincoln town car vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired using a wiring harness that is not compatible with the vehicle circuit polarity.
- Risk
- As a result, the fuse is located in the output circuit rather than in the intended input power feed circuit, and may not offer the intended protection in the event of an electrical short to ground.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new wiring harness, or replace the mating electrical component. The recall began on february 18, 2008. Owners may contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 08V051000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
- Risk
- This could result in an underhood fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected october 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on august 13, 2007, and mailing completed by september 19, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1‑888‑222‑2751.
Recall number 07V336000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
- Risk
- Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on august 7, 2006. Owners may contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332. (note: also see recalls 05v017 and 05v388)
Recall number 06V286000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn.
- Risk
- A fire at the switch could occur.
- Remedy
- By letter dated september 12, 2005, owners were instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected. Owners who have had their speed control deactivated are being notified that parts will be available and advised to make an appointment to reconnect the speed control beginning in february 2006. Owners who did not have their speed control deactivated are being notified to have their system remedied beginning in february 2006. Owners are urged to avail themselves of the free disconnect service as soon as possible because of the significant risk of fire. Owners may contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673. (note: also see recalls 05v017 and 06v286)
Recall number 05V388000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: certain 1997-1999 rhd explorer equipped with 4.0l ohv/sohc engines and cruise control built from may 29, 1996 through march 4, 1999; 1998-1999 explorer/mountaineers equipped with 4.0l ohv/sohc or 5.0l engines or 1998-1999 rangers equipped with 2.5l, 3.0l ffv/efi or 4.0l engines and cruise control built from january 5, 1998 through march 4, 1999; 1998-1999 mustangs equipped with 3.8l, 4.6l 2-valve or 4-valve engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999; 1999 f250/f350/f450/f550 (over 8,500 lbs.) trucks equipped with 5.4l or 6.8l engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999; and 1999 f-53 stripped chassis equipped with 5.4l or 6.8l engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999. A cruise control cable can interfere with the speed control servo pulley and not allow the throttle to return to idle when disengaging the cruise control.
- Risk
- If the cruise control is used and this condition is present, a stuck throttle could result, which could potentially result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the cruise control cables. At the present time, the replacement cables are not available. Customers are being advised not to use the cruise control system until a replacement can be made.
Recall number 99V062001 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control: cables
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. A speed control cable may not have fully seated into the accelerator bracket at time of installation. If the cable is not fully seated into this bracket, the cable could separate from the bracket.
- Risk
- A loose cable can result in the throttle not fully returning to idle and cause an increase in stopping distance.
- Remedy
- Dealers will add a retaining clip to the speed control cable fitting at the accelerator bracket.
Recall number 98V192000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford F-250 sudden acceleration
Which Ford F-250 years have sudden unintended acceleration problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2004 (7 complaints), 1999 (3 complaints) and 2008 (2 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Ford F-250?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history