3/13 I bought a set of federal couragia mt 35x12.50x20 tires and 10 months later the steel belts separated causing tire failure. 2/14 I bought another set of the same tires and they separated after 8 months. Dot4113 is the serial number of the second set of tires. I do not have the serial number for the first set. I would not recommend these tires to anyone and what do I have to do to get…
2008 Ford F-250 tires problems
severe 28 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $150 · see tires across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
28
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$150
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 28 tires complaints filed for the 2008 Ford F-250, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 11 model years of Ford F-250 we track for tires problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 28.
Owners have filed 28 tires complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Buy a pre-2008 F-250 or have all tires and TPMS sensors inspected by an independent shop before purchase; multiple tire brands on 2008 F-250s exhibit premature tread separation well before their rated lifespan, sometimes outside warranty coverage and manufacturer recalls. Verify original-equipment tire DOT codes against active recalls, as many separated tires fell through gaps in recall scope.
Owners report tread and belt separation on multiple tire brands fitted to 2008 F-250s, typically occurring between 12,000 and 44,000 miles despite regular maintenance and inflation. Continental ContiTrac LT275/70R18 and LT275/65R18 appear most frequently, with separations happening at highway speeds, sometimes causing violent shaking, rim damage, and loss of vehicle control. BF Goodrich Rugged Terrain T/A 20-inch tires, Federal Couragia models, Cooper Discoverer AT3, and Goodyear Wrangler AT/S also show separation failures. Some owners replaced two tires from a set only to have the other two fail shortly after, suggesting batch defects. Multiple owners note Continental has recalls on certain LT275/70R18 DOT codes but their tires fell outside the recall window or had different DOT codes, leaving them unprotected. Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) faults are reported separately—one owner experienced six false low-pressure alarms within 18 months and sensor faults even after dealer sensor training and replacement. One owner received a spare tire 2 inches smaller than road tires. Cracking around tread-to-carcass attachment and multiple microscopic leaks in tread are also documented. Manufacturers typically deny warranty claims, offer only prorated replacements, or claim tires fall outside recall coverage.
Same Ford F-250 tires reports on nearby years: 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Tread Separation (ContiTrac LT275/70R18)
Tread and belt separation occurring at highway speeds on Continental ContiTrac tires, often with violent shaking and no prior warning signs until separation is advanced. Multiple cases reported with tires outside manufacturer's recall window despite matching defect symptoms.
When: 12,000–44,000 miles; some cases under 30,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking at 50–70 mph; Tread peeling off in chunks; Bulging on sidewall prior to separation; Continued vibration after discovery
Codes mentioned: DOT P5B9 1VUB (non-recalled code), DOT A3B9 479B (replacement tire), NHTSA Campaign 11T002000 (ContiTrac LT275/70R18 recall—excludes some DOT codes)
Repairs/costs cited: Tire replacement required; one owner replaced two tires from set only to have remaining two fail. Damage to rims and fenders reported. No warranty coverage offered outside recall DOT codes.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Continental voluntary recall for ContiTrac LT275/70R18 on certain DOT codes only; tires outside recall codes denied warranty. Manufacturer offered to replace only failed tire, not entire set.
Tread Separation (ContiTrac LT275/65R18)
Belt and tread separation on Continental ContiTrac LT275/65R18, with shifted belt and tread peeling. Owners report symptoms matching those of recalled tires but claiming different tire sizes fall outside recall scope.
When: 24,554–43,910 miles on original equipment
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal vibration indicating separation; Shifted belt visible inside tire; Tread peeling off during inspection; 9/32" tread depth remaining at failure
Codes mentioned: DOT P5B9 1VUB (noted as lacking manufacture date), DOT A3B9 479B (replacement), DOT not recorded in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: One tire replaced under warranty at 24,554 miles; owner forced to purchase replacement tires for remaining two tires with no warranty coverage. No cost estimates provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Continental acknowledges ongoing recall for LT275/70R18 but claims LT275/65R18 outside scope. Owner reports defect matches listed recall defects but believes additional tire sizes warrant investigation.
Tread Separation (BF Goodrich Rugged Terrain T/A 20-inch)
Tread failure and complete tire failure on BF Goodrich Rugged Terrain T/A 20-inch tires at relatively low mileage. Recall exists for this tire model but not for 20-inch size, leaving owners unprotected.
When: 37,667 miles on tires purchased new 7/23/12; failures at 7/5/15 and 8/21/15
Symptoms owners cite: Tread peeling off while driving I-75; Complete tire failure while on I-95; No prior warning signs noted
Codes mentioned: BF Goodrich Rugged Terrain T/A (20-inch—no recall coverage)
Repairs/costs cited: Passenger-side rear tire replaced under tread warranty; driver-side rear failure caused ~$3,000 damage. Tires regularly maintained, rotated, and properly inflated per owner documentation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall exists for BF Goodrich Rugged Terrain T/A but only in sizes outside 20-inch; owner requested recall investigation for 20-inch size but status unknown.
Tread Separation (BF Goodrich Commercial T/A LT275/70R18E1)
Tread separation on original BF Goodrich Commercial T/A tires purchased November 2010, with two of four tires failing before 30,000 miles and evidence suggesting remaining two likely to fail.
