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, Feb 15, 2015
WHEN I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN OFF A HIGHWAY RAMP, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP & THEN SNAPPED BACK & SPRAINED MY WRIST. I DON'T CARE ABOUT MY WRIST,BUT I DO CARE ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE LOWER STEERING SHAFT THAT WAS ENGINEERED WRONG TO START WITH & YOU MADE FORD ISSUE A RECALL (BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT)IN ALL THERE MID SIZED & HIGHEND CARS ALONG WITH LINCOLN & MERCURY MODELS BECAUSE IT'S A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. WHAT YOU DIDN'T DO IS, ORDER A RECALL FOR ALL FORDS THAT HAS THE SAME LOWER STEERING SHAFT! WHY? YOU SAY IT'S NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM IN THE F-150, WHY? JUST BECAUSE IT'S A TRUCK OR FORD PAID YOU OFF NOT TO ISSUE THE RECALL FOR THE F-150'S?? IF IT'S A DEFECTED PART IN THERE CARS,IT'S THE SAME PART PUT IN F-150'S,MADE BY THE SAME CO.. I PD $38,000 FOR A TRUCK THAT HAS THE SAME DEFECTED PART YOU MADE THEM ISSUE A RECALL. SOME LINCOLNS & MERCURY CARS RECALLED ARE HEAVIER THAN MY F-150,BUT THAT DOESN'T MATTER TO YOU. I ALMOST CRASHED THREW THE GUARD RAIL & IF I DID, I WOULD BE DEAD!! I WANT TO KNOW HOW YOUR AGENCY EXCLUDED THE F-150 IN THE RECALL?? ARE YOU PEOPLE ENGINEERS? HOW IN THE WORLD COULD YOU EXCLUDE ANY VEHICLE IN THE RECALL THAT HAS THE SAME DEFECTED PART IN IT? PLEASE E-MAIL ME THE REASON WHY A DEFECTED PART FORD MADE,IS ONLY A SAFETY ISSUE IN CARS, BUT NOT THE F-150"S THAT HAS THE SAME LOWER STEERING SHAFT'S. I REALLY WANT TO KNOW. THINK OF THIS, A MERCURY SABLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I HAD WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE MERCURY WOULD HIT THE GUARD RAIL & STOP, MY F-150 WOULD OF WENT UP & OVER THE GUARD RAIL & FALL TO MY DEATH!! A DEFECTED PART IS A DEFECTED PART,NO MATTER WHAT VEHICLE IT'S IN. I WANT TO KNOW WHY YOU THINK IT'S OK FOR MILLIONS OF F-150'S TO HAVE DEFECTED LOWER STEERING SHAFT'S?? GOD FOR BID MY CHILDREN EVER GOT HURT BECAUSE YOU IDIOT'S SAID A DEFECTED PART IS OK ON F-150'S!! *TR
Steering, Sep 4, 2014
WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT THE STEERING GETS STIFF AND JERKING CAUSING OVERSTEER AND ERRATIC MOTION. ADDED POWERSTEERING FLUID BUT DID NOT HELP. *TR
Steering, Aug 19, 2014
WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, NOTICED STEERING BECAME VERY TIGHT. HAD TO FORCE IT THEN IT "RELEASED" RESULTING IN AN OVER STEER AND ALMOST VEERING TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. CENTERING THE WHEEL ALSO BECAME DIFFICULT AND RESULTING IN OVERSTEER THE OPPOSITE WAY. SAME PROBLEM - RIGHT OR LEFT HAND TURN. WAS INTERMITTENT BUT HAS BECOME CHRONIC NOW AND GETTING WORSE. HAVE NOT HAD IT IN THE SHOP YET. *TR
Steering, Jul 18, 2014
STEERING STICKS. *TR
Steering, Power train, Jul 11, 2014
MY TRUCK HAS 81K MILES ON IT AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAS GONE BAD. I HAVE NEVER IN THE PAST HEARD OF A BAD TORQUE CONVERTER FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE TOP OF MY STEERING WHEEL IS SHOWING MAJOR WEAR. MY WIFE'S 2000 MINI VAN HAS NO WEAR ON IT. WHY WOULD THE TOP OF MY STEERING WHEEL BE FALLING APART? *TR
Steering, Power train, Service brakes, Jun 25, 2014
