I have had multiple incidents of my truck shutting off completely while driving. The latest incident resulted in a "catastrophic engine failure". In the latest incident occurring in April 2025, I was driving on [XXX] . [XXX] is a two-lane highway with no divider, navigating through mountainous terrain. I was driving up a hilly area when my truck shut off, and I lost all power steering. There is no shoulder on this part of the freeway, with an approximate 40-foot embankment. I was able to navigate the vehicle to the side of the road and position it just before the beginning of a guard rail beginning allowing me some grace. Due to no shoulder space, I was effectively parked on the white containment line of the road. I had my [XXX] daughter and wife in the car. I had to wait for a break in traffic to be able to open the driver's door due to the proximity to the active highway. I was safely get the truck towed to the nearest FORD dealership, where it was determined the engine was in "catastrophic failure" due to oil engine overfill. I informed FORD that my last oil change was with the FORD dealership and within the recommended time frame. I was informed by a technician that there is an ongoing issue with this engine make (6.4-liter, diesel). The technician stated that FORD is aware of the issue. The technician stated that fuel gets mixed with the oil and causes an "engine oil overfill". None of these issues stems from negligence but rather an unakknowledged issue by FORD. There was a check engine light that appeared at the time of failure. The check engine light had come on, at which point I contacted a mechanic to schedule an appointment. When I arrived for my appointment, the check engine light had disappeared, and I was told that no codes would alert if the actual check engine light was not on during the inspection. That same scenario occurred on approximately 3 occasions. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Ford F-350 engine failure problems
43 of the 2,894 owner complaints about the Ford F-350 describe engine failure, most of them for the 2008 model year.
- owner complaints
- 43
- worst model year
- 2008
- typical repair cost reported
- $8,000
- typical mileage
- 83,000
By model year
- 20121
- 20113
- 20087
- 20072
- 20063
- 20054
- 20044
- 20032
- 20021
- 20013
- 20002
- 19994
- 19972
- 19951
- 19941
- 19911
- 19902
Often reported together
Loss of power 7Steering lock-up 6Overheating 4Stalling 3Fuel pump 3Check engine light 3Brake failure 2Transmission failure 1
What owners say
Bosch CP4 High Pressure Fuel Pump failed in transit cost $10,713 to repair only 155k miles on new engine. Diesel fuel spilled from engine on highway, lucky no fire. Ford no help.
[XXX] who performs automotive work out of his residence [XXX] and [XXX] of [XXX] have worked on this vehicle to spite the customer and to gouge the customer in unnecessary fraudulent repairs. They have deliberately set this vehicle up to fail with the braking system, the 6.0 engine being rebuilt to no avail, and constant driving problems such as pulling to the right and the left when brakes applied, constant overheating, constant oil temperature overheating, shuttering at highway speed, transmission failure, air conditioning failure, coolant system failure, electrical system failure, and every system that they have repaired, continues to fail. They specifically performed work on the electrical wiring and truck keeps blowing fuses. They performed work on the transmission and the transmission failed shortly after. They performed work on the engine and deleted illegally all the emissions EGR pollutant controls. They installed faulty wiring for the electric trailer brake controls and the electronic speed controls. They tampered with the air conditioning system causing the compressor to blow out, send metal through the a/c lines, and the belt stopped turning causing the serpentine belt to break, tear the fan shroud apart and shred. They also installed a trailer brake controller that was aftermarket and it caused brake loss and intermittent failure with the service brake system and speed control. Domingo also tuned the computer to make the truck output 550 horsepower which caused the new engine to fail prematurely and the transmission to fail as well. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford f-350. While the contact's father was driving 55 MPH, he swerved to avoid striking another vehicle. When the brake pedal was depressed, the driver's side tires did not stop and the steering seized. As a result, the driver struck a tree and the vehicle rolled into a ditch. A police report was filed. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's father sustained blunt force trauma to the torso and was fatally injured upon impact. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford f-350. While driving 65 MPH and attempted to exit the highway, the steering wheel seized and the brake pedal was depressed, but the brakes failed to engage. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not called for diagnostic testing or repairs. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The contact called the manufacturer, but there was no response. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford f-350. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled and lost power. The service advisory indicator illuminated. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the engine failed to crank and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,102.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-350. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the engine seized without warning. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to leif johnson ford (501 e koenig ln #1, austin, tx 78751 (512) 454-3711) where it was diagnosed that the fuel liner in the fuel tank caused the vehicle to seize. The fuel tank was corroded and clogged the injectors. The contact stated that the fuel tank, fuel injectors, and fuel filters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer acknowledged the failure, stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall, and did not offer any further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
2011 ford f-350. Consumer writes in regards to diesel engine failure - service bulletin refers to vehicle misfire/ runs rough due to a broken injector hold down clamp. *smd ..updated 09/07/17*bf the consumer stated while driving the engine suddenly lost power and stopped. The engine would not restart or idle. The consumer advises the failure should be a recall.. *js updated 9/5/18
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford f-350. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel and braking ability seized and became difficult to maneuver without warning. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.
I recently purchased a 2008 ford f350 diesel crew cab pickup from hayford ford in isanti mn. I have driven the vehicle a total of 1500 miles since I purchased it. The vehicle has been in the shop more than 20 days since I purchased it. They now say I will have a bill of $8000 dollars to repair the contaminated diesel fuel system. I understand that there has been a fuel tank delamination issue on these vehicles that causes this problem. That can lead to a stalling of the engine if not detected prior to total failure. Ford will not even honor the warranty I purchased from them. I noticed the increase in engine oil volume prior to any failure which LED ford to diagnose a fuel pump failure prior to engine failure. I understand there have been failures while the vehicles are in motion, which would cause the possibility of serious accidents.
Related recalls
Engine
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 F-350/450/550 Ambulance Package vehicles manufactured February 22, 2010, through October 19, 2012 and equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine. Due to an exhaust sensor problem, the vehicles may experience loss of power followed by an engine stall.
- Risk
- An unexpected engine stall increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, if this were to occur when the ambulance is transporting a patient, there is an increased risk of injury to the patient.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the exhaust gas temperature sensor, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S10.
Recall number 13V535000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
- What is wrong
- Manning Equipment Inc. LLC (Manning) is recalling certain model year 2012 Ford F-350, F-450 and F-550 gasoline engined dual rear wheel chassis vehicles manufactured October 2011 through June 2012. The tailpipe on the exhaust system does not extend out beyond the edge of the body, allowing heat to build up in rear curbside storage compartment.
- Risk
- Excessive heat build up in rear compartment could result in fire.
- Remedy
- Manning Equipment has notified owners, and dealers will install tailpipe extensions free of charge. The recall has already begun. Owners may contact Manning Equipment at 1‑502‑426‑5210.
Recall number 13V380000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
- What is wrong
- The sound insulation on the engine side of the dash panel can contact the exhaust manifold.
- Risk
- Contact between the insulation and the hot exhaustmanifold may result in a engine compartment fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will modify the sound insulator at no cost to owners.
Recall number 92V112000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford F-350 engine failure
Which Ford F-350 years have engine failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2008 (7 complaints), 1999 (4 complaints) and 2004 (4 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine failure on the Ford F-350?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $8,000 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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