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
369 reports, newest first.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 28, 2011
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THE GAS PEDAL GETS STUCK ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT AND THE VEHICLE SUDDEN STARTED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKE AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO THE GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT WHEELS KEPT SPINNING EVEN THOU THE BRAKES WERE PRESSED AND THE TIRES LEFT SKID MARKS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,500.RL
Other or unspecified, Feb 18, 2011
DUE TO THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL AND THE LOW SINK WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL IT IS VERY EASY TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. I HAVE ASKED FORD TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND THE POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY WILL NOT. I FEEL THAT THIS MATTER DESERVES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AND SHOULD BE REVIEWED BY OUTSIDE AGENCIES TO SEE IF THERE IS IN FACT THE NEED FOR A RECALL AND A REDESIGN. *LN
Suspension, Feb 17, 2011
ON MY WIFE'S 2008 F150 QUAD CAB TRUCK AT 37000 MILES, I NOTICE THAT THE TIRES ON THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK WHERE WEARING ON THE INSIDE, SO WITH A TRIP PLANNED FOR FLORIDA, I SET UP FOR OUR LOCAL DEALER TO DO AN ALIGNMENT. SHE DROP OFF HER TRUCK AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WENT ON HER WAY, WITHIN 30 MINUTES SHE GOT A CALL FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER. HE INFORMED HER THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER SAID THAT SINCE THE TRUCKS WARRANTY (THE TRUCK HAS 38000 MILES ON IT) HAD RAN OUT THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE LOOSE BALL JOINTS. BUT THEY PUT A NEW SET OF TIRES ON AND CHARGED US FOR AN ALIGNMENT. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD AND IT NEVER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT END AT ALL. I HAVE BEEN TO FLORIDA TWICE. AND I HAVE OWNED 19 DIFFERENT FORDS IN MY 55 YEARS, 12 OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PURCHASED NEW, THREE WERE 4X4 WITH LARGE TIRES AND MOST HAD OVER A 100,000 MILES, AND I HAVE NEVER HAD TO CHANGE A BALL JOINT OR ANY PART OF THE FRONT END STEERING PARTS. I AM NOT DOING A COMMERCIAL FOR FORD , I JUST WANT FORD TO REPAIR MY TRUCK, I AM IN THE SAME BOAT AS EVERYONE ELSE, NO MONEY!!! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Feb 15, 2011
WHEN MY 08 F-250 DIESEL IS DRIVEN IN THE RAIN ON THE HIGHWAY AT A CONSTANT SPEED, THEN ACCELERATE TO PASS OR GO UP A GRADE IT HAS A HESITATION AND WHITE SMOKE OR STEAM. FORD REPLACED THE CAC WITH A NEW ONE THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD THEY HOW EVER HAVE NO ANSWERS AS OF 15/FEB/2011 I FILED THE COMPLAINT BACK IN SEPTEMBER OF 2010. *TR
Electrical system, Interior lighting, Equipment, Jan 25, 2011
2008 F-150 RADIO AND INTERIOR LIGHTS RANDOMLY COME ON WHILE THE KEY IS OFF, OUT OF THE IGNITION, PARKED IN THE GARAGE, WITH THE DOORS CLOSED, THE WINDOWS CAN BE OPEN OR CLOSED. BEGAN RANDOMLY ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO (12-1-2010 @ 60K MILES). NO RE-OCCURRING PATTERN TO THE INCIDENCES. IF THE RADIO ON/OFF SWITCH IS OFF THE RADIO DOES NOT COME ON, BUT THE INTERIOR LIGHT WILL COME ON. LOCAL DEALER REPLACED SOME SORT OF "RADIO MODULE-$600.00" BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. HELP; CONCERNED ABOUT BATTERY LIFE AND OTHER POTENTIAL ELECTRONIC FAILURES. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 7, 2011
THIS SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW SAFETY PROBLEM. ON MY 2008 FORD F-150 PICK-UP TRUCK, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS MOUNTED TOO CLOSE TO THE GAS PEDAL. IF, DURING A "PANIC STOP" MY FOOT IS NOT PLACED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT TENDS TO OVER LAP THE GAS PEDAL AND WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE, WILL ACTUALLY ACCELERATE THE TRUCK. THIS PROBLEM GETS WORSE AS THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES WEAR AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSES EVEN FURTHER. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY ADVISED ME TO CONTACT MY DEALER, WHICH I DID. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT CAN DO NOTHING TO FIX IT SINCE FORD HAS NOT GIVEN THEM A FIX. THIS COULD E A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY WHEN TOWING A HEAVY LOAD SUCH AS A TRAVEL TRAILER OR LARGE BOAT. I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM ADDRESSED ON THIS SITE AND ALSO OTHER FORD TRUCK BLOG SITES.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 7, 2011