I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW WITH 26 MILES ON IT. I HAVE SINCE HAD BRAKES GO OUT...STEERING GO OUT, POWERTRAIN REPLACED WITH REFURBISHED ONE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE STEERING ISSUE IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND ALL THE MECHANICS AT FORD SAY IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE SPARK PLUGS CAN'T BE REMOVED WITHOUT BREAKING OFF AND FORD IS TOTALLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. MY TRUCK STEERING ...I WAS TOLD A PART NEEDS TO BE REPLACED THAT HAPPENS TO ALL THESE TRUCKS...IT IS AT LEAST $1300.00...AND WHEN I ASKED FOR A TUNEUP AND WAS TOLD BECAUSE THE SPARK PLUGS BREAK OFF IT CAN BE OVER 800.00...I WAS ASTONISHED THAT WITH ALL THE TROUBLE WITH GM RECALLS YOU WOULD NOT TARGET THIS 2008 FORD F-150...THERE ARE MULTIPLE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES. I ALREADY WENT UP AGAINST FORD ABOUT THE POWERTRAIN AND HAVE PAID $35,000.00 FOR THIS TRUCK, I OWE THOUSANDS MORE. CAN YOU HELP OR BE OF ANY ASSISTANCE FOR ALL FORD TRUCK OWNERS? OH, AND THE TRUCK STARTS SHAKING AND I HAVE TO STOP PUT IN 4WD AND THEN OUT AGAIN IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC TO GET IT TO RUN RIGHT, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKES STICKS TOO. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, May 9, 2014
STEERING IS TIGHT AND HARD TO STEER ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING AROUND CURVES AND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING IS TIGHT AND THEN LOOSENS UP AND JERKS SUDDENLY . FOUND THE STEERING COLUMN KNUCKLES SCOLDED AND NO WAY TO LUBRICATE. *TR
Steering, Oct 29, 2013
STEERING GOT VERY HARD TO TURN. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS NOW. USE WD-40 TO LOOSEN THE KNUCKLE. *TR
Steering, Oct 24, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 3 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT LUBRICATED THE STEERING COLUMN BY APPLYING OIL AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RUNNING BOARDS WERE DAMAGED AND THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,660.
Steering, Structure, Oct 20, 2013
STEERING WHEEL HAS BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN. FEELS AS IF IT IS LOCKING UP AND I REALLY HAVE TO MUSCLE IT BACK TO CENTER AFTER TAKING A SHARP TURN. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE LUBRICATED A U JOINT ON THE STEERING SHAFT WHICH HELPED AND TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK IF/WHEN IT STARTS BINDING UP AGAIN. HE INFORMED ME HE HAS REPLACED THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT ON OTHER F150'S DUE TO SEVERE RUST/CORROSION AT THE JOINT. I SAW RECENTLY FORD ISSUED A RECALL ON CROWN VICTORIA'S WITH SOME TYPE OF STEERING ISSUE SO I FIGURED I WOULD SUBMIT THIS COMPLAINT SINCE I ANTICIPATE HAVING TO REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. *TR
Steering, Sep 19, 2013
POWER STEERING BECAME INTERMITTENT AND VEHICLE WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE THE FAULTY, RUSTED LOWER LINKAGE IN THE STEERING ASSEMBLY. *TR
Steering, Sep 12, 2013
WHILE DRIVING, MY STEERING SUDDENLY STARTED TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS BINDING. I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED A LARGE POOL OF FLUID UNDERNEATH. I HAD IT TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A STEERING RACK. THE STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY ( I HAVE A RECEIPT, JUST NOT AT HAND AT THE MOMENT) $1300.00. A WEEK LATER MY STEERING WAS ACTING STRANGE AGAIN. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE SERVICE STATION AND WAS TOLD THAT I NOW NEEDED A STEERING COLUMN (SP). THE COST TO REPLACE THIS WAS $470.00. *TR
Steering, Sep 11, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AS THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND STEERING LINE HAD A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 11/15/13*CN
