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2008 Ford F-550 SD problems

The most common problem on the 2008 Ford F-550 SD is engine and cooling, typically around 32,225 miles. It has 2.9 times the complaints of a typical F-550 SD model year.

Typical year2.9x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
26
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
86
Worst area
Engine

The worst 2008 Ford F-550 SD problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    14
  • Transmission
    5
  • Fuel system
    4
  • Body
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Ford F-550 SD

Check engine light 6

Recalls 4

Equipment: appliance: air conditionerReported November 19, 2009 · 269 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 09V456000 · Recall details

SeatsReported February 28, 2008 · 87,515 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 08V096000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)Reported March 26, 2007 · 33,169 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
Dealers will reprogram the power train control module. The recall began on april 3, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.

Recall number 07V139000 · Recall details

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v batteryReported March 26, 2007 · 1,022 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 07V140000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 2008 Ford F-550 SD

Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Ford F-550 SD 86

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 86 bulletins for the 2008 Ford F-550 SD

What 2008 Ford F-550 SD owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 2, 2022 · Fuel system · PA

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 engine light come on then its in limp mode and only drives at 40 miles per hour it is unsafe to drive on the highway and I do like this truck

Filed Sep 18, 2020 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · TN

Transmission down shifts to low gear while driving at high speeds on the interstate.

Filed Jan 10, 2020 · Electrical · 150,000 miles · IL

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: 630‑279‑6000) who replaced the heater chord a total of three times, however, the failure persist. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Mar 7, 2018 · Engine · 33,000 miles · PA

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 easton rd, horsham, pa 19044) where it was diagnosed that the engine failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 33,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Feb 29, 2016 · Engine · 110,000 miles · CA

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 the exhaust fuel temperature sensor would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer issued a recall for the 2011-2012 model year vehicles associated with the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v535000 (engine). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Apr 27, 2015 · Engine · 150,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford f-550. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speed, the vehicle started to lose power and the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the engine was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000. ...updated 06-12-15 *bf the consumer stated the dealership bought the truck back. The issue was resolved. Updated 06/30/15

Filed Apr 27, 2015 · Engine · CA

We bought this truck and paid over 30k and put down 10k. They never gave us the full report history of the truck... With two to three months the engine went out. We took it to the mechanic and he told us its not worth it. The engine if replaced will go out again. Ford had a differentcompany build the engines and all of there engines were bad. I believe from 2006 to 2008 until ford took over. So, we bought this truck from 1900 hamner ave, norco, ca 92860 (951) 737-6151. We contacted them and they did nothing about it. So, now I am still making monthly payments of 543 a month and the truck broke down around june july of2014. I've been paying for storage plus monthly truck payment. This company knew the history of the truck but they went ahead and sold it to us. I found out the history because the lawyer recommended that to me. I guess its hard for lemon commercial truck to handle. I just want my money back and for them to take the truck back. They have been fraudulent about this.

Filed Jan 19, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 31,871 miles · NJ

The truck has not run properly since it was purchased, and the motor was replaced back in 2013 with mileage of 31,00 due to oil being splattered all over and no power. We had spend over 10,000.00 to fix the defective issues. Now almost 2 years to the day the engine has again failed. Ford offers no help or explanations as to why this continues to happen..

Filed Feb 27, 2014 · 74,000 miles · OH

At forty five mile an hour the transmission literally fell apart internally. My f-550 has only pulled a trailer five times and it has a complete tow package. I was not towing anything nor did I have any other weight on the truck when the transmission made a low clunk and stopped functioning. The f-550 has less than 75000 miles on the odometer, and has been used very seldom to haul anything. I have spoken to several dealerships concerning this issue and find that many of these same transmissions have likewise failed.

Filed Feb 13, 2014 · Body · 29,600 miles · IL

Both frame rails are cracked at the left and right front shocks in the area of the engine cradle cross member. This is a cab/chassis truck.

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Questions about the 2008 Ford F-550 SD

Is the 2008 Ford F-550 SD reliable?

Owners have filed 26 complaints about the 2008 Ford F-550 SD, 2.9 times a typical F-550 SD model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Ford F-550 SD?

Engine and cooling, with 14 complaints, typically around 32,225 miles. Next is transmission (5).

How many recalls does the 2008 Ford F-550 SD have?

4 recalls, covering equipment, seats and power train.

What year does the Ford F-550 SD have bad engine?

The Ford F-550 SD model years with the most engine complaints are 2004 (17 complaints), 2008 (14 complaints) and 1999 (10 complaints).

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