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE NEW IN 2008. I DISCOVERED WHAT SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE BRAKE & GAS PEDALS. THEY ARE SPACED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER AND AT THE SAME LEVEL. WHEN PLACING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT SOMETIMES IS POSITIONED ON THE RIGHT AND OVERLAPS THE GAS PEDAL AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THIS COULD POSSIBLY BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN TOWING A HEAVY BOAT OR TRAVEL TRAILER. THIS PROBLEM GETS WORSE AS THE BRAKES WEAR AND THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS TO TRAVEL FURTHER DOWNWARD TOWARDS THE FLOOR. IN OTHER WORDS, THE GAS PEDAL IS ALSO FORCED FURTHER DOWNWARD. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. I CONTACTED FORD (CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT) ABOUT THIS AND THEY ADVISED ME TO CONTACT MY DEALER, WHICH I DID. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT COULD DO NOTHING AS FORD HAS NOT CONTACTED THEM WITH A FIX. I SEE ON YOUR WEB-SITE THAT THIS SITUATION HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION BY OTHER F-150 OWNERS.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 6, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS A SLIGHT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED; THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT A SPARK PLUG HAD DETACHED AND FALLEN INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. ..UPDATED 08/01/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO MAKE GOOD ON REPAIRS CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURED INSTALLED PART. UPDATED 08/02/12
Vehicle speed control, Jan 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F150. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IDLE AT A TRAFFIC STOP WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WENT FROM 0 TO 100 MPH WHILE SHE WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.
Electrical system, Jan 3, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 FORD F150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN SPARKS BEGAN SHOOTING FORM THE AUXILIARY CIGARETTE LIGHTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS CELLULAR PHONE WAS PLUGGED INTO THE LIGHTER AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE AND THE SPARKS WERE FALLING INTO A TRASH BAG INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CONTACTED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED FORTY-FIVE MINUTES LATER AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITHIN ONE AND A HALF HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
Power train, Dec 8, 2010
THE VEHICLE STARTED A VIBRATION AND LOUD BANGING NOISE. UNABLE TO DRIVE. LOOKING UNDER VEHICLE FOUND CENTER SUPPORT/CARRIER BEARING OUT OF PLACE AND LAYING IN BRACKET THAT ATTACHES IT TO FRAME. COULD NOT DRIVE OVER 5-10 MPH. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER GARAGE. COMPLETE DRIVE SHAFT(S) ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. OLD PARTS WERE RETAINED BY GARAGE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 1, 2010
WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT MOVES LOWER THAN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IF YOUR FOOT ISN'T SQUARELY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, YOU CAN DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR ACCIDENTALLY, RESULTING IN SUDDEN ACCELERATION. PUSHING HARDER ON THE BRAKES ONLY MAKES THE VEHICLE GO FASTER. *TR
Power train, Nov 1, 2010
THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN THE 2008 FORD F150 CREW CAB. YESTERDAY I PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT DID NOT ENGAGE. SO THEN I HAD TO PUT IT INTO PARK AND THEN ENGAGE IT AGAIN TO REVERSE THEN IT LET ME GO. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 17, 2010, crash
MY 2008 FORD F150 BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSES TOO FAR AND ALLOWS THE DRIVER TO INADVERTENTLY HIT THE GAS PEDAL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SIMULTANEOUSLY. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE EXAMINED BY THE DEALER AND HAVE NOTIFIED FORD MOTOR COMPANY OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE ADVISED ME THAT THE BRAKES ARE WORKING PROPERLY. MY SON ALSO HAS A FORD F150 AND HIS HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN DEFECT WITH THESE VEHICLES AND IN MY CASE HAS CONTRIBUTED TO ONE ACCIDENT AND SEVERAL NEAR MISSES. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM WARRANTS FURTHER STUDY BY YOUR AGENCY. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 1, 2010, crash
2008 FORD F150 PICK UP... TWICE WITHIN THE LAST 2 MONTHS MY TRUCK UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED WHEN I WAS IDLING IN REVERSE AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I NEARLY HIT AN EMPLOYEE OF MINE THE FIRST TIME AND YESTERDAY THE SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO MY MOTORHOME. THERE WERE BURN MARKS ON THE ASPHALT CAUSED BY ME PRESSING ON THE BRAKE SO HARD TRYING TO GET IT TO STOP. *TR
Structure, Aug 26, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED DURING RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS WHEN A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR SLIDING POWER WINDOW. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON WITHIN HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY TIME IT WOULD RAIN AND IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO WASH THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,940 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,032.