When: Less than 30,000 miles; failures ~3,000 miles apart
Symptoms owners cite: Tread separation discovered before catastrophic failure; No reported vibration or prior warning
Codes mentioned: LT275/70R18E1 BF Goodrich Commercial T/A
Repairs/costs cited: Two tires replaced; owner proactively replaced remaining two tires despite no separation signs. Tire service company denied warranty proration for tires not yet failed. No cost breakdown provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer recalled similar tires; offered only proration, not full replacement set. Owner rejected response as inadequate given manufacturing defect and existing recall.
Tread Separation (Federal Couragia A/T and MT)
Belt and tread separation on Federal Couragia tire models, including both A/T and MT lines, with repeated failures across two consecutive tire purchases.
When: First set failed at ~12,000 miles (14,000 miles for another owner); second set failed after 8 months
Symptoms owners cite: Tread separation at 65 mph causing loss of control and crash into concrete median; Steel belt separation after 8–10 months in service
Codes mentioned: Federal Couragia A/T LT245/75R16 120/116Q, Federal Couragia MT 35X12.50X20 (DOT4113 on second set)
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement required; one owner purchased two complete sets within 13 months due to repeated failures. No cost recovery achieved; Federal does not respond to warranty claims per owner report.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Federal will not respond to owner compensation requests or warranty claims.
Tread Separation (Cooper Discoverer AT3 and other aftermarket)
Complete tread separation on Cooper Discoverer AT3 tires where entire tread separated in one piece, similar to a retread failure, despite excellent remaining tread depth.
When: After approximately 35,000–36,000 miles of service (purchased 11/08/2019, vehicle mileage increased from 166,736 to 202,000)
Symptoms owners cite: Rear driver-side blowout at highway speed; Total tread separation in one large piece; Excellent tread depth remaining at failure; Extensive damage to rear quarter panel
Codes mentioned: Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT275/70R18 D1
Repairs/costs cited: Extensive body damage to rear quarter panel and other parts; tread replacement required.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: <UNKNOWN>
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) False Alarms
TPMS malfunction generating false low-pressure warnings despite tires being properly inflated and within 2 PSI of each other. Recurring alarms following tire rotation and sensor training, with problem occurring only at interstate speeds.
When: Six alarms within 18 months; problem recurred after tire rotation
Symptoms owners cite: False low-pressure alarm despite verified correct inflation; Sensor fault codes; Alarm triggered only after tire rotation and only at 65 mph on interstate over ~4 miles; No alarm during local driving
Codes mentioned: Sensor fault (unspecified code)
Repairs/costs cited: Two TPMS sensors replaced; system retraining performed at dealer. Dealer suggested nitrogen inflation and attributed problem to cell phone interference, neither of which resolved issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford dealer stated system was designed to function as described and no problem existed after final sensor training, despite continued false alarms.
Tire Cracking and Microscopic Leaks
Substantial cracking around tread-to-carcass attachment and multiple microscopic air leaks in tire tread with no visible damage or punctures.
When: 30 months in service; another at ~30,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Cracking all the way around where tread attaches to carcass; Cracks in tread itself; 14+ tiny air leaks requiring daily inflation; No visible damage to cause leaks
Codes mentioned: Continental ContiTrac LT275/65R18 DOT P5B9 1VUB (microscopic leaks case)
Repairs/costs cited: Tire replacement required for leaking tire; all four tires replaced for cracking case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford and tire manufacturer refused to replace tires with microscopic leaks; dealer would not honor repair under warranty.
Spare Tire Size Mismatch
Spare tire significantly smaller than road tires—18-inch spare versus 20-inch road tires—on vehicle purchased new for towing heavy camper.
When: Noted upon detailed inspection after purchase on 3/21/09
Symptoms owners cite: 2-inch size difference between road and spare tires
Repairs/costs cited: No repair; owner questioned legality and safety of configuration.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated this is standard practice.
BF Goodrich Baja Champion Catastrophic Failure
Complete tire explosion at highway speed causing violent swerve into oncoming traffic, with outer tread dislodging and steel belts separating.
When: Mid-80s temperature; Saturday driving (specific mileage not provided)
Symptoms owners cite: Tire exploded with great force; Outer tread dislodged; Steel belts ripped apart; Tire split in two; Vehicle swerved into oncoming traffic
Codes mentioned: BF Goodrich Baja Champion
Repairs/costs cited: $4,000 damage to F250; vehicle fell to rim immediately after catastrophic failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: <UNKNOWN>
Synthesized from 28 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 Ford f-250. The vehicle has four continental tires. The contact stated that three of the tires were leaking air. The remaining tire has nine holes inside the thread and the contact has to place air in it everyday. The manufacturer does not want to replace the tires. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that Ford would not honor the repair. The tire…
Had tires trouble with your 2008 Ford F-250?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the tires problem on the 2008 Ford F-250?
It's a meaningful issue. 28 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $150.
At what mileage does the tires typically fail?
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most tires failures cluster between 23,800 and 78,655 miles, with the median around 35,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 23,800; a quarter make it past 78,655. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $150 for tires repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to tires?
No active recalls currently cover tires issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Ford/F-250.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.