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: steering
53 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Structure, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 4, 2025
The truck has a body frame that was cracked in several spots and welded back together in more then 5 different spots and the welding job is very poor. The truck has a power steering line leak, cvs axle leaks and a exhaust manifold leak. The dealership fixed upper ball joints when we agreed on lower and upper in the front. They added a exhaust but did not do the job correctly with completing the job and the welding of it. Ive made a complaint with the loan company and i as well have talked to the owner of the dealership and he fights that none of those things are wrong with the truck and im lying but i have had a inspection done on the truck. When i got the truck i looked it over and so did my brother i pointed the issues of what needed fixed that i could see and that was not done. I then started having issues with the truck and took it to a mechaninc and had an inspection done
Steering, Power train, Mar 22, 2020
CAM PHASERS WENT OUT TWICE BEFORE 150K. STEERING SHAFT AND STEERING FLUID LINES RUST OUT AROUND 150K.
Steering, Feb 7, 2020
THREE MONTHS AGO I HEARD A POP NOISE UNDER THE HOOD THEN SHORTLY AFTER THE STEERING BEGAN TO FEEL STIFF EVEN ON THE RETURN AFTER TURNING I NEEDED TO HELP.UPON INSPECTION I FOUND THE LOWER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT JOINTS ARE EXTREMELY CORRODED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED UPON CHECKING THIS SEEMS T BE A LARGE PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD MUCH OLDER VEHICLES THAT HAVE NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE.
Steering, Jun 7, 2019
MY TRUCK HAS 80,000 MILES. I NOTICED THAT GRADUALLY THE STEERING WAS BECOMING STIFFER AND HARDER TO TURN FEELING AS IF IT WAS BINDING AT TIMES. IT GOT TO A POINT THAT WHEN MAKING A TURN THE WHEEL WOULD NOT RECOVER AND ACTUALLY HAD TO BE PULLED BACK MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I TOOK IT TO MY SERVICE SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH DID NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I THEN DID SOME RESEARCH ON-LINE AND FOUND VARIOUS FORUMS WHERE OWNERS AND REPAIR TECHS DESCRIBED THE TWO "U" JOINTS ON THE F-150 STEERING SHAFT BECOMING BADLY CORRODED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND POINTING OUT THE JOINTS HAVE NO GREASE FITTING. I CHECKED THE JOINTS ON MY TRUCK AND THEY ERE CORRODED. I APPLIED LUBRICANT EXTERNALLY AND IT COMPLETELY ELIMINATED MY PROBLEM, HOWEVER, I HAVE TO REAPPLY LUBRICANT EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS. THE ATTACHED PHOTO SHOWS THE UPPER JOINT AFTER I LUBRICATED IT. FORD HAS TO KNOW THIS SAFETY ISSUE EXISTS AND THAT THIS IS COSTING OWNERS NEEDLESS REPAIR COSTS.
Steering, Dec 24, 2018
STEERING BECAME STIFF. VEHICLE WAS HARD TO MAINTAIN EVEN ON STRAIGHT ROAD. AFTER MY INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WAS HORRIBLY CORRODED AT THE UNIVERSAL JOINT. I WILL NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE UNTIL I REPAIR IT. IT IS AT THE POINT WHERE IT COULD BREAK AND LOOSE ALL CONTROL OF STEERING. VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE BEEN A MECHANIC FOR OVER 30 YEARS I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS IN ANY VEHICLE, NO MATTER WHAT AGE.
Steering, Oct 17, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS TRYING TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE CONTACT'S HOME TO RIVERSIDE AUTO SALES, INC. (2511 LUDINGTON ST, ESCANABA, MI 49829, (906) 786-6834) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,419.
Steering, Jun 29, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL WAS TOPPED OFF; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE REMAINED. AUTONATION FORD NORTH CANTON (5900 WHIPPLE AVE NW, NORTH CANTON, OH 44720, (330) 238-3206) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
Steering, May 16, 2018
STEERING JUST BEGAN FREEZING WHEN TURNING. ALL OF THE JOINT HAVE CHECKED OUT APPEAR TO BE ISSUE WITH STEERING COLUMN.
Steering, Apr 17, 2018
STEERING BINDS IN THE UPPER U-JOINT ON STEERING ROD. IT STARTED ON THE HIGHWAY. I DIDN'T WANT TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE THAN I HAVE TO IN FEAR OF DOING MORE DAMGGE TO IT.
Steering, Mar 19, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN BACK TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF CALDWELL (230 BLOOMFIELD AVE, FAIRFIELD, NJ 07004, (973) 227-3600) AND WAS ADVISED TO CALL BACK ON MARCH 19, 2018 TO INQUIRE ABOUT HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Steering, Jan 25, 2018
OK WHEN I TURN MY STEERING WHEEL TO TURN IT STICKS AND HAVE ALMOST HIT OTHER CARS HAVE TO TURN WHEEL BACK LIKE THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT BUT MOSTLY AT LOW SPEEDS.. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS .. I HAVE DONE SOME CHECKING AT IT APPEARS TO BE THE STEERING SHAFT U JOINTS FREEZE UP DUE TO LACK OF ABLE TO GREASE THEM AND BAD DESIGN MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 49,000 MILES ON IT AND SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM I SEE MANY HAVE HAD SAME ISSUE I THINK IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED BY FORD FOR SAFETY BECAUSE STEERING STICKS WHEN TURNING .
Steering, Sep 2, 2017
STEERING GOT VERY HARD WHILE MAKING A TURN ON AN OFF RAMP. ALMOST VEERED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC! POWER STEERING PUMP AND LINES WERE REPLACED ONE WEEK PRIOR...