Steering, Sep 6, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES EVEN WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT APPLIED OIL TO THE STEERING COLUMN TO ALLEVIATE THE FAILURE. THE REMEDY LASTED A WEEK AND MORE OIL WAS APPLIED AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Steering, Engine, Sep 1, 2013
THE TRUCK STEERING COLUMN WAS HARD TO TURN. CLUNKING AND STICKING POINTS WERE NOTED DURING TURNING.FOUND LOWER STEERING SHAFT U-JOINT IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT SEIZED. THIS COINCIDES WITH LATEST FORD RECALL FOR 2005 - 2011 FORD CARS. THIS WAS DIAGNOSED AS "FROZEN" BY FORD AND REPLACED ON 06/17/13. THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE FORD F-150 SERIES TRUCKS. THE REPAIR COST $460.00. I THOUGHT THIS SHOULD HAVE NOT HAPPEN BEING ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. ANOTHER ISSUE WITH TRUCK WAS A SPLIT IN THE RADIATOR (MAIN CORE.) WHILE DRIVING , MY FAMILY NOTICED THE SMELL OF GLYCOL. THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING (STREAMING)IN THE MIDDLE OF RADIATOR CORE. FORD REPLACED THE RADIATOR AT A COST OF $820.83 ON 08/05/13. THERE WAS NO IMPACT DAMAGE TO RADIATOR. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS LEAKING. *JS
Steering, Suspension, Jun 28, 2013
I HAVE A 2008 F-150. AS I WAS TAKING AN EXIT OFF THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL LOOKED UP & I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL & ENDED UP ON THE GRASSY AREA OF THE EXIT.. THE PROBLEM IS THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT U-JOINT BINDS UP & LOCKS. THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE U-JOINT, THERE IS NO WAY TO GREASE OR LUBE THE U-JOINT. I HAVE NOTIFIED FORD MANY TIMES WITH NO ANSWERS OR RESPONSE. ON THE FORD FORUM SITE, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF F-150 OWNERS WHO HAVE OR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH TRUCKS WHO'S WARRANTY'S JUST ENDED & HAD TO PAY $500 PLUS TO FIX IT, THERE ARE SOME WHO CRASHED BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL. I WAS LUCKY BUT IT'S A MAJOR PROBLEM FORD WOULDN'T CORRECT TIL SOMEBODY DIES. I PD.$30,000 FOR THIS TRUCK & OWE $16,000 AND SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY $500+ TO BE SAFE. HOW CAN YOU MAKE FORD CORRECT THIS PROBLEM? I CAN SEND YOU THOUSANDS OF OWNERS E-MAILS SENT TO ME FROM THE FORUM. BAD ENOUGH WE HAVE TO PAY ALOT OF MONEY TO FIX THIS & STILL OWE A TON OF MONEY FOR THE LOAN FOR THE TRUCK, IT'S A MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT FROM FORD. PLEASE E-MAIL ME BACK WITH YOUR ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Mar 31, 2013
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN 13 MONTHS. *TR
Steering, Oct 3, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT POWER STEERING FLUID SPILLED THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE COOLING TUBE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DELAY WAS A SUPPLY ISSUE AND THAT THEY WERE TRYING OUT A NEW PART. THE FAILURE WAS 54,120 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Steering, Sep 27, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT AND UNIVERSAL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,220... UPDATED11/01/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT SELF CORRECT AFTER MAKING A TURN. 11/02/12
Steering, Service brakes, Jun 12, 2012
BOUGHT A 2008 FORD F150 FROM A SO CALLED REPUTIBLE DEALER. HAD ISSUES AFTER THE FIRST COUPLE OF MONTHS WITH A VIBRATION TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER RAN A DIAGNOSTICS CHECK ON IT, THEY SAID NOTHING IS WRONG. TWO YEARS LATER PROBLEM HAS ESCALATED WHERE TRUCK VIBRATES SO BAD THAT IT SPILLS A CAN OF SODA. FORD NOW SAYS NO WARRANTY LEFT ON VEHICLE AND WE HAVE TO PAY FOR FIXING. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY TWO YEARS AGO WHEN PROBLEM ARISED. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD ITSELF. I AM THINKING ABOUT FILING A LAW SUIT AGAINST FORD IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT RECTIFIED. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Jun 5, 2012
