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.
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.
Structure, May 31, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE CONSIDERED DESTROYED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME DAMAGE WAS SO SEVERE THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.
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.
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.
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.
Steering, Mar 30, 2016
INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT CORRODED, CAUSING STIFF STEERING, HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE, PARTICULARLY WHEN MAKING TURNS, MANEUVERING.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 29, 2016
VEHICLE UNEXPECTANTLY STALLED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH CAUSING PARTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL VEHICLE TO SIDE OF ROAD. FAILED TO RESTART VEHICLE INITIALLY. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, VEHICLE RESTARTED. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO DEALER ONE BLOCK AWAY WITH SEVERAL STALLS, RESTARTS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. LOCHEN FORD IN NEWBURG, WI DIAGNOSED A FAILED FUEL DRIVER MODULE. REPLACED AT A COST OF $350 ON 3/29/16. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON FAILURE WITH THIS VEHICLE. FAILURE OF PART IS DUE TO ACCELERATED CORROSION OF PART ITSELF DUE TO POOR DESIGN AND MOUNTING. MODIFICATIONS HAVE SINCE BEEN MADE TO LESSEN THE CHANCE OF FAILURE. THIS IS CERTAINLY OF CONCERN SINCE STALLING OF THE ENGINE AT ALL SPEEDS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I SUSPECT THOUSANDS, IF NOT MILLIONS OF THESE POPULAR TRUCKS ARE AFFECTED. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED BY FORD, BUT TO MY KNOWLEDGE, HAS NOT.
Wheels, Mar 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE RIM FRACTURED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE RIMS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RIMS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
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.
Other or unspecified, Mar 13, 2016
WIFE IS AT THE NCHA EASTERN NATIONAL FINALS IN JACKSON, MS. THIS IS A BIG HORSE EVEN WHICH BRINGS IN A LOT OF FORD F350, 450, AND 550 TO THE SHOW. PEOPLE SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON THESE VEHICLES OVER 60,000 DOLLARS. THIS VEHICLE BEING AS NICE AS IT IS, HAS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW. THEY ARE TOO EASY TO BREAK INTO. HORSE SHOW IS FROM MARCH 7 - 19. AS OF MARCH 13, 2016 IN JACKSON, MS. THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 300 FORD F SERIES PICKUP TRUCKS BROKEN INTO BY WAY OF THE DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVE SIDE. THE THIEFS EITHER TAKE A SCREW DRIVE AND PRY THE PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE OFF AND HAVE ACCESS TO THE INSIDE THE DOOR AND UNLOCK. OR THEY DRILL RIGHT BELOW THE PLASTIC AND UPWARD TO HIT THE MECHANICAL DEVICE THAT UNLOCKS THE DOOR AND THEY ARE IN. LESS THAN A MINUTE FOR THEM TO GAIN ACCESS. THEY CAN DO THE SAME THING TO THE REAR DOOR BY PRYING THE PLASTIC OFF AND ACCESS THE INSIDE. FORD NEEDS TO REDESIGN THIS AND GET RID OF THE CHEAP PLASTIC DOOR HANDLES. NEED TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR ALL FORD F SERIES PICKUPS AND INSTALL JIMMIE JAMMERS SO THIEVES CANNOT ACCESS THE DEVICE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. WITH THE JIMMIE JAMMER, YOU CAN NOT USE A FLATHEAD SCREW DRIVER IN THE KEYLOCK AND TURN IT TO FORCE IT TO UNLOCK. IN FACT, FORD JUST NEEDS TO GET RID OF THE KEYLOCK ALL TOGETHER. YOU HAVE TWO WAYS OF UNLOCKING THE DOORS. KEYPAD OR KEYFOB. WHY DO YOU NEED TO DOOR LOCK.
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.
Service brakes, Mar 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, THE ABS ACTIVATED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULSATE AND THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DRAINED THE FRONT BRAKES; HOWEVER, THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
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.
Suspension, Feb 16, 2016
BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE FROM CORROSION.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 15, 2016, fire
FUEL PUMP DRIVER MODULE (FPDM) CORRODES RAPIDLY, BREAKS OPEN, AND SHORTS OUT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING.
Air bags, Feb 1, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER LOST STEERING CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CRASH WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A MEDICAL CONDITION. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS FATALLY INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
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.
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.
Service brakes, Jan 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,200. UPDATED 03/10/16*LJ *CN
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.
Power train, Dec 29, 2015
WE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2008 FORD F-150 BACK IN MAY, 2008. WE HAVE ONLY PUT ON IT 27,000 MILES AND HAVE NEVER TOWED ANYTHING WITH IT, WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A TRAILER HITCH ON IT. ON DEC. 10, 2015 THE "TRANS FAULT" LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND THE TRUCK STARTED MAKING LOTS OF NOISE AND JUMPING INTO GEAR WHEN YOU PUT IT IN "DRIVE". WE DROVE TWO MILES TO OUR HOME AND GOT IT IN THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER IT WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY, WE TRIED TO DRIVE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND IT WOULDN'T GOT INTO ANY GEAR, NOT EVEN NEUTRAL SO IT COULDN'T BE MOVED. ON DEC. 11, 2015 WE HAD IT TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE WE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION OR HAVE IT REBUILT. WE DECIDED TO GET A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION, IT HAD A BETTER WARRANTY. EVEN THE TRANSMISSION GUY WITH 38 YEARS EXPERIENCE COULDN'T BELIEVE THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 27,000 MILES. I HAD CONTACTED FORD BUT THEY WOULDN'T TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND SAID THAT THERE WEREN'T ANY RECALLS.
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.