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.
Air bags, Aug 1, 2010, crash
I WAS IN A FOUR CAR PILE UP ON INTERSTATE 75, GOING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN TRAFFIC CAME TO AN ABRUPT AND CRASHED DIRECTLY HEAD ON INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. AFTER THE INITIAL HIT, I WAS REAR ENDED BY A TOW CAR, SLAMMING ME INTO THE CAR WITH EXTREMELY FORCE AGAIN. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED BECAUSE THE WHOLE FRONT HAD VERY SEVERE DAMAGE, ALONG WITH THE DAMAGE TO THE REAR. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE WITH A HEAD ON COLLISION AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH, AND ALSO THE SECOND HIT TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, WHICH HAD JUST AS MUCH FORCE AS THE INITIAL CRASH. *TR
Air bags, Jul 27, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THAT CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT COULD NOT RECALL THE DETAILS OF THE CRASH AND HAD LOST CONSCIOUSNESS WHEN CRASHING INTO THE POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE POLICE ADVISED THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT AT THE SPEED THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 36,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 23, 2010, fire
MY 2008 FORD F150 WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVE WAY UNTIL I HAD TO LEAVE TO GO RUN ERRANDS. I GOT IN IT, TURNED THE KEY AND THERE WAS FIRE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. I THINK IT STARED IN THE ENGINE BECAUSE OF HOW HOT IT WAS MINUTES AFTER I TURNED THE KEY. PLEASE LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THIS. I DO NOT WANT TO SEE PEOPLE BEING HARMED BY THIS. IM POSITIVE THAT IF I HADN'T TURNED IT OFF AS QUICKLY AS I DID THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE AND THE TRUCK WOULD HAVE BEEN RUINED, THROWING AWAY ALL THE MONEY THAT I BOUGHT IT FOR. AND WASTING ALL THE TIME THAT I CUD HAVE USED THE TRUCK FOR HAULING AND ROAD TRIPS. THANK YOU. *TR
Suspension, Jun 17, 2010
FAILURE HAPPENED AS SOON AS I DROVE THE TRUCK AWAY FORM PURCHASE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 11, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER CAUSING THE CONTACT TO MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HE HAD TO FORCEFULLY APPLY THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER EACH TIME, HOWEVER THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 19,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Seat belts, Equipment, Jun 10, 2010
BRAKES FAILED ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. RAN THRU 2 DIFFERENT INTERSECTIONS ...NO WET ROADS...NO WEATHER CONDITIONS...JUST FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 8, 2010
THE IGNITION SYSTEM ON THE FORD 2008 P/U CONTINUES TO CRANK ONCE THE KEY IS TURNED UNTIL THE ENGINE STARTS. THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE BY THE STARTER OVERHEATING WHILE TRYING TO START THE ENGINE. IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND REPLACED OR REPAIRED AS NECESSARY. THERE HAS BEEN NO INCIDENT REPORTED, BUT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR