2008 Ford F-150
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 369 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 26 F-150 model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 39 involved a crash and 12 involved a fire. 46 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Engine and engine coolingOct 8, 2008
ROUSH IS RECALLING 213 MY 2007-2008 FORD F-150 TRUCKS ALTERED TO OPERATE USING LIQUID PROPANE INJECTION. THE HYDRO-CARBON PAPER AFFIXED TO THE INSIDE OF THE AIRBOX LID WITH ADHESIVE MAY BECOME DISLODGED DURING OPERATION.
THIS FAILURE MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF PERFORMANCE, ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) AND, IN EXTREME CASES, A STALLING OF THE VEHICLE DURING OPERATION WITHOUT NOTICE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIRBOX LID WITH A NEW ONE THAT INCLUDES THE HYDRO-CARBON PAPER WHICH HAS BEEN AFFIXED USING AN ADHESIVE PROMOTER AND GREATER PRESSURE AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 21, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROUSH AT 1-866-307-6788.
Campaign 08V523000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
76 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Jul 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST OIL PRESSURE AND STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND RESUME DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOW OIL PRESSURE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, May 20, 2016
RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT - I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 4 RADIATORS IN MY FORD F250 TRUCK AND THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 125,000 MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT FROM FORD AND THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO PROTECT THEIR CUSTOMERS. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED 3 TIMES AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR.
Engine, May 10, 2016
I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY THE LOCAL PHIL LONG FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT MY TRUCK NEEDS THE CAM PHASERS REPLACED TO FIX THE PROBLEMS I AM EXPERIENCING. I HAVE SEEN THAT THIS IS A "VERY" COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 5.4 ENGINE AND FORD HAS RETIRED THIS ENGINE FROM THEIR VEHICLES DO TO THE FAILURES AND IT HAS BEEN KNOWN BY FORD SINCE THE 2003 MODELS AND YET THEY CONTINUED TO SELL A KNOWN FAULTY ENGINE. THEY SHOULD PAY TO HAVE THESE ENGINES REPAIRED AND NOT THE CONSUMERS. THIS IS IN COLORADO SPRINGS, CO AND THE PROBLEMS IS STILL INTERMITTENT AT THIS TIME.
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 10, 2016
ON TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016, WHILE DRIVING 45 MILES PER HOUR, ON A 2 LANE, BACK COUNTRY, ROAD MY FORD F150, THAT HAD 114,376 MILES BEGAN TO CLANK AND RUMBLE UP UNDER THE HOOD. THE NOISE MADE THE VEHICLE VIBRATE AS THE NOISE GOT LOUDER SO I PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD AND POPPED THE HOOD. THERE WAS SMOKE, CLICKING AND CLANKING ON TOP OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE SO I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. I CALLED MY INSURANCE AND ASKED TO BE TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP 5 MILES AWAY. THE TRUCK WAS STILL DRIVE-ABLE BUT SMOKING AND CLANKING. THE NEXT MORNING I LEARNED #2 SPARK PLUG HAD LOOSE STRIPPING THREADS IN THE CYLINDER HEAD AND THE COIL CRACKED FROM THE PLUG BLOWING OUT. THE PLUG AND BOOTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. REPLACED THE #2 COIL AND THE DEALER HAD TO EXTRACT THE BROKEN SPARK PLUG CYLINDER #2. THE PARTS, SUPPLY, AND LABOR COST WAS $1292.24. I HAVE HAD LARGE V8 ENGINE, VEHICLES ALL OF MY LIFE WITH 200,000 MILES OR MORE ON THE ENGINE BUT NEVER ANY SPARK PLUG ISSUES WITH HIGH MILEAGE ON BOTH SPARK PLUG AND OTHER VEHICLE ENGINE PARTS. IF I HAD CONTINUED TO DRIVE MY TRUCK IT SURELY WOULD HAVE IGNITED CAUSING MORE DAMAGE OR INJURY. THE SPARK PLUG ISSUES WITH FORD NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK IN DECEMBER 2013 WITH 81,160 AND HAD NO PROBLEMS FOR 2 YEARS, 4 MONTHS. AT NO TIME SHOULD SPARK PLUGS BLOW UP OR OUT UNLESS THEY ARE DEFECTIVE PARTS OR PLUGS NOT SUITABLE TO BE TRANSFIXED INTO THE CYLINDER OR ENGINE. DRIVER SAFETY IS AT RISK.