IT FELT AS IF STEERING WAS BINDING WHEN MAKING A TURN. IT WOULD SUDDENLY BREAK FREE AND OVERSTEER WAS A PROBLEM. WHEN COMING OUT OF A TURN THE WHEEL WOULD NOT CENTER ON ITS OWN, BUT HAD TO BE TURNED BACK TO THE STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION. SPOKE WITH A FORD DEALER AND THEY WANTED AN EXORBITANT CHARGE TO JUST LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND PROFESSED THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF THE PROBLEM BEFORE. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND AT LEAST TWO HUNDRED (200) REFERENCES TO THE EXACT ISSUE. IT WAS THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINTS THAT HAD SEVERELY CORRODED. I LUBED THE JOINTS AND THINGS WENT BACK TO NORMAL FOR A FEW DAYS AND THE BINDING RETURNED. I INSTALLED A NEW LOWER SHAFT - FORD PART8L3ZB767B- AND THE TRUCK STEERS LIKE NEW. THE ORIGINAL PART ENDED IN A AND THE B REPRESENTS AN UPDATED VERSION. OBVIOUSLY FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS ENGINEERED A FIX - AND NEVER NOTIFYING THE CONSUMER. A TRUE CONCERN IS THE FOLLOWING. OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT THE WHEEL SHOWED ABOUT 15 DEGREES OF RIGHT INPUT WHILE TRACKING STRAIGHT, HANDS OFF. I HAD THE ALIGNMENT CHECKED AND ALL OK. IT WAS NOT PULLING, JUST A DISPLACED FROM CENTER WHEEL POSITION. THIS HAS ALL DISAPPEARED WITH THE NEW SHAFT. ON THE SAME ROADS, SAME CONDITIONS THE WHEEL IS PERFECTLY CENTERED. THIS TELLS ME THE OLD SHAFT HAS SUFFERED SOME TYPE OF DEFORMATION, MOST LIKELY ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNIVERSAL JOINTS ON SAID SHAFT. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD. *TR
Steering, Power train, Sep 4, 2011
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, TRUCK SELF ENGAGED IN 4X4, BUT ONLY DRIVER SIDE WHEEL LOCKED CAUSING SEVERE PULL TOWARDS LEFT SIDE. ALMOST LOST CONTROL. DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED ALL COMPONENTS TWICE NOW AND THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. *TR
Steering, May 27, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F150 SUPER CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VINYL STEERING COVER WAS DEFECTIVE AND SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,612 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,171.
Steering, Aug 21, 2010
I WAS CHANGING THE OIL IN MY 2008 F150 60TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION TRUCK AND NOTICED THAT MY STEERING STOPS WERE WORN. I TURNED ON MY TRUCK TO SEE IF MY WHEELS, WHEN TURNED ALL THE WAY TO EITHER SIDE IF THEY WERE TOUCHING THE STEERING STOPS. AND THEY WERE! THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THE ALUMINUM STEERING BRACKET IS EVENTUALLY GOING TO CRACK IF THE RACKING PINION ISN'T ADJUSTED PROPERLY ON THE TRUCK. THIS IS A NEW TRUCK WITH ONLY 31,000 MILES 2WD, AND HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD. *TR
Steering, Aug 5, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F 150. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS HOLDING ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN HIS HAND BEGAN TO SLIP. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DETERIORATING, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE GRIP OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY GRABBING THE WHEEL IN A DIFFERENT SPOT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 33,000.