Buyer Research

2008 Ford F-350 Super Duty (6.4L Power Stroke) — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $12,000–$24,000. There are 4 high-severity known issues you need to know before handing over a check.

Kestrel Take

Ford's answer to the 6.0 was an engine that fixed the head gaskets and introduced a fuel dilution problem and a $6,000 turbo. It makes great power and it is thirsty, complicated, and expensive. The 6.4 is a truck for people who enjoy owning a project.

What we checked

Partly reconciled against public records, 2026-09-11

NHTSA holds 233 owner complaints for the 2008 Ford F-350 Super Duty (6.4L Power Stroke), across 7 recall campaigns.

A big number here usually means a lot of these were sold, not that it is a bad vehicle — popular models collect more complaints for the same rate of trouble. So the total on its own says little. What is worth reading is the shape of it. 35% of them are about one thing — the engine. That much concentration is a genuine pattern rather than background noise, and it is the first thing to check on any example you look at.

7 recall campaigns cover this model year. Recalls are repaired free, for any owner, with no time limit on most safety campaigns — but only if someone books it in. Ask the seller to show it was done, or have any dealer check the VIN; it takes them a couple of minutes and costs nothing.

Not written up yet: the suspension (28 complaints). That group is in the public record and is not covered by the issues below. Treat it as something to ask about, not as absent.

Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.

Known Issues for the 2008 Ford F-350 Super Duty (6.4L Power Stroke)

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.

Fuel dilution of engine oil from in-cylinder regenerationHigh — wallet impact

The DPF regeneration strategy injects fuel late in the cycle, which washes into the crankcase. Oil level rises, viscosity collapses, and bearings suffer. Short-trip trucks are the worst affected.

Repair cost (estimate): Engine damage, $8,000-$15,000

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (81), the fuel system (24), wheels and bearings (12).

Compound turbocharger failureHigh — wallet impact

The two-stage turbo system is expensive and fails from soot and heat. Replacement is a major job.

Repair cost (estimate): $3,000-$6,000

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (81).

Radiator and EGR cooler failuresHigh — wallet impact

Both crack and leak. The radiator is a known weak point and the job is labor-intensive.

Repair cost (estimate): $1,200-$3,000

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (81), steering (72).

Piston and connecting rod failure at high powerHigh — wallet impact

Tuned 6.4s crack pistons. Any evidence of a performance tune should be treated as a major risk.

Repair cost (estimate): $10,000-$18,000

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (81), steering (72).

Fuel economyMedium

11-13 mpg unloaded is normal. This is a genuine ownership cost, not a defect.

Repair cost: Not yet priced

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the fuel system (24).

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗Oil level above full with a fuel smell
✗Any performance tune or deleted emissions with no documentation
✗Short-trip city use history on a DPF diesel
✗Coolant loss

Good Signs

✓Highway and towing use — exactly what this engine wants
✓Frequent oil changes with documented oil analysis
✓Turbos and radiator already replaced

Found a specific Ford F-350 Super Duty (6.4L Power Stroke)?

This page covers what goes wrong on the 2008 Ford F-350 Super Duty (6.4L Power Stroke) in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.

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Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for this year. It stops short of the verdict, because that needs the photos.

Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.