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 6, 2016
ON APRIL 5, 2016, WHILE DRIVING MY 2008, F150, TRITON, 4.6, ABOUT 45 MPH, ON A TWO LANE, BACK COUNTRY ROAD, A SUDDEN RATTLING AND POPPING NOISE OCCURRED. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER, POPPED THE HOOD, WHEREAS SMOKE AND THE RATTLING NOISE CONTINUED. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP 5 MILES AWAY. I HAVE 113,600 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND PURCHASED IT FROM A CARMAX DEALER IN DECEMBER 2013, WITH 81,160 MILES, HAVING EXPERIENCED (NO PROBLEMS THUS FAR). I WAS TOLD BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT MY #3 SPARKPLUG HAD CAUSED THE MECHANICAL ISSUE AND ALL PLUGS NEEDED REPLACING. ADDITIONALLY REPLACEMENT OF RIGHT SIDE ENGINE ISSUES RESULTED FROM NOT HAVING DONE THE 100000 MILE TUNE UP (BULL). IT HAD BEEN TUNED UP PREVIOUS TO BEING SOLD. AFTER USING CHOICE WORDS TOWARDS THE DEALER AND ADVISING HIM OF MY OWNERSHIP OF 3, LARGER V8 ENGINES, NO SPARKPLUG EXPLOSIONS HAD EVER OCCURRED IN MY LIFE. ALL MY FORMER VEHICLES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MY 2008 F150 HAD NEVER EXPERIENCE SUCH SPARKPLUG EXPLOSION ISSUES AND THESE VEHICLES REACHED CLOSE AND OVER 200,000 MILES. MY VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT DOES NOT COVER THIS ISSUE, NOR WAS THE FORD MANUFACTURE HELPFUL IN ASSISTING WITH THIS MATTER. THE TOTAL COST FOR REPAIRS IS $1295.00, AND MY FIGHT WITH FORD HAS JUST BEGUN.
Engine, Mar 22, 2016
MY VEHICLE HAS A BAD MISS IN MOTOR, HAVE HAD ALL PLUGS/WIRES REPLACED TO NO AVAIL. DATA LINK STILL SAYS MISFIRE ON #3. HAVE TO DRIVE SLOW UP HILLS IF DRIVE AT NORMAL SPEED CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS UP. NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHATS WRONG, EVEN MAJOR DEALERSHIPS. NEED HELP ON THIS, HAVE TALKED TO MULTIPLE PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVINT THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE ALERTED FORD TO THIS AND THEY HAVE BEEN NO HELP AT ALL. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. IT HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. SOMETIMES IT MISSES SITTING STILL. IT IS A FX4 AS WELL.
Engine, Mar 11, 2016
SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT IN A CROWDED STORE PARKING LOT,' BRAKING THE COIL. A FIRE COULD HAVE RESULTED IF COIL HAD NOT BROKE. THE GAS FUMES WERE STRONG. I THOUGHT IT WAS GASKET PROBLEM AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO MY MECHANIC'S SHOP.
Engine, Feb 26, 2016
FOR THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN 4 MONTHS THE #2 SPARK PLUG HAS BLOWN OUT OF THE CYLENDER HEAD. FORD HAS KNOWN ABUOT THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS BUT WILL NOT FIX IT . THIS COULD CAUSE AN EXPLOSION & FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS THE PLUG & INJECTOR AR STILL WORKING PUMPING FUEL INTO AN OPEN HOLE.
Engine, Jan 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE OIL PRESSURE WAS LOW AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A TSB FOR THE FAILURE (14-0114). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
Engine, Dec 28, 2015
WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH. MY TRUCK MADE A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND I PULLED OFF THE ROAD, RAISED THE HOOD AND LEARNED THAT THE SPARKPLUG BLEW OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE SPARK PLUG AND COIL. I LEARNED THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
Engine, Dec 16, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Engine, Dec 7, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000.
Engine, Nov 11, 2015
TRAVELLING APPROX 60 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE. THE SPARK PLUG POPPED OUT WITH A LARGE POP.
Engine, Oct 22, 2015
BROKE 4 SPARK PLUGS IN BLOCK TRYING TO REPLACE
Power train, Engine, Jul 10, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE REACHED HIGH LEVELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Engine, Mar 5, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN, TIMING CHAIN SLIDE, TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER AND CAM PHASERS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 16, 2014
ON SUNDAY 12/14/14 AT 7PM MY 2008 FORD F-150 SHUT OFF WHEN I WAS GOING 65 MPH DOWN THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY. I WAS STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR HOURS WAITING FOR IT TO BE TOWED. TURNS OUT THE FUEL PRESSURE MODULE (FPM) THAT IS MOUNTED IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK ON A CROSSMEBER OF THE FRAME UP ABOVE THE SPARE TIRE WAS THE CAUSE. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE 2004-2008 FORD F-150 THAT USE THIS FPM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 11, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F 150. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, EXHAUST FUMES EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED DAILY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD KIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