Steering, Jun 15, 2017
STEERING LOCKS UP WHEN CORNERING OR WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AND WILL NOT RETURN TO CENTER WITHOUT BEING FORCED NO MATTER WHAT SURFACE YOU ARE DRIVING ON IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT STEERING SHAFTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND WERE RECALLED IN LINCOLN AND MERCURY CARS AND SUVS. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN WITH VERY GOOD CHANCE OF IT BEING FATAL.
Steering, Nov 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,792.
Steering, Nov 3, 2016
STEERING BECAME TIGHT AND HEAVY MAKING IT HARD TO TURN. MY MECHANIC FOUND THE LOWER UNIVERSAL JOINT ON THE STEERING SHAFT HAD HEAVY CORROSION AND DIDN'T FUNCTION. HE REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT. TRUCK HAD 87,000 MILES. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION AND SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A FACTORY RECALL.
Steering, Aug 17, 2016
STEERING BECAME VERY HEAVY, ALMOST LIKE POWER STEERING WAS GONE. VERY HARD TO TURN AND CONTROL THE TRUCK WHILE MOVING. SUDDENLY LOOSENS UP AND WORKS AS NORMAL. DEALER SAYS IT IS THE STEERING SHAFT AND NOW REFUSES TO FIX IT. I SEE A LOT OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS HERE, WHY ISN'T FORD BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE? THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING. I'M GLAD IT HAPPENED TO ME AND NOT TO MY WIFE; I DON;T THINK SHE WOULD HAVE HAD THE STRENGTH TO CONTROL THE TRUCK AND COULD HAVE KILLED OR SEVERELY INJURED HERSELF OR OTHERS. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED!
Steering, Jul 6, 2016
AS MY WIFE WAS TURNING A CORNER THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON HER. SHE CROSSED THE CENTER LINE AND NEARLY HIT VEHICLE THAT WAS WAITING AT A STOP SIGN. SHE HAD TO JERK ON THE STEERING WHEEL VERY HARD TO GET THE TRUCK BACK IN THE PROPER LANE. MECHANIC INDICATED THIS IS FAIRLY COMMON AND FORD DEALERS ARE KEEPING THE LOWER STEERING SHAFTS-U-JOINTS IN STOCK DUE TO OLDER ONES LOCKING UP. NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO THIS POINT HOWEVER, I HAD IT REPLACED AT A COST OF $490.00.
Steering, Jun 19, 2016
STEERING SHAFT MADE FROM INFERIOR MATERIAL CAUSING IT TO MALFUNCTION. VERY HARD TO TURN.
Steering, Jun 8, 2016
MY BROTHER IN LAW HAS A 2008 FORD F-150 AND SAID HIS STEERING SEIZED UP AND AFTER CHECKING FLUID, BELTS, ETC. IT APPEARED THE STEERING SHAFT U-JOINTS WERE BINDING. LAST WEEK MY 2008 F150 EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY HASN'T FORD BEEN LIABLE FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE. AFTER CHECKING VARIOUS FORD SITES, THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH F150'S.
Steering, Apr 18, 2016
I HAVE A 2008 FORD F150 I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN OFF OF A MAIN ROAD INTO A DRIVEWAY WHILE APPLYING SLIGHT BRAKING PRESSURE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND BRAKING WAS STIFF AT THE PEDAL CAUSING A NEAR COLLISION INTO A TREE LINE. THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING NEVER DIED. I HAD TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING. NO WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON. NO DASH INDICATORS OF ANY ERRORS. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS ISSUE. ALL MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY UP TO DATE. I WILL BE TAKING MY TRUCK IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC IN THE MORNING.
Steering, Mar 30, 2016
INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT CORRODED, CAUSING STIFF STEERING, HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE, PARTICULARLY WHEN MAKING TURNS, MANEUVERING.
Steering, Jan 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,450.
Steering, Dec 29, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL STIFFENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS LEAKING AND THE RACK AND PINION AND HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Steering, Sep 9, 2015
STEERING IS HEAVY AND BINDS, ESPECIALLY DURING CORNERING AND BRAKING. FEELS LIKE POWER STEERING IS FAILING AND TRUCK IS DIFFICULT TO STEER, CONTROL AND MANEUVER AT ALL SPEEDS AND DIRECTIONS. STEERING SHAFTS AND JOINTS ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND SEIZING AND WILL NOT RELEASE WITH LUBRICANT. POWER STEERING FLUID AND LINES ARE FINE AND DEALER STATES THAT STEERING SHAFTS AND JOINTS MUST BE REPLACED. I WAS TRAILERING A BOAT AT 50 MPH AND STEERING WAS SEIZING, VERY HEAVY, AND SEEMED TO BE BINDING WHILE GOING AROUND BENDS IN THE ROAD AND THEN THE STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY RELEASE - OR UNSTICK - AND BECOME RESPONSIVE AGAIN. I CROSSED THE CENTER LINE AS THE STEERING SUDDENLY GOT VERY HEAVY, SLUGGISH AND UNRESPONSIVE, AND THEN RELEASED AND BECAME RESPONSIVE AGAIN. I ALMOST DROVE DIRECTLY INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS STEERING ISSUE IS NOW A CONSTANT AND HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING OR TOWING, AT ALL SPEEDS, AND IN BOTH FORWARD AND REVERSE. THIS STEERING PROBLEM IS EXTREMELY UNPREDICTABLE, UNSAFE, AND VERY DANGEROUS. IT ALSO SEEMS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM WITH NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE BEING REPORTED TO THE NHTSA, FORD, FORD DEALERS, AND DISCUSSED IN ONLINE FORUMS.
Steering, Aug 24, 2015
WHILE MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS THE STEERING GETS HARD TO STEER THEN IT LOOSENS UP MAKING IT OVER STEER. I BELIEVE IT IS IN THE STEERING SHAFT U-JOINT BECAUSE IT IS ALL RUSTED.