Know Your Truck

2008–2010 Ford F-250 / F-350 Super Duty common problems and fixes

Front-end shake and steering wear lead the complaints; the 6.4L diesel is known for radiator leaks and fuel in the oil.

What owners should know

Covers 2008–2010 · 6.4L Power Stroke diesel, 5.4L V8 and 6.8L V10 gas · Updated 2026-10-07

Most of these trucks have the 6.4L Power Stroke diesel, the first Ford diesel with a diesel particulate filter (DPF). Gas versions use the 5.4L V8 or 6.8L V10, which have the same notes as our 2005–2007 page.

We counted 848 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for 2008–2010 F-250s and F-350s (retrieved October 5, 2026; each complaint counted once): 566 from 6.4L diesels, 102 from 5.4L V8s and 43 from 6.8L V10s, identified by VIN; the rest (137) couldn't be matched to an engine. We left out 2 whose VIN belongs to another vehicle (E-Series vans). 2008 accounts for two thirds of them (569). Complaint counts show what owners report most often, not how many trucks have a problem.

At a glance

  • Front-end shake ("death wobble") and worn steering parts are the most frequently reported problems (about 175 and about 95 complaints).
  • 6.4L radiator leaks are the most common engine complaint.
  • Fuel in the oil from DPF cleaning cycles is a well-known 6.4L trait. Check the oil level and condition.
  • Up-pipes and EGR coolers are other commonly reported 6.4L repairs.

Front-end shake ("death wobble")

About 1 in 5 complaints (about 175) mention a wobble or shimmy or shaking after a bump, and about 95 mention worn steering parts, tie rods, ball joints, the drag link or the track bar. Owners most often report that replacing worn parts, especially the track bar, ball joints and tie rods, fixes it for good, while a new steering stabilizer alone only hides it.

6.4L diesel

  • Radiator problems come up in 47 of the 566 6.4L complaints. Repair shops describe leaks along the radiator's upper seam. Look for wet spots or white crust.
  • Fuel dilution. When the DPF cleans itself ("regenerates"), some fuel can wash past the piston rings into the oil and raise the oil level. Lots of short trips and idling make it worse.
  • Up-pipes that crack and leak exhaust, and EGR coolers that clog or crack. The 6.4L has two EGR coolers.
  • Ford recalled certain 2008 6.4L trucks because the exhaust filter could overheat; dealers reprogram the engine computer (recall 07V139000).

When buying: pull the dipstick. Oil that's over full or smells of diesel is a red flag. Check for coolant leaks around the radiator, and for exhaust soot on the engine around the turbo. Ask whether the emissions system has been removed ("deleted"); that can cause inspection and legal problems.

Other things to check

  • Certain 2008 4x4 trucks with the 156-inch wheelbase and two-piece driveshaft were recalled because the fuel tank could move into a frame crossmember in a frontal crash; dealers install a bracket (recall 08V191000). Confirm it was done.
  • Check the cab corners, rocker panels, radiator support, frame and brake lines for rust.

Before you buy

Researched from owner forums and NHTSA complaints and written by Know Your Truck. These are patterns in what owners report, not a guarantee about any particular truck.

Sources (7)

Common failures & how to fix them

Parts and video buttons search for your 2008-2010 Ford F-250 Super Duty. Always confirm a part fits using your VIN. Brakes, steering, fuel and airbag work affects your safety, so if you're not sure, have a qualified mechanic do it.

  • Front-end shake (death wobble)

    Moderate DIY

    Signs: Violent shaking of the steering wheel and front end after hitting a bump, usually at 45+ mph. Slowing down hard is often the only way to stop it.

    Fix: Find and replace the worn parts, most often the track bar or its bushings, then check ball joints, tie rod ends, the drag link and alignment. A new steering stabilizer alone usually only hides the problem.

    Shop: track barShop: steering stabilizer▶ How-to videos

  • 6.4L radiator leak

    Hard DIY

    Signs: Coolant loss, wet spots or white crust on the radiator, especially along the upper seam.

    Fix: Pressure-test the cooling system to confirm where the coolant is going; hoses, the coolant bottle and EGR coolers can leak too. If the radiator is leaking, it's replaced. Shops also commonly check the thermostats, since a faulty bypass thermostat can stress the radiator.

    Shop: 6.4 Powerstroke radiator▶ How-to videos

  • 6.4L fuel in the oil

    Easy DIY

    Signs: Oil level rises over full, or the oil smells of diesel.

    Fix: Check the oil level often and change oil more frequently if it climbs. Long highway drives let the exhaust filter clean itself with less fuel washing into the oil. Avoid long idling.

    Shop: 6.4 Powerstroke oil filter▶ How-to videos

  • 6.4L cracked up-pipes

    Hard DIY

    Signs: Exhaust smell or ticking under the hood, soot around the turbo, slow turbo response.

    Fix: Confirm the exhaust leak first (soot trails or a smoke test). Cracked or leaking up-pipes are replaced with new or upgraded pipes and gaskets.

    Shop: 6.4 Powerstroke up pipes▶ How-to videos

  • 6.4L EGR cooler failure

    Best left to a shop

    Signs: Coolant loss, white smoke, EGR codes.

    Fix: Have a diesel shop confirm it with a cooling system pressure test and codes, since radiator and other leaks cause coolant loss too. A failed EGR cooler is replaced; the 6.4L has two, and it's a large job.

    Shop: 6.4 Powerstroke EGR cooler▶ How-to videos

  • Worn ball joints and tie rods

    Hard DIY

    Signs: Clunks over bumps, wandering steering, uneven tire wear, or play when you rock a lifted front wheel.

    Fix: Confirm the play before buying parts, since noise alone isn't proof (track bars, sway bar links and bushings also clunk). With the front axle on a jack stand and the wheel off the ground, rock the tire top to bottom to check the ball joints and side to side to check the tie rod ends while a helper watches each joint, or have a shop measure the play. Replace only the worn parts, then get an alignment. Ball joints need a press tool, which many parts stores lend out.

    Shop: ball jointsShop: tie rod end▶ How-to videos

Each year in this generation

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared with the typical truck of the same kind and model year. Open a year for its recalls and complaints.

Ford F-250 Super Duty

Ford F-350 Super Duty

Going to look at one?Bring our free inspection checklist, with these known problems added →