Engine, Dec 2, 2014
I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK HOME ON THANKSGIVING AND IT BLEW OUT A SPARK PLUG (SECOND INCIDENT, DIFFERENT CYLINDER). I WAS LATER TOLD THAT AN ENGINE FIRE COULD OCCUR FROM THE FUEL/FUMES COMING FROM THE OPEN CYLINDER HEAD. *JS
Seat belts, Engine, Nov 18, 2014
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT TAKES A FEW TRIES TO GET IT TO CLICK AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T ENGAGE ALL THE WAY AND THE LATCH COMES OUT. A MISFIRE IN CYLINDER 1 LEAD THE DISCOVERY OF KNOWN ISSUES WITH SPARK PLUGS AND REMOVAL. 3 OF THE PLUGS WERE LOOSE. *TR
Engine, Nov 10, 2014
MOTOR EJECTED SPARK PLUG PASSENGER SIDE THIRD ONE BACK. SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS A FAULTY DESIGN. *TR
Power train, Engine, Oct 15, 2014
VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT SLOW SPEED AND SEVERE RATTLING AND LOSS OF POWER TO VEHICLE WHICH COULD EASILY RESULT IN ACCIDENT. FORD SERVICE INDICATED THAT IT WAS CAM PHASING OR OTHERWISE KNOWN AS INTAKE CAMSHAFT POSITION TIMING OVER RETARDED PROBLEM. VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION WHICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED VIA RECALL. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jul 22, 2014
STARTED SHAKING AND SPUTTERING IN REVERSE AT LOW RPM. TWO TRANSMISSION SHOPS SAID IT WAS THE REVERSE BAND IN TRANSMISSION AND NEEDED REBUILD. HAD TRANS REBUILT (AT COST OF 2390.00). AFTER REBUILD, MECHANIC WAS DRIVING AND IT STILL HAD PROBLEM. AFTER RESEARCHING, HE THINKS IT IS THE CAM PHASERS CAUSING PROBLEM. HE HAD REPLACED MY PLUGS BEFORE TRANSMISSION WORK TO RULE THAT OUT (ALL 8 OF THE PLUGS BROKE WHILE TAKING THEM OUT, HE HAD NEVER SEEN ALL BREAK ON A F150 BEFORE). THIS ENGINE/TRANSMISSION IS A BAD DESIGN ALL AROUND AND FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP, ADMIT IT AND FIX AND OR REIMBURSE CUSTOMERS FOR REPAIRS. YOU CAN SPEND THOUSANDS CHASING PROBLEMS IN THIS POWER TRAIN! EVEN THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION REBUILD DID NOT FIX THE INITIAL PROBLEM, THE REAR BAND WAS WORN, AND THE PLATE IN THE TRANSMISSION HAD A SMALL DENT AND HAIR LINE CRACKS, SO IT WAS GOING TO FAIL EVENTUALLY! THE TRANSMISSION SHOP SAID THIS IS COMMON IN THESE. I WANT SOMETHING DONE! *TR
Engine, Jun 16, 2014
PURCHASED USED 2008 FORD F-150 5.4L V8 GASOLINE TRUCK A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. LAST YEAR THE TRUCK STARTED TO SOUND LIKE A DIESEL ONCE THE ENGINE WARMED UP. THE CAM PHASER SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. NEXT WE WILL HAVE A CAM PHASER LOCK OUT SYSTEM INSTALLED. THE MECHANIC SAYS THAT 50% OF THE TIME IT FIXES THE PROBLEM BUT THE OTHER 50% REQUIRES A BRAND NEW ENGINE. ALSO, KEYSTONE IS THE ONLY ENGINE THAT MY MECHANIC WILL USE FOR THE REPLACEMENT DUE TO THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH 2004 TO 2008 MODEL YEARS. ALL SEARCHES ONLINE AND DISCUSSIONS WITH VARIOUS PEOPLE (FRIENDS, FAMILY, FORD DEALERSHIP MECHANICS, PUBLIC FORUMS) HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM THAT CAN COST UP $7,000 TO FIX YET FORD HAS NOT RECALLED THE ENGINE OR OFFERED TO MODIFY THE ENGINE BY INSTALLING THE LOCK OUT KIT. NOW THE TRUCK HASN'T BEEN DRIVEN MORE THAN A COUPLE OF MILES IN THE LAST YEAR SO THE ENGINE IS NOT DESTROYED. THE MOST COMMON COURSE OF THE BREAK DOWN IN THE ENGINE IS AS FOLLOWS: CAM SENSOR FAIL, CAM PHASERS BREAK IF NOT LOCKED OUT, FRAGMENTS OF THE PHASER GETS INTO THE OIL CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BE DESTROYED. *TR
Engine, May 14, 2014
I HAVE A 2008 FORD F-150 KING RANCH WITH A 5.4 L ENGINE. EXHAUST STUDS HAVE SNAPPED OFF CAUSING A LEAK FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND CARBON MONOXIDE FILLS THE CAB OF THIS VEHICLE SETTING AT IDLE. FORD HAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE FOR USING A NON CONFORMING GRADE OF STUD. ACCORDING TO FORUMS THAT I HAVE RESEARCHED SHOWED THAT FORD HAS CHANGED THE STUDS. THEY ARE NOW USING STAINLESS STEEL STUDS. IS THERE A POSSIBILITY OF A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLES ENGINE FOR A REPAIR TO CHANGE ALL STUDS TO STAINLESS STEEL. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED AND NOTICED THE PROBLEM AFTER THE 30 DAY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. BUYER BEWARE! PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FROM THIS PROBLEM. *TR