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.
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.
Suspension, Nov 3, 2015
R R LEAF SPRING BROKEN. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED OR DRIVEN ROUGH. I FIRET NOTICED IT WHEN I WOULD HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, SOUNDED LIKE SPARE TIRE RACK WAS LOOSE. AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THERE WERE OTHERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CENTER LEAF OF THE THREE SPRINGS BREAK GENERALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LEAF.
Air bags, Oct 28, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO YIELD FOR A RED LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AMBULANCE TOOK THE CONTACT TO THE HOSPITAL WITH A CONTUSION AND BRUISES TO THE LEGS, LEFT ARM, ABDOMEN, AND NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,855.
Exterior lighting, Oct 26, 2015
MAP LIGHTS AND DOME LIGHT STAY ON WHILE DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING AT NIGHT. AFTER PARKING 15 MIN LATER THE LIGHT WILL GO OUT. BUT AS SOON AS YOU OPEN THE DOORS THE LIGHT WILL STAY ON, DAY OR NIGHT.
Engine, Oct 22, 2015
BROKE 4 SPARK PLUGS IN BLOCK TRYING TO REPLACE
Electrical system, Sep 18, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION COMPUTER FAILED. THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS ORDERED; HOWEVER, WHEN THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS RECALLED FOR TESTING PURPOSES AND UNAVAILABLE FOR AN UNKNOWN TIMEFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
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.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Aug 22, 2015
SITTING IN MY TRUCK WITH THE KEY TURNED OR EVEN ON IDLE, THE ELECTRONICS ON MY DASH(RADIO ALLUMINATION, TRIP BOX, ETC.) WILL BE FADED ON ONE SIDE OR WILL BE COMPLETELY FADED AND I CANT SEE THE TIME, STATION, GAS MILEAGE, ETC. FROM TIME TO TIME WHEN IT DOES THIS, MY CRUISE CONTROL FIGURE WONT SHOW BUT AFTER A WHILE(10-30 MINUTES) IT WILL POP UP ON THE CLUSTER. IT DOESNT MATTER IF ITS COLD OUT OR HOT OUT, IDLE,RUNNING OR IGNITION SWITCHED OFF, IT WILL BE FADED. ITS BECOMING MORE OF A COMMON THING(DAILY).
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.
Air bags, Jun 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Jun 13, 2015
AIRBAG STAYS ON ALL THE TIME DO NOT MATTER WHAT YOU DO IT HAS A CODE OF 1869
Air bags, Jun 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Power train, Apr 13, 2015, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTING CABLE BURNED THROUGH OR FRACTURED DUE TO THE CABLE RESTING ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,172. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Apr 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTING CABLE HAD BURNT THRU OR FRACTURED DUE TO THE CABLE RESTING ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND CORROSION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING CABLE AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,172.
Air bags, Service brakes, Mar 25, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER, WHILE REVERSING AT 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Structure, Mar 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER LEAKED INTO THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT AND ONTO THE REAR SEATS OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER REAR CAB CORNERS BECAME RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Tires, Wheels, Mar 11, 2015
TIRE TREAD SEPARATION ON FRONT DRIVE SIDE TIRE. I WAS ABLE TO CATCH IN TIME AND HAD TIRE REPLACED BUT WOULD LIKE COMPANY TO REIMBURSE ME BECAUSE THIS BRAND OF TIRE WAS RECALLED LAST YEAR FOR THE SAME REASON BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THE P265/70R17. THE BRAND OF TIRE IS CAPITAL PRECISION TRAC II, THE TIRE SHOP THAT REPLACE THE TIRE TOLD ME I WAS LUCKY THAT IT DID NOT BLOW ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
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.
Power train, Feb 17, 2015
REAR END DOES A SKIDDING WHEN COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP TO MOVING. LOOKS AS THOUGH THE BRAKES ARE NOT RELEASING LIKE THEY SHOULD, BUT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS GRINDING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. WHEN CALLING AUTO PART STORES ABOUT GETTING A REPLACEMENT, THEY HAVE ALL ADVISED THAT THIS YEARS (2008) FORD F-150S ALL HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. ALL STORES SAY IT IS THE DIFFERENTIAL CLUTCH PACKS IN THESE 2008 FORD F-150S BUT FORD WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MALFUNCTION OF THIS PART. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 17, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON REMOVING THE KEY AND RE-ENTERING THE KEY TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER FRACTURED. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE SWITCH BACK INTO PLACE, BUT IT WAS NOT SECURELY CONNECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 4/7/15*CN UPDATED 04/14/15
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
Tires, Feb 12, 2015
2008 FORD F150 TIRES, WITHIN THREE MONTHS AND 283 MILES ALL FOUR OF THE TIRES HAD TREAD SEPARATION AND WERE REPLACED. ..UPDATED 02/12/15*BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TREAD SEPARATED ON THE REPLACEMENT TIRES, AS WELL. *JB
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 2, 2015
I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 FORD F150 WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTED SEVERE JERKING/MISSING AND LOSS OF POWER. IT CONTINUED TO GET WORSE WHILE VEHICLE WAS UNDER LOAD THEN EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING AND WOULD NOT START. I WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THE ISSUE WAS A LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP DRIVER LOCATED ABOVE THE SPARE TIRE ON A STEEL CROSS MEMBER. THIS PART WAS SEVERELY CORRODED DUE TO AN ENGINEERING FLAW REPORTED BY HUNDREDS OF F150 OWNERS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY NHTSA WITH FORD AND A RECALL INITIATED TO REPLACE THIS COMPONENT WITH THE IMPROVED PART DESIGN NOW AVAILABLE. *TR